America’s flagship structurally sound but technical challenges prevent her return to ocean cruising
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Crystal Cruises has scrapped plans to help the SS United States Conservancy to renovate, rebuild and re-launch SS United States, which was known as ‘America’s Flagship’ before she retired in 1969.
Designed by William Francis Gibbs as part of a secret Pentagon programme during the Cold War, SS United States is the largest passenger ship ever designed and built in America. The ship was developed so she could be quickly converted from a luxury cruise liner into a naval troopship that could carry 15,000 troops over 10,000 nautical miles – almost half way around the globe – without refuelling in the event of war. Before her retirement in 1969, SS United States was regarded as the ‘epitome of American post-war innovation and design’ when she launched in 1952 and set the transatlantic speed record on her maiden voyage – a record that stands to this day.
In February, Crystal and the SS United States Conservancy revealed plans to convert the vessel into an 800-guest vessel, featuring 400 luxurious suites measuring about 350sqft with dining, entertainment, spa and other luxury guest amenities. At the time, Crystal said it would develop several itineraries for the 60,000gt ship, including the traditional transatlantic voyages from New York City, US and also cruises from key US ports and international voyages.
However, following a US$1 million, six-month feasibility study, Crystal Cruises has determined that while the SS United States is structurally sound, the technical and commercial challenges associated with returning the historic liner to service as a modern cruise ship are ‘insurmountable’.
“Unfortunately, the hurdles that would face us when trying to bring a 65-year-old vessel up to modern safety, design and international regulatory compliance have proven just too great to clear in both a technically and commercially responsible manner,” said Edie Rodriguez, Crystal president and CEO.
Led by retired US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Tim Sullivan, Crystal’s team of maritime experts and engineers conducted numerous assessments on the ship in the Port of Philadelphia, where it has been docked for 20 years. The evaluation and testing included in-depth assessments of the ship's structural condition; underwater inspections of the hull by divers; the examination of her fuel and salt water ballasting tanks; and a series of intensive engineering studies to deduce what would be needed to bring her back into service.
The technical feasibility study concluded that modifying the ship for today’s SOLAS standards would require significant changes to the hull that would pose stability challenges. Additionally, the installation of a modern diesel-electric propulsion plant would necessitate altering the existing shaft lines and rebuilding about 25% of the hull to reconfigure the ship to a twin shaft-twin rudder arrangement.
“While it has been determined that Crystal’s exciting vision for the ship would have required overcoming various technical hurdles and major changes to her historic design, the studies performed have confirmed the ship is structurally sound,” said Susan Gibbs, executive director of the SS United States Conservancy. “America’s Flagship continues to hold enormous potential as a stationary mixed-use development and museum in New York or another urban waterfront setting. The SS United States Conservancy remains deeply committed to saving this unique and powerful symbol of the nation’s strength, history, and innovation.”
Crystal will donate US$350,000 to aid in the Conservancy’s ongoing mission to find qualified developers and investors to secure the ship’s future. The Conservancy intends to pursue stationary redevelopment opportunities, continue its ongoing mission to educate the public about the legacy of the vessel, and build its museum collection and archives.
“We firmly believe the SS United States is an American treasure and deserves to be preserved and redeveloped as a stationary destination for future generations to experience and enjoy,” said Rodriguez.