Hurrah, the SS United States will sail again!

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Limestonedan

Might you be referring to the SL-7's?

Ok, I managed to find what I was looking for and there was just the five. They were built in 1972 by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW), Kiel, Germany. Sadly, all five are razor blades now.

[bondtoys]

As fascinating the SS United States is as a ship, I am afraid, that she'll never sail.

Even if Crystal would spend the money, ticket prices will be double or more than comparable cruises because the SS US is far from being efficient in all regards.

And even if she'd sail, she'll seldom reach half of her initial speed as it'll be simply too expensive.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by joe100

Asbestos was removed decades ago. All of it.

The interior was stripped in 1984 and auctioned. I own pieces from that auction myself.

She's about ready to be reefed then. A thorough cleaning of the fuel and lubricants, followed by loose paint removal is all that is needed. Drop her into 150 feet of warm sea water and she'll attract underwater tourists.

Better I think to be enjoyed by divers than sent to the breakers.

[Limestonedan]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

Ok, I managed to find what I was looking for and there was just the five. They were built in 1972 by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW), Kiel, Germany. Sadly, all five are razor blades now.

So, in the US, there were (8) of the Algol-class vehicle cargo ships, also known as Fast Sealift Ships (FSS) or SL-7s, are currently the fastest cargo ships in the world, capable of speeds in excess of 33 knots (61 km/h). Originally built in 1972 and 1973 as high-speed container ships known as SL-7's for Sea-Land Services, Inc., the ships' high operating costs limited their profitability. All eight ships were acquired by the US Navy in 1981 and 1982, with the last ship converted, recommissioned and delivered to Military Sealift Command in 1986.

Fast Sealift Ships:
SS Algol (T-AKR-287) (formerly SS Sea-Land Exchange)
SS Bellatrix (T-AKR-288) (formerly SS Sea-Land Trade)
SS Denebola (T-AKR-289) (formerly SS Sea-Land Resource)
SS Pollux (T-AKR-290) (formerly SS Sea-Land Market)
SS Altair (T-AKR-291) (formerly SS Sea-Land Finance)
SS Regulus (T-AKR-292) (formerly SS Sea-Land Commerce)
SS Capella (T-AKR-293) (formerly SS Sea-Land McLean)
SS Antares (T-AKR-294) (formerly SS Sea-Land Galloway)

(Wikipedia)

[joe100]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Really?

You'd think those passengers would have more interesting things to be concerned with.

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

She's about ready to be reefed then. A thorough cleaning of the fuel and lubricants, followed by loose paint removal is all that is needed. Drop her into 150 feet of warm sea water and she'll attract underwater tourists.

Better I think to be enjoyed by divers than sent to the breakers.

They're not going to reef her. The entire superstructure is aluminum and worth a kings ransom, the steel will be melted down. Far too valuable to just sink.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by joe100

They're not going to reef her. The entire superstructure is aluminum and worth a kings ransom, the steel will be melted down. Far too valuable to just sink.

Maybe. They reefed the Oriskany, and she was made of money (not really apples to apples as a USN ship, but you know what I mean).

If the refit cost isn't recoverable in service, someone may buy her off the conservancy for reefing. She would attract a lot of tourist interest and is large enough that a hundred divers could be on her and still not feel crowded.

[joe100]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Maybe. They reefed the Oriskany, and she was made of money (not really apples to apples as a USN ship, but you know what I mean).

If the refit cost isn't recoverable in service, someone may buy her off the conservancy for reefing. She would attract a lot of tourist interest and is large enough that a hundred divers could be on her and still not feel crowded.

This ship is privately owned so it's going to the breakers, most likely in Alang, where she will be dragged up on the beach and cut up.

Sadly, the more I read about this, the more I feel this is just some publicity stunt from Crystal. They got in the news just like they wanted, brand recognition is throw the roof now, and I'll bet we'll find this feasibility study turns out to be, well, unfeasable.

Had the interiors been there, the chances were much higher she'd have become a museum. Hell, I'm looking at pieces of her in my home right now. SS United States died at public auction in 1984. what we have left is a shell.

Either take her to Manhatten or Philly and dock her as part of the skyline or put her out of her misery. And this is coming from a guy who loves this ship.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by joe100

This ship is privately owned so it's going to the breakers, most likely in Alang, where she will be dragged up on the beach and cut up.

Sadly, the more I read about this, the more I feel this is just some publicity stunt from Crystal. They got in the news just like they wanted, brand recognition is throw the roof now, and I'll bet we'll find this feasibility study turns out to be, well, unfeasable.

Had the interiors been there, the chances were much higher she'd have become a museum. Hell, I'm looking at pieces of her in my home right now. SS United States died at public auction in 1984. what we have left is a shell.

Either take her to Manhatten or Philly and dock her as part of the skyline or put her out of her misery. And this is coming from a guy who loves this ship.

It's too bad. I hate to see a fine ship go to the breakers.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by joe100

This ship is privately owned so it's going to the breakers, most likely in Alang, where she will be dragged up on the beach and cut up.

Sadly, the more I read about this, the more I feel this is just some publicity stunt from Crystal. They got in the news just like they wanted, brand recognition is throw the roof now, and I'll bet we'll find this feasibility study turns out to be, well, unfeasable.

Had the interiors been there, the chances were much higher she'd have become a museum. Hell, I'm looking at pieces of her in my home right now. SS United States died at public auction in 1984. what we have left is a shell.

Either take her to Manhatten or Philly and dock her as part of the skyline or put her out of her misery. And this is coming from a guy who loves this ship.

It's a shame that she wasn't better preserved and they did something similar to what was done with the Queen Mary.

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

It's too bad. I hate to see a fine ship go to the breakers.

Agreed. I've been in shipping for near 32 years and it would really be a crying shame to see such an historic ship end up as razor blades.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Limestonedan

So, in the US, there were (8) of the Algol-class vehicle cargo ships, also known as Fast Sealift Ships (FSS) or SL-7s, are currently the fastest cargo ships in the world, capable of speeds in excess of 33 knots (61 km/h). Originally built in 1972 and 1973 as high-speed container ships known as SL-7's for Sea-Land Services, Inc., the ships' high operating costs limited their profitability. All eight ships were acquired by the US Navy in 1981 and 1982, with the last ship converted, recommissioned and delivered to Military Sealift Command in 1986.

Fast Sealift Ships:
SS Algol (T-AKR-287) (formerly SS Sea-Land Exchange)
SS Bellatrix (T-AKR-288) (formerly SS Sea-Land Trade)
SS Denebola (T-AKR-289) (formerly SS Sea-Land Resource)
SS Pollux (T-AKR-290) (formerly SS Sea-Land Market)
SS Altair (T-AKR-291) (formerly SS Sea-Land Finance)
SS Regulus (T-AKR-292) (formerly SS Sea-Land Commerce)
SS Capella (T-AKR-293) (formerly SS Sea-Land McLean)
SS Antares (T-AKR-294) (formerly SS Sea-Land Galloway)

(Wikipedia)

I suspect that they would have hit more than 33 knots in their sea-trials

[joe100]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

It's too bad. I hate to see a fine ship go to the breakers.

Me too but it's probably what's gonna happen.

[Limestonedan]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

I suspect that they would have hit more than 33 knots in their sea-trials

Yes, I suppose so. These were fast ships.

Prior life, the fastest I've been part of was 27kts in a "RO/RO", (assisted by the Gulf Stream), northbound, eastern part of the US. Which is pretty fast for a big ship!