A LIttle Bit of Ship Banter, Episode Five: Visiting the ex S.S. AMERICA

In this latest episode, after Dan Trachtenberg shares some new developments on the S.S. UNITED STATES reefing project, Peter Knego recalls his 1992 visit to the former S.S. AMERICA in a Greek anchorage near the very end of the ship's long, extraordinary life. Laid up for 13 years after two failed attempts to revive the historic liner for cruise service, the former AMERICA, then called ALFERDOSS (Arabic for "Paradise"), was scarred by neglect and the elements. Despite the cosmetic decay, the ship was filled with original public areas, artworks, fittings and furnishings. Her absolutely magnificent and forgotten Art Deco flourishes and spectacular marine architecture were there to be admired one last time before ultimately getting destroyed some fifteen months later in the Canary Islands. As we are about to lose the S.S. UNITED STATES, the loss of the AMERICA is now even more relevant. Knego recalls the ship's illustrious career as a transatlantic liner and troopship before being sold to the Greeks to become a hugely successful migrant ship. Then, the failed attempts at a return to cruising basically sealed her fate, leading to a long, sad layup and ultimately an even more tragic destruction. There are many hitherto unpublished photos from Knego's archive to illustrate the story. This is a very special episode of a podcast that we hope you will find both interesting and entertaining.