The Life and Death of America’s Last Cruise Ship the SS Independence
After the drop in tourism following the 9/11 attacks the last cruise ship built in the United States was permanently retired. Until February of this year the ship sat in San Francisco bay and there were initially plans by Norwegian Cruise Lines to rehab the proud ship and sale her again. Sadly the American venture by NCL failed and the ship appears to be headed off for a scrap yard in India or Bangladesh.
In what was the first of three (later scaled back to just two) proposed intermediate liners for American Export Line’s (AEL) New York to Mediterranean passenger service, the keel of the SS Independence was laid on 29 March, 1949 at Bethlehem Steel’s Quincy, Massachusetts yard. Subcontractors from thirty five states contributed to the building of these ships, which cost a total of $50 million. The majority of the steel came from Pennsylvania, the wood from forests in the Northwest and Northeast, the boilers from Ohio, and the air conditioning and elevators from New Mexico.
Independence and the nearly identical Constitution (which was launched on 15 September 1950) were designed with provisional trooping in mind, and were constructed to the highest safety standards. It was intended for use as a trans-Atlantic passenger liner–yet, it adhered to post-World War II U.S. Navy specifications to permit rapid conversion into a troop ship, with a capacity for 5,000 men and their equipment. The vessel, as originally designed, was made entirely of non-combustible or fire-resistant materials and featured extra hull plating–and two engine rooms so that if one were damaged, the other could keep the ship moving at a relatively high speed.
They were also among the first ships to be built in prefabricated sections, which is the standard procedure today. Their interiors were quite modern and typically spartan in the post war “American fireproof” style, unlike their European contemporaries, which still utilized traditional materials and wood paneling.
The Independence was completed in January 1951 and she departed New York on her maiden voyage cruise to the Mediterranean on February 11, 1951. On April 12, she began sailing on American Export Line’s New York – Genoa service, later diverting to a New York – Naples itinerary.
“INDY”, as she was affectionately known, was somewhat overshadowed by her newer sister, Constitution, which was glamorized in film and television roles, most noteably AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, and the famous “porthole” episode of I LOVE LUCY. “CONNIE” was also famous for transporting Grace Kelly’s wedding party to Monaco and was featured on the cover of Life magazine. Nonetheless, Independence carried her share of dignitaries, including President and Mrs. Truman in the summer of 1958. Both ships were immensely popular on the route that was affectionately dubbed the “Sun Lane”. 
From February to April 1959 the Independence’s passenger accomodation was reconstructed at Newport News, adding 110 First Class berths, increasing her gross tonnage to 23,754. The 6.5 million dollar refit extended the superstructure forward, replaced the Observatory Lounge with cabins, and saw the addition of the Solarium on Sun Deck. Accommodations were now listed as 484 First Class, 350 Cabin Class, and 254 Tourist Class passengers.
In 1962 the cargo fleet operators, Isbrandtsen Company of New York, gained control of American Export Line, merging the two fleets to become American Export Isbrandtsen Lines.
In 1968, with the decline in transatlantic travel, the American travel agency Fugazi chartered the ship for a new style of cruising, and both the exterior and interior were given pop-art designs overseen by Peter Harrison, with a pink and orange sunburst (with Jean Harlow eyes) painted on the hull. Passenger accommodation was all one class, however revenues continued to fall, and in 1968, Independence was laid up at Baltimore.
C.Y. Tung bought the idle liner in January 1974 for his Atlantic Far East Lines and renamed her Oceanic Independence. The ship was refitted for 950 passengers in one class for cruising, which included a Portuguese charter out of Africa. However, she was laid up again in January 1976 at Hong Kong.
In 1979 American Hawaii Cruises (C.Y. Tung Group) was formed and the laid up Oceanic Independence was refitted at Kobe, Japan for inter-island Hawaiian service. On June 21, 1980 she began successful seven day cruises, sailing from Honolulu to Kahului, Hilo, Kona, and Nawiliwili. The ship now carried 750 passengers in one class and was remeasured at 20,220 GRT. Her former sister ship Constitution was brought on line in June of 1982 to join her, sailing Hawaiian waters on a similar itinerary.
Independence off of Hawaii by Telestar Logistics
Oceanic Independence ran aground off Nawiliwili, Kauai on September 24, 1981, sustaining heavy bottom damage. Her passengers were taken off and flown home and she sailed to San Francisco for repairs arriving October 7.
The “Oceanic” prefix was dropped from her name in 1982, and the ship was extensively refitted in 1994. In this comprehensive upgrading, her tank tops were replaced, most of the lifeboats were removed in favor of rafts, elevator shafts were extended to Bridge Deck level, and new stairwells were added to the after decks to improve passenger flow. The ship took on a new look with decaled funnels in American Hawaii’s new “lei” theme, and a Hawaiian-styled decor in the public areas and passenger accommodation. 
The Constitution and Independence together in Hawaii, near the Aloha Tower.
The Constitution was finally decommissioned in 1995 and then, very sadly, sank two years later when on her way to Far Eastern scrap yards.
Each of the ships could carry 1,000 passengers – 295 in first class – and could make 23 knots.
The ship had undergone $78 million in refurbishment between 1994 and 2001.
Complete Deck Plans American Classic Voyages which was building two new cruise ships to be named the Independence and America went bankrupt in October 19th of 2001. The new ships were to carry 1,900 passengers around 2004, however construction was never completed. The cruise line had been operating two cruise ships in Hawaii as well as Delta Queen vessels AMERICAN QUEEN, MISSISSIPPI QUEEN, COLUMBIA QUEEN and CAPE MAY LIGHT, and the DELTA QUEEN steamboat.
After the collapse of American Classic Voyages, the Independence sailed to the Alameda Naval Air Station. On March 5, 2002, her mast hit the Carquinez Bridge while being towed by four tugs. The Independence was on her way to Suisan Bay, but was taken back to San Francisco for repairs. The Independence was subsequently moored in April 2002 with the Suisun Reserve Fleet in Suisan Bay, California near the USS Iowa. In February 2003, the Independence was sold at auction for $4 million to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). 
Aloha Booth by TunnelBug
The Bridge
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– Photo by Freeside510
The Deck Bar by TunnelBug
Main Deck Exterior by 4PIZON
Abandoned crew cabin by TunnelBug
No longer needed freight area converted to a crew basketball court, cruise ships used to carry mail and freight for extra revenue. Photo by TunnelBug
Chairs stacked in dining room, photo by Freeside510
Empty entertainment Booths by TunnelBug
Main Lounge on Independence
Chairs piled in center of Main Lounge by TunnelBug
Facing out of the Main Lounge by TunnelBug
First Class Lounge in Happier Times
First Class Lounge by TunnelBug
First Class Lounge Hallway by TunnelBug
The great ship rusting away by Octoferret
The sea had taken it’s tole on the unmaintained ship, Photo by TunnelBug
The Main Deck Pool by TunnelBug
The Upper Deck Pool by TunnelBug
The theater, cruise ships all used to have large movie theaters, now that movies are available on in room TV’s many of the theaters have been converted into additional rooms. Photo by TunnelBug
Closed Pool by TunnelBug
One of many original artworks throughout the ship by TunnelBug
Abandoned Promenade Hallway by TunnelBug
Promenade Hallway In Happier Times
Abandoned Promenade Looking out on the deck by TunnelBug
Bar in Happier Times
Abandoned Surfrider Bar
by TunnelBug
Smoke Stacks by Freeside510
Abandoned Lifeboat
Empty Suite by TunnelBug
One of two presidential Suites that actually had a president stay on – President Truman in 1959.
NCL planned to add the Independence to its U.S.-flagged fleet, and hoped to have the ship carrying passengers by 2004. However, the ship continued to degrade and was renamed the Oceanic in 2006 without ever sailing for NCL. In its July 2007 interim report to shareholders, Star Cruises Limited (the parent company of NCL) disclosed it had sold the Oceanic, but did not name the buyer. Photo by TunnelBug.
Its voyage is also a bit of a mystery. Norwegian Cruise Line, the ship’s last owner, sold it last year but refused this week to say who the new owner is.
There was even a minor mystery about its destination. Earlier in February of 2008, Leon Hall, of Inchcape Shipping Services, an agent representing the ship, said the final port of call “had not been decided yet.” On Friday, however, the destination was listed as Singapore.
There is a lot of speculation in maritime circles that the real destination is a scrap yard in India or Bangladesh. There is not much of a future for a 57-year-old steamship that has not sailed under its own power in seven years.
“She is one of the great ships,” said William Miller, an expert on ocean liners who wrote a book about the Independence. “But she has had her day, absolutely. I would bet you 50 cents she will be sold for scrap.”
Admirers of old ships have been circulating rumors and reports on the Internet about the fate of the Independence.
Some, like Eric James, a ship buff from Boston, say the ship is full of toxic material like asbestos and is being taken out of the United States illegally. They say it should be preserved as a memorial to U.S. passenger ships. But there is no formal move to preserve the ship, and once it sailed out the Golden Gate, it was probably too late.
Great site dedicated to the SS Independence
Great collection of photos of the Independence from TunnelBug
One smaller, but very cool photo set of the abandoned Independence from Freeside510
37 Responses to “The Life and Death of America’s Last Cruise Ship the SS Independence”
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Carbon neutral pledge:
If anyone’s wondering, it’s at Dubai now.
I sailed as an engineer on both the Connie and Indy; including the Connie’s self-propelled voyage and I almost had to sail on the Indy’s final voyage from Honolulu to San Francisco as well.
You may be interested in knowing that the Presidential Suite shown here used to be the Captain’s stateroom on BT Deck, Starboard side, but was converted to a guest cabin in 1994. The Chief Engineer’s stateroom, which was a mirror image of the Captain’s stateroom, only located on the Port side, was also converted to a guest cabin. The Captain’s cabin was then moved into what used to be the two First Engineer cabins, just aft of the former Chief Engineer’s cabin on the Port side.
Both the former Chief Engineer’s cabin and Captain’s cabins were afterward considered Presidential Suites. However, as this conversion occurred in 1994, the photo does not depict the true Presidential Suite that Truman stayed in. Prior to 1994, there weren’t any guest cabins located above Sun Deck. Truman most likely stayed somewhere on Sun Deck.
I am in possesion of ALL the Art work from the S.S. Constitution. I was doing some research on her and found that before she sank she was in dry dock near my home in Portland Oregon. It took a bit of looking but I was able to find a very large crate labled S.S. Constitution, Art. The Art work was removed, packaged and stored at the shipyard. To my amazement I was able to aquire over 250 prints, watercolors, paintings as well as her maps. If you are intersted or anyone out there in having a bit of her, please contact me. There is too much for one person to enjoy. Crash0780@comcast.net
Aw, the ship is so conviniently small. I missed a lot of great liners in my life, this was one that I COULD have had an opportunity on if they didn’t scrap her. She’s just so quaint and beautiful, I wish I had a chance with her. Farwell great liner…at least we still have the QUEEN MARY! And the UNITED STATES!!!
How amazing to see all these photos of the Independence! I used to work on this beautiful ship, and I met my husband there, who was a member of the Hawaiian Trio. I have the best memories working aboard this cruise ship, and we also got to take a cruise as a passenger long after we stopped working on the ship. I would much rather cruise on a ship of this kind than the huge motels floating around the seas these days. It brings tears to my eyes thinking of what happened to these ships. They will be forever missed.
I worked on the Indy from 1994-1997 in the dining room and then as a cabin steward. Some of my fondest memories come from working aboard this great ship. It is so incredibly sad to see how it has degraded and essentially “died”. Worse, that it is likely off to the scrapyard instead of restored as a museum as a tribute to the last American ship.
my dad was the chief engineer,early 50″s, i travelled abord her as a baby ,from ny,to france, have pics, my dad always said she was a fine ship
Hi Rachael, hi Bernadette! I too sailed on her in Hawaii from 90-94. Anyone know where she is headed? I’ve heard rumors and have Alang bookmarked on Google Earth (on the off chance they are able to update the photo with her there). Anyone else looking to reunite with other “sailors” from the AHC days, visit Facebook group American Hawaii Cruises.
Wer is the ,,INDEPENDENCE” now. ???? We like to save this great ship. Waiting for any information.
Herbert
meissnerherbert@yahoo.de
Does anyone have an early deck plan book they’d sell? The graphics and art are just great; I saw some matted and framed prints made from this booklet. Please let me know, I’d love to have a piece of this history! Linda B
My family sailed on the Indy in the early 60’s. We were a young, military family with 6 kids traveling to Genoa. It was kind of like the Beverly Hillbillies at sea. We had a ball! It’s sad to see her decline and sent to the scrap yard. Now I’ll have to dig out all my old photos and memorablia and relive those wonderful memories.
My husband Paul and I met on the Indy in 1996. He was a waiter and I was a cabin steward. I also worked on the ms Patriot where life was quickly becoming like the Independence days. Most of the crew from the Indy did not want to transfer to the Patriot but the few of us who were there had a good bond and passed that along to the new ship and crew. Many life long friendships were made, some of us even married each other…a true “love boat”. We all had a blast and there is nothing like being a crewmember on board either of these ships. It is missed!
I sailed on the Independence in 1962 (JFK was President), we went from NY to Canary Islands, Naples, Genoa, Cannes, Barcelona, Maderia, then back to NY. On board they showed movies, Ben Hur, Mr. Hobbs Takes A Vacation, Annie Oakley, and Devil at Four O’Clock. I was nine and remembered most of the trip from that time on, it was so extraordinary. Sailing into Casablanca at nine in 1962 was guite an adventure. I was at the railing for every port arrival.
I sailed on the Independence in 1965 as an 8 yr. old traveling with my sisters and parents. My dad was an US Army captain transferred to Athens, Greece and we were moving there. Our cruise was great and I remember sailing into Gibraltor, Genoa, Cannes and Morocco. My mother let me take my 2 younger sisters to the ship’s movie theatre and a cartoon was shown before the movie. A small round picture of Mr. Walt Disney was shown at the beginning of the Disney cartoon. When the movie was over the the lights came on, everyone stood up to leave. In the row right behind us was Mr. Walt Disney and a woman. I was too shy to say anything to him and I whispered to my sisters that he was Mr. Walt Disney. They didn’t believe me but before the cruise ended my mother found out that Mr. Disney and his wife were on the ship going to a vacation in Italy. Sadly he died within 1-2 years from lung cancer.
The Independence was beautiful and we all have wonderful memories of our cruise across the Atlantic. I loved our cabin which had 4 bunk beds just for us kids and a little round port hole to look out of. I remember swimming in the little salt water swimming pool and because it was rough seas the water kept pushing us back and forth, from side to side while we tried to swim. When we were crossing the Atlantic I really wanted to see the Azore Islands which was the first land after leaving New York days earlier. My parents put us in the child care nursery that day and the only windows were up high, taller than me. I stacked up some boxes of toys to try and stand on and while using a periscope toy and stretching up on tiptoes I managed to get a glimpse of the Azore Islands and then my stack of items collapsed and my view outside was over. I remember when we left New York we all stood at the rail looking down on our relatives on the dock frantically waving and throwing many, many streamers toward them. As the Independence pulled away all the streamers stretched until the ship pulled out and we waved goodbye to all our relatives that we wouldn’t see for 3 long years. I now live in Orlando FL and have sailed on the Disney Cruise ship with my own children from Port Canaveral and have told them the story of when I saw Mr. Walt Disney himself when I was a little girl on my wonderful SS Independence cruise.
I sailed on the indy and some on the conny between 82-86. I worked my way up from the bottom as nightwatchman to sail as second mate. These were great years of my life and I made many great friends. Thanks for the memories!
As someone mentioned above, I think this ship is sitting outside dubai. Have a couple of pics if anyone can clarify. The pics are a bit rough but you can see the lines looks like it.
I worked for Delta Queen Steamboat Company in the reservations department in New Orleans, and there i met my future husband Michael. He worked for Delta Queen’s sister company, American Hawaii Cruises as reservationist and later worked in the inventory department. We were married aboard the Indy in 2000 at sea by the captain on the bridge deck. It was a beautiful and historic ship in a gorgeous setting to boot. I have the pictures to prove it. Lots of fun and many wonderful memories that I’ll never soon forget…I wish the Indy could be saved!!
camille friedmann on 24 apr 2009
I sailed on the SS Independence in November 1952 when my parents and I were emigrating to the USA. I was born in Rome and we sailed from Naples, Italy to New York. I don’t remember much because I was only two years old, but my parents spoke very fondly of the ship and the voyage.
She brought us to a new life full of hope and promise.
I was hoping to see her in Hawaii. I wish she could be saved.
What a beautiful ship she was, I was there when the stacks had their leis put on.
If the ship really is in dubai and is structurally sound why doesnt some millionare buy it, restore the outer hull and convert the interior and you would have yourself a beautiful mansion on the water, better than those clowns with there yacht’s.
I live in Honolulu and in 1979 I got to see alot of great ocean liners, but none of them compares them to the Independence and her sister ship the Constitution. I flew to Kahului, Maui just to go to a luncheon aboard the
Independence and I had a great time. Also I still have a photo fo me and my
family standing at the gangway door, and I have a special souvenir from the
captain of the Independence back in 1996 when she was docked at Pier 10/11
at the Aloha Tower Marketplace. I also witnessed the award ceremony that gave the S.S. Independence get the title “SHIP OF THE YEAR” by our former
City Councilwoman Rene Mancho. I was glad to be a part of the ceremony and
to be a part of her maritime history.She will be missed but she will also not only
my heart, but everybody who knew her those who didn’t get her will know her through maritime books and/or online.
I sailed on the Oceanic Indepence in 1974.She left from DBN and sailed to Seychelles and Mauritius.
Memories I will always treasure!
Please respect copyright and credit the appropriate people. The picture of the Independence with the “sun face” is pirated from a book on the history of the ship by Allan E. Jordan and that is a unique and copyrighted photo.
You say you have all of the art …do you have the picture of grace kelly presenting the ship with her art work?
my dad worked in the boiler room,he was was also the chief engineer, in the 50,si have many photos , i was a baby, on the ship,when my mom came over from france, i hope they dont scrap her…
Its really discoverable that in front of me ship is going to sank in GUJRAT (India). I can’t say anything more its really desperation.
I’ve been visited that ship till now its looking as like as before.
The Indy’s marvelous design was no accident. Henry Dreyfuss, the industrial designer responsible for such things as the Hoover vacuum cleaner, the Princess telephone, the Polaroid SX-70 camera, and the rotary dial telephone (among other things) designed the Indy and her sister ship, the Constitution. Her original decor was a blend of pre-World War II Streamline Moderne and post-war industrial or “fire-proof” design. Dreyfuss specified polarized glass for the original portholes, two to a porthole, one capable of being revolved so passengers could “dial” sunlight up or down, with need of cloth curtains or shutters. Subsequent remodeling removed or obscured Dreyfuss’ elegant styles, but when I sailed aboard the Indy in the summer of 1999, there were still many touches that retained that marvelous Postwar “swank” style.
if i hit the lottery, I would buy her, a GREAT STEAMSHIP!!!!
if i hit the lottery,i would buy her,a great steamship…
My wife and I enjoyed the New Year’s Cruise on the Independence the week of December 28, 1991. It was an awesome week traveling to the various islands. We enjoyed serving as the Protestant Chaplain on board that week. My father, Captain Donald D. Bennett served as Relief Captain on both the Independence and the Constitution. Sadly, my father died a few months later of an unexpected heart attack. Our whole family has a special love for the twin cruise ships since our dad loved them both so much. It grieves me to think of the Constitution sinking and the Independence being torn apart for scrap metal. If anyone from the Hawaiian Cruise lines reads these messages, Thanks from our family for your wonderful response when our dad died. You are a class act!
I sailed on the SS Independence twice. Once from Naples to NY in 1952, and again from Cannes (or Genoa?) in 1954. I had seven major ocean voyages (SS United States, SS America, Cape Rain, Santa Rosa and SS Excalibur.) The Independence was without doubt the best. Right size. Great experiences. I miss the formality and luxury. Good old days, eh?
I had the distinct priviledge of sailing on the Independence while it was in Hawaii on 13 occassions. I loved the ship more than I can express. Just being on it or even near it was incredibly satisfying.
Honestly, even seeing photos of it now still makes me long for another chance to sail her again. The people who I met and the wonderful crew have a very special place in my lheart. It was an experience that simply cannot be replicated!
My wife and I spent a week sailing the islands in 1999 on the Indy with a number of relatives when my nephew was married onboard by the captain.. The intimacy of the smallish ship was wonderful. Seeing how she ended is heartbreaking.
I sailed on her in Aug 1995. She was a time capsule in a way(clipper stern) and had a history to her that you don’t see anymore. She was my first liner/cruise ship I travelled on, MS Veendam(sept 2001), MS Norwiegian Dawn(July 2006) and RMS Queen Mary 2(aug 2009) being the others. Sad to see goe this way. R.I.P. Indy.
I also stayed on deck 5 as I believe it was where the movie theatre was. Again, good times and memories.
@sstraveler
no one cares except you, so shut it troll.
anyways
SS Independence will likely end up like SS American Star if they leave it on the sandbar were it sits right now. I read theres already been structural cracking resulting in a hull breach that they have welded a patch over.