During its short 17 year period (1952-69), America's flagship completed 400 voyages covering 2,772,840 miles. Total number of passengers carried was an impressive 1,025,691. Since each voyage included an eastbound and westbound component, the ship crossed the Atlantic 800 times !
@bctvguy I disagree. I was on this ship in 1964 and later on the QEII. Their approach to appointments were completely different. Britain still had the faux sense of a 'class' society and their luxury liners were appointed as such. The SS Untied States had colored decks; Blue being First Class, Red being Second class etc. I was all over that ship and besides the colors, there was little difference in service. The QEII was more luxurious, but the people were more pretentious.
The United States (like the ss France and Italian liners) depended on a government subsity to survive. In compariosn the Cunard Queens were privately owned and had to make it on their own. The mid-1960s were a rough time for passenger liners as jet service became slightly more affordable further digging into their passenger numbers. By the late 1960s, the Cunard Queen were retired as was the United States, Independence, Constitution. The US ocean passenger service on the Atlantic was over.
I'm glad she's off the chopping block for now. It was depressing seeing the former France fade away and become a part of history. Though now I'm quite worried about the QE2 in Dubai with the economy the way it is.
Strange music for an ultra modern ship built in the 1950's. But no more strange than the views people adopt towards her rusted hulk. She was never an attractive ship inside, compared to the Queens or the Ile De France, or the France and QEII. Obsessive concern for fire and her all metal interior, not to mention the stodgy look of her appointments all left her lacking appeal and Americans preferred to fly. She wasn't abandoned without good reason, and she's not worth restoring.
@Gryphonalia - Actually the music is very appropriate to the time. It sounds like Lester Lanin's society band that was very big at high brow parties into the 1970s.
Also, although the Queen Mary 1 and QE 1s were more lavish, they were retired at about the same time.
Jet travel was killing much of the cruise business until about 1977 when the mega hit TV show LOVE BOAT completely rejuvenated the business which is thriving mightily today.
@bctvguy This music is by the Alfred Menconi Orchestra (The SS United States Meyer Davis Orchestra) recorded on Everest in 1959 for the album "Let's Dance On Board the SS United States". The first song is C'est Magnifique and the second is Brazil.
@TheLegoboy1997 - I checked it out and you are right. However, it still sounds very much like Lester Lanin's society orchestra to me. Are you familiar with his work? At the very least, Menconi seems to have borrowed Lanin's style.
Lanin began conducting in 1927 and kept right on doing so until the 1990s !!! He died in 2004 at the age of 97.
Lanin worked out of Philadelphia and New York City where the ship was based.
@bctvguy I'll be sure to look him up! Menconi also based his work on that of Meyer Davis, who was in the same exact business as Lanin. There are a couple great Meyer Davis albums out there, like "Dancing With The Smart Set" from 1958, which I think is what "Let's Dance On Board The SS United States" is based on. This is a great little segment on the ship. Long may she live!
No matter what the cost is, restore the SS United States, dock her in New York and make an hotel/museum like the Queen Mary. If you can spend one billion on a idiotic war overseas you sure can find some money to restore an American icon and a part of the American history. The Queen Mary is not even built in America for god sake and even though millions of dollars is spent on her year after year while the SS United States is fading away in Philadelphia. That´s just not right.
@Sooksawaspakdee961, rather see her stay in Philly, granted Im from philly but being docked right across from the USS New Jersey would be the most amazing ship museum in the world. Keep her in the birth place of our nation.
The S.S. United States Hull and Superstructures are in excellent condition,based on inspections done by the Coast Guard and NCLcruises. Her Equipment is in need of TLC,but in very good condition. She could be put back to sea after a 9 month Overhaul and refit.. The only thing stopping that is the cost. $500,000 with the word being done overseas. Done in the USA double that cost and time.
@ejbonk -I love that ship but you have got to be kidding. Where did you get your information ?
No way on earth could that rusting 60 year old, 990 foot vessel be restored to good working order for just ONE million dollars. If that was the case, it would have been done years ago.
An LA TIMES article said in part: "The renovation cost has been estimated at $100 million or more."
It is incomprehensible to me that the RMS QUEEN MARY was given a home and preservation (although regrettably minus a lot of her machinery) by the USA, yet a proud product of American workmanship is allowed to fade away in your own back yard!!
@Bilton1956 - The SS United States had a very short career - only 27 years from 1952 to 1969. It has been rusting away at a Philadelphia dock for the last 15 years. I think it may be too far gone to try and bring it back.
I've read it's worth at least 5 million to some salvage company.
IMO, the best thing they could do now is build a brand new ship from the original plans and make it it identical to the Big U with the possible exception of updating the HVAC and other mechanical systems.
@bctvguy that sounds like something I heard on the back-wire a year ago, Bath Shipbuilding almost had a multi billion dollar contract to refurbish the United States and turn it to a national monument near Ground Zero, but the plan was rejected by US House, but the NYC Congress both House and Senate, agreed to approve the refurbish and the build of a special dock and mooring near ground zero only if it was federally funded, but the Pubs and Dems couldn't agree in Congress.
During its short 17 year period (1952-69), America's flagship completed 400 voyages covering 2,772,840 miles. Total number of passengers carried was an impressive 1,025,691. Since each voyage included an eastbound and westbound component, the ship crossed the Atlantic 800 times !
bctvguy 1 month ago
@bctvguy I disagree. I was on this ship in 1964 and later on the QEII. Their approach to appointments were completely different. Britain still had the faux sense of a 'class' society and their luxury liners were appointed as such. The SS Untied States had colored decks; Blue being First Class, Red being Second class etc. I was all over that ship and besides the colors, there was little difference in service. The QEII was more luxurious, but the people were more pretentious.
Real1shepherd 1 month ago
@Real1shepherd - I'm not sure what you're disagreeing about.
bctvguy 1 month ago
The United States (like the ss France and Italian liners) depended on a government subsity to survive. In compariosn the Cunard Queens were privately owned and had to make it on their own. The mid-1960s were a rough time for passenger liners as jet service became slightly more affordable further digging into their passenger numbers. By the late 1960s, the Cunard Queen were retired as was the United States, Independence, Constitution. The US ocean passenger service on the Atlantic was over.
lasuvidaboy 1 month ago
ok, Donald Trump--you need a pet project--and a worthy one??
windstorm1000 2 months ago
This ship deserves to be refurbished. It's name represents our country.
windstorm1000 2 months ago
I'm glad she's off the chopping block for now. It was depressing seeing the former France fade away and become a part of history. Though now I'm quite worried about the QE2 in Dubai with the economy the way it is.
LionheartPnshmnt 2 months ago
Strange music for an ultra modern ship built in the 1950's. But no more strange than the views people adopt towards her rusted hulk. She was never an attractive ship inside, compared to the Queens or the Ile De France, or the France and QEII. Obsessive concern for fire and her all metal interior, not to mention the stodgy look of her appointments all left her lacking appeal and Americans preferred to fly. She wasn't abandoned without good reason, and she's not worth restoring.
Gryphonalia 2 months ago
@Gryphonalia - Actually the music is very appropriate to the time. It sounds like Lester Lanin's society band that was very big at high brow parties into the 1970s.
Also, although the Queen Mary 1 and QE 1s were more lavish, they were retired at about the same time.
Jet travel was killing much of the cruise business until about 1977 when the mega hit TV show LOVE BOAT completely rejuvenated the business which is thriving mightily today.
bctvguy 2 months ago
@bctvguy This music is by the Alfred Menconi Orchestra (The SS United States Meyer Davis Orchestra) recorded on Everest in 1959 for the album "Let's Dance On Board the SS United States". The first song is C'est Magnifique and the second is Brazil.
TheLegoboy1997 2 months ago
@TheLegoboy1997 - I checked it out and you are right. However, it still sounds very much like Lester Lanin's society orchestra to me. Are you familiar with his work? At the very least, Menconi seems to have borrowed Lanin's style.
Lanin began conducting in 1927 and kept right on doing so until the 1990s !!! He died in 2004 at the age of 97.
Lanin worked out of Philadelphia and New York City where the ship was based.
Sam and Howard Lanin were also conductors.
bctvguy 2 months ago
@bctvguy I'll be sure to look him up! Menconi also based his work on that of Meyer Davis, who was in the same exact business as Lanin. There are a couple great Meyer Davis albums out there, like "Dancing With The Smart Set" from 1958, which I think is what "Let's Dance On Board The SS United States" is based on. This is a great little segment on the ship. Long may she live!
TheLegoboy1997 2 months ago
No matter what the cost is, restore the SS United States, dock her in New York and make an hotel/museum like the Queen Mary. If you can spend one billion on a idiotic war overseas you sure can find some money to restore an American icon and a part of the American history. The Queen Mary is not even built in America for god sake and even though millions of dollars is spent on her year after year while the SS United States is fading away in Philadelphia. That´s just not right.
Sooksawaspakdee961 6 months ago 3
@Sooksawaspakdee961, rather see her stay in Philly, granted Im from philly but being docked right across from the USS New Jersey would be the most amazing ship museum in the world. Keep her in the birth place of our nation.
EastCoastDude99 2 months ago
The S.S. United States Hull and Superstructures are in excellent condition,based on inspections done by the Coast Guard and NCLcruises. Her Equipment is in need of TLC,but in very good condition. She could be put back to sea after a 9 month Overhaul and refit.. The only thing stopping that is the cost. $500,000 with the word being done overseas. Done in the USA double that cost and time.
ejbonk 7 months ago
@ejbonk -I love that ship but you have got to be kidding. Where did you get your information ?
No way on earth could that rusting 60 year old, 990 foot vessel be restored to good working order for just ONE million dollars. If that was the case, it would have been done years ago.
An LA TIMES article said in part: "The renovation cost has been estimated at $100 million or more."
bctvguy 7 months ago
It is incomprehensible to me that the RMS QUEEN MARY was given a home and preservation (although regrettably minus a lot of her machinery) by the USA, yet a proud product of American workmanship is allowed to fade away in your own back yard!!
Bilton1956 8 months ago
@Bilton1956 - The SS United States had a very short career - only 27 years from 1952 to 1969. It has been rusting away at a Philadelphia dock for the last 15 years. I think it may be too far gone to try and bring it back.
I've read it's worth at least 5 million to some salvage company.
IMO, the best thing they could do now is build a brand new ship from the original plans and make it it identical to the Big U with the possible exception of updating the HVAC and other mechanical systems.
bctvguy 8 months ago
@bctvguy that sounds like something I heard on the back-wire a year ago, Bath Shipbuilding almost had a multi billion dollar contract to refurbish the United States and turn it to a national monument near Ground Zero, but the plan was rejected by US House, but the NYC Congress both House and Senate, agreed to approve the refurbish and the build of a special dock and mooring near ground zero only if it was federally funded, but the Pubs and Dems couldn't agree in Congress.
jackwhite910 6 months ago
Save the SS United States now, before it is too late!
paulieville 8 months ago