New York passenger shipping 1957

The famous Port of New York passenger ship docks on the Hudson River, back in 1957 showing seven transatlantic liners: RMS BRITANNIC, Cunard White Star, the magnificent QUEEN MARY of 1936, the RMS MAURETANIA of 1939, all Cunarders,  the French Line FLANDRE, later to become Costa Line's CARLA C in 1968, followed by Greek Line's flagship OLYMPIA, the UNITED STATES and one of the American Export Line's sisters, the CONSTITUTION or INDEPENDENCE.
Quando era miúdo e via este tipo de fotografias sobre os cais de passageiros de Nova Iorque imaginava uma grandiosidade que mais tarde, quando estive no porto de Nova Iorque pela primeira vez, não encontrei. Um conjunto de navios como o da fotografia faria com que ficasse com os dedos a doerem de tanto disparar os obturadores das minhas Nikons, como me aconteceu, por exemplo, das primeiras vezes que estive no Pireu. Mas o Hudson e os seus cais, a sensação que me deram, foi que quase caberiam na nossa Doca de Alcântara. Tenho visitado muitos portos por esse mundo, mas não há muitos com a grandeza física - trabalho da natureza, ou do Criador, conforme as sensibilidades - daí a importância de não se deixar destruir mais o Porto de Lisboa face aos apetites alarves do imobiliário e da sede de poder da Câmara Municipal de Lisboa. Tem-se vindo a matar o nosso belo porto de Lisboa.

Photographed from the Bill Miller collection.Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. Favor não piratear. Respeite o meu trabalho / No piracy, please. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia

Que futuro para o UNITED STATES?

Comentários à decisão da Crystal Cruises acerca do paquete UNITED STATES. Este grande navio de passageiros americano, que navegou apenas durante 17 anos, de 1952 a 1969, é um exemplo de  desperdício e um testemunho de uma época de grandes mudanças nos transportes de longo curso, quando a quase totalidade dos passageiros passaram a utilizar os meios aéreos, relegando a maior parte dos paquetes de linha para fins prematuros, como o desmantelamento. Alguns navios dessa época conseguiram segundas vidas no mercado de cruzeiros, como sucedeu com o FRANCE, grande rival do UNITED STATES, ou com o CANBERRA, mas dezenas de navios de passageiros foram pura e simplesmente desactivados e vendidos, o que aconteceu à frota norte americana, como à italiana ou à portuguesa, de que só sobreviveu o FUNCHAL. Os tempos mudaram.

O UNITED STATES foi retirado do serviço regular no Atlântico Norte e do serviço de cruzeiros de inverno em Novembro de 1969 e desde então tem estado sempre imobilizado, apesar de diversas tentativas no sentido de o transformar em navio de cruzeiros, ao longo de todos estes anos. As esperanças voltam a focar-se agora num possível aproveitamento para uso estático, como museu, por exemplo.

From cruise expert Anne Kalosh and her excellent Seatrade Insider column: "Though the historic ocean liner SS United States is structurally sound, the technical and commercial challenges of reviving it as a cruise ship are 'insurmountable,' Crystal Cruises said following a six-month feasibility study.

The luxury line poured more than $1m into the study and professional evaluation of 'America's Flagship,' convening a world-class team of engineers and experts.

'Unfortunately, the hurdles that would face us when trying to bring a 65-year-old vessel up to modern safety, design and international regulatory compliance have proven just too great to clear in both a technically and commercially responsible manner,' Crystal president and ceo Edie Rodriguez said.

She had personally championed the project, calling the SS United States 'an icon, and so much a part of the American fabric and history,'

As a show of support for the vessel, Crystal will be donating $350,000 to aid in the SS United States Conservancy’s ongoing mission to save the ship. The Conservancy intends to resume its pursuit of stationary redevelopment opportunities.

'Disappointed but not surprised,' is how maritime historian and prolific author Bill Miller, known as 'Mr. Ocean Liner,' reacted to the announcement.

Crystal's decision makes sense, he told Seatrade Cruise News, in light of 'endless problems' to convert/transform a decades-old liner into a modern, efficient, marketable cruise ship.

'The ship itself, still waiting, will no doubt have further reprieves and be a part of varied projects—from hotel-casino to floating power station,' Miller predicted.

Poignantly, he added: 'Her last master, the late Leroy Alexanderson, adored the ship, but suggested, as far back as the early '90s, that she be taken out to sea and gently allowed to go under—the perfect grave for an extraordinary ship.'

The SS United States Conservancy indicated it will not give up.

'While it has been determined that Crystal’s exciting vision for the ship would have required overcoming various technical hurdles and major changes to her historic design, the studies performed have confirmed the ship is structurally sound,' Conservancy executive director Susan Gibbs said. She added: 'America’s Flagship continues to hold enormous potential as a stationary mixed-use development and museum in New York or another urban waterfront setting. The SS United States Conservancy remains deeply committed to saving this unique and powerful symbol of the nation’s strength, history and innovation.'"

Texto editado e comentado /Text and comments by L.M.Correia. Favor não piratear. Respeite o meu trabalho / No piracy, please. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia

CRYSTAL CRUISES desiste do paquete UNITED STATES

A companhia de cruzeiros Crystal Cruises tornou pública a 5 de Agosto a sua decisão de desistir do projecto de compra e renovação do famoso paquete UNITED STATES. A Crystal informa que gastou cerca de um milhão de U.S. dollars em estudos e avaliação da condição actual do paquete e soluções associadas a uma possível modernização e reactivação do UNITED STATES como navio de cruzeiros. Reproduz-se em seguida o texto do comunicado da Crystal.

America’s Flagship Found Structurally Sound But Technical Challenges Prevent Her Return to Modern Seagoing Service - SS United States Conservancy Will Continue To Pursue Redevelopment Opportunities

LOS ANGELES, August 5, 2016 – Following an intensive, six-month evaluation, Crystal Cruises today determined that while the SS United States is structurally sound, the technical and commercial challenges associated with returning the historic liner to service as a modern cruise ship have unfortunately proven insurmountable. As a show of support for the vessel, Crystal Cruises will be making a significant donation of $350,000 to aid in the Conservancy’s ongoing mission to save the ship. The Conservancy intends to resume its pursuit of stationary redevelopment opportunities for America’s Flagship.

In February, Crystal and the SS United States Conservancy announced they had entered into an exclusive option agreement with the goal of converting the iconic 1950’s-era vessel into a modern, luxury cruise ship that would comply with all modern safety and technical standards – unprecedented for a single vessel refurbishment. Crystal commenced a comprehensive feasibility study and professional evaluation, convening a world-class team of engineers and experts while incurring over $1 million in costs.

“Over the past six months, Crystal has conducted an extensive feasibility study to restore 'America's Flagship' to oceangoing service. Unfortunately, the hurdles that would face us when trying to bring a 65-year-old vessel up to modern safety, design and international regulatory compliance have proven just too great to clear in both a technically and commercially responsible manner,” said Crystal President and CEO Edie Rodriguez.

“While it has been determined that Crystal’s exciting vision for the ship would have required overcoming various technical hurdles and major changes to her historic design, the studies performed have confirmed the ship is structurally sound,” said Susan Gibbs, Executive Director of the SS United States Conservancy. “America’s Flagship continues to hold enormous potential as a stationary mixed-use development and museum in New York or another urban waterfront setting. The SS United States Conservancy remains deeply committed to saving this unique and powerful symbol of the nation’s strength, history, and innovation.”

Led by retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Tim Sullivan, Crystal’s impressive team of maritime experts and engineers conducted numerous assessments on the ship in the Port of Philadelphia, where it has been docked for 20 years. The evaluation and testing included in-depth assessments of the ship's structural condition; underwater inspections of the hull by divers; the examination of her fuel and salt water ballasting tanks; and a series of intensive engineering studies to deduce what would be needed to bring her back into service.

Regrettably, the technical feasibility study concluded that while the ship is remarkably intact and structurally sound, modifying the ship for today’s standards for oceangoing service (SOLAS) would require significant changes to the hull that would pose stability challenges. Additionally, the installation of a modern, state-of-the-art diesel electric propulsion plant would have necessitated altering of the existing shaft lines and rebuilding about 25 percent of the hull to reconfigure the ship to a twin shaft-twin rudder arrangement. While it was known that the vessel would need to have been essentially rebuilt from the inside out, these specific challenges, among others, collectively posed significant risk to the success of the project.

“Our company has great affection for this historic and irreplaceable vessel, and we will be making a $350,000 donation which will help support the Conservancy preserve the vessel through the remainder of the year,” said Rodriguez. “We firmly believe the SS United Statesis an American treasure and deserves to be preserved and redeveloped as a stationary destination for future generations to experience and enjoy.”

The Conservancy will immediately restart its aggressive outreach to qualified developers and investors to secure the ship’s future, while continuing its ongoing mission to educate the public about the legacy of the vessel and building its museum collection and archives. A national reunion of former crewmembers and passengers is planned in Philadelphia on September 17.

“The Conservancy is deeply grateful to Crystal Cruises for recognizing the SS United States’ historic importance and for working so hard on the ship’s behalf,” said Gibbs. “I would also like to thank our members and supporters from across the country and around the world for their continued support. Together we will continue to work tirelessly to save America’s Flagship and honor the legendary liner’s legacy.”

Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. Favor não piratear. Respeite o meu trabalho / No piracy, please. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia

O navio-almirante da US Lines

A propósito dos meus comentários anteriores sobre o navio norte americano EMPIRE STATE, refira-se que de todos os navios mercantes dos EUA que tive oportunidade de observar, o paquete UNITED STATES fascinou-me literalmente, em Fevereiro de 1968, quando este navio único visitou Lisboa pela primeira vez e esteve atracado no cais da Rocha. Vivia-se o ocaso dos grandes paquetes de linha, os QUEENs originais  estavam a ser retirados, o QUEEN MARY em 1967, o ELIZABETH em Novembro de 1968, e o destino do UNITED STATES estava escrito igualmente, com a morte do seu criador e protector, o arquitecto naval William Francis Gibbs a 6 de Setembro de 1967, e tal aconteceu em Novembro de 1969.

Ver o UNITED STATES atracado na Rocha e a navegar no Tejo deixou recordações inesquecíveis. O navio era austero, com uma imponência extraordinária e as chaminés mais magnificas de sempre. 

O UNITED STATES, cuja construção marcou a afirmação dos Estados Unidos como primeira potência mundial após 1945, não desapareceu depois da ultima viagem comercial em 1969, mas transformou-se num monumento ao desperdício. O navio tem permanecido imobilizado todos estes anos, os diversos projectos para a sua recuperação falharam sempre, e o UNITED STATES encontra-se em Filadélfia, muito degradado, a aguardar um futuro digno, ou o desmantelamento...

Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. Favor não piratear. Respeite o meu trabalho / No piracy, please. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia

S.S. UNITED STATES : um desperdício gigantesco

Nenhum dos muitos navios de passageiros que já tive oportunidade de conhecer me impressionou tanto como o UNITED STATES, que vi pela primeira vez atracado em Lisboa em Fevereiro de 1968, no cais da Rocha. As chaminés gigantescas vermelhas foram desenhadas pelo arquitecto naval William Francis Gibbs precisamente para isso, cuidado que teve com a concepção deste navio num todo: marcar a posição dominante dos Estados Unidos da América no Atlântico Norte após a Segunda Guerra Mundial. Essa supremacia foi logo confirmada em Julho de 1952 com a viagem inaugural em que arrebatou ao QUEEN MARY de 1936 a Flâmula Azul.

Infelizmente, e sem que deixe de ser considerado um navio fabuloso, o UNITED STATES hoje pode ser visto como um dos maiores desperdícios da história da navegação de passageiros do século XX: só navegou durante 17 anos, de Julho de 1952 a Novembro de 1969. Foi vítima dos custos crescetes associados aos navios mercantes de bandeira dos EUA e da falta de interesse real por parte dos seus armadores e do Governo americano.

Tem sobrevivido penosamente imobilizado e despojado de toda a sua grandeza, os inúmeros planos entretanto delineados para a sua recuperação, todos falhados. Permanece em Filadélfia, propriedadede de um grupo de entusiastas "Amigos do SS UNITD STATES", mas o espectro da sucata continua próximo. Um desperdício monumental este magnífico UNITED STATES de 1952. Merecia melhor sorte.

Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. Favor não piratear. Respeite o meu trabalho / No piracy, please. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia

Magnificent poster of the UNITED STATES (1952-1969)

Magnificent poster of the Blue Riband record breaker UNITED STATES. Beautiful ship, beautiful art work.
Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. Favor não piratear. Respeite o meu trabalho / No piracy, please. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia

The famous UNITED STATES

"Wondrous" was how one British ship designer described the brilliant United States in the 1950s, her maiden decade. Everything about her was advanced. She was said to be so fireproof, for example, that the only wood onboard was in the butcher's block in the galley and in the Steinway piano in the lounges. But a third place was later added: the wood in the pencils used by the American stewards & waiters when calculating passenger tips!

Another view, from the late 1990s, of the brilliant United States at Philadelphia ... but as seen through the camera eye of my good friend Andy Kilk. Indeed, the 990-ft long United States had superb exterior design and, of course, capped by those two extraordinary stacks.

Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright Bill Miller. Favor não piratear. Respeite o meu trabalho / No piracy, please. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia

THREE LINERS - SIX FUNNELS...

The magnificent Italian Line sisters RAFFAELLO and MICHELANGELO photographed in the port of New York in 1965. The UNITED STATES can also be seen at her berth...

I remember seeing all those three ships in Lisbon in the late 1960s...

Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. Favor não piratear. Respeite o meu trabalho / No piracy, please. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia

Paquete UNITED STATES de 1952

Bela imagem do paquete norte americano UNITED STATES de 1952. Posso afirmar que de todos os grandes paquetes que tive oportunidade de ver até hoje, este era o mais imponente. Inesquecível a imagem deste navio atracado no cais da Rocha em 1968, com as suas duas chaminés absolutamente fantásticas...

O período de 1966 a 1973 foi de ouro no que se refere a escalas de navios de passageiros em Lisboa. Foi um período final de grande crescimento do movimento, que coincidiu com a entrada em serviço de novos paquetes que vieram a Lisboa nas suas viagens inaugurais ou pouco depois, como aconteceu com o EUGENIO C, o PASTEUR, o QUEEN ELIZABETH 2.

As Estações Marítimas da Rocha e de Alcântara mostravam-se insuficientes para a procura, com paquetes a ter de aguardar atracação ao largo de quando em vez. Na altura chegou a ser considerada a construção de um novo terminal para navios de passageiros na Junqueira, mas entretanto, a partir de 1974 deu-se uma inversão da tendência, com a crise do petróleo, a redução da frota de paquetes portugueses e de outras nacionalidades, como a Inglaterra e a Itália, tendo ajudado a esse decréscimo a situação de alguma instabilidade politica em Portugal entre 1974 e 1976... 

Na segunda metade dos anos 1970 foram os paquetes da União Soviética que passaram a ter algum protagonismo em termos de paquetes estrangeiros, mas eram navios que não chegavam aos calcanhares dos nossos nem dos países tradicionais marítimos ocidentais, apesar de terem deixado saudades nos anos de 1990 quando começaram também a desaparecer... Entretanto a partir de 1980 os cruzeiros em Lisboa começaram a crescer gradualmente e hoje vivemos outro período de grande actividade no que toca a navios de passageiros em Lisboa. Só que a actual geração de navios não tem a diversidade e a beleza dos navios dos anos sessenta...

Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia

SOUTHAMPTON PAX SHIPPING IN THE SIXTIES

Three "Atlantic Ferries" photographed in Southampton waters by Michael Sutcliffe in the sixties: United States Lines flagship UNITED STATES and the Holland America Line beauties the then new STATENDAM and ROTTERDAM.
Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia