Historical Keel Laying Occurs At Ingalls

A page was added in the history books of U.S. shipbuilding on October 11 when the keel was laid for a new 1,900- passenger United States Lines' ship the largest ever to be constructed in a U.S. shipyard. The ceremony marked the groundbreaking partnership between the Line's parent company, American Classic Voyages (AMCV), and Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding, who is the builder of this ail-American cruise line.

The ship, which is yet to be unnamed, will be known for now as Project America Hull number one — it is the first of the two 1,900-passenger, 72,000-ton ships that Ingalls will construct for the line. With a potential value of $1.4 billion, the ships will begin cruising among the Hawaiian Islands in early 2003 and 2004.

However, the premiere ship of this series, the former ms Nieuw Amsterdam.

which was owned by Holland America, will make its debut as ms Patriot on December 9. Subsequent to transfer of ownership from its current owners to AMCV on October 18, the vessel will go to Cascade General Shipyard in Portland, Ore. for renovation in time for its inaugural sail date.

Other stories from November 2000 issue

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