It's very sad to see that despite the fact this ship has managed to survive in limbo for so long her luck may slowly be running out...There must be a way to save this great symbol of American exceptionalism.
Scrapping the US united States would truly prove that America is so self absorbed that we can't even appreciate the past. Save the ship! I would go nomatter what. If we can save the Queen Mary, the Big Boys of the railroads and model T's, why can't we save the symbol of a nation, something which, at once point, was our source of national pride! Such a treasure cannot be forgotten. SAVE HER!!!
I would love to see the ship sail under her own power into passenger service again; but like others here have hinted at, this ship can't compete with the newer cruise ships in terms of immenities and size. A floating museum is probably the best option within 20 months. If she could be made seaworthy again, who knows---maybe she could be a traveling museum.
I hope the Conservancy is able to save her. New ships can't match the grace of these old ocean liners. Just a bunch of house barges
Talk about a shovel-ready project. I urge the United States Congress to declare this ship a national treasure to be re-born anew. Fund the restoration of the SS United States.
Do you think it would be better that she be restored to working order and sail or be restored as a stationary hotel and attraction in Philadelphia Harbor like the Queen Mary is on the West Coast? I'm just saying that even though she is fast, she can not offer the same amenities as a new cruise ship without being retrofitted and basically disfigured by that adding or balconies and other things like the Normandy was.
My mother was a passenger on this ship in February 1958. She went to meet my dad in Germany as he was in the Army and stationed there. She said she had a wonderful time on this ship. I just read where the ship was purchased by the conservancy. I hope they can restore it. It was definitely a beautiful ship.
@legomaxmania Actually, it's very important that people realize despite the headlines, the ship HAS NOT BEEN SAVED. She's been granted a stay of execution of about 20 months. For more information and to support the SS United States Conservancy, please visit ssunitedstatesconservancyDOTorg.
I remember watching MUNSTER GO HOME parts of which were filmed on the United States in the mid-60's. That was very cool. When I was a kid, I saw it in 1973, right after I got a model of the United States for Christmas, and was thrilled to see how big it really was. I loved the Munsters, and was shocked to see them in color, too. Bad TV inspired movie-making at it's finest! I shoudl try to find it somewhere.
Fantastic job on this and all videos, Shipgeek! Amazing, how you take away the tug boats an the cheering crowds at sailing, yet the experience of sailing really hasnt changed much, the ships now are like theme-park/hotel hybrids. I have been on 10 RCCL cruises this last year, sadly the ships seem hardly to move, they go so slowly. Thanks for the beautifully produced and posted videos. I have always been amazed by how big yet how light the ship is. Yet, she has a lower profile. aluminum, etc.
I don't understand the current interest in having the Big U go to NY as a static museum piece. The interior of the ship has been gutted .. there is nothing to see from the original. If someone was going to expend the money to restore the interior why not spend a bit more and put in a modern propulsion system? Right now I wish she was off the coast of Haiti as the face of America's compassion as a liner that could be called up as a goodwill ambassador.
sophiegromit, i agree with you 100%. Dock her in NYC. SS United States should be better known to the American people, something to be proud of and to show the world. Millions of people knows about Queen Mary but Big U has been forgotten for to long. Let´s change that know before it´s to late.
I cry every time I see this video, very moving. My Dad, worked on the America and made the maiden voyage on the Big U. I remember as a kid taking my Dad to pier 86 on sailing day. What an exciting time, she was an awesome ship to watch, arriving and departing. We need to save her!
this was the symbol of american peace time might, somebody said that we work hard to preserve our military history but when the biggest american made liner is in trouble nobody cares now why is that. i think we have lost our once great patriotism and she is suffering for it remember she had one of the shortest careers in history
I would actually love to see her as a floating hotel and museum like the Queen Mary. I have stayed on the Queen Mary docked in Long Beach California. As for it being a loss of money I dissagree I remember there being a bunch of people coming and going room rates are high but worth it in my eyes The staff was very informative. There are docked ships submarines etc all over the United States they are a money maker Yes the United States could eat someones lunch restoring it but see the possibility.
I heard that NCL America has announced plans to save the SS UNITED STATES. and that it could be sailed again and used as a passanger ship sailing an east coast to west coast route within 6 years if work is started now. I hope it happens. If not then she should be restored and used as a museum. A LOT of people would pay to see her.
why would they restore the Untied states when they let a newer, bigger and better ship the SS Norway go. The SS Norway was too small the United States is smaller, remember these ships were built as Ocean Liners for the Altantic run not cruise ships to piss around the carribean or med.
do not believe NCL. they have lied, lied, and lied again and again. they said they would restore the norway, and what do they do, scrap her. they said they would restore the SS Independence, what do they do, sell her to indian investors.
NCL will NEVER restore the United States. chances are they will scrap her as well. Everyone must stop them before they can kill again!!!!
A floating museum/hotel in New York, that is what this grand old lady deserves
Also she doesn't deserve to be scrapped she is still the fastest transatlantic liner out there and also she is an important part of United States History, Save the SS United States!
Some of the best warships and planes which are an important part of our history are scrapped. And, they are scrapped to make bigger and better planes and ships. We progress, we thrive. All their needs are pieces of her to remember there was a ship. But, iron and steel need to be recycled and to make a bigger, better, and faster ship.
She deserves a new lease on life, SS America is currently rotting away on a beach, SS United States bears the nation's name, and still holds the record for fastest west-east crossing. At least she's on the list as a Historic Place, meaning they can't scrap her
Sadly, her designation on the National List of Historic Places in no way protects her from any fate, including scrapping. Even National Landmark status would not prevent such a fate. We have to work to ensure that she is preserved by other means.
Queen Mary 2 is brand new and currently working, the queen Mary you are thinking of is the first one which is in Long Beach, as a hotel it's been a flop and rarely made any money.
I don't think she can be used as a cruise liner, but at least a museum of some sort a la Queen Mary. Her interiors were a bit cold, but my, how handsome a ship she was.
It's very sad to see that despite the fact this ship has managed to survive in limbo for so long her luck may slowly be running out...There must be a way to save this great symbol of American exceptionalism.
CJDfromJTF 1 year ago
Of course this ship is a national treasure! All of us dream of the good old
"Glory Days" when America stood astride the globe as the only superpower.
That's why Ronald Reagan had them put Missouri, New Jersey,
Wisconsin and Iowa battleships back in service in the 1980s. They are
good for morale. That said realize the United States is in pieces. Her
huge shaft and props are sitting at the Newport News, VA shipyard where
she was built. It would cost BILLIONS to restore the ship for use.
4freespeech 1 year ago
Scrapping the US united States would truly prove that America is so self absorbed that we can't even appreciate the past. Save the ship! I would go nomatter what. If we can save the Queen Mary, the Big Boys of the railroads and model T's, why can't we save the symbol of a nation, something which, at once point, was our source of national pride! Such a treasure cannot be forgotten. SAVE HER!!!
23Daant 1 year ago
I would love to see the ship sail under her own power into passenger service again; but like others here have hinted at, this ship can't compete with the newer cruise ships in terms of immenities and size. A floating museum is probably the best option within 20 months. If she could be made seaworthy again, who knows---maybe she could be a traveling museum.
I hope the Conservancy is able to save her. New ships can't match the grace of these old ocean liners. Just a bunch of house barges
jacktorr07 1 year ago
I came to the US from Great Britain on this ship in November, 1955. It took 6 days. I still have a lot of good memories of the voyage.
Alastair6 1 year ago
Talk about a shovel-ready project. I urge the United States Congress to declare this ship a national treasure to be re-born anew. Fund the restoration of the SS United States.
LeBubba 1 year ago
Do you think it would be better that she be restored to working order and sail or be restored as a stationary hotel and attraction in Philadelphia Harbor like the Queen Mary is on the West Coast? I'm just saying that even though she is fast, she can not offer the same amenities as a new cruise ship without being retrofitted and basically disfigured by that adding or balconies and other things like the Normandy was.
hop208 1 year ago
My mother was a passenger on this ship in February 1958. She went to meet my dad in Germany as he was in the Army and stationed there. She said she had a wonderful time on this ship. I just read where the ship was purchased by the conservancy. I hope they can restore it. It was definitely a beautiful ship.
MissMousy60 1 year ago
the picture from 3:03 is from a scene of Bon Voyage But oddlyt egnough the begining is set on the S.S. United States
legomaxmania 1 year ago
such a tragedy such an amazeing ship ........
dutyhole1734 1 year ago
@dutyhole1734 she has bean saved
legomaxmania 1 year ago
@legomaxmania Actually, it's very important that people realize despite the headlines, the ship HAS NOT BEEN SAVED. She's been granted a stay of execution of about 20 months. For more information and to support the SS United States Conservancy, please visit ssunitedstatesconservancyDOTorg.
shipgeek 1 year ago
killer footage.save our ship !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheZomiehunter 1 year ago
I remember watching MUNSTER GO HOME parts of which were filmed on the United States in the mid-60's. That was very cool. When I was a kid, I saw it in 1973, right after I got a model of the United States for Christmas, and was thrilled to see how big it really was. I loved the Munsters, and was shocked to see them in color, too. Bad TV inspired movie-making at it's finest! I shoudl try to find it somewhere.
wtb6chiny 1 year ago
Fantastic job on this and all videos, Shipgeek! Amazing, how you take away the tug boats an the cheering crowds at sailing, yet the experience of sailing really hasnt changed much, the ships now are like theme-park/hotel hybrids. I have been on 10 RCCL cruises this last year, sadly the ships seem hardly to move, they go so slowly. Thanks for the beautifully produced and posted videos. I have always been amazed by how big yet how light the ship is. Yet, she has a lower profile. aluminum, etc.
wtb6chiny 1 year ago
@wtb6chiny Thank you for your kind words. It's gratifying to know that people are enjoying these videos. It's so important to keep her alive!
shipgeek 1 year ago
Join the Facebook group known as:
SS United States as Roving Ambassador/Hospital Ship
Keachie99 1 year ago
Hopefully she winds up better than her sister ship...............
lt1fan94 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this video!
I don't understand the current interest in having the Big U go to NY as a static museum piece. The interior of the ship has been gutted .. there is nothing to see from the original. If someone was going to expend the money to restore the interior why not spend a bit more and put in a modern propulsion system? Right now I wish she was off the coast of Haiti as the face of America's compassion as a liner that could be called up as a goodwill ambassador.
frastephen 2 years ago
sophiegromit, i agree with you 100%. Dock her in NYC. SS United States should be better known to the American people, something to be proud of and to show the world. Millions of people knows about Queen Mary but Big U has been forgotten for to long. Let´s change that know before it´s to late.
Sooksawaspakdee961 2 years ago
I sailed on the United States as a child, in 1964 or 1965, from New York to Bremerhaven, via Southampton! Beautiful!
mtszorf 2 years ago
I cry every time I see this video, very moving. My Dad, worked on the America and made the maiden voyage on the Big U. I remember as a kid taking my Dad to pier 86 on sailing day. What an exciting time, she was an awesome ship to watch, arriving and departing. We need to save her!
hardcoreholster 2 years ago
Love the way you put this together, especially the end..
We need our nations flag ship back in working condition and honored as an American icon.
ManWhoLovesTheMary 2 years ago 2
this was the symbol of american peace time might, somebody said that we work hard to preserve our military history but when the biggest american made liner is in trouble nobody cares now why is that. i think we have lost our once great patriotism and she is suffering for it remember she had one of the shortest careers in history
TransamJc 3 years ago
I would actually love to see her as a floating hotel and museum like the Queen Mary. I have stayed on the Queen Mary docked in Long Beach California. As for it being a loss of money I dissagree I remember there being a bunch of people coming and going room rates are high but worth it in my eyes The staff was very informative. There are docked ships submarines etc all over the United States they are a money maker Yes the United States could eat someones lunch restoring it but see the possibility.
monkeybutt377 3 years ago 2
What a gorgeous, historic piece of Americana! The ship should be saved and made into a museum in NYC.
sophiegromit 3 years ago 4
@sophiegromit it has bean save from scrapyard!!!!!
legomaxmania 1 year ago
My Favorite ship of them all>>>> OMG do we need her back now more than ever>>>>>
Arcon3 3 years ago 5
she is such a beautiful ship, even thro the paint is faded and the rust is there, seeing her just takes your breath way !
stamps45 3 years ago 4
SSUnitedStateConservancy is a great site join up to be a member
SSUnitedStateslife 4 years ago 2
hopefully she will be saved
SSUnitedStateslife 4 years ago
lol I actually meant convention center, not sure where casino came from
will107 4 years ago
OK OK first of all, DONT insult QM, who cares how much money it makes? BE thankful its still here=) Second, DONT INSULT THE LINERS.
Montefusco1 4 years ago 2
I second taht :P
manokiller 4 years ago 3
NCL like to fuck up old things.They scrapped the SS Norway is secret now the SS United States.
xxsimayixx 4 years ago
dude i know this song it was from the ledgand of 1900 one of my favorite movies!
THEGREATITANICCHICK 4 years ago
KiwiRobbie,
They would restore her for this reason,
History.
Now, if we could restore Titanic, would We?
If we could Restore Brittanic, Would We?
If we could Restore Lusitania, Would We?
The Answer is Yes
dudeurdead 4 years ago 2
The Answer is NO. There all grave's.
FaceTheMoon 4 years ago
I heard that NCL America has announced plans to save the SS UNITED STATES. and that it could be sailed again and used as a passanger ship sailing an east coast to west coast route within 6 years if work is started now. I hope it happens. If not then she should be restored and used as a museum. A LOT of people would pay to see her.
ShesInParties 4 years ago
why would they restore the Untied states when they let a newer, bigger and better ship the SS Norway go. The SS Norway was too small the United States is smaller, remember these ships were built as Ocean Liners for the Altantic run not cruise ships to piss around the carribean or med.
KiwiRobbie 4 years ago
do not believe NCL. they have lied, lied, and lied again and again. they said they would restore the norway, and what do they do, scrap her. they said they would restore the SS Independence, what do they do, sell her to indian investors.
NCL will NEVER restore the United States. chances are they will scrap her as well. Everyone must stop them before they can kill again!!!!
A floating museum/hotel in New York, that is what this grand old lady deserves
will107 4 years ago
Also she doesn't deserve to be scrapped she is still the fastest transatlantic liner out there and also she is an important part of United States History, Save the SS United States!
titanic1090345 3 years ago 5
Some of the best warships and planes which are an important part of our history are scrapped. And, they are scrapped to make bigger and better planes and ships. We progress, we thrive. All their needs are pieces of her to remember there was a ship. But, iron and steel need to be recycled and to make a bigger, better, and faster ship.
TheStormchaser1 3 years ago
She deserves a new lease on life, SS America is currently rotting away on a beach, SS United States bears the nation's name, and still holds the record for fastest west-east crossing. At least she's on the list as a Historic Place, meaning they can't scrap her
snakes3425 4 years ago
Sadly, her designation on the National List of Historic Places in no way protects her from any fate, including scrapping. Even National Landmark status would not prevent such a fate. We have to work to ensure that she is preserved by other means.
shipgeek 4 years ago
I have very little respect for NCL now. At least the other companies that owned Big-U made an effort.
jjarchit 5 years ago
I am a sailor and my tears comes out to see her like that
PakaBubi 5 years ago
Why not put her along the Queen Mary 2 as a hotell and
a museum`??? she will probely never cross the atlantic
again, this would be a nice ending for her.
STS107 5 years ago
Restore her and put her along the Quenn Mary 2 as secind hotell.
STS107 5 years ago
Queen Mary 2 is brand new and currently working, the queen Mary you are thinking of is the first one which is in Long Beach, as a hotel it's been a flop and rarely made any money.
KiwiRobbie 4 years ago
Nice ship...always been my favorite US line (as if there was a huge array to choose from) ship; music fits; 2:42 is almost a haunting part.
DistantLover 5 years ago
I don't think she can be used as a cruise liner, but at least a museum of some sort a la Queen Mary. Her interiors were a bit cold, but my, how handsome a ship she was.
1814Brandan 5 years ago
NCL claim that they will return her to service! Unlikely me thinks.
Frostyacres 5 years ago
I hope there is some way for her to be saved...I don't want her to face the same fate as the Norway
majaorca100 5 years ago