Campaign Launched To Save A Historic Ship From The Scrap Heap

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Mar 11th 2010 at 10:03PM

The SS United States once entertained the likes of John F. Kennedy, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, and Marlon Brando on its wide decks. Now it's facing the scrap heap. The formerly glamorous ocean liner is owned by Norwegian Cruise line which spends around $700,000 a year to keep it at a pier in South Philadelphia. Once the fastest ocean liner in the world (in 1952 the SS United States set a trans-Atlantic speed record), it is now an eyesore that could be dismantled and sold for parts. The ship was retired from service in 1969.

The SS United States Conservancy wants to save the ship and believes that the situation is urgent. Norwegian Cruise Line is said to have been accepting bids from ship breakers and a deal could be finalized by the end of the month. The conservancy has launched what they call an S.O.S. campaign to raise national awareness and funds to buy the ship. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that once the minimum bid for the ship was $20 million but is now around $1.5 million. The conservancy would like to raise around $3 million to buy the ship and keep it docked for the next two years. They are also looking at other ways to protect the ship if they fall short of the fundraising goal. Their plank owner campaign urges people to donate $25 a piece to buy a plank on the ship.

The SS United States is listed on the National and Pennsylvania Registers of Historic Places. One possible dream plan is a "public-private partnership" that would turn the SS United States into a floating hotel, convention center or casino. It's a risky plan, one that has worked well for attractions like the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California but not so well for the Queen Elizabeth II which was destined to become a luxury hotel in Dubai but now faces an uncertain future. The ship would require a major expensive renovation in order to be usable in that capacity.

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing