Cybercaptain: S/S United States

Monday, April 14, 2025

S/S United States

Travel poster by Lester Thomas Beall (Wikipedia)

With the federal order to move the s/s United States off her berth the media started occasionally mentioning this old lady starting in 2022 after the eviction order from Philadelphia.

She started more frequently to pop up in my newsfeeds as the deadline approached and then she was bought for 1mil USD by Okaloosa county in Florida to be used as an artificial reef.

As she was bought and news of the sinking as an artificial reef came about, the internet starting buzzing around her. Then another conservancy group, the NY coalition was formed and attempted to prevent this from happening as they wanted the ship conserved in NY as a museum, media really hit off.

Eventually she was towed from Philadelphia to Mobile to be further cleaned up from hazardous materials the media was humming for about 2 weeks as it went on. People came out in whatever means they could for taking pictures of her transit as she rounded Florida. The noise online became pretty obvious with every tom, dick and jerry posting the same info in every forum and FB group fishing for traffic.

Lastly, she was also reported in various mainstream news outlets like CNN and BBC. As the looming fate of being scuttled as an artificial reef it touched many people's feelings in one or the other I thought I'd write a small piece of this famous cruise liner accompanied by the fantastic pictures I saw online.

Sadly, I have never seen her in the 'flesh' so to speak but I think also after the stewardship of Hadley she might have already have been in a kind of a 'state' in the mid 80's as well as then gutting her in Ukraine in the 90's must have rid her of the last remnants of the original look she might have had, leaving only the hull, machinery and engine room left.

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Below is a short history as compiled from Wikipedia and the conservancy website:

The design of the SS United States was so innovative (or thought to be) that the details of her construction were kept top-secret until 1977 when drawings were declassified. She was the first passenger liner to be built almost entirely in a graving dock – safely out of the public eye but also, most importantly, sections could be built elsewhere and assembled in the dock.

The keel plates of the USS United States (credit: Wikipedia)

S/s United States was designed to be just wide enough (101 feet) so it could pass through the locks of the Panama Canal with two feet of clearance on either side. During her speed trials, she sliced through the waves at 38 knots – 44 mph or 70 km/h!

William Francis Gibbs (Credit Wikipedia)

The S/s United States’ designer, William Francis Gibbs, wanted the ship to be fireproof, so he insisted that no wood be used in her construction or fittings. This requirement resulted in massive amounts of asbestos having been used in her interior, a big no-no in todays shipbuilding. She was also designed to be converted from luxury liner to troop transport in the event of war, the S/s United States was supposed to be able to carry 14,000 troops with a range of 10,000 miles without refueling.

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Credit: The Educated Monkey (Facebook)

The S/s United States was designed with an advanced propulsion system to achieve unparalleled speed and maneuverability. Her rudder was specifically engineered for high-speed control, a crucial feature influenced by lessons learned from the Titanic disaster. The rudder's size and placement ensured quick and responsive steering, allowing the ship to handle sudden course adjustments even at record-breaking speeds.

The ship’s propulsion system consisted of four massive propellers—two four-bladed and two five-bladed. This hybrid configuration was extensively tested to provide optimal hydrodynamic performance. The design reduced cavitation and allowed the ship to reach her top speed of over 38 knots while maintaining stability. Credit: The Educated Monkey (Facebook). Having a single rudder surely reduced drag and cavitation but she must have been miserable to steer at low speeds (Editor)

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S/s United States launched in 1951 (Credit: Wikipedia)

More aluminum was used in the S/s United States than for any previous construction project in history. Today, having aluminum superstructures is more the norm than not on modern cruise ships as it reduces the weight of the vessel enormously and helps with fuel efficiency. It is said that due to her reduced weight and powerful engines, the S/s United States could go almost as fast in reverse as the Titanic could go forward (21kts). On her maiden voyage in July 1952, the SS United States broke the trans-Atlantic speed record in both directions (measured between Ambrose light ship, NY and Bishop Rock off Cornwall). She was the first American ship in 100 years to capture the coveted Blue Riband and this record stood during her whole active sailing period. Then it was broken westwards in 1986 by Virgin Atlantic Challenger II and then in 1990 eastwards by Hoverspeed Great Britain, however this record has not been broken again by a bona fide ocean liner.

S/s United states arriving UK (Southampton I presume) on 4th July 1952

(Credit: Wikipedia)

S/s United States was taken out of service in 11th Nov, 1969. She was hampered by a number of strikes that forced management to cancel cruises from the end of 1950's to beginning of 1960's that damaged USL's reputation. Then the final death knell came by increasingly affordable trans-Atlantic airline flights. She was mothballed (hermetically sealed and dehumidified) by the US Navy in Norfolk, Virginia. This came in a surprise announcement by the United States Lines whilst the vessel was in drydock. The trans-Atlantic competition at that time was only France and Queen Elizabeth.

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History flash:

Credit to Marine Buff (Facebook)

On Sept 3, 1957, New York's West Side, renowned as Luxury Liner Row, saw a remarkable assembly of iconic Atlantic liners. This photograph captures six that arrived early that morning, marking the end of the summer vacation season just after Labor Day. From top to bottom, the vessels include American Export Lines; Independence at pier 84, United States Lines' flagship United States at pier 86, Greek Lines' Olympia and French Lines' Flandre at pier 88, and Cunard Line's Mauretania and Queen Mary at pier 90. At pier 92, Cunard's Britannic had arrived on August 31. This impressive gathering of liners, 67 years ago, brought approximately 9700 passengers to New York in opulence of the era. Today, in contrast, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas can accommodate 7600 passengers on its own, nearly matching the combined capacity of all six classic liners. Credit: Marine Buff (Facebook).

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1969 - 1996 Layup in Virginia

In June 1970, s/s United States was moved across the James River to the Norfolk International Terminal in Norfolk, Virginia.

In 1973, USL transferred ownership of the vessel to the United States Maritime Administration.

In 1976, Norwegian Caribbean Cruise Line (NCL) was reported to be interested in purchasing the ship and converting her into a Caribbean cruise ship but the US Maritime Administration refused the sale due to the classified nature of the ship's naval design elements. The Navy declassified the ship's design features in 1977.

However, a recently discovered document from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) disputes the widely accepted events of the 1970s which are portrayed above and lists 7 failed auctions during 1970-78 where none of the interested parties forked out the 10% deposit.

The same year, a group headed by Harry Katz sought to purchase the ship and dock her in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for use as a hotel and casino, but the plan was never realized. By 1978, the Maritime Administration deemed United States worthless to the government and allowed her to be sold.

Hospital ship plans

By the 1970s, the US Navy had retired all of its hospital ships. The now-laid up United States was studied for potential conversion. The plan was led by the Department of Defense and the ship was to be based in the Indian Ocean. The Navy believed the plan was too expensive and impractical, and chose to take no action on the matter.

1980 - 1992 Stripping and deterioration

In 1980, United States was sold for $7 million to a group headed by the Seattle developer Richard H. Hadley, who hoped to convert the liner into a floating condominium. Under Hadley's ownership, the ship was neglected and her interiors became ruined with rust.

In 1984, to pay creditors, the ship's fittings and furniture, which had been left in place since 1969, were sold at auction in Norfolk, Virginia.

On March 4, 1989, United States was towed across Hampton Roads to the CSX coal pier in Newport News. Hadley's plan of a time-share-style cruise ship failed financially and the ship, which the United States Marshals Service had seized, was put up for auction by the US Maritime Administration on 27th April 1992.

1992 - 1996 Marmara Marine Inc.

Marmara Marine Inc, was interested in buying the vessel and after a couple of cancelled auctions his offer was eventually accepted.

On the morning of 5 June, 1992, the ship was eased out of Newport News and departed under tow across the Atlantic for Turkey, arriving 35 days later for refurbishment at a shipyard in Tuzla, İstanbul.

Upon her arrival, members of Greenpeace and the media protested the ship due to her asbestos interior lining and as a result she was towed for asbestos removal in Sevastopol, Ukraine on 22 October 1993.

While in Sevastopol, a 200-person team worked to gut down the ship's interiors to the bulkhead. Most of the material was removed and then in 1996 she was towed back to Turkey but by that time the Marmara Marine Inc. had run out of money.

Although the Conservancy says that Fred Mayer bought the ship in 1992, and had the ship towed to Turkey and then Ukraine for hazardous material removal, and then towed back to Philadelphia in 1996. I'm guessing it was possibly a failed joint effort by the Turks and Fred Mayer (Editor).

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S/s United States undergoes asbestos removal in Sevastopol

(Credit: Greenpeace)

In October 1993, the SS United States was towed to Sevastopol, Ukraine, to address extensive asbestos used in its construction. The removal process involved stripping the ship's interior down to its structural members, eliminating asbestos-containing materials. This operation continued until April 1994, after which the vessel returned to Istanbul, Turkey, for further refurbishment efforts. Credit: Maritime Updates (Facebook). The picture appears to be from a stormy day (Editor).

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1996 - 2025 Layup in Philadelphia

Interestingly the SS United States was seized by the US Marshals, as the owners of the previous company (Marmaris & Fred Mayer?) were unable to pay debtors. She was towed to the United States in 1996 and put up for auction.

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In 1996 Mr Markus Abeling onboard the German cruise ship Aida spotted s/s United States being towed to Philadelphia (from Turkey) and took following pics that he shared on Facebook.

s/s United States under tow in 1996. Credit: Markus Abeling (Facebook)

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In November 1997, Edward Cantor purchased United States for $6 million. Two years later, the SS United States Foundation and the SS United States Preservation Society, Inc. (which would later become the SS United States Conservancy) succeeded in having the ship placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Norwegian Cruise Line (2003–2011), in 2003, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) purchased the ship at auction from Cantor's estate after his death. In 2006, company owner, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay stated United States would be retrofitted. By 2009, NCL changed its plans for United States that had been made redundant once their other modern ships started operating for NCL America. The company began taking bids for the scrapping of United States.

SS United States Conservancy (2011-2024), in 2009, the SS United States Conservancy was formed to save the ship by raising funds to purchase her at the lead of H.F.Lenfest (US Navy Capt retd.).

In December 2010, a detailed study of the site was revealed in tandem with a plan for Harrah's Entertainment to take over the project. The deal collapsed later that month when the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted to revoke the casino's license. This probably spelled the end by the Malaysian casino backed owners of NCL.

The Conservancy bought United States from NCL in February 2011 with Lenfest's assistance. The group had funds to last 20 months that went to de-toxification and plans to make the ship financially independent, possibly as a hotel or other development project.

On February 1, 2011 The Conservancy assumed ownership of United States. Talks about a location for the ship lasted months.

On February 7, 2012, preliminary restoration work to prepare the ship for a complete reconstruction began, although a contract had not yet been signed. A developer that would put United States in a selected city by 2013 was to be chosen by the end of 2012. In November 2012, the ship underwent a months-long "below-the-deck" makeover to make her more appealing to developers as an attraction.

In January 2014, obsolete pieces of the ship were sold to pay the $80,000-a-month maintenance costs. Enough money to fund the ship for another six months was raised with the hope of finding someone committed to the project, with New York City remaining the likeliest location. In August, the ship was still moored in Philadelphia and rent costs were $60,000 a month.

On September 4, 2014, a final effort to have the ship sail to New York City was made.

On December 15, 2014, preliminary agreements in support of the redevelopment of United States were announced.

In February 2015, the Conservancy received another $250,000 toward planning an onboard museum from an anonymous donor.

In October 2015, the Conservancy was running low on funds so they explored bids to scrap United States. By 23rd November 2015, it was reported over $600,000 in donations had been received for care and upkeep, providing funding well into 2016 for the Conservancy to continue with its plan to save the vessel.

2016 - 2018 Crystal Cruises

On February 4, 2016, Crystal Cruises (same Owner's as of NCL) announced it had signed a purchase option for redevelopment of the United States.

On April 9, 2016, it was announced 600 artifacts from United States would be returned to the ship from the Mariners' Museum and other donors.

On August 5, 2016, the plan was abandoned; Crystal Cruises cited the project's technical and commercial challenges, and donated $350,000 to help preservation effort until the end of the year.

On September 20, 2018, the Conservancy consulted with Casper van Hooren and Damen Ship Repair & Conversion about redevelopment of United States.

2018 - 2024 RXR Realty

On December 10, 2018, the Conservancy announced an agreement with the commercial real estate firm RXR Realty to explore options for restoring and redeveloping United States.

In March 2020, RXR Realty announced its plans to repurpose the ship as a permanently moored, 600,000 sq ft (55,740 m2) "hospitality and cultural space", and requested expressions of interest from major US waterfront cities, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

2021 - 2024 Pier 82 Eviction

Philadelphia's Pier 82, where the ship was located, was owned by Penn Warehousing, which in 2021 increased the ship's rent from $850 to $1,700 per day, requested $160,000 in back rent, and terminated the contract with the Conservancy.

A civil trial took place in federal court from January 17–18, 2024. As a result the Penn Warehousing legally terminated the berthing agreement. Then the Conservancy was faced with the main difficulty being finding a port willing to host the ship.

On September 12, 2024, the date on which United States was ordered to be evicted, the Conservancy accused the landlord, Penn Warehousing, of illegally planning to sell the ship. In court, the eviction deadline was temporarily suspended. The Penn Warehousing company stated it wanted to remove the ship, so that the pier could be used to support the local economy.

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Here we then arrive to present day where she was then eventually bought by the Okaloosa County in Florida to be scuttled as an artificial reef off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The plan includes building a $1 million seaside museum chronicling the cruise liner’s history.

She was eventually scheduled to depart in Nov 2024 but the inclement weather in Gulf of Mexico and the US Coast Guard put several time delays to the plans. Finally the weather window looked fine and s/s United States departed 19th Feb 2025.

The voyage came to an conclusion by 3rd of March 2025 when she arrived to Mobile, Alabama to be further sanitized for her scuttling. As per media reports there was still oil in her tanks and hazardous materials onboard so the coming year will see her further stripped of this and other parts (e.g. one funnel) that will be preserved for the future museum.

Meanwhile I suppose the New York conservancy group will try and find future purpose to prevent her from being scuttled. Personally I see a slim chance of this happening as there has been time since 1969 to do that and some pretty bright minds have put their thoughts into her repurpose or taking her back into service but nobody has found any of the ideas appealing.

International ship building safety and stability regulations have long gone past her so most ideas come out very expensive to realize ideas of putting her back in trade and the return of investment must look pretty meagre and that I suppose is her downfall. Probably the same was with the hotel ideas, I understand pretty big names looked to make her a 'floatel' but again I think the cost has been prohibitive to make these projects economically viable. It is like one gent once told me, repurposing an old ship (in this case rebuilding an existing vessel for a new purpose) is false economy, it is cheaper to build new.

In the end I think scuttling her will keep her intact, albeit only for enthusiastic divers, instead of scrapping her completely. I think the dead horse has now properly been flogged out of all benefit, except the last, as an artificial reef.

S/s United States before departure at pier 82 in Philadelphia

Credit: AJ Foster (Facebook)

s/s United States leaving Philadelphia.

Credit: Werner Tedesco (Facebook)

s/s United States leaving Philadelphia.

Credit: Werner Tedesco (Facebook)

s/s United States leaving Philadelphia.

Credit: Werner Tedesco (Facebook)

s/s United States leaving Philadelphia.

Credit: Reuters

S/s United States on Wilmington Delaware, passing Fox point

Credit: David Brown (Facebook)

By 26th February the tow had reached Florida and residents were putting out boats, planes and drones to record the occasion:

Credit: Mark Hartman (Facebook)

On 27th February in Pompano Beach residents group of Facebook, Mr. Richard Lawson shared following pictures:

s/s United States off Pompano beach (Credit: Richard Lawson)

On the same day Mr Juan G. Robbin was out flying his plane, a Piper Super Cub, and took following picture below:

Credit Juan G. Robbin (Facebook)

Credit: William Band (Facebook)

Credit: Capt Mike Vinik (Facebook)

s/s United States under tow off Florida, posted 1st March.

Credit: Eric James (Facebook)

Credit: Silvester Balazs (Facebook)

s/s United States under tow off Florida with Royal Caribbeans Utopia of the Seas in the background . Credit: Oceanliner Legends (Facebook)

S/s United States and Utopia of the Seas.

Credit: Gene Burns (Facebook)

s/s United States under tow off Singer Island, Florida.

Credit: John Heislman (Facebook)

Credit: Maritime updates (Facebook).

SS United States towing operation was conducted by a fleet of tugboats, including Cape Lookout, Annabelle Dorothy Moran, Robert McAllister, Beverly McAllister, and Vinik No. 6. These tugboats were responsible for maneuvering the 1,000-foot liner through the Delaware River, under several bridges, and along the 1,800-mile voyage to Mobile. Credit: Maritime updates (Facebook).