Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 by Martin Cox
SS UNITED STATES in 2008. Photo (c) D. Zimmerman
In astonishingly good news for ship preservationists today, the S.S. United States Conservancy, a group dedicated to saving the laid up liner SS UNITED STATES from scrap, have managed to get a deal in place to buy the historic liner from the NCL Group for US$3 million.
July 1st, is a big day in the life of a ship laid up since 1969. The Philadelphia berthed UNITED STATES will be given a grand celebration in honor of the 58th anniversary of her record-breaking maiden voyage. A feature of the special program will include a recreation of artist Robert Wogan’s lighting of the ship’s funnels, bridge, and radar mast along with an outdoor screening of the documentary “SS United States: Lady in Waiting”.
Despite an offer from scrap dealers for the ship at US$5.9 million, NCL reportedly stated, “We are pleased with the current arrangement with the conservancy.”
The proposed sale still must overcome some hurdles, primarily to satisfy Environmental Protection Agency concerns related to toxic PCBs aboard the nearly 60-year-old ship. Also, the preservationists will be responsible for the US $60,000 per month docking fees in Philadelphia. The funding has been provided by Gerry Lenfest, a Philadelphia philanthropist. The S.S. United States Conservancy’s agreement with NCL to buy the ship expires in February 2011, and if the sale is completed, according to the the agreement with Mr. Lenfest, the group has 20 months of financial support to develop a long-term plan that would make the ship financially self-supporting.
For more information click on http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/SSUS/blog/
Kenneth Eden
January 9, 2011 at 6:46 am
Seems an odd place to post comments of Panama Canal, here goes, any way.
There is a womderful, and I do mean wonderful, site
http://www.pancanal.com
When I was teaching, special ed, teen agers, the computer was in its infancy as teaching aide, The above site was golden, not only for me, but for my very wonderful students, as they could actually see what the canal was and IS, and they unknowingly shared my passion for ships.
The site has morfed over the last 15 years from its inception and has become more sophisticated.
After entering the site, down to the right hand side, go to web cams, that will give you free, non-ending 24/7 live transmits from the Gatun and Miraflores locks, and the Centennial. Bridge., as well as the new big dig, the expansion.
I hope you enjoy this site.
This morning I viewed the entire transit of the Crystal Serenity, as she transited, heading for the Caribbean.
David Walker
January 11, 2011 at 7:48 am
SS American Reliance of the United States Lines followed her sister the American Racer by four days, seen here transitting the Panama Canals Miraflores Locks today Jan 11, 2011
http://www.travelserver.net/travelpage/ubb-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=005171
Kai Riedel
February 4, 2011 at 3:15 am
she has been bought by the Conservancy organisation:
http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/news/_/2011/2/conservancy-purchases-ss-united-states-through-grant-from-lenfest-foundation/