My opinion is that the quickest way to save the Big U is to enlist people like Donald Trump or the Helmsley Group with deep pockets and sell them on the idea of moving the ship to NYC and turn it into a hotel and visitors center and possible New York Maritime Museum on the west side from which she originally sailed. Sell them on the idea that she could be cosmetically restored to begin with, then, as time and money permit, restore enough cabins to use as hotel rooms or conference halls. The 1st Class accomodations would be perfect for this. Then, just as with the Intrepid, restore areas as money becomes available. Or sell cabins or clusters of cabins as condos. What an exciting place to live!
The first step, however, is to gain control of her ownership, then work with NYC to move her to a pier on the west side of Manhattan. Just as with the Intrepid, this would also be an opportunity to restore, for recreational use, another run down pier….
We must have a conservative ownership and restoration plan in place before we appeal to corporate sponsors.

I too am very concerned about the possible sale of the SS United States,when I received an e-mail from the conservancy.

Is there any possibility of placing a protection order on the vessel, so foreign owners cannot get there hands on this treasured icon of the United States.?

I wish everyone at the conservancy the best of luck,in saving the ship.

We must get the attention of the larger televised news networks to spread the word of her possible demise perhaps we can start some sort of movement to save her. I live in washington state and I remember when the Kalakala was put up for sale.. The little ferrie got a spot on King 5 news. Thats what we need to do to for the big U but on a larger scale. Has anybody tried to contact the national news networks? I feel her only real future is at sea.. Even the QM is having trouble making ends meet as a floating hotel. Does anyone know what kind of shape the other cruise lines are in? Who would be most fit to purchase her?

-Tom

I just finished showing the “Lady in Waiting” DVD to my local Rotary Club here in S. Florida to a very receptive and admiring audience. The sentiment was appreciative and interested in our national treasure. Based on this response there must be millions who remember with great longing a return to those tranquil days which would support a grass roots effort to help save the big U.
We need regional campaigns in all sections of the country to get the ball rolling. Leadership, tours of the boat, publicity to let the public know what can be done, school talks and presentations to civic groups like Rotary can make the difference. Count me in for
a timely effort.

Ocean liner societies of the world can also help in promoting the aims of the Conservancy. Titanic International Society just visited the Big U in Philly on May 1st and will be doing an article in their quarterly. She was actually our “cover girl” for our first issue of our quarterly, VOYAGE. Don’t give up the ship!

It is a sad fact that the United States has been inactive for over 40 years now, through the foolishness of the unions her career was cut short. There was, perhaps, always the possibility of some other role for her up until she was sold to Richard Hadley. Then when he stripped her of her fixtures all was lost. Later, the final blow came when she crossed to the Ukraine and was utterly gutted. Now she is a barren empty shell. You talk of restoring her cabins to sell as hotel rooms but this is not restoring this is creating something new. Turn her into an hotel/condominium? This would hardly be living aboard the United States this would just be living in a shell that was once the United States. This is dellusional. Already it is mentioned above that the Queen Mary is having a difficult time surviving as an hotel. When hasn’t she during the last 40 years? Why would the United States be any more successful as an hotel? You appeal to save ‘our national flagship’ and yet have no one out there willing to put up the millions – or billions to actually carry out your dream. Look to Dubai and the fiasco of the QE2, look to Rotterdam and the enormous cost over runs (albeit that she now looks exquisite)in the light of the vast expense of the preservation of the Rotterdam, a ship that was at least largely intact to start with do you really think that someone will come up with the required bottomless bank account and lavish equal sums or more on the United States? Well, yes, I suppose that you do. When I was a young boy the United States was a fabulous liner. It is sad to see the photographs of her a rusting hulk now and you obviously all feel that way as well. But we have to get over it and move on for sadly as beautiful as she once was the ss United States is now dead and has been for a long time.

Clive,
Get a sense of faith and courage, would you? You can either wring your hands or roll up your sleeves. I choose the latter and, for someone who took the time to write so much, I’m sure you’re capable of doing so as well. We could use your help, needless to say.
Thanks,
Dan McSweeney

I said this on another comment form, but being from San Diego, I know that if the Star of India, an 1863 iron-hulled merchantman, the oldest afloat, could be raised from a de-masted, rusting, rotting hulk in the 1940’s to a living, fully-crewed, sailing vessel today, the United States is not beyond hope (despite the difference in scale). All it takes is the will and the money. Make it happen and save this great ship. Besides, one more volcanic eruption in Iceland and she’ll be needed back in service!

Wow – Only recently heard about the problems relating to the preservation of SS United States – Can not believe American Government can even consider allowing such an important icon of American Marine history being allowed to go to the scrap yard. I am a British citizen now in my mid sixties and can well recall the battles for the Atlantic Blue Ribbon between the Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, and of course the SS United States. Where are all you wealthy yanks – Where is your Natinal pride – please do not let such a Grand Lady be tormented any longer. She is such an important link in the history of our two countries.