Excellent SS United States photo essay at USA Today

[Uncle Wig]

http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/...s/1699479/

This is the best set of current and vintage images of the ship that I've seen, with informative captions.

The current status of the ship is unclear: the SS United States Conservancy says redevelopment options are being negotiated, but of course they don't give specifics. This could also mean nothing is really happening. And November is the last month of the 20 months of berthing fees that were donated by philanthropist Gerry Lenfest. Whether he or somebody else will step up with more money is unknown.

The SSUS appears a lot rougher than she really is: most of the apparent decay is cosmetic. Obviously the ship will not be put back into service, so any redevelopment would be along the lines of the Queen Mary in Long Beach. I've seen proposals for a combination of commercial, residential and tourist use that look (to me) very cool. The ship itself is a clean slate for repurposing: all toxic materials (asbestos) have been removed. So restaurants, shops, apartments, whatever could go in. Even with just an exterior fresh coat of paint, the ship would be a very attractive centerpiece of a waterfront development. The engine rooms are intact and could be opened to tours. Structurally, the ship is in very good shape.

I have my fingers crossed that something good will happen. It would be very sad to lose this ship to the scrappers.

[Grateful11]

What a shame that it has ended up in the current shape that it has.

It'll probably be run aground at the Bangladesh scrapping yards and torched to pieces but I hope not.

It's worth a watch if you've never seen it. It won't make you feel good but you'll learn a thing or two.

"The Ship Breakers"

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3228443n

[Phy]

I, my husband and 3 month-old son rode this ship back to the States in October of 1964, returning from an 2 1/2 year Air Force tour in France. It was a magical voyage, and it makes me so sad to see that grand old lady in such terrible shape.

[DP]

I wonder why it was sent to Turkey and Ukraine to dispose of the asbestos and other toxic materials-and, what happened to it there..

[Uncle Wig]

DP wrote:
I wonder why it was sent to Turkey and Ukraine to dispose of the asbestos and other toxic materials-and, what happened to it there..

I believe the regulations there are/were more relaxed, making the job a lot cheaper.

It's too bad the original interiors are gone. But on the other hand, the fact that they are gone helps the prospects for repurposing. Recreating some of the original public spaces (bars, restaurants) could be done and I think that would be popular, given the lasting "craze" for all things Mid-Century.

[Speedy]

And it would float above a storm surge!