From Pine View Farm

The End 1

S. S. United States

On the block for scrap:

On its maiden voyage in 1952, the SS United States set a transatlantic speed record – New York to Bishop Rock, England, in three days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes – eclipsing by 10 hours the mark set by the Queen Mary in 1938.

But for the last 14 years, the pride of a nation has gone nowhere, rusting away at a pier in South Philadelphia, a fading landmark seemingly destined for one last journey: to the scrapyard.

Its owner, Norwegian Cruise Line, which spends about $700,000 a year to moor and maintain the ship, appears ready to pull the plug

When any falling down junker of a building can attract hordes of “historic preservationists” to protect its existence, even though it has no claim to being “historical” other than being old, unpainted, and unmaintained, to allow this ship, holds stuffed with history, to be sold and dismembered, is a damned shame.

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  1. Travesty Afloat « From Pine View Farm

    May 23, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    […] it was the S. S. United States. Now it looks as if the U. S. S. Olympia may be allowed to sink. Now the Olympia – the last […]