[bkev]

fireproofing was a priority

(Note: the SS America and SS United States shared the same designer - William Francis Gibbs). Not sure about the SS America, but at least on the SS United States, what wasn’t metal was heavily asbestos - which is the primary reason they had to completely strip the interior fittings on it. It’s mostly an empty shell now. That lack of interior decoration could be considered a significant reason it won’t likely be adapted/reused, which is a shame; it’s a beautiful ship.