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Fourth of July Weekend!!

SS United States May Be Saved!


There's good news from Philadelphia! The SS United States Conservancy has announced that America's endangered oceanliner SS United States may be saved!

At a waterfront event at South Philly's Pier 82 where the ship is berthed, the Conservancy announced a major donation by H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest to refit America’s national flagship. A formal comment follows...

"In a major development in the effort to save the legendary American ocean liner SS United States from destruction, the SS United States Conservancy announces a donation by Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest of up to $5.8 million. The funds will be used to purchase the vessel from its current owner, Norwegian Cruise Line/Genting Hong Kong (Norwegian/Genting), and maintain the ship in its current berth for up to 20 months, while redevelopment and refurbishment plans are solidified.

“We are thrilled that the SS United States has received a new lease on life. This is a game-changer in our work to save this irreplaceable American icon,” said Conservancy Board President Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the vessel’s designer, William Francis Gibbs. “Mr. Lenfest’s vision and generosity give us a fighting chance to preserve the SS United States for generations to come."

This game-changing event was was covered in an excellent Wall Street Journal article on July 1st among other places.

Please check out the group's website www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org

Also my blog has pictures of the ship from early June postings and an article from April.