Conservancy members and supporters recently gathered in Los Angeles at the home of Board Member Mark Perry. In addition to Mr. Perry, in attendance were SS United States: Lady in Waiting Director Bob Radler with his wife Kitty, Conservancy Legacy Project Member Maurice Polak, Conservancy Executive Director Dan McSweeney, and Mark Knowles.
“We caught up on news about the ship and had a great brainstorming session on how to expand the momentum that’s emerging nationally,” said Perry.
Stay tuned for future gatherings across the country as the Conservancy’s “Save Our Ship” campaign is launched.
This recent post in Philadelphia Weekly has drawn a lot of comments on whether the SS United States might be a suitable location for a casino in Philadelphia.
Members of the Conservancy have discussed this issue on several occasions and we clearly see both the good and bad points.
What do you think?
Members of the SS United States Conservancy met with the Waterfront and Parks Committee of Community Board 4 in Manhattan on Thursday, January 14th. Conservancy Executive Director Dan McSweeney and Board Member Charlie Anderson were joined by the organization’s real estate consultant, Michael Kramer, to introduce the idea of returning the SS United States to the Hudson as a re-purposed stationary attraction.
“We made a very broad, preliminary presentation,” said McSweeney. “More than anything, we wanted to understand the views of the committee and we were glad to hear a lot of support and good observations from the members in attendance.”
Conservancy Real Estate Consultant Michael Kramer discusses potential siting of SS United States in New York with members of Manhattan's Community Board 4
The Conservancy is investigating a variety of potential locations for a re-purposed ship, including sites in Philadelphia. Recent conversations with the vessel’s current owner indicate a clear desire by NCL to investigate ways of working with the Conservancy.
“We have a long way to go,” said Anderson, son of the the ship’s longest-serving master, John Anderson. “But we’re taking the steps necessary to do this the right way. Wherever we end up bringing the ship will involve a long and complex planning process.”
Coverage of the meeting has appeared in the New York Times, DNAinfo, the Long Beach District Weekly, and the South Florida Business Journal.
“We’re hitting our stride,” said McSweeney. “Stand by for more news in the next weeks.”
January 11, 2010 – The Conservancy’s ongoing efforts to save the SS United States were featured in today’s edition of “City Room” for The New York Times. Be sure to read it here.
January 10, 2010 – Still looking for the perfect SS United States calendar for the new decade? Our exclusive Artists’ Visions of the SS United States Full Color 2010 Calendar, featuring stunning works by noted maritime artists, is NOW ON SALE! Click here to get yours today!
January 9, 2010 – DNAinfo.com, a site featuring local Manhattan news, posted an article about the ship and her plight today. Conservancy Executive Director Dan McSweeney was interviewed for the piece, and images from both the Conservancy Legacy Project and Big Ship Films (producer of SS United States: Lady in Waiting) were used to illustrate the article. Be sure to check it out here.
The SS United States in Philadelphia, April 2007 courtesy of Big Ship Films.
Dear SS United States Conservancy Supporters and Friends:
We hope this finds you well and enjoying the holiday season.
We are writing to seek your support for the SS United States Conservancy’s efforts to assure a dignified future for the SS United States. Tragically, as the year draws to a close, our national flagship is in danger of being sold for scrap.
During the coming year, the SS United States Conservancy plans to ramp up its efforts to raise national awareness of the ship’s historical significance and build support for the ship’s conversion into a viable and vibrant stationary attraction in a major American city. At what may very well be the ship’s final hour, we need your help!
The SS United States was listed for sale earlier this year by her current owners, Norwegian Cruise Line/Star Cruises, because of the harsh economic climate and technical challenges associated with her rehabilitation. Our fight to secure a dignified future for our national flagship was recently bolstered by a $300,000 pledge from philanthropist H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest of Philadelphia that will be put towards the purchase of the ship. While Mr. Lenfest’s generosity has infused new energy in our efforts to “Save Our Ship”, much work lies ahead of us.
With your past support, we have worked tirelessly on the ship’s behalf. This year, we:
- Spread the word about the ship in many media outlets. Recent coverage includes a front-page story in The Wall Street Journal, articles in The Philadelphia Inquirer, USA Today, the Associated Press, ABC News Online,Forbes.com, and Popular Mechanics; broadcasts on WHYY, CBS3, KYW 1060 and other outlets, and social networking via YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Helped secure a decision by the ship’s current owner to ban her from being sold to scrappers or foreign groups. We’re working to ensure this provision endures.
- Generated preliminary support from federal and municipal officials in Philadelphia and New York interested in re-purposing the ship as a stationary waterfront attraction and established partnerships with notable development, architectural, and engineering firms who support the goal of saving the ship.
- Promoted broadcasts of our award-winning American Public Television (APT) documentary, SS United States: Lady in Waiting, produced in partnership with Big Ship Films. We have organized film screenings nationwide and broadcasts of the film in key markets generated APT’s highest ratings for the night.
- Developed partnerships with museums, nautical organizations, and other civic-minded groups to educate Americans about the SS United States.
We are now turning to you to help us expand on the momentum generated by Gerry’s pledge of $300,000 through a tax-deductible donation. We intend to:
- Expand our Save Our Ship Campaign to build a groundswell of a national support for the ship’s restoration.
- Produce a feasibility study, engineering assessment, and long-range plan for re-purposing the ship.
- Expand our SS United States Legacy Project to partner with schools, museums, maritime associations, and civic groups.
- Continue to explore and encourage local, state, and national legislative efforts to provide greater protection for the ship.
We know many Americans have forgotten about the romance of transatlantic travel, the ship’s peerless engineering and design achievements, and the speed record she maintains to this day. But what really matters is that she is more than an ocean liner – she is a national historic treasure on par with the USS Constitution. She must be saved!
Both of us helped found the SS United States Conservancy because of our close, personal ties to the ship. We are turning to you, as an extended family, to now request your help. We strongly believe your contribution before December 31 will help us save the SS United States. Will you join us with a tax-deductible contribution of $25 or $2,500 – whatever you feel you can afford to give?
Each day is critical. Thank you for helping us Save Our Ship.
If you’d like to donate, please click here to do so via our PayPal account. If you’d prefer to send a check, please click here.
Again, best wishes for a great holiday season and thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Susan Gibbs
President, Board of Directors
Dan McSweeney
Executive Director
Holiday gatherings hosted by SS United States Conservancy Working Groups in Philadelphia and New York offered an opportunity to share some holiday cheer and discuss plans for 2010.
Members of the Philadelphia Working Group and Chair Steven Ujifusa gathered at the Chart House on the Philaelphia Waterfront
Fifteen members of the Conservancy’s Philadelphia Working Group met for a holiday dinner at The Chart House on Friday, December 11. Among the attendees were Philly Working Group Chair Steven Ujifusa, board member Jeff Henry and family, Mark Brooks, Judge Thomas Watkins, Arlene Harrison, Steve Perry, and George Claflen. Joining them were a few members of the New York Working Group, including Conservancy Executive Director Dan McSweeney, Susan Caccavale, Walter Frey, and Eddie Carr. Before dinner, some of the group visited the “Splendor in Decay” exhibition at Calumet Photographic, organized by Rita DeVechis. Although the ship remains in grave danger, the group has much to celebrate as the year closes, namely the securing of the $300,000 matching grant from Gerry Lenfest, a letter of support from Congressman Joe Sestak, high profile events at IKEA and the Independence Seaport Museum, and most recently, the adoption by Philadelphia City Council of a resolution recognizing the historical significance of the SS United States and supporting her future use as a floating attraction along a revitalized Delaware River. The dinner ended with William Francis Gibbs’s favorite toast: “To all you ever want. Doubled. Good health. And the Big Ship.”
Members of the Conservancy’s New York Working and their guests gathered at Manhattan’s Soldiers and Sailors Club on Lexington Avenue on December 18. Attendees discussed latest developments in New York, including a highly successful Conservancy annual meeting, major media coverage, and key meetings with the Economic Development Corporation and the Hudson River Park Trust. After a raffle, in which a variety of SS United States items were awarded, a contribution to the Conservancy was presented by representatives of George Sharp, Inc., a leading maritime engineering firm. Finally, talk turned to plans for maximizing impacts in 2010. Under the leadership of Working Group Chair Susan Caccavale, 40 attendees enjoyed the evening.
Some of the 40 guests who gathered at the Soldiers and Sailors Club in Manhattan under the leadership of Working Group Chair Susan Caccavale
“These gatherings demonstrate the momentum we continue to generate in Philadelphia and New York,” said Conservancy Board President Susan Gibbs. “We have much work to do in 2010 and we’ll turn to our working groups to ensure we accomplish our mission of saving the SS United States.”
December 10, 2009 – To read the latest Conservancy Update, please click here.
Conservancy members and supporters recently gathered in Los Angeles at the home of Board Member Mark Perry. In addition to Mr. Perry, in attendance were SS United States: Lady in Waiting Director Bob Radler with his wife Kitty, Conservancy Legacy Project Member Maurice Polak, Conservancy Executive Director Dan McSweeney, and Mark Knowles.
