Sad Day For the SS United States

[dwco5051]

Caught this update yesterday;
UPDATE: Just spoke with Capt. Mike Vinik aboard VINIK No.6 tugboat towing SS United States.
He said a 40 knot tailwind had her beam sideways to the tow line in 15 foot swells. He paused the tow until the wind dropped.
A flag hoisting was attempted in Philly, but the halyard snapped.
She has already had asbestos removed and is clean inside. Fuel oil, copper wiring and all windows will be removed in Mobile, AL. Then she will be towed out and reefed.
No one is currently aboard obviously.
ABC and broadcast channels are releasing video and stills tonight.
Photo via satellite courtesy Capt. Bob "Bobcat" Robinson.

All I can think if it was left outside in my neck of the woods the local methheads would have removed all the copper years ago.

 

[bigblocksarefun]

The tug posted some pics, almost makes it look like she's under her own power like a pic out of the past:

 

[bigblocksarefun]

Then she will be towed out and reefed.

If the lawsuit is settled by then. I imagine any more legal challenges would involve a stop work injunction until the case is settled. They've even gone so far as to ask the President to intervene.

 

[dwco5051]

The tug posted some pics, almost makes it look like she's under her own power like a pic out of the past:

View attachment 405697
View attachment 405698

Those pictures were unbelievable, almost look like AI generated. I had seen a couple more taken about the same time and one shows the stern of the tug so I know they are real. Don't know what the tensile strength is of that 2 1/4" cable but it must be more than adequate as Captain Vinik is well experienced in these tows.

 

[Stinnett21]

Following this with interest pretty neat to see. Just wondering, is, or how is, the tug being refueled on the journey?

 

[racerone]

How ironic that a vessel named ---" United States "----- is going down / sinking this year.-----Is it an ominous sign ?

 

[dwco5051]

Following this with interest pretty neat to see. Just wondering, is, or how is, the tug being refueled on the journey?

Tug carries enough fuel to make a round trip if needed. The tug's capacities are 174,618 gallons of fuel, 18,492 gallons of potable water, and 30,379 gallons of ballast.

 

[jlh3rd]

How ironic that a vessel named ---" United States "----- is going down / sinking this year.-----Is it an ominous sign ?

not at all.....we add that 51st state and all will be well.

 

[Stinnett21]

Tug carries enough fuel to make a round trip if needed. The tug's capacities are 174,618 gallons of fuel, 18,492 gallons of potable water, and 30,379 gallons of ballast.

So it's carrying in the neighborhood of 750 tons of fluid? Holy smoke!

 

[Stinnett21]

Yeah found it on the net. Wow it's 55 years old itself.

 

[WIMUSKY]

It made it to port in Mobile

SS United States arrives in Alabama to be prepped for sinking, world's largest artificial reef - UPI.com

The luxury liner SS United States completed its journey Monday from South Philadelphia to Alabama, where it will undergo preparations before it is sunk in the waters off Florida's Gulf Coast to become an artificial reef.

www.upi.com