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.

[Dr. Franklin]

For those following this story, the SS United States was evicted from its pier by Penn Warehousing after it doubled the rent. "[A]ccording to the text of the court ruling, officials from the Port of Philadelphia had leaned on Penn Warehousing to remove the SS United States, saying the ship had damaged the pier." https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/21/ss-united-states-evicted-americas-flagship/74170961007/
The cheapest option would be to move the ship closeby to its present berth. There is a servicable abandoned pier just north of its present location which has been labeled "Chicken Pier" on GoogleMaps, but it would need to be dredged to accomodate the ship. I assume that pier is now the property of the City of Philadelphia. If not, the city could condemn it, as it is now known as a homeless camp full of empty bottles. It shouldn't be difficult to marry a derilect ocean liner with an abandoned pier for a nominal rent. This would serve as a tourist attraction and allow more money to go to the ship's restoration. City and state officials appear to be disintrested in saving the ship.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer:
"The failure to give the SS United States a second life is not for lack of ambition or imagination. It’s generally been a lack of financing. Past owners have pitched time-share condos as well as a cruise line. Most recently, the conservancy paired with RXR Realty and MCR Hotels to release plans that include a 1,000-room hotel, which would include green space, room for events, and a ballroom.
Still, the estimated cost of redevelopment for the hotel is in the ballpark of $400 million and that doesn’t include the cost of making over whatever pier the ship lands on.
How realistic is it that a developer steps in? The conservancy would say only that it has had some entities express interest. To the conservancy, mixed-use commercial development has always been the preferred final use for the vessel.

Those wishing to contribute to saving the ship may donate online:
Donate to the SS United States Conservancy

[Erik Latranyi]

This has been going on for decades and the conservancy has been unable to raise enough funds just to pay the dock rent, let alone any preservation or restoration of the vessel.

It is time to turn her into an artificial reef.

[fredhead]

I’m sure the facility in Brownsville, TX can find space for the ship. You know, the facility that is scheduled to cut up my beloved USS John F. Kennedy.

[Bull Snipe]

Her fate will be that of most ships, the breakers or the bottom.

[PGalt]

$5000,000 fleecing of hard-working taxpayers is URGENT, URGENT, URGENT, EMERGENCY.

[Huskrrrr]

A truly remarkable ship that is now a pile of junk. Let her die.

[Erik Latranyi]

$5000,000 fleecing of hard-working taxpayers is URGENT, URGENT, URGENT, EMERGENCY.

This is the perfect scenario for corrupt Democrats in Philly to step in and waste taxpayer dollars so they can get a cut of the slush fund.

[Dr. Franklin]

Her fate will be that of most ships, the breakers or the bottom.

But not all ships. Some of historical importance are still afloat or preserved in musuems after being salvaged. The U.S.S. Constitution is still afloat and attracting tourists. Philadelphia still is the port for the U.S.S. Olympia, USS Becuna, and few other ships of historical interest. The U.S.S. New Jersey is just across the river in Camden, NJ. Restoring the S.S. United States would be another tourist attraction for Philly. It could be restored by using the money now going to provide for illegal immigrants in the city.

[larrytown]

Best to just remember the glory days, and take the SS Norma Desmond to the scrappers.

[Dr. Franklin]

$5000,000 fleecing of hard-working taxpayers is URGENT, URGENT, URGENT, EMERGENCY.

The conservancy for the ship is funded by private donations. I am unaware of any public funding for it. What government could do is provide a pier at nominal cost to allow more money to go to the maintenance and refitting of the ship. Philadelphia has quite a few abandoned piers which could become the new home of the ship. That would be in the public interest and make a lot of sense. Philly and PA politicians haven't found a way to line their pockets by doing this, so it hasn't been done.

[wally_bert]

I can’t help but think of the ship in this episode of The Naked City.

Good episode. Great series overall. I learned to appreciate it while recuperating from a long bout in the hospital a couple of years ago. Ditto with Green Acres.

https://youtu.be/BfyRlhjpmDk?si=Y8wlvFOc5NjR6w0y

[Dr. Franklin]

This is the perfect scenario for corrupt Democrats in Philly to step in and waste taxpayer dollars so they can get a cut of the slush fund.

More likely the ship hasn't been offered a berth in an abandoned pier in Philadelphia, which now pays no tax to the city, because the corrupt politicians haven't devised a plan to get a kick back from that project.

[Dr. Franklin]

I can’t help but think of the ship in this episode of The Naked City.

The S.S. United States was 11 years old and in her prime when this show aired.

[PGalt]

Thanks for the information.

[Dacula]

I am sure Joe Biden is thinking that money could go to funding Ukraine.
—
$5000,000 fleecing of hard-working taxpayers is URGENT, URGENT, URGENT, EMERGENCY.

[Texas Fossil]

Historic Battleship Texas returns to the water after 18-month-long dry dock repair (Mar 5, 2024)

https://abc13.com/battleship-texas-restoration-progress-dreadnought-tour-dry-docked-wwi-ship-where-will-go/14492865/

The re-floating process marks the next step in the ship's $75 million restoration.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Battleship Texas enters $15M restoration phase as it gets closer to calling Galveston, 'home'

Over the next 18 to 24 months, crews will be replacing the deck superstructure and interiors.

Battleship Texas had been drydocked at Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair's shipyard for $21 million worth of extensive repairs since August 2022. During that time, crews replaced over 700 tons of steel, painted the hull, and performed quality control checks, according to the Battleship Texas Foundation.

Before it was moved to Galveston for repairs, the iconic 122-year-old Dreadnought -- which served in both WWI and WWII -- called the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site home for over 70 years.

The ship is expected to reopen in a new home sometime next year.

SEE ALSO:
Battleship Texas docks in Galveston after daylong, historic tow

[Dr. Franklin]

I am sure Joe Biden is thinking that money could go to funding Ukraine.

It's private money, but right now the Rats need all of the private money they can scrounge up to use rigging the election.

[Dacula]

I was waiting for your reply. PDJT would have found a way to raise funds. Raising funds was popular in the 80s and 90s, now 90% goes to those who are on the Board to save the US United States.

—
I am sure Joe Biden is thinking that money could go to funding Ukraine.

It’s private money, but right now the Rats need all of the private money they can scrounge up to use rigging the election.

[Dr. Franklin]

I was waiting for your reply. PDJT would have found a way to raise funds. Raising funds was popular in the 80s and 90s, now 90% goes to those who are on the Board to save the US United States.

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.

[GreenLanternCorps]

The simple fact is that SS UNITED STATES is now a shell of her once proud self.

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

Best result, would be to turn her into a reef like USS ORISKANY.