Hi;
Visualize this. It's a foggy morning. You are on the Philidelphia waterfront. Through the early morning mist you come upon what was once a great Liner. As you look through the mist you don't see the toll weather and neglect has taken on this great lady.
Now Visualize this. The same great ship. Nestled snugly next to a quietly classy pier. Her deck-lights aglow as she is readied for another day of Conventions. The lights are on in the cabins that are available as Hotel Rooms.
You look and say " She Lives,Truly" But for the poor forlorn vessel in Philly ,no one will ever say that. True, She was the last great " Queen" to garner the " Blue Riband" for her crossing.
We have the same thing here in Texas. Where she is kept, the U.S.S. Texas got not enough Traffic to keep her in Bristol Fashion. She desperately needs work. Will she be saved or will she become another lost forgotten icon of another age?
I for one find it disdainful that our great country is so full of folks that choose to ignore our Maritime History. Sure ,we throw money at W.W.2 carriers . What about the civilian or military ships that Changed, Twisted and Forged new ways to do their jobs.
Did you know that the " Plant" in the S.S.United States was very similar if not identical to the ones used on the last classes of Non-Nuclear Carriers? What does that get her? An ignominous place ,forgotten, place on the waterfront. Oh yes, the Queen in Long Beach gets all the attention. Why is it that we can restore a "British Flagged Liner" for a display in an American Port but for Money only,Choose to ignore the last of ours that captured that Ribbon ?
I will say this . Maritime history is fascinating. Look at the " Eagle Boats". All these years trying to save and promote our maritime History in miniature and even in Museums. Never had one mentioned or talked about. Why?
Yes,I agree, A ship, large or small, Can be a "large hole in the water into which we pour money in prodigeous amounts" is true. Now that said are the Carriers any cheaper? Do they have the capabilities as Convention centers and Hotels? Nope.
Plus a Carrier( Don't get me wrong), I helped open up the Hornet in Alameda, requires much more than just a flat-topped ship at a pier. She requires interesting displays And the largest collection of extra gear ( Read in Airplanes ) to be able to involve and interest folks.
Planes cost a whole lot more than Say, a room for the night and a working restaurant on board. Please think about it before they decide to scrap her!