Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 by Peter Knego
Posted Sunday, June 13, 2010
The terribly sad images at the bottom of the page speak for themselves.
We have received many requests from people to publish them as they lend a certain “closure” to the sorrowful INDEPENDENCE saga. The photos were forwarded to MaritimeMatters by James Hood, who found them on an Indian website that has since deleted them.
PLATINUM II at Gopnath. Photo and copyright Peter Knego for MidShipCentury 2010.
They are almost too surreal to be true but they do coincide with what I was able to see in person from a four mile distance off Gopnath at about the same time (March of 2010). Unfortunately, I was prevented from hiring a boat by the local authorities who guaranteed me a jail sentence (or worse) if I even tried. It was not worth the risk.
For those who might still think the ship is not in such a state, there are Indian television news reports that show PLATINUM II down by the stern, prior to the hull splitting. The break, which is similar to that of the AMERICAN STAR (ex AMERICA at Fuerteventura), could easily have been caused by the hull resting on an uneven surface, the stress of the 30 foot tidal variance and the extremely strong currents in the Gulf of Cambay. In any case, if I am wrong and these are Photoshopped images, the perpetrator was highly skilled and went through great pains to dupe us. But I do not think I am wrong.
I would like to give credit to the photographer but do not know who he or she is.
PLATINUM II will be scrapped on the spot. Guards have since been posted on board and a large crane is reputedly alongside to begin the demolition.
With thanks to James Hood.
Peter Knego
Kenenth Eden
February 18, 2013 at 6:42 am
Here is a piece of Hollywood that is a banal as a peach, and as memorable as a treasured memory.
The old movie “An Affair to Remember”, the mid-century version with Cary Grant and Deborah Carr
There are several exterior shots of the SS INDEPENDENCE taken at sea, worth the time and viewing for any ship lover. (the story is a tear jerker, and the interiors seem to be a back lot set interpretation). Anyway, this is a remembrance of the great CONNIE.
Griff Carey
February 22, 2013 at 7:32 am
Was there any more news on her salvage? Is she still there? I had heard that she would be a problem in the shipping lanes. I have searched all over and it seems that no one has any further info on her. I would think that someone would have something.
Kenenth Eden
February 22, 2013 at 8:45 am
For anyone that misses the beautiful CONNIE, if unaware of this, it is a nice reminder of her extrior
An Affait to Remember, starring Cary Grant and deborah Carr, circa 1954 movie = movie hyped as “tear jerker” for story line, lots of tissues may be needed!
Wonderful scenes of the ship at sea
Hank
February 22, 2013 at 9:56 am
I actually got to see photographs of the INDY interiors and exteriors during her stay in San Francisco. I guess someone got to go aboard.
Hank
February 22, 2013 at 10:07 am
Here is the link:
http://lostamerica.com/photo-items/ss-independence/
http://www.ssmaritime.com/ss-independence-photo2.htm