Will Joe Biden save the SS United States? Its supporters are making their case.
Caretakers of the SS United States hope to transcend partisan politics and get the president or Congress to champion their ship.
Philadelphia Inquirer link: https://www.inquirer.com/news/ss-united-states-joe-biden-navy-congress-20240215.html
Archived (no paywall) link: https://archive.ph/NMYo0
If you're like me, you probably thought this headline was a metaphor for Biden saving "our American democracy." Am I right? But no. there actually is an oceanliner called the SS United States, and it's in dire condition.
In addition to President Joe Biden, the SS United States Conservancy has sent a plea for help to the U.S. Secretary of the Navy and members of Congress, describing how the ship is “under the imminent threat of eviction and destruction,” appealing to their patriotism.
“Indeed, it would be a global embarrassment if the nation’s Flagship were to face destruction during this time of grave geopolitical uncertainty abroad,” read the three-page letter. It’s the latest effort to find the ship a champion to save it from the scrapyard.
For decades, redevelopers and what would eventually become the conservancy have struggled to repurpose the 1,000-foot vessel that still holds the transatlantic speed record it broke in 1952. Proposals such as making the ship into a cruise line or time-share condos fell by the wayside over the years as financing failed to materialize. Still, the conservancy has always argued the ship is a slice of American history and should be repurposed, saving the ship from destruction on more than one occasion through fundraising efforts.
If only it weren't already election year ... this is an issue that President Joe Biden could really get behind!
= new reply since forum marked as read
(Shoddy writing there--the ship *holds* the record it *set*. That old record was broken.)
The language nazi in me is rockin' it today........
The quote says it *holds* the record it *broke*--that is logically impossible. That record is broken; it no longer exists as a record. The SS-US now holds a NEW record.
The only possible way that statement could be true would be if the SS-US had broken ITS OWN record.
It would be more accurate to state that it still holds the record it SET in 1952.
This is a piece of history that if destroyed we'll never get back. This is an elegant liner not some Las Vegas hotel and theme park in the guise of a cruise ship.
Unfortunately, most of her art deco interior was stripped out. Oddly enough, the asbestos remediation was done in the Ukraine in the 90s.
About the conservancy:
A walk through of what she looks inside now:
After her maiden voyage where she won the Blue Ribband (Trans-Atlantic speed record)
Thanks for posting ... RECOMMENDED!
I can not think of a single reason why it should not be done. She represents a milestone in maritime architecture and deserves to be properly cared for. If they can keep the US Constitution in working order, they can spend the money to take care of "The Big U".
She was a beauty.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_United_States
BTW, My family did a westbound crossing on her in September of 1967. Several years ago I put up a series of posts displaying the menus we had saved for the 6 day crossing. Unfortunately the pics are gone from Photobucket. I still have the menus, but I would have to rescan them and put them on another photo sharing site.
If you care to, you can read the threads here; (listed days one through 6)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/115731194
https://www.democraticunderground.com/115731242
https://www.democraticunderground.com/115731312
https://www.democraticunderground.com/115731392
https://www.democraticunderground.com/115731432
https://www.democraticunderground.com/115731480
