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Post by kittcar2000 on Oct 19, 2011 12:49:08 GMT -8
Spent one night on the Queen Mary at the end of September. Hardly anybody there. It's really expensive. We paid $240.00 for one night three tours for two people. We did get a free breakfast included in our package. Unfortunatlely the problem with the Queen Mary there's too many people with their hands in the cookie jar. They almost need to install a revolving door with all the different management companies that come and go.
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Post by kittcar2000 on Oct 19, 2011 12:58:12 GMT -8
If the conservancy can't find cheaper moorage. I'am afraid any plans are doomed. They are now paying 60grand per month to keep the ship docked where it is. Unbelievable the dock owner has been collecting this since 1996. But those days are numbered the conservancy will eventually run out of money some time next year.
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D'Elete BC in NJ
Voyager
Dispensing gallons of useless information daily...
Posts: 1,671
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Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Mar 26, 2012 17:38:33 GMT -8
www.marinelink.com/news/renewed-effort-united343356.aspx Renewed Effort to Save SS United StatesAs momentum builds for the effort to save and repurpose the greatest American ocean liner ever built, the SS United States Redevelopment Project (SSUSRP) announced that it has named New Canaan Advisors LLC (NCA) as real estate advisors to a growing team leading this exciting redevelopment program. New Canaan Advisors will assist the SSUSRP on a number of aspects related to transforming the historic ship into a stationary, multi-purpose waterfront destination. The SS United States, which will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its maiden voyage this year, remains the largest passenger vessel ever constructed in the United States. At nearly 1,000 feet long, she remains the fastest ocean liner to cross the North Atlantic and one of the last surviving of the great 20th Century liners. “We believe that New Canaan Advisors is the right firm to help us translate our vision for the future of the SS United States into a reality,” said Dan McSweeney, Managing Director of the SS United States Redevelopment Project. “They have the unique experience of handling both high-profile projects and historic properties, making them a great asset for our team.” The overall concept is currently to invite a mixed-use commercial and public development with a range of proposed revenue-generating uses including, but not limited to, event space, restaurants, retail, and hotel. The SSUSRP is a strategic initiative of the SS United States Conservancy, the national nonprofit organization that purchased the historic vessel last year. The Conservancy is also advancing plans for public use, including a museum and educational programs aboard the ship, which offers more than 650,000 square feet of usable space. "We are fully committed to restoring and redeveloping this great symbol of American pride and innovation. Like the Statue of Liberty, there is only one SS United States, and we are determined to save the ship for future generations," said Susan L Gibbs, the Conservancy's executive director and granddaughter of SS United States designer, William Francis Gibbs. “We are excited about this unique opportunity to assure the preservation of America’s flagship, and help her usher in a new era of service to the public while generating revenue to support its ongoing use,” states NCA’s founder and Chief Advisor, Curtis C. Battles. “The role that NCA will play in the redevelopment of the SS United States is a great example of the way we seek to add value for all our clients. We are proud to be a part of this significant project.” Prior to founding NCA, Battles worked on the redevelopment of two of New York City’s most visible commercial real estate icons – Grand Central Terminal and the World Trade Center. NCA provides public and private organizations with unique resources for transforming underutilized assets and facilities into new opportunities. The firm specializes in helping public/private partnerships develop properties and assets into vibrant, exciting and financially feasible uses. The growing SS United States redevelopment team will also include NCA strategic partner Charles Shorter as Senior Advisor. Shorter brings to the team more than 30 years of real estate experience in creating strategic approaches to large scale mixed-used projects including market and financial feasibility and structuring public/private development partnerships. Real Estate Solutions Group (RESGroup), LLC Founder Patricia Adell will also assist NCA on the SS United States project. RES Group, provides comprehensive real estate consulting services to all levels of government, universities, school districts, and private developers to structure public/private finance and development solutions to maximize value. In July 2010, the SS United States Conservancy received a $5.8 million philanthropic pledge allowing for the ship’s outright purchase and ongoing funding for maintenance at her berth in Philadelphia, PA. The current concept is for the redeveloped multi-purpose ship to be located in a major East Coast metropolitan location. For more information about the SS United States visit www.SSUSC.org For more information about NCA visit www.newcanaanadvisors.com
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Post by Northern Exploration on Mar 27, 2012 9:20:57 GMT -8
Major East Coast city I would assume would have to be NYC just for the volume of tourists and events.
An associate in NYC told me about a month ago, that there was a proposal to moor a ship near the Intrepid Museum and use it as a hotel adjunct to the facility. Events are a huge part of the economy of the city. Part of the space would be used for museum, part for restaurants and hotel rooms. There are so many newer ships being retired, I hadn't thought of the United States. But in some ways it could be ideal. Although the fitting were stripped it was built as a Navy grade vessel with a lot of attention to fireprevention.
Intrepid is quite interesting a location as it is just above the Jacob Javit Convention Centre, blocks from Times Square, and beside the cruise ship terminals. Although the Queen Mary now docks in Brooklyn.
The other possibilities in NYC could be Chelsea Piers or the South Street Seaport.
On a practical side the costs of renovation and nautical surveys would be mind boggling because it has sat empty for so long with only bandaid repairs. Maybe glitzy enough for Trump to emblazon his name all down the side. Although I must say the Trump Toronto is quite underwhelming on the outside.
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Mar 27, 2012 12:08:27 GMT -8
Major East Coast city I would assume would have to be NYC just for the volume of tourists and events. An associate in NYC told me about a month ago, that there was a proposal to moor a ship near the Intrepid Museum and use it as a hotel adjunct to the facility. Events are a huge part of the economy of the city. Part of the space would be used for museum, part for restaurants and hotel rooms. There are so many newer ships being retired, I hadn't thought of the United States. But in some ways it could be ideal. Although the fitting were stripped it was built as a Navy grade vessel with a lot of attention to fireprevention. Intrepid is quite interesting a location as it is just above the Jacob Javit Convention Centre, blocks from Times Square, and beside the cruise ship terminals. Although the Queen Mary now docks in Brooklyn. The other possibilities in NYC could be Chelsea Piers or the South Street Seaport. On a practical side the costs of renovation and nautical surveys would be mind boggling because it has sat empty for so long with only bandaid repairs. Maybe glitzy enough for Trump to emblazon his name all down the side. Although I must say the Trump Toronto is quite underwhelming on the outside. Honestly, I think that if there's a ship that can make a go of it, it'll be the SSUS. There is a major "pride" factor in the US that a restoration of the Big U will capitalize on. I've always liked the SSUS, and I really hope the conservation society can make a run of it. In the right market, I think it is possible, partly just because of her name.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Mar 28, 2012 9:46:11 GMT -8
Major East Coast city I would assume would have to be NYC just for the volume of tourists and events. An associate in NYC told me about a month ago, that there was a proposal to moor a ship near the Intrepid Museum and use it as a hotel adjunct to the facility. Events are a huge part of the economy of the city. Part of the space would be used for museum, part for restaurants and hotel rooms. There are so many newer ships being retired, I hadn't thought of the United States. But in some ways it could be ideal. Although the fitting were stripped it was built as a Navy grade vessel with a lot of attention to fireprevention. Intrepid is quite interesting a location as it is just above the Jacob Javit Convention Centre, blocks from Times Square, and beside the cruise ship terminals. Although the Queen Mary now docks in Brooklyn. The other possibilities in NYC could be Chelsea Piers or the South Street Seaport. On a practical side the costs of renovation and nautical surveys would be mind boggling because it has sat empty for so long with only bandaid repairs. Maybe glitzy enough for Trump to emblazon his name all down the side. Although I must say the Trump Toronto is quite underwhelming on the outside. Trump is just underwhelming if you take his bad hair and his over the top self-promotion. Just isn't an example of business success. But would be good to see the United States fully restored (without the neauseating Trump "T" plastered all over, I'd like to see a restoration to the point same as when she cast off on her first sail. If there's accomodation, amendities can be brought up to current, but using a flavour of design that models on what was seen when she first sailed. (Computer screens can be encased in nice wood accents for example since the LCDs do not give off any heat). For someone who has had no business success he sure has a load of properties in NYC alone. I would retire early if I had just one of those. Not having any business success seems to be at odds with owning his own 757 (formerly Paul Allen's so mind you a "used" aircraft). Little wood was used in the interiors of the United States. All stainless steel and inflamable materials. This was so the ship could be converted quickly to transport duties in a war. The joke was the piano and kitchen cutting board was the only wood item on the ship. It was in a spartan art deco/modern style that suited the era, the need for durability and conversion to troop transport. Over built. The engines were destined for the aircraft carrier of the same name that was canceled after its keel was laid, so that is what allowed the extra speed. It was also on purpose so the ship could outrun a submarine and make hitting it with a torpedo difficult.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Mar 26, 2013 9:23:56 GMT -8
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Post by compdude787 on Apr 2, 2013 21:12:39 GMT -8
This vessel is only two years older than the Evergreen State, yet it is limbo and currently seems unlikely to be restored. And yet one of the first frigates of the US Navy, the Constitution still, literally, sails today!
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Post by dofd on Apr 2, 2013 22:14:45 GMT -8
This vessel is only two years older than the Evergreen State, yet it is limbo and currently seems unlikely to be restored. And yet one of the first frigates of the US Navy, the Constitution still, literally, sails today! I know, it is hard to think the Evergreen State this on par with the Pacific liners. But, Evergreen State is still a working boat (so she has got all the love). The S.S. United States would have been good as a hotel and casino ten years ago, but she is getting to expensive to save. Unless you put her on land.
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Post by compdude787 on Apr 3, 2013 9:10:58 GMT -8
Indeed, the Evergreen State and even the USS Constitution have had much better maintenance and care during their lifespan. I think it's awesome that we have one of the very first Naval ships that are still in service, but we should remember that she's never been lacking in maintenance or care. She's never been in jeapordy or limbo. The SS US has been lacking in care and she could probably be compared to the Kalakala (though probably she's in better shape than the Silver Slug) in terms of what's going on with the two, but the SS US is a lot bigger and takes a whole lot more money to restore.
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Post by westernflyer on Nov 2, 2015 10:33:21 GMT -8
I recently came across a youtube video about the historic UK vessel MV Balmoral. To my eye she is similar in style to BC's MV Lady Rose, albeit a good deal larger. She started life in 1949 as a combination passenger/car ferry and has been lucky enough to survive to the present day with some well executed modifications and a dedicated crew of volunteers. MV Balmoral website
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Aug 8, 2016 10:09:06 GMT -8
Saturday's New York Times reports that Crystal Cruises recently spent $1 million on a survey of the SS United States, to determine the feasibility of returning the ship to active service. It was found that she is quite sound, but would need re-engining, which would involve replacement of about a quarter of the hull. Other alterations needed to bring the vessel up to modern standards, as well as the foreign ownership of Crystal making it difficult for the United States to sail between American ports, meant Crystal abandoned the idea. Crystal donated a sizable sum to the conservancy group looking after her, and that group is quite hopeful about finding a permanent use for her. Sounds like there is a good chance the United States will avoid the Kalakala's fate.
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grk
Chief Steward
Posts: 227
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Post by grk on Jun 4, 2019 15:23:38 GMT -8
Over on the "in their wake" forum, in the post regarding the Princesses Joan and Elizabeth, Starsteward asked a few questions that I might be able to shed some light on.
The Queen Elizabeth's port of registry is Hamilton Bermuda, rather than London England. The entire Cunard and Princess fleets use this registry for marketing and sales reasons only. Both cruise lines market to the Wedding travel crowd, and do so very successfully. The Master of ships registered in England may not perform legally binding marriages, while the Master of a ship registered in Bermuda may do so. The vessels so registered still can fly the Red Ensign (occasionally Blue Ensign). On the stern of many Cunard and Princess vessels you will see a metal plate with "Hamilton" welded to cover the original "London". Holland America, another Carnival Corp cruise line does not cater to this market at all, and thus their ships retain "Rotterdam" as the official Port of Registry.
Queen Elizabeth was in Victoria the day before Vancouver. The entire complement of passengers and many crew were debarking in Vancouver and the time provided by sailing early from Victoria allowed for the organization of luggage. Also massive preparations were made to organize stores as the ship was to be replentaged while in Vancouver. She ran at an economical and safe speed until she rounded East Point, and then ran at a yet slower speed to time her arrival for the duty call for linesmen and Canadian officials at Canada Place.
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships almost all have a "north atlantic fog whistle" which not only transmits the sound of the horns, but supplements that with a very low and deep vibrating tone. Those whistles cause my pictures on the wall and dishes in the cupboards to vibrate. i have only heard that on those vessels.
I hope this is of interest to a few readers of West Coast Ferries, I only know of these things through my work!
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Post by Starsteward on Jun 5, 2019 6:21:24 GMT -8
Over on the "in their wake" forum, in the post regarding the Princesses Joan and Elizabeth, Starsteward asked a few questions that I might be able to shed some light on. The Queen Elizabeth's port of registry is Hamilton Bermuda, rather than London England. The entire Cunard and Princess fleets use this registry for marketing and sales reasons only. Both cruise lines market to the Wedding travel crowd, and do so very successfully. The Master of ships registered in England may not perform legally binding marriages, while the Master of a ship registered in Bermuda may do so. The vessels so registered still can fly the Red Ensign (occasionally Blue Ensign). On the stern of many Cunard and Princess vessels you will see a metal plate with "Hamilton" welded to cover the original "London". Holland America, another Carnival Corp cruise line does not cater to this market at all, and thus their ships retain "Rotterdam" as the official Port of Registry. Queen Elizabeth was in Victoria the day before Vancouver. The entire complement of passengers and many crew were debarking in Vancouver and the time provided by sailing early from Victoria allowed for the organization of luggage. Also massive preparations were made to organize stores as the ship was to be replentaged while in Vancouver. She ran at an economical and safe speed until she rounded East Point, and then ran at a yet slower speed to time her arrival for the duty call for linesmen and Canadian officials at Canada Place. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships almost all have a "north atlantic fog whistle" which not only transmits the sound of the horns, but supplements that with a very low and deep vibrating tone. Those whistles cause my pictures on the wall and dishes in the cupboards to vibrate. i have only heard that on those vessels. I hope this is of interest to a few readers of West Coast Ferries, I only know of these things through my work! Thanks for enlightening us on why the Cunard and Princess ships are registered in Hamilton Bermuda. The explanation you give is one that I've never heard of before as ships are usually registered under foreign flags of convenience that enables companies to skirt some 'regulations' and/or obtain less costly insurance coverage for their vessels. Must keep the wedding ceremony/minister regulation in England under wraps as a good trivia question, may come in handy sometime. The deep whistle I heard on the 'Radiance of the Seas' must have been the fog whistle as the sound did seem to vibrate. Thanks for the 'insider' scoop on what the 'QE' was up to as she made her way to Vancouver, nicely done.
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Thor's Echo
Oiler (New Member)
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Post by Thor's Echo on Nov 18, 2019 12:23:19 GMT -8
I found and watched this video on YouTube yesterday of people exploring the SS United States. Looks like the ship is stripped down to its bare bones and a heck of work will need to be done to make her useful for anything.
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Thor's Echo
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Post by Thor's Echo on Nov 21, 2019 16:11:50 GMT -8
A 1924 ship's programme from the CPR's Montcalm, leaving Liverpool for Quebec City and Montreal. Find attached is a picture of My Grandmother, Aunts, uncle's and great grandparents on board the Ss Montrose sister ship to the Montcalm while they were immigrated to Canada from Britain in April of 1925. I believe that this picture was taken right below the lifeboats on the Starboard side aft. Attachments:
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 24, 2020 6:57:16 GMT -8
This popped onto my YouTube feed today. I don't normally re-post these types of things, but I thought this one was really cool and worth sharing. It's a video of the iconic SS Normandie cruising from France to New York in 1939. Normandie was certainly one of the grandest, and in my opinion, best looking, ocean liner of her period. This video is a great look back into the glory days of transatlantic ocean travel. Enjoy!
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Post by paulvanb on Mar 24, 2020 12:33:47 GMT -8
This popped onto my YouTube feed today. I don't normally re-post these types of things, but I thought this one was really cool and worth sharing. It's a video of the iconic SS Normandie cruising from France to New York in 1939. Normandie was certainly one of the grandest, and in my opinion, best looking, ocean liner of her period. This video is a great look back into the glory days of transatlantic ocean travel. Enjoy! Thank you, Brandon for the share. She was a thing of beauty!
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