She had to have running lights so a generator had been installed and a back up one on deck someplace. Didn't see anyone on deck when along side her but she was larger then life so no clue. Read she had previously been towed to Ukraine for the removal of the asbestos but there was still a small amount to clean out when she arrives up in the Gulf Of America destination. Been hoping for an opportunity to again board her before she goes to the bottom as I'm not a scuba diver but not seen anything on that as of yet.
There are generators on board for the pumps and lights. Her stacks are also lit up with lights as in the old days. This was commented during one of the videos. Not commented on, but I would think, there is a crew on board to watch the ship, gen-sets and lights.
She's around Key West,FL right now, it would be better if she mirculously sunk in 60' of water there than in the panhandle!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I was younger and not so smart, I dove the Bib & Dwayne in the keys. Heck of a current to fight even with a down line. Pushed the computer with straight air and 100cf bottles. Mixed gas only offered a lil more time for rec divers. Still not enough time for any good sight seeing. Yep, they were off the keys but still deep. Like the USS Oriskany, SS US will be sunk deep. The recreational diver will only have a chance to check out her stacks and for a minute, maybe (MAYBE) her bridge. These wrecks will draw lots (LOTS) of fish. I still have scars from fish hooks (abandoned and live lures) from the wrecks off of Jax. Naw, these pictures will be my last sight of SS US
No more diving for you Capt Ralph? Guess I am done as well: Since 1996 I have been flying down to St. Croix to dive and dive some more. Had friends I stayed with and left my scuba gear with in Christiansted. Then 2014 or so the scuba gear disappeared and nobody knew anything about it. No more diving for me either.
I have a Hookah rig on our boat with 50' hose. While in the islands at anchor, I'd jump over and nap on the bottom in 10 - 15 feet of water under our Bertram. Oh my back feels great. Usually, A big barracuda watches over me. Times as this, I am content. This has been my best diving in the last 25 years. Naping and the fish come to me. I gave all my 80s, 90s & 100s to my bottom diver years ago. With my Bert's air compressor and hookah hose, I have all needed for now. Here in the river, I don't know if its a manatee or gator bumping into me under da Bert. I never liked black water diving. 20+ years ago, I was bagging boats in S Mai and the upper keys for SeaTow. 30 Years ago I was an instructor for equipment repairs & open cavern (still open water then) diving. Stints from 40 to 35 years ago at CoCo View, Roatan. From 45 to 20 years ago, I jumped on anything offshore Jax. I do miss the Anna wreck offshore Jax.
Safe into port this morning in Mobile. Two days ahead of schedule. Apparently she's still quite fast.
She should've became a reef in Florida, Mobile isn't exactly a diving hot spot. LOL Unless it's just a reef for fishing.
I was just looking at a couple of videos showing United States being towed into Mobile and I got this feeling like I was watching a beautiful old dog get dragged on a leash, into the vet that's about to put her down. I'll never forget my first Captain's delivery (from CT to FL) in the early '80s when I first spotted her down in VA.
A really interesting video of her history in VA after her service & all that happened SS United States: A look back at the ocean liner's time in Virginia | Watch