Let's Talk About U!

I’m sure any ocean liner devotee could tell you about some of the most infamous passenger ships. When the term “Big U” comes into play, there ain’t no question about it. Images of sleek shining finery - strong robust elegance – and intricate innovation bring a stirring contentment to heart.

While sentimentality plays a fond role for this epic creation, however, there is something at stake here.

The “Big U” is not a memory. In fact, it is more than some intangible ideal. This intricate innovation of refinery sits safely at a dock in Philadelphia, Pa. You couldn’t tell it was very safe what with the prickled paint, the rusting hull, and the barren deck space. But you can definitely tell it’s been places.

You may have gotten the circumstances figured. This is the SS United States. For you fellow American’s out there, this is your nation’s flagship; the one that still holds the all-but-novelty-now Blue Riband, given to the vessel that could make it the fastest between continents. The one that infamously had hardly any wood aboard because William Francis Gibbs, the designer, was so worried about a fire aboard. The one that the U.S. government took charge of in case the Cold War escalated and our country needed a troop carrier ready within 48 hours of peacetime service. I can give more highlights but it wouldn’t change the ships current status, of which the SS United States Conservancy is prepping to reinvent.

Well, there’s not always a golden horizon, and many beautiful palaces of the sea have had to retire and be recycled into cat food cans. This ship, however, is under some interesting circumstances. Yes, the old lady, fist debuted in 1952, looks tired and decrepit, a strangely mighty/ brittle sight one would either shrug their shoulders at or lower their brow and smirk their lips to. Save a sad rust bucket like that?

 Consider the potential.

Polish the paint and rid the rust, which would no doubt cost a pretty penny, and what do we have? A stimulating piece of art shaped on a massive scale, with enough yesteryear-echoed space to fit the likes of a city. There is 650,000 square feet of deck space, according to the conservancy website. Everything from spas, to restaurants, to bars, to various vendors, even an educational institution, could fit inside this massive piece of lingering history.

Nowhere can one take a gasp at such characteristic craftsmanship, with a 1950s swagger and intriguingly animated shapes and curves. Some of the interior spaces that still retain something of their original shape (like the long, breezy promenade deck, or the once celebrity-filled ballroom) could be returned to their fancy states and give the modern day visitor a magical experience they never thought possible.

Now there is a lot to take into consideration. The expense of the project is only one factor that contributes to one of the most prevalent problems. What potential developer is going to look at the floating bulk and see past the rust and grime before grinding their teeth over the needed budget? Studies of the ships condition have proved it is strong and sturdy despite a few minor though all too noticeable rust stains aboard. It even passed the 2010 SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations for Norwegian Cruise Lines (who took possession for a period during that year).

There is also consideration as to the marketing it would take for a piece of past buried so deep in the history books that hardly anyone recognizes the ship enough to count her worthy of its countless possibilities. For some reason, classic passenger ships do not enthuse very many, which include a vast number in the United States alone. This vessel is no exception. She may be an engineering marvel and a major investment to the U.S. government’s history, but her relevance today does not seem to hold water…so to speak.

In contrast, the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben are fascinating landmarks that everyone can relate to. Millions of people visit them every year because they are historic, and thought to many as beautiful and unique. They represent a culture, a country, a sense of grandeur, and even a heightened sense of self.

The SS United States…. What is the SS United States?

It’s a technological wonder…it’s a unique work of art…it has a history of romance and excitement. Couples could walk the decks today and kindle a nostalgic sense of emotion they may never have recognized if not for such a classy style. There is the long and characteristic boat deck with its animated portholes, countless doors and windows crafted with care and character, shapely organized rivets lined so very meticulously; surely a ship can open the imagination of minds from all walks of life. The patriot could look proud on a sturdy piece of American history, culture, and pride. The tourist can enjoy the leisurely atmosphere, the cultural activities, shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The local may take fellow chums aboard and have a night on the equally local city of historical seamanship. The movie buff and history connoisseur can marvel at being in the same place as many celebrities and cocooned in an elaborate style that cannot be found in today’s modern world. At night, the ship would be a stunning display of majestic tranquility and romantic reverence.

Her two towering smokestacks will gleam. Her sleek hull will glimmer. And her many lights will reflect off the cold sea with a warm reminder that America is an endearing country that can take on a challenge and accomplish a seemingly insignificant goal with thriving, productive results.

For more information about the Conservancy’s efforts, follow this link (they also have a Twitter and a Facebook): http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/.

CBS will be doing a special on the ship sometime in February.

PICTURES ARE CREDITED TO THE UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY

PETER KNEGO VIA MARITIME MATTERS

[http://maritimematters.com/2012/09/ss-united-states-pilgrimage-part-two-upper-decks/]

ROBERT J. MILLOY VIA STEVEN UJIFUSA

[http://www.stevenujifusa.com/2012/06/june-23-1952-the-ss-united-states-arrives-in-new-york-harbor-for-the-first-time/]

SS MARITIME

DILIFF and VISITINGDC.COM

SS United States: A Call to Arms

For anyone with pride in their nation, I give you your nations flagship.

SS United States: Lady in Waiting NEW Extended Trailer

A beautiful ship of great American heritage. Indeed, some look at ships and don't have much feelings because it's just a ship to them...but they don't think of the Washington Memorial that way.

Well, I don't blame them being as they don't have the same feelings and are/or are not well-informed, but this ship is just as important as the American flag. No one wants to see the American flag change or be thrown away and forgotten.

See this trailer, and you just might see why this ship is so important. Personally, I think if the ship was mentioned in History classes in schools around the nation, people would be better informed and maybe take a stand. Well, let's spread the word!

The Last Call of a True Queen...

In the local area of Long Beach, such attractions as the Queen Mary dazzle the city lights, creating a welcoming atmosphere to its popular name. But across the Vincent Thomas Bridge is another portion known for its nautical history and, frequently visited, Ports O’ Call.

While the many restaurants and museums bring in tourists regularly, the port of San Pedro carries cruise travelers to and from every destination around the world. Some cruise ships come often, while others make special calls in the height of popular interest. One of which made its call on Sunday, March 30, for a final farewell.

Since 1975, the Queen Elizabeth 2 (popularly nicknamed QE2) has graced the port of Los Angeles on her countless world cruises to numerous destinations. Once a year she has proved impressive to the locals of Southern California, making her final passage exciting, and rather mournful.

At 963 feet long and 105 feet wide, the QE2 houses a capacity of approximately 1,791 passengers and crew. Thirteen decks (ten for passengers) tower the piers and landscapes, her enormous single smokestack topping off the incredible superstructure with Cunard Line’s historic name and nostalgic culture.

As many came to see QE2 at Pier 92 for the last time, some enthusiasts who could not sail the booked-solid cruise got the privilege of touring the ship, many very excited and with their cameras at the ready for what would truly be a memorable visit. As QE2’s already-passengers lazed around in ultimate luxury, VIP guests ran from lounge to corridor flashing a well-kept memory into their cameras. An elegant lunch in the Mauretania Restaurant met many visitor taste buds as only a historic ocean liner could serve.

The ships onboard faculties and passenger accommodations are unlike those of a typical cruise ship. Since 1969, the QE2 has gone through many renovations, but always keeping with the style of an old transatlantic ocean liner; her sleek charcoal-gray hull, expansion of portholes, and wide upper decks fitting the classic standard of sophisticated travel.

After QE2’s last World Cruise, she cozied a Norway, Europe, and a Mediterranean travel season from June to August 2008. By November, she ended her career as a travel vessel with a 16-day cruise where she retires to the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai as a hotel and tourist attraction like her predecessor Queen Mary back in 1967 to Long Beach, California.

While the QE2 is usually accustomed to leaving at 10:00 pm at night, she departed San Pedro at a special time of 5:00 pm in the afternoon. Waiting patiently as the Vision of the Seas departed before her, many spectators lined Ports O’ Call and various restaurants to have time for a final remedy before such a landmark would leave, only to never return.

Once ready, the beloved Queen Elizabeth 2 took her leave unexpectedly from her stern; something that, as comical as it looked, served a salute, a final bow as the curtain fell for the last time on a cherished landmark never to cross Los Angeles waters again. The onlookers, some with tears in their eyes, thinned out the further the ship moved, some with deep sentiment stood for a while and eventually, themselves, left as the QE2 reached the open ocean.

The QE2 has left California forever, but memories of the liner sitting peacefully at San Pedro, only to be sailing off to another fun location, will always remain, her ghost leaving an imprint to San Pedro harbor. And as she will be a permanent hotel in Dubai, like Long Beach’s beloved Queen Mary, the new Queen’s to take her place, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and the 2010 Queen Elizabeth, will mark a new era to San Pedro’s harbor, to remind Southern California that they are not without a Queen.

Stars Onboard!

(From left to right: Robert Montgomery, Loretta Young, Bob Hope, Alex Smith & husband[November1947]. All aft-starboard on the Queen Mary's Sun Deck.)

What's better than seeing a celebrity aboard a brand new ocean liner? Possibly being one of those celebrities...but seeing one can be just as fun!

Since, back in the day, transatlantic/ocean travel was the only way to cross the ocean, so naturally there would have to be celebrities (of any genre) on one of them. Which one? There are so many...well, usually, a celebrity would be seen on one of the newest, largest, most famous, ext., liners.

Walt Disney was a frequent with Cunard. Here he is seen on the front most part of the Promenade Deck of the Queen Mary. But he also traveled on the Aquitania quite often, before the Queen Mary debuted in 1936. In fact, these voyages are what sparked his imagination for "Steamboat Mickey" and other noted works in the vast archive of Disney magic.


Bob Hope, a highly noted performer (in more ways than one) spent many voyages on the Queen Mary. Here he is seen preforming in the ships First Class Main Lounge. His voyages were to the delight of fellow passengers as he would give, often, some sort of enjoyable show in the lounge, one noted including "Thanks For the Memories" in 1939 when war had just broke out. He attempted to raise his spirits, and did he ever!


While Winston Churchill, seen in Queen Mary's Drawing Room on Promenade Deck sometime during the war, was not quite a "celebrity," but a highly noted politician. Being Great Britain's Prime Minister, it is not hard to wonder why he got his own office aboard Britain's pride and joy troop transporter Queen Mary during World War II. Here he plotted his course in war efforts during this world struggle. While the First Class Drawing Room remains a gift shop today, the memory of his office is still prevalent in the liners history.


While Fred Astaire is not seen on a ship, he and Gary Cooper (below, on Queen Mary's promenade) were both frequent passengers aboard the Cunard Queen's.

Astaire with his classic dancing talent, and Cooper with his famous western roles, were delights on the liners and enriched sea life.


Other stars aboard the first two Cunard Queen's included Billy Graham, Clark Gabel (Gone With the Wind), the hilarious Laurel & Hardy, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Spencer Tracy, Liberace, Dougless Fairbanks, William Randolf Hearst, and many, many more.

The QE2 had a good bit of noted people aboard, one including Julie Andrews. Celebrities flocked to this liner and Cunard, yes, but the Italian Line (Italia di Navigazione S.p.A) is known have carried the Fascist leader of Italy, Benito Mussolini on Rex's maiden voyage. Not necessarily a "celebrity," but a known (though not most favorited) political leader of the axis alliance during WWII.

It's always fun to see a celebrity, it's always that much more exciting seeing one sailing the high seas!

RMS Queen Mary - Horatio Nicholls' "Queen of the Sea", 1936

This shows the RMS QUEEN MARY as she was on her launch and maiden voyage. Truly, "a tribute to British engineering" lets her amazing creation of Art Deco luxury stay today as one of the most historic landmarks of transatlantic masterpieces.

MARY on the Sea...Sail Enchanted on a Superliner Extravaganza

P

oetry on my favo(u)rite ocean liner...prospering through 31 years of service, 7 of which provided troops, and their wives, as pleasent a crossing as she could give in such conditions. This liners maiden voyage was very popular, and widely acclaimed as one of the grandest, most elegant, fastest, and largest ocean liners in the world:



One big Liner
I can very much site her
Making her way
For her very big day
To the USA

A big ship of wonder
One to handle rain and Thunder
Big and strong
So very long

Starting in England
Needing but a helping hand
Sailing through the sea to a remote land

She is oh so very reliable
With her big massive hull
She can handle only the roughest of seas
Being big, able and beautiful as she’s
May I get a glimpse at her please?

She’s as shiny as a cherry
Named after the her royal honor
Why it is the Queen Mary
How I am so fond of her

So come sailing
Hang on the railing
Yes come aboard the most finest ship
That’s big day will surly make a big hit

Sail with Cunard
Sail the Atlantic all the way
That is what I say
Get a ticket now if you may