What Becomes of the Old and Weary?

In our last post, we looked at the naming of the brand new cruise liner, Britannia. But do we ever think about the old ships that are being replaced? What becomes of these grand old vessels that once carried thousands across the water? Today, we shall delve into the fate of these old ladies that shall never again rule the seas.

S.S. United States

This cruise ship was once the jewel in the crown of the United States Line, winning the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing on her maiden voyage in 1952. Sadly, after just 17 years at sea, she was withdrawn from service due to her inability to keep up with the jet aircraft which proved to be cheaper and faster.

After being sold in 1978, she went through a string of owners and is now sat in a pier in Philadelphia, rusting away. Hopefully, that won’t be the end of the story for the S.S. United States, as in 2010, the SS United States Conservancy became the new owners of the vessel with the aim to restore her and convert her into a museum and retail/office development.

RMS Queen Mary

This luxurious liner began her career back in 1934 when she became known as the fastest and largest liner of her time. She enjoyed a long life on the water and completed 1001 Atlantic crossings in 31 years before she was retired in 1967.

Thankfully, her retirement did not lead to the scrap heap as she was sold to the City of Long Beach, California who converted her into a floating hotel and maritime museum. To this day, she remains a popular attraction and has provided her acting talents in productions such as Assault on a Queen and Poseidon Adventure.

Here at Offshore Supply, we’re passionate about the lives of our finest vessels. But as specialists in marine chandlery, we’re more concerned with ships and boats that are still in use, which is why we stock everything you may need to ensure that you’re ready to take to the seas. If you’d like more information about any of our products or services, please don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 01524 862010 to speak to a member of our crew.