One of Kentucky's most famous ships is actually a ghost ship called the USS Sachem.
The USS Sachem is older than the Titanic. It was reportedly built in 1902. The Titanic was built in 1909.
The USS Sachem is now an abandoned ghost ship. The ship was originally intended as a luxury ride for a wealthy railroad mogul in the early 1900s. It was a luxurious yacht that served the rich and was fitted with lavish furniture and the best materials including teakwood and brass.
The ship changed ownership a few times and was then acquired by the Navy during World War I. In the war, it was used in battle against German U-boats and submarines. Around this time, the great inventor Thomas Edison also used the ship to conduct experiments.
The USS Sachem was again used during World War II to guard the homefront. After the war, the USS Sachem became a cruise ship and enjoyed several years as a recreational vessel. However, the ship soon became obsolete.
The ship was eventually abandoned and was later purchased by Kentucky resident, Robert Miller in the 1980s. Miller anchored the ship on a tributary off the Ohio River.
The USS Sachem is currently located in Petersburg, Kentucky. Today, sightseers and visitors can stop by to see the ship. Sadly, the ship is rusting.
The ship is reportedly located on private property but you can see the ruins from the road.
There is a restoration project undertaken by historians, locals, and fans of the vessel to save the ship and restore it to its former glory.
Sources: USS Sachem 1902, Thrifty Car Rental, Atlas Obscura, WLWT
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