For years, as we have crossed the Delaware River into Philadelphia, the Walt Whitman Bridge has given us a view of the SS United States in dock since the 1990s.
Photos Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
I have always felt a kinship with the ocean liner. My grandfather worked as a painter for most of his life in the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, or as our family called it, the Shipyard. Yesterday, when it began its final voyage down the Delaware River towards its resting place in the Gulf near Destin, Florida or Mobile, Alabama, I became a bit teary watching the live YouTube video of its progress.
We often eat at the restaurant, Riverwinds, shown in the aerial view of the Delaware as the ship moves down the river.
I'm delighted the ship was not scrapped for parts. Instead, it will be sunk and become a reef, preventing erosion. It will likely become an interesting destination for divers. I like to think of colorful fish and coral 'painting' the ship with the help of God's hand.
Great photo of your grandad. It is good to have that connection because of him :-D
ReplyDeleteIt really is wonderful to remember him. He was a hard worker and was there from the time he was a young man until he retired.
DeleteWhat a beautiful way for the SS United States to find new life as a reef! I love your imagery of fish and coral ‘painting’ the ship—such a lovely thought!
ReplyDeleteIt gives me happiness. I'm sure grandpa probably painted the inside when it was in dock at Newport News for refurbishment. I like to think of it under the sea, and perhaps a bit of the paint he applied somehow still on the ship in a forgotten corner.
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