In the 85 years since its maiden voyage, the RMS Queen Mary has survived rogue waves, transatlantic crossings and even a world war.
For the last five decades, it’s enjoyed a second life docked in Long Beach, riding waves of popularity and tough times as a tourist attraction.
But the historic ship is now facing its most challenging voyage yet.
After years of neglect by a string of operators, the Queen Mary is so creaky and leaky that it needs $23 million in immediate repairs, according to a trove of court documents and inspection reports released last month. There is growing concern that if something is not done soon, the ship could fall into critical disrepair and be in danger of sinking.
Who is paying for this repair? I say scrap it, these repairs are not going to bring it back to the level that people can live in it. Its time has past and its time people face reality.
Similar crap for SS United States in Philly.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_United_States The "ship" is Completely Gutted because previous owners sold everything and what's left was removed for Scrap value in Turkey. And likely Still need Asbestos etc HAZMAT Abatement in a lot of sections minimum.
Now Current Owner wants Many Millions given to them to Repairs and make a Museum? Riiigght......
Battleship New Jersey across the river is in far better shape and still needs 10's to 100's of Thousand of $ per year just to have limited space for a museum and people touring it. Many sections still have Asbestos and other HAZMAT problems And Not Allowed by DOD/Navy to restore some sections even to generate it's own electric.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Scrap the luxury steamships and restore the battleships.
Historically, these ships all have some significance, just not to me (an average tax payer).
I have no issue with keeping these ships in a good state of repair if, they pay for themselves (through tourism or private donations) but, I am resistant to tax dollars supporting such endeavors.
Historically, these ships all have some significance, just not to me (an average tax payer).
I have no issue with keeping these ships in a good state of repair if, they pay for themselves (through tourism or private donations) but, I am resistant to tax dollars supporting such endeavors.
Rams
Back in 2017 they estimated up to $289 million to repair the Queen Mary and bring it up to standards that people could start occupying rooms again. Then 2018 it was determined that tourism and donations would not be enough, when Covid hit they lost all tourism money and the cost was going to fall to the company that leased the ship. That company has gone bankrupt and it will fall to Long Beach to pay for repairs if another lease is not found. There is also a submarine floating next to the ship that is in danger of sinking. **** that **** , cut your losses and scrap it. Its never going to capture its old glory. Its going to cost a lot of money just to scrap it and guess who will be paying for that.
Over the years I've been to the queen mary several times - it's an interesting bit of history, but I don't think it's worth anywhere near what they estimate it will cost to restore and refurbish. They should either permanently dry dock it so the seaworthiness isn't a factor, or tow it out and make it an honored, interesting, historic bit of an artificial reef.
Submarine could damage the Queen Mary, is the Sub taking in water and may Sink? Inspection report says Urgent repairs needed to keep ship viable in the next two years or could Capsize! The Queen Mary’s fate is once again Uncertain. The city’s biggest concerns remains the repairs and future development for the aging Queen Mary. RMS Queen Mary is a retired British ocean liner that sailed primarily on the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 Cunard White Star Line.
Queen Mary sailed on her maiden voyage on 27 May 1936 and won the Blue Riband that August she lost the title to SS Normandie in 1937 and recaptured it in 1938, holding it until 1952 when it was taken by the new SS United States. With the outbreak of the Second World War, she was converted into a troopship and ferried Allied soldiers during the conflict.
Following the war, Queen Mary was refitted for passenger service and along with Queen Elizabeth commenced the two-ship transatlantic passenger service for which the two ships were initially built. The two ships dominated the transatlantic passenger transportation market until the dawn of the jet age in the late 1950s. By the mid-1960s, Queen Mary was ageing and was operating at a loss.
After several years of decreased profits for Cunard Line, Queen Mary was officially retired from service in 1967. She left Southampton for the last time on 31 October 1967 and sailed to the port of Long Beach, California, United States, where she remains permanently moored. The ship serves as a tourist attraction featuring restaurants, a museum and a hotel. The ship is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has accepted Queen Mary as part of the Historic Hotels of America.
Long Beach considers Options for Queen Mary, Including Scrap or Sinking the Ship! The Queen Mary’s fate is once again Uncertain. The city’s biggest concerns remains the repairs and future development for the aging Queen Mary. RMS Queen Mary is a retired British ocean liner that sailed primarily North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 Cunard White Star Line.
Queen Mary sailed on her maiden voyage on 27 May 1936 and won the Blue Riband that August she lost the title to SS Normandie in 1937 and recaptured it in 1938, holding it until 1952 when it was taken by the new SS United States. With the outbreak of the Second World War, she was converted into a troopship and ferried Allied soldiers during the conflict.
Following the war, Queen Mary was refitted for passenger service and along with Queen Elizabeth commenced the two-ship transatlantic passenger service for which the two ships were initially built. The two ships dominated the transatlantic passenger transportation market until the dawn of the jet age in the late 1950s. By the mid-1960s, Queen Mary was ageing and was operating at a loss.
After several years of decreased profits for Cunard Line, Queen Mary was officially retired from service in 1967. She left Southampton for the last time on 31 October 1967 and sailed to the port of Long Beach, California, United States, where she remains permanently moored. The ship serves as a tourist attraction featuring restaurants, a museum and a hotel. The ship is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has accepted Queen Mary as part of the Historic Hotels of America.
Lots of museum ships don't and can't 'pay for themselves', especially those that are moored in salt or brackish water. The tide may ebb and flow but Rust never sleeps. The 104 year old BB35 Battleship Texas is still fighting the good fight but will be moved from it's present mooring to a yet chosen location that can provide more paying visitors and a less corrosive environment.
Originally posted by maryjane: Lots of museum ships don't and can't 'pay for themselves', especially those that are moored in salt or brackish water. The tide may ebb and flow but Rust never sleeps. The 104 year old BB35 Battleship Texas is still fighting the good fight but will be moved from it's present mooring to a yet chosen location that can provide more paying visitors and a less corrosive environment.
Philly ships are in fresh water and still need a lot of anti rust help... I told DE River Estuary (when fresh water meet salt water) is around DE Twin Span Bridge area below Wilmington DE unless have major Drought.
NYC USS Independence aircraft carrier "Museum" maybe in the estuary or full salt water there. (Is Just above Lincoln Tunnel in S. Manhattan.) Also have HAZMAT problems and similar DOD/Navy restrictions for many sections of the ship to "restore" it.
Lightships Ambrose is in same area of NYC (East river side) and Overfalls in Lewes, DE right next to DE Bay eats money too just for anti rust.
