The SS United States Conservancy is very pleased to provide this spring
update.
--A New Sign Marks a New Beginning
--Present Care and Maintenance of the Big U
--NCL's Recent Hull Assessment and Future Plans
--National Historic Register Status Explored
--2006 SS United States Calendar Coming Soon
--Upcoming SS United States Conservancy New York Events, May 5 & June 4
A NEW SIGN MARKS A NEW BEGINNING
On Sunday, April 24, the SS United States Conservancy unveiled a large
informational sign at the Big U's Philadelphia pier. Approximately 50 people
attended the unveiling ceremony, despite the raw, blustery conditions. SS
United States Conservancy Board members Susan Gibbs, Dan McSweeney, Jeff
Henry and Richard Rabbett thanked everyone who currently help to care for
the ship and explained the sign's genesis, designed in response to a recent
significant increase in traffic in the pier area. Former SSUS passengers,
Big U supporters and media were in attendance. The event was later featured
on two Philadelphia television networks -- WPVI-6 and WB17-- and will be
covered in a forthcoming article in the Delaware Valley Daily Times.
PRESENT CARE & MAINTENANCE OF THE BIG U
Following the unveiling ceremony, attendees gathered at the historic Moshulu
Restaurant to learn more about the ship's current status. Nick Manzi from
Atlantic Logistics updated the group on the Big U's maintenance and
security. (NCL has hired Atlantic Logistics and GAC-Rice Unruh and Reynolds
to care for the ship in Philadelphia). Nick spoke at length about what his
firm has been doing to maintain the Big U. He indicated that when NCL bought
the SS United States, his team faced a significant challenge in order to get
the ship properly berthed. Nick also mentioned that NCL is paying some
$500,000 per year for docking fees, insurance, security and other expenses
as stewards of the SS United States.
When Nick and his crew took over the maintenance of the ship, she had to be
entirely re-secured to the pier, as formerly so much slack was left in her
lines that she was riding about in an egg-shaped orbit up to 30 feet from
the pier in certain wind & tide conditions. New mooring lines were secured
including special electronic lines which, if broken, will immediately alert
the local pier and river authorities to her compromised mooring status. In
addition to the standard hawser tie-downs, multiple steel cable "belly
bands" have been attached to ensure that if the rope hawsers fail, the Big U
will remain secured tight to the dock. Both side anchors of the ship are
currently dropped for additional security. The Delaware River is tidal with
up to 6-8' differences in tide possible, so the Big U needs to be somewhat
free to move about but in a very controlled fashion. As Mr. Manzi said, the
Big U sits high out of the water, currently drawing only about 22 feet,
which makes her somewhat of a kite in high wind conditions. She is not
resting in the mud though there is some silting along her port side.
Additionally, Mr. Manzi's crew have brought additional electrical generators
aboard and strung electrical lighting throughout the major corridors of the
ship where access is needed to certain areas for pumping. Generally
speaking, sitting water aboard the ship is pumped at least twice per month,
but more frequently as weather conditions dictate. A roll-up alarmed
security door has been installed inside the major access gangway and a bevy
of high definition security cameras are aimed at the ship at all times. These are mostly in place to monitor the ship's lines, but all cameras are
remotely controlled and can pan & zoom along the ship and the pier. Nick
showed us live images from the cameras through his laptop computer and we
were able to view multiple angles from all around the pier.
RECENT HULL ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE PLANS
NCL generously made available to the Conservancy recent underwater footage
of the ship that the company had commissioned to assess the hull's
condition. Attendees at the Conservancy's sign unveiling event were
captivated by this footage acquired by a special robotic mini-sub with
lights, camera and grappling arms. The video showed a layer of sea grass
growing on the hull but otherwise the hull appeared remarkably free of
marine growth. Of particular interest to NCL was the point at which vertical
hull plating met the keel plates. Apparently the hull condition appeared
promising enough to warrant a dry-docking and further direct inspection. A
docking will occur, but a definite date has not yet been set. Mr. Manzi also
reiterated that NCL remains committed to the SS United States project. Of
course the SS United States Conservancy will continue to provide updates
with the latest information on the ship's rehabilitation as soon as it's
made available. (As a side note, even the lazy catfish caught on video
seemed very impressed by what they were swimming under!)
NATIONAL HISTORIC REGISTER STATUS EXPLORED
The SS United States was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1999, thanks largely to the hard work and diligence of the SS United
States Preservation Society and its Chair, Mr. Bill DiBenedetto. (The SS
United States Conservancy is an initiative of the SS United States
Preservation Society.) The SS United States Conservancy has made available to the public the
original application to the Register as it contains extensive
documentation on the ship's background and historical significance. To read this document, in Adobe Acrobat Reader format, (large file), please click here. While
many people believe that there are severe restrictions associated with being
listed in the Register, this is in fact not the case. The Listing imposes no
restrictions on private property rights and any restrictions are the result
of local laws, not the provisions of the National Register. Detailed
information about the National Register can be found here.
The Board of the SS United States Conservancy sincerely hopes that NCL will
be able to refurbish the ship in a manner consistent with her listing on the
National Register. However we recognize that NCL, as the current owner and
steward of the SS United States, intends to return the liner to an active
service career. As such, alterations must be made to the vessel to
reactivate her and bring her up to date with modern SOLAS and other
regulatory requirements. This will involve (as NCL has stated) a complete
reengineering of the vessel from a steamship to a modern, environmentally
sensitive, efficient vessel equipped with diesel-electric propulsion. Since
the ship has been otherwise stripped bare, her hull and superstructure form
and her power plant are the only remaining intact original elements. It is
quite possible that alterations to these areas may complicate the ship's
listing on the National Historic Register. The Conservancy is currently
consulting with maritime historians and officials and exploring the
ramifications and trade-offs between modernization and preservation options
within the context of her Register listing. The SSUS Conservancy has
prioritized establishing a constructive working relationship with NCL as the
ship's current owner. If and when NCL's plans for the ship are implemented,
we will work to provide information to NCL's architects and designers to
ensure that a revitalized SS United States retains many elements of her
famous past. Our organizational mission remains to promote the ship's
historical importance. The ship's desperate condition and stripping at the
hands of previous owners as well as the enormous costs associated with a
refit have forced us to conclude that a historically-sensitive modernization
is the most viable option, and the one most likely to result in the ship's
preservation for future generations.
2006 SS United States Calendar Coming Soon!
Turner Publishing Company, a leader in historical publications for over 20
years, will soon publish a 2006 calendar for the SS United States
Conservancy. The calendar, a full-color, 17-by-11 inch publication, will
feature high-quality photos highlighting the storied past of the vessel and
pointing to its bright future. The calendar is currently available for
pre-sale at the low price of $14.95. To order contact Turner Publishing
Company at 1-800-788-3350 or on the Internet at
www.turnerpublishingcompany.com.
Turner Publishing Company specializes in high-quality historical and
commemorative books and calendars and is proud to help in the Conservancy's
efforts to reintroduce the world to the SS United States.
UPCOMING EVENTS, New York City, June 4 & June 18, 2005
Below you will find information on upcoming SS United States events in the
New York area. We invite you to join us for these exciting programs and
very much look forward to meeting you and sharing the latest news regarding
the magnificent SS United States!
With best regards,
Susan Gibbs, President
& Board of Directors
SS United States Conservancy
Post Office Box 90482
Raleigh, NC 27675
Telephone: (617) 320-8459
Email: info@ssunitedstatesconservancy.org
UPCOMING SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY EVENTS
Saturday, June 4
1 - 5 PM
The Maritime Industry Museum's Annual Party and Silent Auction, co-sponsored
by the SS United States Conservancy, will celebrate the storied SS United
States.
Please join us for this afternoon event featuring guest speakers, Mr. Barry
Thomas, noted naval architect and maritime author, and Ms. Susan Gibbs,
President of the SS United States Conservancy, celebrating the glorious past
and hopeful future of the legendary SS United States. The event will kick
off with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, music, an exhibit dedication ceremony
and a silent auction to benefit the Maritime Industry Museum's endowment
fund and the SS United States Conservancy followed by presentations from the
guest speakers.
This event takes place at:
The Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler
State University of New York
Maritime College Campus
6 Pennyfield Ave
The Bronx, New York 1046
Telephone (718) 409-7218
Admission: $50.00 each (non-members) / $35.00 each
(Museum members and SSUSC
members)
If you are interested in donating an item for the silent auction, to help
raise funds for the Conservancy please contact:
Carl Weber
Director of Outreach
New York Region
SS United States Conservancy
CRWeberNYC@aol.com
Saturday, June 18
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The SS United States Conservancy will host a table at the upcoming Ocean Liner Bazaar in New York. We'll be offering some of our exclusive tee shirts, mugs, mouse pads and more, as well as answering questions about the Conservancy's efforts on behalf of the SS United States. Hope to see you there!
The Ocean Liner Bazaar - Sponsored by the Port of New York Branch of the World Ship Society
Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden (Auditorium)
417 East 61st Street, New York City
(Between First and York Avenues)
