A sad day for Preservationists

[Klinger]

It has been reported the the American Liner Independence was illegally beached last night. Because of the expense of removing a beached ship, the government of India has cleared the ship for scrapping

This leaves only 2 American built (and purpose built) ocean liners left in the whole world, technically 3 if you count the MV Doulos, currently laid up awaiting her future, which was built in Newport News as a freighter in 1914. The other two are the SS Santa Rosa (1958) now sailing as "The Emerald" and of course, the mighty SS United States sitting in Philadelphia.

The Santa Rosa will continue sailing past the SOLAS 2010 deadline, as the ship is being modified to fit the new standards.

The Indy would have made a great hotel in Honolulu

 

[UP5521]

now that is the last thing I expected,that is sad indeed!

 

[Klinger]

An Update on the Indy in case anyone was interested.

Peter Knego reports the ship is stranded in the mud 4 miles off the coast of Alang. However, while she has been cleared for scrapping, it looks like it may not happen. The ship has sadly broken its back, and has started to sink, down on the starboard side. Since its back is broken, it cannot be towed, or moved.

 

[cascaderailroad]

You can't save them all

There is a ship graveyard (I believe it is near India or Africa) where they purposely beach ships, and the salvage crews torch then for scrap.

 

[Klinger]

The worst case scenario has now been confirmed

 

[cascaderailroad]

Looks like it was unsafe anyway, imagine sailing on a cruise on that rust bucket, and the thing breaks in two at high seas.

 

[backyard]

She's down for Davy Jones Locker...arrrrgg...

She wasn't beached, She "ran-aground hard" on a submerged reef.

I thought it was the mentioned beaching for scrap, but it's out to sea.

When you run aground, the weight is concentrated at a limited area, sea-worthy or not, anything can happen...

Like the (once) Mighty Titanic, she now belongs to the ages....

 

[SantaFebuff]

So, another marvelous memorial of history has now fallen to the test of time. It's a shame to see such a previously glorious ship be reduced to this. If only, well... There's only the "If" left.

I hope we can do something positive to preserve what we have left.

Cheers,
Joshua

 

[n8phu]

I remember looking at the United States while I was on break from Shipboard fire fighting school in Norfolk, Virginia......

I think I just dated myself.

 

[Klinger]

The Big U has not been in Norfolk for a long time....

 

[NTSEFAN]

I agree with you! It just burns my ass!

 

[gtasa]

The worst case scenario has now been confirmed
pic removed

i say she lookes like the titanic breaking in two.