Nothing Special. Just the Last and the First and Only !

Capnmac82;

       You are so right. But here's a thought too. We have the opportunity her to do some other things that would be good for the community. Emergency housing! Low income or No income housing. 

       These things are ships true . But they could be used even unpowered for emergency storm related  housing in heavily Storm damaged port cities. 

       Other than that Schools for some type of Vo - Tech schools etc. I believe there is a use. If we can take numerous residences in a city and call them " Historically Registered" Then why not the Apex of the United States Civilian Shipbuilding abilities ???

uspsjuan

With regards to Battleships and Cruisers, What about taking passengers on a day cruise?

There's a "tradition" where museum ships have their screws removed and/or the powerplants disabled.  It's not consistent, but it exists.

Typically, too, the conversions you need to make for shore power and potable water and the like tend to create a fairly fixed mooring, not the sort of thing that can e cast off easily.

There are some legal implications in operating warships--even neutered ones--by non-national entities. Further complicated by the fact that most US warships are just on very-long term loan from USN, and DeptNav reserves the right to rescind that loan and take back their ship (which has happened not too long ago with at least one submarine).

Whichthen leads to the Federal regulations for vessels carrying passengers for a fee, and those sorts of CG requirements can conflict with the things needed for curating a museum artifact as its own exhibit.

Which lastly brings us around to the issue of what are the consequences of an engineering casualty, sudden storms, etc., while underway with passengers.  Your average conservation organization is unlikely to put their museum in a situation where it might founder.

A bit off topic, but I slept on the Star Of India (Euterpe) with my kids 4th grade class.  We all brought sleeping bags aboard and all the kids and chaperones learned about life aboard and had duties to perform.   Mine was the 3am watch... imagine waking these kids and asking them to take sightings at 3am.  Anyhow, can some of these ships be used for learning history like this?  Btw, not ADA compliant at all.  But a great experience, besides the knot in my back from sleeping on the deck!

modelcrazy

I've always liked the idea of making our ship history into hotels. The revenue would pay for their upkeep and they would preserve maritime and naval history.

Good idea TB, write your congressman.

I enjoyed touring Queen Mary. But a hotel converted from an ocean liner is the last place I want to stay. Rooms are small and uncomfortable. Too many tourist too.

Marcus is spot on.  If there was a market, it would happen more often.   Too expensive to be financially viable.

Hi There, Marcus!

  I am not sure ,But I think it's more a tourist and hotel thing than any thiing else. Imagine -" Oh, We stayed on the Queen Mary while we were there "

GMorrison

If it's a hotel, or other commercial use, it's going to be compliant unless an exemption is given. Also, as we discussed before, the SS United States is "fire proof", following the Normandie disaster, because there are no wood fittings.

A friend of mine (college roomate previously) worked on some schemes for her and had drawings. Very narrow corridors and a lot of shear.

If their was a market for these types of hotels there would be a lot more.  Very few retired ships offered the comfort people are looking for.  I wonder if the Queen is making money as a hotel or as a tourist attraction.

If it's a hotel, or other commercial use, it's going to be compliant unless an exemption is given. Also, as we discussed before, the SS United States is "fire proof", following the Normandie disaster, because there are no wood fittings.

A friend of mine (college roomate previously) worked on some schemes for her and had drawings. Very narrow corridors and a lot of shear.

" G " ;

      See my answer to Modelcrazy. We made some mods to the Hornet and she's getting along with everybody just fine.

Modelcrazy;

   Concerning A/C Carriers I have .There's not much you can do with a cruiser, Battleship or Sub though. Now this is an idea. Some of the support ships like the U.S.S.Dixie and Piedmont have big side doors in the hull and elevators inside. So it wouldn't take much to ADA them.

      On ships , because civilian ships have very little of that in passenger and crew areas that wouldn't be a problem. I have seen an ADA elevator replace a stairway. Most military ships have W/T doors for survivability. I believe authenticity can still be achieved without defiling the vessel to a degree it's NOT historical.

   If I am correct I believe ships have different rules concerning that.  Unlike a Rail Station which Because it's a building, needs ADA compliance, but even then there are limitations.

    There can even be entries into the hull engineering spaces that are safer than the ones used for the crew without marring the effect or reality of the area. 

There would be a huge cost to make those old ships ADA compliant. Sort of impossible.

I've always liked the idea of making our ship history into hotels. The revenue would pay for their upkeep and they would preserve maritime and naval history.

Good idea TB, write your congressman.