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[Scarecrow]

http://cbs3.com/local/Philadelphia.SS.United.2.1784378.html

PHILADELPHIA (AP) ― A Philadelphia philanthropist has pledged more than $5 million to save a historic ocean liner currently rusting away on the city's waterfront.

H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest will donate up to $5.8 million to the SS United States Conservancy to purchase and maintain the vessel while it pursues redevelopment plans.

The SS United States set the trans-Atlantic speed record on its maiden voyage 58 years ago. It was removed from service in 1969 and has languished at a South Philadelphia pier for more than a decade.

Norwegian Cruise Line bought the ship in 2003 hoping to return it to service, but put it up for sale in February.

Lenfest's donation gives the conservancy the money to buy the ship and care for it for 20 months while it works on transforming it into a stationary mixed-use retail and entertainment complex.

[TootUncommon]

Wow someone with more money than they need is donating it for a great cause!  Kudos to him!!

[Kay]

Great news! Way to go Mr.Lenfest.

[LucieLou]

Very good news! Thanks SC for the info.!

[Journeyman]

Great news!  I'm a big fan of boats, I actually have a nearly finished model of on my desk at home.  I hadn't heard anything since the rumors NCL was going to buy it to replace the SS Norway.

JM

[tebbread]

Lenfest's donation gives the conservancy the money to buy the ship and care for it for 20 months while it works on transforming it into a stationary mixed-use retail and entertainment complex.
[/quote]
besides the noticable outside restoration needed and a paint job, i was curious as to what the ship needs to sail again? i mean is there any holes in the ship? i assume the motors would have to be replace and a badly needed tune up. but what else?
and thanks for sharing

[Mad Dawg]

The whole ship is gutted on the inside.

[Andrew G.]

The whole ship is gutted on the inside.

Yes, it's been like that for years.

[Journeyman]

The whole ship is gutted on the inside.

Gutted or not, I'd love to walk through it.

JM

[Kay]

I would love to see a before and after. Hope it goes as plan.

[tebbread]

ok thanks, but what was the reason it stop running in the first place?

[Journeyman]

ok thanks, but what was the reason it stop running in the first place?

It was built in '51 I believe, and it wasn't long before air travel across the oceans became possible.  Once you could fly across the oceans, the trans-Atlantic ocean liners were no longer necessary for international travel.  In short, the airplane led to the demise of the trans-Atlantic liner.

A couple of interesting notes - The US Navy had a hand in the powerplant & paid a significant amount of the construction & installation of the powerplant.  They wanted to use it as a troop ship (possibly carry around 10-15,000 troops) should another world war break out.  Because of this, the SS United States was the fasted ocean liner ever built.  Officially recorded max speed was around 38 knots.  However, there are unofficial reports of her being capable of around 44 knots (51ish MPH) which is impressive.

She was also "fireproof" with a significant use of aluminum & asbestos in the interior construction.

JM

[Journeyman]

Here's a link from another UE site showing some then & now pics y'all might find interesting

http://www.modern-ruins.com/ssunitedstates/index.html

JM

[Kay]

That is one big ship! I never knew it was that big. Loved the pictures, and the video was cool. Thanks for the link.

[Journeyman]

Something to consider with it's tonnage.  The SSUS made use of a lot of aluminum.  Chances are it was larger than many prior ships of the same tonnage ~

JM