America's Flagship is on the verge of being reefed or scrapped. Regardless of the ship's fate, the Conservancy plans to create a museum dedicated to preserving her artifacts, art, and archives.
I returned to the SS United States on September 2nd for what I fear may be the last time, since the ship is facing eviction from its pier on September 12th. For a sense of how enormous the SS United States is, if you look above the blue rope in this picture, there is a man leaning out the window.
Here is the September 5th update from the Conservancy, which details all of the potential pier sites that have been ruled out, options that have been explored and eliminated, and the logistical challenges of moving a 900-foot-long ship with a draft of 28 feet and no functioning engine.
"...we have been exploring various scenarios, including proposals to deploy the SS United States as an artificial reef paired with a land-based museum. To achieve compliance and advance this vision, we entered into a contingent contract with Okaloosa County, Florida. This proposal remains subject to various contingencies, including formal approval of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners and a successful negotiation with the pier operator to extend the ship’s stay beyond September 12 while the complex logistics of moving and preparing the ship are worked out."
"Walking Arch," oil on panel 30" x 20"
Though it would be sad to see such a majestic vessel sunk as an artificial reef- which is only one of the possible outcomes- it makes me smile to think about how beautiful it would be to watch colorful tropical fish and scuba divers swimming through the arched doorways of the observation lounge pictured above. A nearby museum would preserve the ship’s artifacts and archives. Below is a 360 VR tour, which includes this room.
Here is an overview from Wildwood Video Archive of the background and current issues with negotiations, as well as recent photos of the interior of the ship. On September 2nd, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, 'The five-person Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners was supposed to ratify the contract Tuesday that would approve up to $9 million to buy, transport, and eventually sink the ship to create an artificial reef with its hollowed-out frame along Northwest Florida’s Destin-Fort Walton Beach shores.
But just as the meeting got underway, County Administrator John Hofstad said there had been a “wrinkle with pier operators” and asked the vote be postponed by two weeks to “work out issues.”' The proposed voting date would be after the deadline of September 12th, after which the ship is court mandated to vacate the pier.
There was an in-depth interview with Susan Gibbs, President of the SS United States Conservancy, in the New York Times by Jesse Pesta on August 10, 2024, which gives a fuller picture the situation.
I'm honored that Susan visited my studio and purchased "SSUS Portholes 2" for her personal collection. She is the granddaughter of the ship's architect, so it means a lot to me that she formed a personal connection with the paintings I made of the ship.
These are a few of the several hundred photos I took the past two years that I decided not to paint, so I will share them with you. I also found this page that shows drawings of the original interior designs and photos of what the ship looked like with its luxurious furnishings and art, and these schematics of the ship's decks.
I didn't truly understand the magnitude of what people were mourning until I saw footage of the ship in her glory days from the Disney movie "Bon Voyage," which is a striking contrast to the ship's current state.
Click the pictures to enlarge and view descriptions.
This ship has provided me with such inspiration, and the Conservancy has been extremely generous with their time, expertise, and support of my art. I want to do what I can to give back. You can see some of my paintings and ceramics inspired by the SS United States in this online shop page and the full series here. Donated funds will aid with the costs associated with preserving the ship's artifacts and collections, towing the ship, crew costs, dockage fees, and either redeveloping her or cleaning her for sinking.
Here are paintings of the architecture aboard the SS United States, which few people get the opportunity to see.
Here are paintings of the ship's stern as viewed from the port and from aboard a sailboat.
SEE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE PAINTINGS AND CERAMICS IN THIS SERIES.
(There are more that aren't on this page.)
Thank you for supporting both the preservation of this important piece of maritime history and my art. You're the best!
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