Why bother spending $400 million to fix up the SS UNITED STATES? Couldn you just build another ship thats totally new for the same money?
Here’s a way too long response, but there is no short answer…….Sure you could build a new ship for about the same money, but it would be just another new ship – not the classically beautiful and historic SS UNITED STATES. Actually, it is unlikely that you would end up ahead even for the same money. That’s because the SS UNITED STATES hull is constructed to far more demanding standards than normal new builds. The engineering that went into the Big U is quite amazing. She is unique in this way – and it would be difficult to duplicate her. Another important reason for restoring the vessel is her heritage. Bean counters hate this part of the equation! Accountants have a tough time assigning value to “heritage” – like antiques. Why is an old tin toy that cost less than a dollar new now worth over $500 dollars to a collector? The answer: heritage is rare and valuable. It is fading. It is easily discarded and there isn’t much of it left. Collectors realize this with baseball cards, antiqu
