Encouraging New SS UNITED STATES Developments
The following message was sent out this morning regarding the future of the SS UNITED STATES to supporters of the SS United States Conservancy:
“We are very pleased to confirm that we have now entered into a preliminary agreement in support of the redevelopment of the SS United States. Negotiations have been underway for some time, and planning will continue with a variety of stakeholders. While further due diligence is conducted, the Conservancy will receive financial support to cover the vessel’s core carrying costs for at least an additional three months.
The project remains at an early and delicate phase, but we wanted to update our supporters about this encouraging development. As you can appreciate, the ship’s potential redevelopment represents a multifaceted engineering, real estate, and curatorial undertaking that will take considerable time to advance. Many challenges must still be overcome. However, we are fortunate that our new partners are very well equipped to handle this unique project’s scope and scale, and the Conservancy looks forward to working closely with them in the months to come.
Because negotiations are advancing on a confidential basis, we are unable to offer further specifics at this time. We will share additional information as soon as we possibly can. Again, the Conservancy views this as a very positive development which, while still in its initial stages, gives us renewed hope that we can, at long last, Save the United States.
We have reached this moment because so many of you have helped us. You are the real heroes of this effort. We are particularly grateful to Gerry Lenfest, whose transformative contributions enabled the Conservancy to take title to the SS United States in 2011, and who has been a steadfast supporter of our efforts. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jim Pollin. Without his leadership gift and challenge grant to the Conservancy last summer – and without such a generous response from far and wide to Jim’s call – we would never have achieved this milestone.
While the ship is safe for the moment, this achievement doesn’t mean our work is done. The Conservancy continues to plan our ship-board museum and educational center, build our archival and curatorial collections, document and disseminate the ship’s historic importance, plan for contingencies, and work together with our new redevelopment partners to prepare the SS United States for her voyage to her next port of call.
Again, we can’t thank you enough for joining us on this journey and for helping us reach this point. We will honor your commitment by continuing to work tirelessly to ensure that America’s Flagship endures and inspires for generations to come.”
Peter Knego
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Hi Peter
Wonderful news indeed.
This made the front page of out local, The Daily Press, and although vague with scarce info, none that was new, it does offer a more solid glimmer of hope for the ship.
Hugh Lessing, a reporter at the paper, has been keeping the local interests up and his interest in the ship is keen. He may be reached at: hlessing@dailypress.com
AND a special thank you to you for keeping tabs on her [SS UNITED STATES] and telling it like it is.
Good to hear! We don’t have much connection with the SSUS this side of the Atlantic, but it’s always encouraging to hear of progress with saving and restoring any historic liner. Keep up the good work! 🙂
It’s good to hear about the positive developments regarding the Big U. May she embark on her journey in which the SS Rotterdam has achieved.
What was achieved for the Rotterdam can never be achieved for the United States; Rotterdam was intact with original fixtures, fittings and furnishings – she was a genuine late 1950s time-warp. The United States is an empty shell, a ghost of a once great liner. Even if she does get used in another (useful) role they’ll never reinstate her davits and her boats, she will always look incomplete. So sad.
Maybe a new terminology could be used when it comes to old ship restoration, rather than putting a damper on any effort to retro fit maybe a suitable term could be:
SHIP AUGMENTATION
Although the SS United States is an empty shell, I’m sure several rooms could be recreated to recapture what once was. I’m also sure that some of the original fixtures/furniture could be located and either bought or donated. Much of the ship out of view to the public, will remain a shell for the most part.
Off topic a bit…I would love to see them crank up those old Westinghouse engines one more time before they are most likely removed. I know, a pipe dream at best 😉
JFOK
Ah, someone without the short shortsightedness we often see. Thank you!
Yes, there may well be some rooms recreated or copied or filled with treasures, as in donation, who knows.
I recall, maybe it was in Steam Power that a fine display of in house usable furnishings from the SSUS were presented in full color pix that are owned by a man in NYC as they adorn his apartment. The are probably other nice items out there that could be used as models.
Sounds like good news. However, I fear someone better have about $500 million US Dollars sitting around (Or More). Hall Coons
Hall,
I think $400 to $500 million dollars was a quote to get The SS United States fully functional as a liner once again…not gonna happen.
It would be far less to convert to a business/hotel space.
Kenneth,
Always hoping for the best for the “BIG U.”
It would be a sheer travesty to let her go to the breakers.
On a side note…my mom met Bud Abbott and his wife on a 1953 SS United States cruise.
JKOK, it is a sheer travesty that the United States has been left inactive for almost 50 years.
I think it is assumed that I am the negative voice regarding the ‘preservation’ of the United States. I wouldn’t be if it were not for the fact that I think all the plans are woefully too late. I don’t want to see a replica of what some spaces looked like when she was the pride of America. Her fixtures and fitting and furnishings have been cast to the four winds and most of those items would never find their way back aboard.
Every photo of this ship in her hey day excites me and I’m sure that it does for most of us but now we have a sad and vandalised ghost.
Oh, I really mean $500 million just to restore her to a shoreside hotel / museum. Just look what it cost to refurbish the Rotterdam. The cost to return her to service like she was would be in the Billions. All of these unfortunate money facts, make the restoration of the Big U a very unlikely proposition. Call me skeptical in Maryland, Hall
At least there is a light at the end of the long dark tunnel for the last american ocean liner and speed queen of the Atlantic, lets just hope she finds a new permanent berth where she will be safe from the scrap heap like many other fallen liners. If a deal is struck then the Big U will be a floating piece of resurrected floating history for every maritime enthusiast (like me) to see like the RMS Queen Mary, SS Rotterdam, and the SS Nomadic. If William Francis Gibbs was still alive he would be please to see his greatest life’s work to live on and would be proud of his granddaughter for not giving up on his ship.
Those old Westinghouse engines week never be “fired up” again. Not if reports I’ve heard that a considerable amount of below decks machinery has been removed and sold for scrap are true, just as several propellers have definitely been, including the innovative 5-bladed ones. She now has one lone propeller left.
I’m very pleased about the developments. I can only hope.
The funds are being raised, unlike buying a new ship. Its sad when ships are just left to rot ie Pacific Princess, S.S. France etc. i do believe there are enough supporters to fund this ship and will do so.