How to Save the SS United States for $1.43
Photo courtesy of Don Robson.
March 26, 2009 - The Conservancy recently received a donation from Jim and Judy Ducceschi from Germantown, Ohio, along with the letter below, utilizing one of the most unique and inspiring approaches to charitable giving we’ve yet to see…
“Enclosed find our check in the amount of $32.89 as our support for your efforts to hopefully recover, save or restore, in some manner, the great SS United States…. In the event that you may be curious about the reasoning and odd amount behind our donation, it really is quite simple.
a) Our chosen charities are few and only those we feel are truly worthy and not just a “charity business.” Some of these include the Mayo Clinic, Salvation Army, and Children’s Medical Center. We feel your goal is worthy because this ship represents some of the best that America was, could be, and our hope that it may be again…
b) …We’re using a nominal amount of our government “stimulus” windfall money that we didn’t ask for or need and donating it to your worthy cause in lieu of our government’s intended use of just spending it on more “stuff” to “help” our ridiculous economy.
c) We estimate there are presently approximately 350 million Americans and we heard that the estimate to restore this great ship might be as high as $500 million. That represents just $1.43 from every true American that appreciates the American greatness this ship represents. We are donating that amount for ourselves, each of our 5 children, their 4 spouses, and our 12 grandchildren, or 23 x $1.43 = $32.89. We sincerely hope this donation helps you achieve your goal.
May God bless the future of the SS United States and America!”
- Jim and Judy Ducceschi
The Conservancy appreciates the recent outpouring of support. If you’d like to make a contribution to support the ongoing effort to preserve the ship and her legacy, please visit our donation page.
Reader Comments
I volunteer aboard the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, one of two remaining fully functional WWII Liberty ships. We too struggle on a daily basis to keep history alive, the SS United States deserves not only the status as a historical icon, but the support of her country which she so graciously served. May she once again have “smooth seas and a following wind”.
In 1952 I took my daughter to England to visit her grandmother. We sailed on the United States and I still have the menus signed by our steward. I also have photos taken of us in the dining room. It was a trip I will never forget.
My in-laws sailed on the UNITED STATES in the 1960’s.
When my father-in-law Colonel W.H. Wilson retired from the U.S. Army he had just finished a two year tour in Southampton, England, as Port Comannder. He and my mother-law were returning home for retirement.
We have a beautiful framed picture of the ship given to my father-in-law and signed by Commodore John Anderson, and we treasure it very much. Years later our eldest son who was about 14 at the time attended an auction on board her at Newport News, Virginia and we have a few mementos he purchased. Our family used to ride down to Newport News to see the UNITED STATES until the day she sailed away to have the asbestos removed and undergo the first of many refits to become a functioning passenger ship again – never happened! Now she sits like a rusting piece of junk in Philadelphia where I saw her a few years ago and it brought tears to my eyes.
It is so sad to see what has happened to this icon of American history. I have sailed on ships for the P&O line years ago and one ship in particular I loved dearly the s.s.CANBERRA. I know how she was broken up in India, saw the pictures of her being torn apart for scrap. Should this fate be once again visited on a beautiful historic vessel that can still be useful as a museum, perhaps moored in New York near the INTREPID as a different type of museum?
The INTERPRID shows us what she did for us during wartime, cannot this beautiful UNITED STATES show us what peaceful pursuits she was capable of?
Please let us know what we can do to help to save this beautiful ship from extinction and the scrap heap.
Dear Susan;
I am extremely concerned about this great ship and want to help whatever way I can to keep her alive. I do not want this magnifient treasure taken away, just to be cut up for scrap in some faraway place. Please write back. I have some ideas how we can keep this wonderful vessel alive and perhaps, once again sailing across the oceans. I’d love to see the ship restored in some fashion, if nothing else, just to keep her from being ultimately destroyed. Please reply…AL
My Dad was a steward on the Big U and made the maiden voyage. I have fantastic memories on sailing day,trying to pick him out of the crowd, one last time until my brother and I saw him again 14 days later. We used to get the best stuff- Stieff stuffed animals from Germany, Chocolates from France, shoes and clothes from England.
Thanks to all the groups who are trying to save her. It breaks my heart to see her the way she is now.
On November 15th 1963 I sailed on the S.S United States leaving Southampton for New York. I was 18 and had never left England before. What an experience an adventure – she was an amazing ship and I hope one day she will be restored and will sail the seas again. We experienced rain, snow, hale stones and an eventual hurrican at sea. I was sure we would not sea land again. What memories I have and would lik to think that one day I would have the opportunity to travel on this wonderful ship again. The S.S United States needs all the support it can get to restore it to its original working condition. I do have some momentos but due to travelling have lost most. DOES ANYONE HAVE PHOTOS OF THE SHIP AND ITS VOYAGE – leaving Southampton on November 15th 1963 arrival in New York harbour November 22nd 1963. Please let me know. Many thanks. K
I wa sso glad to see this site. My father John W. Nelson Jr was a radio operator i believe on the maiden voyage of this tremendous ship. When i finished graduate school in Richmond Virginia, my father and I took a trip to Newport News to view this incredible piece of history. I had lost track of what had happened. i hope that funds can be raised to save this. New York is the perfect place for it. My sister and I have a piece of radio equipment from the ship and although we tried unsucessfully to sell it, we will be happy to donate this piece. If there are any pictures of our father available please let us know.
Thanks John III
How much would it cost to rebuild the old girl because it is nothing left inside of her. I have heard it would cost more than bulding a new ship to bring her to todays standards . Please correct me if I am wrong.Rusty
Has anyone contacted DONALD TRUMP about this project?
Surely he would have the financial resources to prevent the scrappers from getting near this ship.
He and New York City are so much a part of each other.
The SS US belongs at the Port of New York City!
It could be so many things combined: Museum – Convention Center – Resort Hotel – CASINO !!
Come on, Donald !! Imagine the publicity stunt:
“Donald Trump Saves The United States !!”