DECONSTRUCTING THE 1920'S SS PRESIDENT: AMERICA'S LARGEST STEAMBOAT

Cinemavixion Review

This documentary plunges viewers into the ambitious and perilous undertaking of relocating the SS President, a vessel steeped in American history. We witness the immense logistical challenges faced by heavy hauler Jeremy Patterson as he attempts to move the colossal steamship, stretching nearly 100 meters, across both land and sea. The initial plan to transport it via an 80-wheeled road rig is dramatically abandoned when the ship proves immovable from the Mississippi. This pivotal moment forces a radical shift in strategy, moving from relocation to deconstruction. The narrative compellingly details the arduous process of dismantling the ship using blow-torches and cranes, a task made all the more treacherous by severe weather conditions including strong gusts and winter blizzards. The journey culminates in St. Elmo, where the monumental task of reassembling the fragmented ship into a hotel awaits. The documentary masterfully captures the tension and ingenuity required to solve this giant, real-world jigsaw puzzle, leaving audiences to ponder if the final structure will indeed fit together.