SS United States in danger of being scrapped

[desertswo]

SS United States Not Long For This World

Looks like this magnificent beast is headed for the breakers yard. She was way beyond cutting edge for her time with regard to main propulsion technology. A real shame.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...scrapheap.html

[tbm3fan]

The $60,000 per month docking fees is a killer. I know the Hornet doesn't come close to paying that nor do I think any other museum ship, of it's size, comes close to that. The Midway could afford it but I'll guess they have a good deal also. Yet, at $720,000 per year you can forget any idea.

[RustyBattleship]

Several years ago I was asked to join an organization dedicated to restoring the ship, at least to pierside museum status if not in sailing condition. But one look at the photos they sent to me I knew there would be trouble. Several of the photos were inside the ship where the insulation had been removed showing just the steel bulkheads still coated with yellow chromate primer.

That was the killer. The methods now required by the EPA to remove that old type of primer (probably some red lead as well in the machinery spaces) would take at least two years and be out of this world expensive. We would never recoup that expense for several years even after converting her to a museum ship and (like the Queen Mary) a floating hotel.

[tbm3fan]

Several years ago I was asked to join an organization dedicated to restoring the ship, at least to pierside museum status if not in sailing condition. But one look at the photos they sent to me I knew there would be trouble. Several of the photos were inside the ship where the insulation had been removed showing just the steel bulkheads still coated with yellow chromate primer.

That was the killer. The methods now required by the EPA to remove that old type of primer (probably some red lead as well in the machinery spaces) would take at least two years and be out of this world expensive. We would never recoup that expense for several years even after converting her to a museum ship and (like the Queen Mary) a floating hotel.

Which ships would be required to remove that stuff? I can find many a location with red lead and yellow chromate primer on a ship(s) that will remain unnamed cough, cough.

While we are at it I remember when the Iowa was in Richmond you wanted to know if there were any pipe fitters around to help out. Turns out one of my long time patients was a welder on new subs at Mare Island from 1962-67 and then went on the Shell refineries as a welder and pipe fitter. Would have been great for you and would have helped you out but just didn't know till last week. However, I now have someone who is going to do the lots of welding on the Hornet for me as Tom is swamped with projects.

[RustyBattleship]

Which ships would be required to remove that stuff? I can find many a location with red lead and yellow chromate primer on a ship(s) that will remain unnamed cough, cough.

While we are at it I remember when the Iowa was in Richmond you wanted to know if there were any pipe fitters around to help out. Turns out one of my long time patients was a welder on new subs at Mare Island from 1962-67 and then went on the Shell refineries as a welder and pipe fitter. Would have been great for you and would have helped you out but just didn't know till last week. However, I now have someone who is going to do the lots of welding on the Hornet for me as Tom is swamped with projects.

Thanks for the info. That was quite a ways back when I asked for them. Their purpose would be to reinstall the piping and pumps to the aft CHT tanks. We finally got that done and the after heads are now open and split with women's head on the port side and men's on the starboard side. We now have a way of pumping out both brown water and gray water (Chief's galley) up to the main deck discharges that are hosed to the city's sewer line.

You see, the Battlship's normal discharges were just above the armored 2nd deck but below the pierside sewer line. As you know, the proverbial does not run up hill. But now we can flush down to the CHT tanks and pump it back up to the Main Deck. The pumps have a 90 foot head, so it's no problem getting the waste water up that high.

We haven't reactivated the forward CHT tank yet (on the fwd side of bhd 50) but in time we will.

[Gun Grape]

I don't think the presence of chromate primer was the killer. I think the fact that everything had been stripped down to bare bulkheads is what kept this thing from going anywhere.

Also lack of upkeep and stories that the owners were stripping metal(copper wire,brass fittings, ect) and selling it to pay for berthing signed the death warrant.

This doesn't paint a pretty picture for investors.

[Gun Grape]

Thanks for the info. That was quite a ways back when I asked for them. Their purpose would be to reinstall the piping and pumps to the aft CHT tanks. We finally got that done and the after heads are now open and split with women's head on the port side and men's on the starboard side. We now have a way of pumping out both brown water and gray water (Chief's galley) up to the main deck discharges that are hosed to the city's sewer line.

Reminds me of a Terminal Lance cartoon on why the Navy doesn't like Marines on their ships.

[Dazed]

Braving kittens and necro chick love. From the New York Times, a group that believes delusion is better than dispair : http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/04/bu...gain.html?_r=0

[TopHatter]

Braving kittens and necro chick love. From the New York Times, a group that believes delusion is better than dispair : http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/04/bu...gain.html?_r=0

Well, at least these guys have the financial wherewithal to at least maintain the dock rent while they run feasibility studies. They're not a grassroots Internet group with pie-in-the-sky fantasies and $10 to their name.

[TopHatter]

SS United States Deal: Publicity Stunt or Bad Idea?

Crystal Cruises has signed an option purchase agreement for a ship that last sailed in 1969, the SS United States, pending a technical feasibility study.

The agreement is between Crystal and the SS United States Conservancy, which currently owns the ship.

The liner ran regular service form 1952-1969, and has had various plans and owners since then.

Crystal CEO and President Edie Rodriguez said it was her intention to return the ship to the sea as America’s flagship, rebuilding it as modern luxury vessel.

She added Crystal has gone out and hired experts to manage the project, which will be led by retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Tim Sullivan.

While also managing newbuildings in Europe for ocean and river ships, Crystal intends to refit the SS United States for cruise service, pending a feasibility study.

Crystal will also pick up the tab for the next nine months as the ship continues to sit in Philadelphia, costing some $60,000 a month in dock fees and insurance.

The 64-year-old ship has been docked relatively untouched in Philadelphia for the last 18 years, and is in need of a complete, major rebuild and overhaul.

Rodriguez said the cost for the project would be in excess of $750 million. She said the ship could return to service as soon as 2018.

By comparison, Regent’s Explorer, a new luxury vessel being built at Fincantieri, will carry about 750 passengers at an estimated cost of $450 million to build.

Crystal also announced in 2015 it would take delivery of its first new ocean going ship in 2018, with two more ships set to follow.

A decade ago, under ownership from Genting Hong Kong (Crystal’s parent company), Norwegian Cruise Line also intended to rebuild the SS United States and conducted similar studies, only to abandon the project.

Genting, meanwhile, has moved into an ownership position with the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Germany, which was involved in Norwegian’s American-flag projects in the 2000s.

Rodriguez said at the press conference the shipyard would be determined after the technical feasibility study.

Genting bought Crystal in 2015, putting down money not only for the brand and two existing ships, but a major expansion program including three newbuild ocean ships, four newbuild river boats, an existing river ship, a small 62-passenger yacht and three planes, plus a new office in Miami and expanded staff.

The SS United States does present an American-built hull, which could be attractive for a cruise line looking to operate U.S.-flag service.

The announcement was widely welcomed by mainstream media on Thursday in New York, with no shortage of press at an event hosted at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, TV time for executives and no doubt, a major media hit for the Crystal Cruises brand in the middle of wave season. Link
__________________________

[blidgepump]

Magic ???

SS United States Deal: Publicity Stunt or Bad Idea?

Crystal Cruises has signed an option purchase agreement for a ship that last sailed in 1969, the SS United States, pending a technical feasibility study.

The agreement is between Crystal and the SS United States Conservancy, which currently owns the ship.

The liner ran regular service form 1952-1969, and has had various plans and owners since then.

Crystal CEO and President Edie Rodriguez said it was her intention to return the ship to the sea as America’s flagship, rebuilding it as modern luxury vessel.

She added Crystal has gone out and hired experts to manage the project, which will be led by retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Tim Sullivan.

While also managing newbuildings in Europe for ocean and river ships, Crystal intends to refit the SS United States for cruise service, pending a feasibility study.

Crystal will also pick up the tab for the next nine months as the ship continues to sit in Philadelphia, costing some $60,000 a month in dock fees and insurance.

The 64-year-old ship has been docked relatively untouched in Philadelphia for the last 18 years, and is in need of a complete, major rebuild and overhaul.

Rodriguez said the cost for the project would be in excess of $750 million. She said the ship could return to service as soon as 2018.

By comparison, Regent’s Explorer, a new luxury vessel being built at Fincantieri, will carry about 750 passengers at an estimated cost of $450 million to build.

Crystal also announced in 2015 it would take delivery of its first new ocean going ship in 2018, with two more ships set to follow.

A decade ago, under ownership from Genting Hong Kong (Crystal’s parent company), Norwegian Cruise Line also intended to rebuild the SS United States and conducted similar studies, only to abandon the project.

Genting, meanwhile, has moved into an ownership position with the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Germany, which was involved in Norwegian’s American-flag projects in the 2000s.

Rodriguez said at the press conference the shipyard would be determined after the technical feasibility study.

Genting bought Crystal in 2015, putting down money not only for the brand and two existing ships, but a major expansion program including three newbuild ocean ships, four newbuild river boats, an existing river ship, a small 62-passenger yacht and three planes, plus a new office in Miami and expanded staff.

The SS United States does present an American-built hull, which could be attractive for a cruise line looking to operate U.S.-flag service.

The announcement was widely welcomed by mainstream media on Thursday in New York, with no shortage of press at an event hosted at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, TV time for executives and no doubt, a major media hit for the Crystal Cruises brand in the middle of wave season. Link
__________________________

It stirs the heart that old hulls can return to service even if it is a marketing ploy.
The information is of interest as a recent contact advised that the maritime inspection and rebuilds for smaller classes of ships ( I wish I could remember the quote) is economically feasible. An older ship with dated technology but a race horse by design would be interesting to follow through rebuild.

[tbm3fan]

One wonders if this is not an another pie in the sky fantasy. Hard not to be cynical. Remember that original CVE with all the big plans only to be scrapped in the end?

[Dazed]

Crystal Cruises Cancels SS United States Restoration

By MarEx 2016-08-05 17:22:42

On Friday, Crystal Cruises announced that it has dropped its plans to restore the storied ocean liner SS United States.

The long-dormant liner is managed by a nonprofit heritage organization, the SS United States Conservancy, which has maintained her at a pier in Philadelphia for many years. Crystal and its parent company Genting Hong Kong had contemplated a plan to bring the 1951-built vessel up to modern standards, touting the ship’s legal status as a U.S.-built vessel, which could potentially allow her to enter coastwise trade between American ports.

Crystal Cruises and the Conservancy reached an agreement in February in which Crystal would pay the ship's dock fees until a feasibility study for a refit was completed. The $1 million study, led by USCG RAdm. Tim Sullivan (ret'd), found that the work that would be required was extensive and prohibitively costly. Among other challenges, modernizing her propulsion system would have required taking apart and rebuilding about 25 percent of her hull.

http://maritime-executive.com/articl...es-restoration

[blidgepump]

Another Fletcher - DD connection ....

Gibbs & Cox were among the major designers of World War II era warships including the Fletcher-class destroyers. Gibbs was a pioneer in the areas of efficient hull design and propulsion, along with being an staunch advocate for high standards of fire prevention and hull integrity.

Tip of the hat to Mr. Gibbs.

[TopHatter]

On Friday, Crystal Cruises announced that it has dropped its plans to restore the storied ocean liner SS United States.

So that's that. Probably for the best.

Hull and machinery from that era...total money pit, sad to say.

But $1 million for that study...wow.