WaterWire

The SS United States, in service between 1952 and 1969, was the largest, safest, most technologically advanced and perhaps most glamorous ocean liner ever built in this country. She was also the fastest ship in the world. On her maiden voyage, the United States broke the transatlantic speed record held by the Queen Mary for the previous 14 years by more than 10 hours, making the crossing in 3 days, 10 hours, 40 minutes at an average speed of 35.59 knots. For many years the ship held both the eastbound and westbound transatlantic speed records. In 1990, a wave-piercing Norwegian-built catamaran ferry broke the eastbound speed record but United States still holds the record for fastest westbound crossing.

Postcard image of the SS United States

Phase 1 of General Electric's dredging of PCB-contaminated sediment in the upper Hudson concluded last fall after five and a half months of work. With oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency, the company had expected to address 10% of the material estimated to need dredging. Contamination in some areas was worse than expected, however, and not all dredge areas targeted for Phase 1 were completed. According to the EPA web site, "Phase 2 will start full production only after an evaluation of Phase 1 is made and reviewed by the public and an independent panel of experts. Phase 2 is expected to begin in 2011 and will address the remaining contamination over five years."

The map at right, taken from the EPA web site, shows the entire 200-mile Hudson River Superfund site. Dredging is taking place north of Saratoga Springs. For a closer look at this map and a diagram depicting how people and animals are exposed to contaminants in the Upper and Lower Hudson, click here.