While she is a famous ship, she wasn't really an important ship. Yes, an impressive technological showpiece, and many people have memories of sailing her, but she was also essentially the last of her kind, built in an era when her usefulness was ending. She never served as a troopship, and has lingered on for decades as a pier queen.
Unless someone with lots of money steps up with a plan and a place to put her, this will be a useful purpose. She'll be remembered through the images of her in her prime.
Wouldn't she make a great attraction tied to the pier next to the USS Hornet in New York? I can hardly believe that this beautiful ship is going to be lost.
Understood. But as I see it personally, the real crime happened years ago when she was completely gutted. I much prefer reefing than the scrapyard. But yes, sad.
To let a symbol of national prestige go like that, the USA won't be far behind.
Okaloosa, County (Destin) agrees to buy after Escambia waffled.
It appears today that the SS United States has been sold to Escambia County, Florida (Pensacola) - to be sunk as an artificial reef and diving attraction like ex-USS Oriskany. It all hinges on final approval by the County Board of Commisioners, which deferred a final decision until next week. Cost of tow and decontamination also yet to approved. I saw this on Facebook thus no link but there are stories out there if you look.
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