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Comments
339 people included comments when making their poll vote. Representative comments are included below.
From Tricia in Ohio
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I personally feel the first priority is to establish the SS United States as a monument, preferably in New York City. To us, she is a monument already. I believe that most Americans would relate to her in this context. Also, this approach might offer the greatest protection for the future of the ship, as well as the most options for future use. The possibility of hotel/convention space onboard might not be excluded, nor would the restoration of her engineering. It would all be part of a restoration.
Restoration is a process. I live in a city that today boasts a priceless and historic 1920's movie palace. This treasure was minutes away from the wrecking ball in 1969. Everything was set for the demolition. It was a nonprofit grassroots organization that saved it. This organization, along with the public outcry it helped to amplify, saved the Ohio Theatre. It was in a tattered condition at first, faded and dirty, torn and tattered, and had no air-conditioning. Little by little, over many years of continuous improvements, the theatre came back to life--and then some! Today this facility is home to our performing arts, and is literally the gem of our city and a magical and glittering showplace like no other in the country.
There is no reason why the SS United States cannot follow this path to success. First she needs to be recognized historically. Then she can be opened up to the public as a museum and eventually used for many different purposes, excluding none that benefit the welfare of our nation and the world.
From Michael in England
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As a Brit with an American passport, I have an unusual idea. Britain's greatest ever liner, the Mary, is now a hotel in California. So The United States, America's greatest liner could become a hotel, and be berthed in Britain - possibly in Glasgow.
From Jan in Maine
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Would love to see it returned as a cruise ship depending on the present condition. Possibility of the other 3 would also be acceptable- Scrapping is NOT and option.
From Ray in Arizona
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A National Treasure should not be relegated to odd jobs. We give money every year to foreign nations that ends up supporting their memorials and museums. My second choice would be that of hotel in the Washington, DC area.
From Carl in Montana
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I like the following option the best (making it a cruise ship is second): Monument. Keep the SS United States as-is and return the ship to her home port of New York City to serve as a stationary monument. Restore select spaces as they once were and operate the ship as a museum and convention & meeting place. The ship could be designated a national monument thus become a lasting tribute to America's blue ribbon triumph in transatlantic ocean liner history.
From Peter in Canada
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As a North American (Canadian) I feel that this Magnificent Vessel should be restored to full sailing ability to show the American Flag to the World. It could also do Humanitarian service when needed!
from Jane in Pennsylvania
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Anyone of these ideas would be lovely but of course, a humanitarian ship for the world, would be most beneficial to mankind.
From Steve in Kentucky
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The ship should be restored/remodeled in a way that could make it a financially self-supporting liner in today's market, although exterior changes should be minimal to preserve its classic look.
From Kyler in Canada
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The ship should definitely be returned to operate as she was originally designed. Modern equipment could allow the original engines to operate with greater efficiency. The ship could spend the summer months plying the North Atlantic and the winter months traveling around North America. The only thing in this matter that is totally clear is that the present situation is unacceptable. Something must be done!
from Karen in Florida
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The cruise ship and hotel are grand suggestions but too commercial for the old lady. A monument is befitting but limits her exposure to the world because it would be stationary. An humanitarian ship is the best of all choices. As a humanitarian ship she would be a floating monument and a symbol of what we stand for. Strength, freedom and always helping others. I was a passenger on the SSUS in 1956 and 1959. My father was in the US Army and stationed in Germany. My mother met Gary Grant aboard the ship, and I remember peaking through the window and watching her dance with him in the grand ballroom! I have fond memories and cherish the photos, and pass books. Good luck with your efforts to save her and thank you for caring so much about her future.
From Daniel in Australia
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Cruise Ship! Don't downgrade the equipment... her speed is one of the most popular things for which she is remembered.
From Margaret in Arkansas
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My real preference would be to have her restored to her original or last seaworthy state as a floating museum where she could visit many ports of call making her more accessible to more Americans. Perhaps even like a Mississippi paddlewheeler where she could be a moving hotel, but restored as she was - not made into a cruise ship.
I was a passenger along with my family in 1963 as we departed for my father's assignment in France. It was November, the seas were rough, and most of my recollection was of my stateroom! But I do have some memories of the public areas and decks. It would be such a loss for history to not restore her and sail her proudly around the country.
From Dick in Kansas
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Preservation has to acknowledge the very high financial costs of stabilizing, rehabbing and finding a viable format for the future. As "fun" as cruise ship or hotel conversion might sound I can't think the economics would be there. The size would seem out of line with a humanitarian role, also attractive. A monument to the great liners of the era would be expensive but avoid some of the costs of more ambitious conversions - and expose millions to the beauty of the ship.
From John in Australia
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Cruise Ship Another suggestion would be to offer the SS United States to the port of Southampton, England on condition that the ship be restored to its original condition. There it could be a fitting memorial to all transatlantic liners from all countries that provided the Atlantic ferry for so long in such luxury and safety and speed for so many.
Like the Queen Mary, the SS United States would become a museum of the Atlantic Seaway, an hotel, conference centre and premier tourist attraction.
Better still give her to us for berthing in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
These proposals may make the US government finally do something positive to save an unique part of America's maritime heritage.
From Cathy in California
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I do not really like the choices, I would rather see her as she was at one time, beautiful, sleek and better at what she did than any other ship on the planet, and doing it again. I pray this beautiful ship is not scrapped, it would break my heart.
From John in New York
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She should be scrapped as it is only a shell of her former self. Everything of value was stripped and sold long ago. HOWEVER... A new, modern, state-of-the-art cruise liner built to the original plans should be built as a US flagged cruise ship. The design is ageless. The construction solid. It would be more economically feasible to use the blueprints of her construction as a groundwork for a NEW United States. Maybe even gut her fully and start from the empty hull up. Not only to be used in the cruise trade but also in times of dire need when a national emergency exists. We forget that the s/s United States was built for just such a purpose.
From Alan in California
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Active ship is impractical, either as a cruiser or for humanitarian
purposes. Scrapped would be most unfortunate and financially
insignificant. Hotel might work if it were also part monument, but there was no way
for me to vote for both options. I don't have details, but I doubt
the Queen Mary has been self-supporting, all things included. In any
case, the hotel and catering elements, the tacky shopping sideshow,
and the expensive parking all detract from its historic grandeur.
So I choose monument, which at least preserves it for all to see. It
certainly deserves a berth along the Hudson forever, even if visible
only from the outside.
From Carol in New Jersey
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I would love to see her restored to her original beauty. I would then park her outside the Jacob Javitz Center in NYC or in Camden at the new Baseball stadium area where a dock was to be built for the Mosholu. It would then be accessible to Philadelphia via the new cable system. She would also be very close to the Kaeverner shipyard which would have skilled people to work/restore her.
Click here to further study the details in Rich April's comprehensive report of the results.
Conclusion Commentary
Respondents in this poll were thoughtful in making their choice as indicated by the high number of comments shared during the vote. (339 of 730)
Overall, it is clear that as interest in the ship continues to grow the focus is on her future - and belief that there is a viable future for the SS UNITED STATES.
Thank you for your continued support.
- Mike
What do you think? Click here to email Mike
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