As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, it’s quite natural for all of us to reflect upon the events of our country’s birth, history and the people who have made our nation great.
Regarding the area of our nation’s history alone, under the category of cultural resources, most Americans know the famous landmarks, places and artifacts well enough: Independence Hall, The Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell, among many other famous examples. These would be considered "major key" examples of America’s cultural resources, while under the same category, there are many "minor key" examples – also highly significant and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which are no less important than the "major key" examples, but are placed on the National Register for being significant for different reasons and critical to include in telling the story of America.
Such is the case of the historic and highly significant S.S. United States ocean liner – for all purposes a "minor key" example which deserves a promotion to "major key" status, along with a new lease on life. The steamship was recently towed from Philadelphia, Pa., to Mobile, where it is docked at present, undergoing partial demolition before it is sunk off the coast of Destin, Fla., for use as an artificial reef and underwater attraction for scuba divers.
Since most Americans are not so familiar with the historic ship, response to news of its impending demise has been more on the order of ho-hum, yawns or "that’s too bad." Very likely, this is why action is lacking during this urgent hour to save this grand lady of the seas from being doomed to "Davy Jones Locker." Imagine how Americans would react to a news announcement stating that the Statue of Liberty was going to be removed from its pedestal on Liberty Island, stripped of its copper cladding, and sunk as an artificial reef in the Atlantic Ocean? No doubt, there would be howls and outrage! By the same token, the S.S. United States is to our nation’s maritime history as the Statue of Liberty is to America and the world. If its sister ship, the S.S. America, were still extant, the situation might be different, but still urgent, and yet, of the two steamships, the S.S. United States stood head and shoulders above the S.S. America in several respects.
Just at the moment when this ship was poised to become remembered as one of America’s greatest treasures, it’s fortunes changed for the worse and will soon end forever unless there is a deeply concerted effort to fully concentrate on stopping the demolition of the ship at this very moment, and saving her from being "buried at sea," where relatively few people will be able to see her, and in a "state of dishonor," being only a shell of what the ship was in her glorious service on the high seas.
But thanks to the work of the New York Coalition to Save the S.S. United States, and other individuals and groups, the possibility of saving this treasured icon of American maritime increases with every person who responds to the call for action.
Designed by the celebrated naval architect William Francis Gibbs, the S.S. United States, 100 feet longer than the Titanic, was launched in 1951 from the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Newport News, Va.; a year later she began her maiden voyage from New York City to Southampton, England, crossing the Atlantic in record time – three and a half days, earning the coveted Blue Riband Award, an award and transatlantic-crossing record the vessel still holds to this day. The ocean liner’s top speed was originally kept as a military secret, and its passenger list included presidents, dignitaries and celebrities in its sea travels until it was taken out of service in 1969.
For all of the ship’s majesty and greatness, the plight of the ship has not been a "cause celebre" in the media or the greater public, and at this very moment, the demolition of the ship continues without ceasing and will soon reach a point where the ship’s character-defining features are lost, potentially affecting enthusiasm and momentum for saving the ship – unless heightened awareness is made of the wonderful aspect of "Reconstruction" as a valid practice for the preservation of a historic property - such as the S.S. United States – which is indeed listed on the National Register of Historic Places for Engineering, and is therefore a candidate for "Restoration" and "Reconstruction, as applicable in a preservation effort for new life for the ship – an action which is indeed recommended and sanctioned by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior.
But today, at this hour, the most important story to tell about the S.S. United States is about the urgent need to do everything possible to save her. So, what can one do to save this national treasure? Plenty! Contact the New York Coalition To Save The S.S. United States here to sign their petition and volunteer your time and talents; call or write to President Donald J. Trump, your congressman and senator, and Secretary of the Interior Douglas J. Burgum, and ask them to immediately take action to save the S.S. United States from any further demolition work and its fate of being sunk permanently as an artificial reef off the coast of Florida.
This is the last "Great American Ocean Liner" from the historic golden age of ocean voyage; there are no more, and most probably, there will never be another – ever. Let’s work together to save this grand lady and make her a huge part of our 250th birthday celebration and preserve her for future generations, for the history and posterity of our great nation.
Thomas Kaufmann is a historian, preservationist, and author. He may be contacted at [email protected],
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News.
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