Conservancy that oversees SS United States seeks $500K to help relocate historic ship

Associated Press ^ | June 26, 2024 | BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI

[Dr. Franklin]

The conservancy that oversees the SS United States has launched an urgent $500,000 fundraising campaign to help cover relocation expenses for the historic ship amid its uncertain future.

The 1,000-foot ocean liner, which still holds the transatlantic speed record it set more than 70 years ago, must leave its berth on the Delaware River in Philadelphia by Sept. 12, a federal judge ruled earlier this month.

Besides finding a new home, the conservancy also must obtain funds for insurance, tugs, surveys and dock preparations for moving the ship, which is incapable of self-propulsion. The group is focusing its efforts on finding a temporary berth in the Philadelphia area or on the East Coast, and fears that if a temporary home cannot be found soon, the vessel could be lost forever.

“Our search for a new temporary or permanent location has been ongoing and began well before the litigation, but if a dock cannot be found in the coming weeks, we’ll be forced to commit to reefing or scrapping the vessel,” conservancy board member Warren Jones said in a statement posted on the group’s website.

...

Christened in 1952, the SS United States was once considered a beacon of American engineering, doubling as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops. On its maiden voyage in 1952, it shattered the transatlantic speed record in both directions, when it reached an average speed of 36 knots, or just over 41 mph (66 kph), The Associated Press reported from aboard the ship.

On that voyage, the ship crossed the Atlantic in three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, besting the RMS Queen Mary’s time by 10 hours. To this day, the SS United States holds the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner.

[Dacula]

I agree 100%.
—
want to save the ship, but don’t know that I want to support the present board.

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Just looking at the pictures, the board has not be conserving the ship. It needs rust removed and a paint job. They appear to have been working on grandiose schemes to work with developers to overhaul the ship, but neglecting the ship itself. The ship has been paying over $300,000 per year in rent for the pier, while no reconstruction has occurred. She could find a cheaper pier if no work is performed. I want to save the ship, but don’t know that I want to support the present board.

[Dr. Franklin]

Had she been preserved like RMS QUEEN MARY was, it would be different. But there is nothing left of the ship’s interior fittings.

No, the interior bulkheads were disassembled to remove the asbestos, which was used behind the bulkheads to reduce the threat of fire to the ship. They still have those bulkheads, but haven't reinstalled them as it is an added labor cost, and the ultimate plan for the ship is unresolved. They may yet restore the original cabins, or go with a completely different lay out.

[tinamina]

Here’s another piece of history that has been carefully restored and become a living part of San Francisco. I went on a cruise around San Francisco Bay for a whole day on the ship. Maybe it made a difference to me because my dad was a Merchant Marine during World War II.

https://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/pages/history-of-the-obrien

Surely they can think of a way to bring tourists to this ship

[Dr. Franklin]

I agree 100%.

I would like to know what compensation the directors of the conservancy receive. Congress could use eminent domain to take the ship and remove them, if they are incompetent.

[faucetman]

“The cheapest option would be to move the ship closeby to its present berth.”

Well DUH! If they move it to its present berth that is definitely “close by”, since they wouldn’t be moving it at all. /s

Urinalists!

[faucetman]

Sink her next to the Titanic.

[faucetman]

Yes, a reef! In shallow waters so people can “dive the wreck.”

[Dr. Franklin]

Well DUH! If they move it to its present berth that is definitely “close by”, since they wouldn’t be moving it at all. /s Urinalists!

Since there is at least one abandonded pier less than a mile away from the ships present berth, it would make sense for the conservancy to attempt to acquire that pier, and for the city to let them have it. Marrying off a derelict ocean liner with an abandonded pier would seem to be a win-win situation for everyone, unless you think a pier should be used for homeless winos.

[MinorityRepublican]

Time to sink her. Her spirit will live on underneath.

[End Times Sentinel]

I doubt they have anywhere near the money to tow it out to sea and sink it. That’s a cause that’s not going to raise a lot of money.

[SunkenCiv]

• Historic SS United States is ordered out of its berth in Philadelphia. Can it find new shores? [06/17/2024]