Leslie Massey
There are many abandoned ships around the world, from Thailand's Galaxy cruise liner to the SS United States in Philadelphia. The Galaxy, formerly a working cruise liner, was abandoned on the coast of Thailand and later repurposed as a luxury hotel. The SS United States, also known as The Big U, is the largest ship ever built in an American shipyard. Australia has more than 8,000 shipwrecks off its coast, with only a quarter discovered, including the Yongala, which wrecked during a cyclone in 1911. India has also seen its share of abandoned ships, with the MV Pavit, a 1,000-tonne merchant vessel, running aground on Mumbai's Juhu Beach in 2021.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Thailand | An abandoned ship was used as a hotel for many years. Locals believe it is haunted. |
| India | Two Indian sailors were abandoned on a merchant ship off the UAE coast in the Persian Gulf. |
| Australia | The SS Ayrfield, a 102-year-old ship in Sydney's Homebush Bay, became a floating forest. |
| United States | The SS United States, an abandoned ocean liner in Philadelphia, is the largest ship ever built in an American shipyard. |
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What You'll Learn
- The SS Ayrfield, a 102-year-old ship in Sydney, Australia, is now a 'floating forest'
- The SS United States, an abandoned ocean liner in Philadelphia, USA, is 100 feet longer than the Titanic
- The Galaxy, a seven-deck, seventy-bedroom ship, is abandoned on the coast of Koh Chang, Thailand
- MV Tamil Aldar, an Indian vessel, was abandoned by its crew in the Persian Gulf due to dangerous conditions
- The SS United States is difficult to access as it's housed at docks governed by the Department of Homeland Security
The SS Ayrfield, a 102-year-old ship in Sydney, Australia, is now a 'floating forest'
The SS Ayrfield is a 102-year-old ship in Sydney, Australia, that has become a floating forest. Originally launched as the SS Corrimal, the 1,140-tonne ship was built in the UK in 1911 and registered in Sydney a year later. During World War II, it was used to transport supplies to American troops in the Pacific region. In 1972, the ship was retired and sent to Homebush Bay, a ship-breaking yard. However, unlike many other ships, the SS Ayrfield was never dismantled. Today, it is one of several decommissioned ships in Homebush Bay, just west of Sydney, that make up a ship graveyard of sorts.
What sets the SS Ayrfield apart from the other stranded vessels is the lush foliage that grows from its rusty hull. Seeds of mangrove plants presumably scattered by birds, have taken root in the ship's hull, earning it the nickname "Floating Forest" among locals. While the area was redeveloped, the wreck of the SS Ayrfield was left untouched, allowing nature to reclaim what was once Man's.
The ship can be accessed via a narrow pebble-strewn path that leads to the back of the Homebush Bay Apartments. Visitors can also arrive by train at Concord West, walk to King Street, head north, turn left onto Victoria Avenue, and then enter the park. From there, cross Powell's Creek, turn right, and follow the path through the Sydney Olympic Park and the Badu mangrove to reach the SS Ayrfield.
The SS Ayrfield is not the only abandoned ship to attract attention in recent years. In Thailand, an abandoned cruise ship sits in the jungle, left to rot after being used as a hotel for many years. Locals believe the ship is haunted.
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The SS United States, an abandoned ocean liner in Philadelphia, USA, is 100 feet longer than the Titanic
The SS United States is an abandoned ocean liner that was docked in Philadelphia, USA, for almost 30 years. It finally left Philadelphia in 2025, after a rent dispute between the ship's previous stewards, the SS United States Conservancy, and its landlord at South Philadelphia's Pier 82. During its time in the city, it became a well-known landmark, earning the nickname the "Ikea Boat" due to its proximity to an Ikea store. The ship also garnered a reputation as the “mother of all abandoned vehicles” and was the subject of various redevelopment plans, none of which came to fruition due to the high costs involved.
The SS United States has a rich history and was once a luxurious ocean liner that transported celebrities and dignitaries, including presidents, actors, and actresses. The ship, which is 990 feet long, was known for its modern design and impressive speed. However, by the time it left Philadelphia, the interior had been gutted, and the exterior resembled a ghost ship.
The SS United States is significantly longer than the Titanic, which was 882 feet long. To put it into perspective, the SS United States could also transport 14,000 troops if necessary. This massive vessel adorned or blemished the Delaware River waterfront, depending on one's perspective, and its presence in Philadelphia was a constant source of debate among locals.
While the SS United States has now left Philadelphia, its future remains uncertain. Various redevelopment plans have been proposed, including turning it into a cruise liner or a floating hotel. However, the high costs of redevelopment continue to be a significant challenge. The ship's preservation efforts have also struggled to garner sufficient support and funding, despite claims of worldwide fans and donors by the previous owners, the SS United States Conservancy.
The SS United States represents a piece of maritime history, with its grandeur and speed attracting notable figures from all walks of life. However, its abandonment and subsequent struggles to find a new purpose highlight the challenges of revitalizing such grand projects. The story of the SS United States is a reminder of the fleeting nature of human endeavours and the complexities of preserving our historical relics.
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The Galaxy, a seven-deck, seventy-bedroom ship, is abandoned on the coast of Koh Chang, Thailand
The Galaxy, a seven-deck, seventy-bedroom ship, is abandoned on the coast of Koh Chang, an island in Thailand. It was once a functioning cruise ship and later a luxury floating hotel. The ship is part of the Koh Chang Grand Lagoona Resort, formerly known as the Aunchaleena Beachfront Resort, located on Bang Bao Bay (Ao Bang Bao).
The ship was originally a US Navy vessel before being acquired by the Thai Navy. It was then purchased by a Thai billionaire, Oran Asawaritthikul, who intended to convert it into a floating hotel in Phnom Penh. However, those plans fell through, and he decided to bring the ship to Koh Chang, where it was manoeuvred through a channel to its final resting place.
For a few years, the Galaxy operated as a unique floating hotel, offering guests a one-of-a-kind experience. Rooms were affordable, costing around 699 baht or 20 EUR per night. However, the resort eventually closed down, and the ship was abandoned once again. Locals refer to it as the "Ghost Ship," as it is rumoured to be haunted and people have reportedly jumped off the top of the ship to their deaths.
Over time, the ship fell into disrepair, and by 2025, a huge fire caused significant damage, leading to its permanent closure to visitors. The upper floors were dismantled and sold for scrap, leaving only the hull remaining. Despite its dilapidated state, the ship attracted many travel bloggers and adventurers seeking to explore its decks and uncover the mysteries within.
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MV Tamil Aldar, an Indian vessel, was abandoned by its crew in the Persian Gulf due to dangerous conditions
MV Tamim Aldar, a UAE-flagged Indian cargo vessel, was abandoned by its crew in the Persian Gulf due to dangerous conditions onboard. The ship, owned by Elite Way Marine Services, was left without fuel, food, or other essential provisions, forcing the crew to disembark.
Second Engineer Vikas Mishra, from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and Chief Engineer Arso Lobo, from Tamil Nadu, were among the crew who abandoned the ship. Mishra described the harsh conditions onboard, including a lack of fuel, food, and electricity, which resulted in dangerous temperatures and an infestation of cockroaches, bedbugs, and mosquitoes. The crew also suffered from a lack of potable water, bunkers, lube oil, and other supplies, leading to physical and mental health issues.
The crew of the MV Tamim Aldar faced additional challenges with non-payment of wages, as they had not received their salaries for several months. Despite assurances from the company and the Federal Transport Authority (FTA) of the UAE that their salary issues would be resolved, the crew ultimately chose to abandon the ship due to the unsafe and unhealthy conditions.
The MV Tamim Aldar case highlights the plight of abandoned seafarers and the need for regulations and support systems to protect them. David Hammond, founder of the maritime charity Human Rights at Sea, has advocated for the rights of seafarers, questioning the potential criminalization of crew members when they are abandoned and abused. New legislation in the UAE aims to address this issue by allowing the authorities to confiscate and sell abandoned ships to pay seafarers.
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The SS United States is difficult to access as it's housed at docks governed by the Department of Homeland Security
The SS United States is not one of the abandoned ships that appear in the search results. However, there is an abandoned cruise ship in Thailand that matches the description provided. This ship is located on the southern tip of Koh Chang Island, nestled on the bay's edge in the far south of the island.
Koh Chang is known for its picturesque beaches, lush green jungle, and year-round warm, turquoise-blue sea. The abandoned ship sits on the island's less frequented South Coast around Klong Kloi Beach, where hotels and resorts have been burgeoning over the past two decades.
The ship was once a functioning cruise ship and was later converted into a hotel. However, it has been abandoned for around 15 years, with locals believing it is haunted. While the reason for its decommissioning is unclear, some speculate that it may be due to a missing permit or several incidents of people falling overboard to their deaths.
Accessing the ship is challenging as it is strictly forbidden to enter, with signs warning against trespassing and fines imposed on those who do so. Despite this, the ship continues to captivate 'lost places' enthusiasts with its desolate state and intriguing history.
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