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Ocean Liner "Queen Mary" reopens

Discussion in 'YachtForums Yacht Club' started by Yacht News, Apr 12, 2023.

  1. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    Noted ocean liner "Queen Mary" has reopened to the public once again after a hiatus because of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

  2. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I thought it had closed because of mismanagement and the need for repairs, not the plandemic. Good to see her open again. I stayed on board about 20 years ago for a couple of days, very cool place.
  3. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    Only going by what the 'news' is saying.
  4. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I know…
  5. Kevin

    Kevin YF Moderator

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    It closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, but stayed closed long after it could have opened due to mismanagement of the needed repairs.

    June 2021: https://cruiseradio.net/historic-cruise-ship-queen-mary-closed-never-reopen/

  6. Kevin

    Kevin YF Moderator

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    Yacht News likes this.
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Drag her to the scrappers now before it sinks or not able to be towed away.
    Bring in a newer ship and drain that pool they stay in (like a dry dock)..

    I'm really starting to think that not everybody played with boats while in the bath tub.
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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  9. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Trust me, my passion for restorations had me taking a double take and a double shot when I passed her in Philly a few years ago. So many hands and dollars in these "preservation groups" that she's likely a lost cause now. Sure would have been fun...but glad I kept driving...
  10. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The SS United States is a very special ship which merits to be saved at least a dockside facility like the Queen Mary.
  11. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Sadly, all of the period wood, trim, equipment, props, all other brass and notable items have been sold off of her. Currently an empty, dead, steel shell.
    As all steel, Mother Nature will and is taking it it back.

    Folks who luv these old hulks need to pour in the cash (not mine) before it is to late.

    The ole USS Texas was sinking. It was a heck of an expense to get her out of her basin into a near by dry dock,,, trying to sink all the way.
  12. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Yet the issue is not only the expense, but it's navigating all of those that have their hands on it and pockets exposed. You'd be hard pressed to get clear ownership or a clean path to execute your plan. Those in control of the "preservation" likely are hanging on to find a benefactor that will fund the restoration as well as their management all following their plan.

    She's a beautiful ship that warrants the investment. Seems like it would be a useful shell for someone with a goal of a yacht that size.
  13. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Not worth the re-power.
    Sadly; What she had will never run again.
  14. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Gut her and drop in some turbines...
  15. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    One of the reduction gears for that, would cost more than the boat is worth.
    Also, Her props (4) were sold off long ago.

    What is installed now is scrap and rust.

    General characteristics
    SS United States


    Type

    Ocean liner

    Tonnage

    53,330 GRT

    Displacement

    · 45,400 tons (designed)

    · 47,264 tons (maximum)

    Length

    · 990 ft (302 m) (overall)

    · 940 ft (287 m) (waterline)

    Beam

    101.5 ft (30.9 m) maximum

    Draft

    · 31 ft 3 in (9.53 m) (design)

    · 32 ft 4 in (9.86 m) (maximum)

    Depth

    175 ft (53 m) (keel to funnel)[9]

    Decks

    12

    Installed power

    · 240,000 shp (180,000 kW) (rated)

    · 247,785 shp (184,773 kW) (trials)

    Propulsion

    · 4 × Westinghouse double-reduction geared steam turbines

    · 8 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers operating at 1000 psi (later reduced to 925 psi) and 975 °F (524 °C)

    · 4 × shafts

    Speed

    · 35 kn (65 km/h) (service)

    · 38.32 kn (70.97 km/h) (trials)

    · 42 kn (78 km/h) (top)

    Capacity

    1,928 passengers

    Crew

    900
  16. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Jet drives.
  17. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Diesel/Electric to Pods would be the easiest set up.
    Sadly, The owners can not afford the pen to write the bad check with, none less the dry dock to fix the Swiss Cheese hull bottom.

    Scrap is the last income this hull will produce.

    Silly left coasters need to get realistic also about their QM also.
  18. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I don’t agree. Some ships like the QM and the UNited States are worth saving even if just as static attractions. It s part of history and in their days they were extremely advanced. It’s like the groups that maintain old WW2 aircraft.

    I stayed on the QM back in 04 I think, it was an great experience
  19. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Then they need to sheet or get off the pot.
    SS U S could have been something if it got a foothold many, many (many) years ago as QM did.
    But both now can not make a tow to a scrapper.

    Who is going to pay for the final clean up of sunk, rusted plates in Philly or LA??

    These are private enthusiasts that put THEIR money in, to preserve old air craft. Of course donations are welcome but contribute a small percentage of the cost for these birds.

    I've toured the USS Constitution twice. I luv her. A great experience.
    Tourist head count does not cover the cost of her remains.
    Oh, but with our Tax Dollars... We can keep her commissioned..

    F M
    Last edited: May 15, 2023
  20. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    The SS United States
    I pass her on occasion traveling up I-95 through Philly as rtrafford has.
    I first noticed her funnels a few years ago, driving up 95 which led me to look into what ship was deteriorating in a Philly dock which then led me to some videos and history of the ship.

    Here is some interesting history of the SS United States


    and another


    There was an " Urban Explorer" type video of the ship that I saw some years ago that was earie and fascinating but I can't find it now. The video below is similar but not as dark.


    This one is about 5 minutes long or so from a drone
    The long bow, rusty and neglected, is still prettier than any cruise ship of today.