Explanation of Recommendations for Sports Deck

The Officers' Quarters- The forward deck house of Sports Deck was mostly devoted to the living quarters of the ship's senior deck officers. The remainder housed the ship's radio room and radio officers as well as a few first class single cabins.

If the officers' quarters were restored in their entirety, it would show visitors the living conditions that the senior officers enjoyed aboard the great liners. A partial restoration of just a few cabins that housed only the most senior officers would paint an incomplete picture and make the area feel like a dead display. A full restoration however, would restore the feeling of a working area in which the officers just stepped out for a bit. The restored staircase going up to the bridge from these areas would serve to illustrate the tight watch kept by the ship's dedicated crew.

As shown by the photos below, the officers' accommodations might best be described as simple and functional yet comfortable.

This office looking through the doorway into the adjoining cabin is shown on the deck plans as belonging to the Executive Officer.

The Officers' Lounge

The Radio Room- When the ship set out on its maiden voyage, the radio equipment was the most advanced aboard any liner. No expense was spared here partially because the ship was designed with military service in mind.

Restoring the radio room aboard the ship presents some interesting possibilities. Rather than restoring the area as a static display, the room could be restored as a working exhibit that guests can interact with while guided by trained docents. It might not be legally possible for the ship to send and receive radio signals as a working ship would, however, the equipment might work as a simulator where guests receive signals and messages via a computer program where the response would be determined by the messages sent.

The Dog Kennels- This was an amenity for canine loving passengers who couldn't travel without their furry family member.

The kennels were an amenity on the great 20^th century liners that is rarely (if ever) seen on today's ships. This restored area would show off an amenity that yesterday's passengers enjoyed and today's cruisers are missing out on.

The Officers' Mess- This room was where the officers took their meals which were served via the adjacent pantry area.

This restored space combined with the living quarters and lounge, would show guests the full range of amenities available to the officers aboard the S.S. United States.

The Engineers' Mess and Lounge- These were the areas where the engineering officers dined and relaxed when not on watch.

In a dockside role, these areas would be redundant as exhibits. They were not significantly different from the officers mess and lounge on the same deck. In addition, these two rooms are connected to the open deck above via an original staircase. This area might best be suited as the cafeteria and lounge of a modern crew served via the original adjacent pantry. Combined with the open deck above, employees would have great spaces for lunches and breaks.

First Class Cabins- If a hotel is housed aboard the ship, the decor will likely be evocative of the original design with modern amenities blended in rather than an exact recreation/restoration. With this in mind, some of the first class single cabins in this area of the aft deck house could be exact restorations/recreations. This would allow visitors to see exactly how they would have been traveling aboard the ship in her seagoing days.

The First Class Children's Playroom- Promotional materials describe the playrooms as, “A private world for youngsters. Designed by a child psychologist, each playroom has child-size furniture, lavatory facilities, and a drinking fountain. Color schemes are cheerful and bright.”

Since the upper decks of the ship would likely be walk through tour areas, the first class playroom might work very well as a game room for kids to enjoy while their parents and older siblings tour the adjacent areas. The decor of the room could be restored as it was while incorporating modern video game stations (NOT the huge arcade machines). Holland America Line does this very well on their ships today.

First Class Game Decks- These were some of the areas where passengers would get exercise while enjoying a friendly shipboard game.

While these areas could still be used for deck games in port, they could also be used for special events and hospitality functions overlooking a lovely harbor.