Read the Press Release
March 17, 2010 – The SS United States Conservancy’s Legacy Project has unveiled their latest :60 commercial, SS United States: Pride of a Nation, which highlights the ship’s historical significance and calls for donations to the Plank Owner Campaign. Please take a moment and share this video with your friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks you use.
March 17, 2010 – The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s online edition of Preservation Magazine features an article entitled “SS United States Conservancy Fears Ship’s Demolition.”
March 15, 2010 – The Daily Press in Newport News, Virginia, birthplace of the SS United States, has a blog post on their “Shipping News” site today with a rather gloomy outlook. The comments have only begun, with one for and one against saving the ship from the breakers. Peter Frost, the author of the piece, writes: “If a ship like the 95-year-old MV Doulos can survive after countless makeovers and refurbishments, maybe there’s hope for the SS United States, too. But I wouldn’t bet on it.”
March 15, 2010 – Word continues to spread about the plight of our national flagship. Abigail Pesta wrote this piece which appeared on The Huffington Post.
March 12, 2010 – The SS United States Conservancy’s New York Working Group organized a screening of SS United States: Lady in Waiting on Thursday night in Manhattan. Over 100 attendees enjoyed the film and were rallied to support the Conservancy’s “Save Our Ship” campaign.
Board President Susan Gibbs welcomed everyone after the Conservancy’s inspiring YouTube video SS United States: A Call to Arms was screened. Board member Mark Perry then spoke about his experiences as producer of the hour-long documentary. After the screening, Executive Director Dan McSweeney acknowledged the many prominent supporters in attendance and thanked photographers Rita DiVecchis and Craig Billow, who donated proceeds from the sale of their beautiful images of the ship to the Conservancy. All the works were sold at the event, including Ms. Devecchis’ entire suite of images, which were purchased in order to be installed on the SS United States after she’s refurbished. McSweeney ended the event with a rousing call to action for everyone to do their part and Save Our Ship.
Afterwards, Walter Cronkite IV was presented with the Conservancy’s National Flagship Champion Medal, which was awarded to his grandfather posthumously at an event last summer in Martha’s Vineyard. Also, Cadet Stefanie Biddle of Fort Schuyler was awarded the Conservancy’s Blue Riband Award at the event for her tremendous support for the Conservancy.
“We really couldn’t have asked for a better reception,” said Susan Gibbs. “We are hitting our stride and it shows. There are so many people supporting the effort to save our ship and we’re very grateful to them.”
The above video showcases highlights from the event for those who couldn’t attend.
March 11, 2010 – More exposure for the plight of the SS United States on CNET News.
March 10, 2010 – “SS United States Being Marketed for Scrap“, an article by Sam Wood, appeared in today’s print and online editions of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
March 8, 2010 – The plight of the SS United States is featured in this morning’s USA Today. Entitled “Historic Ship Adrift, on the Block,” it was written by Rick Hampson. who also reported about the ship in July, 2007. Please forward this important national exposure.
Still image from SS United States: A Call to Arms
March 6, 2010 – The Conservancy’s latest update, with an appeal to help spread the word about the plight of our national flagship, may be read here. In addition to the media hits highlighted in the update, a piece has appeared in South Jersey’s Courier Post Online.
March 5, 2010 – Wall Street Journal reporter Jesse Pesta, who wrote a front page article for the paper in August of 2009, again reports on the plight of the vessel including links to the Conservancy’s Plank Owner page. Be sure to read it here.
