Plea for Support Reaches Around the Globe

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CONSERVANCY'S APPEAL FOR A NEW HOME AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR AMERICA'S FLAGSHIP REACHES A GLOBAL AUDIENCE

Coverage Spans Across the Nation and Around the World

The Conservancy's urgent quest for a new home for America's Flagship and campaign to raise the necessary resources to move the historic ocean liner and cover other costs is making headlines across the nation and around the world.

On the Monday after our campaign launched, the Associated Press ran a nationally-syndicated story about the urgent need for a new home and financial resources needed to save America's Flagship. The article went on to reach a worldwide audience, including supporters as far away as Australia.

As the article noted, "Besides finding a new home, the Conservancy also must obtain funds for insurance, tugs, surveys and dock preparations for moving the ship, which is incapable of self-propulsion. The group is focusing its efforts on finding a temporary berth in the Philadelphia area or on the East Coast, and fears that if a temporary home cannot be found soon, the vessel could be lost forever." The story was also carried in The Wall Street Journal (pictured above) and in many more newspapers and online publications.

USA Today also published extensive coverage about the Conservancy's ongoing campaign, and the twin threats that now imperil the SS United States. As the newspaper noted, "...according to the text of the court ruling, officials from the Port of Philadelphia had leaned on Penn Warehousing to remove the SS United States...The eviction notice arrived in the same year that the port, run by an independent agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, announced vast plans for an expansion and total overhaul of PhilaPort."

The ship also continues to intrigue people in her home city of Philadelphia. Conservancy Board member and former passenger Warren Jones appeared on Good Day Philadelphia, where he discussed how the September deadline imposed by the Judge is impacting the Conservancy's work. As Jones noted, the tight deadline "doesn't leave us much time to find a pier so that we can save the ship." He also spoke later that same day with Fox 29.

Conservancy President Susan Gibbs, the granddaughter of the ship's famed designer, was a guest on WHYY's Studio 2, where she discussed the deep connections between America's Flagship and the City of Brotherly Love. Gibbs told WHYY listeners, the SS United States "debuted in 1952 as the fastest ocean liner ever built, but...she remains an enduring and inspiring national symbol that can still bring us together as a nation."

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE COVERAGE OF THE CONSERVANCY'S CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE SS UNITED STATES .

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IMPORTANT PIER SEARCH UPDATE

Conservancy Representatives Have Contacted Elected Officials, Regional Port Authorities, Dozens of Pier Operators

Since announcing our campaign, we have been overwhelmed by outpouring of support from all corners of the nation - and beyond. While we will have an update on the progress toward our fundraising goal over the next week, we wanted to update you on our progress toward finding a new home.

First, thank you for your assistance. We have received a numerous calls, emails, and messages on social media, not only in appreciation of the SS United States' historic importance, but also with suggestions for potential pier locations that might accommodate the historic ocean liner that bears the name of the nation.

Our search for a new temporary or permanent location has been ongoing and began well before the litigation. If a new pier cannot be found in the coming weeks, we’ll be forced to commit to reefing or scrapping the vessel.

A few locations where we have been searching for a temporary berth include:

The Philadelphia Navy Yard
Piers operated by the United States Navy
Private piers in and around Philadelphia
Private piers in and around Camden, NJ
Piers near the Port of Baltimore, MD
Ports of Savanah, Georgia
Hampton Roads area, including Newport News, VA
Locations in Florida and Texas

The Conservancy has connected with regional port authorities up and down the eastern seaboard, as well as government officials to engage them in this fight to save the nation’s flagship. Because the vessel is 990 feet long with a draft ranging from 21feet to 28 feet, the number of piers able to physically accommodate the ship is limited.

We are tremendously grateful for the enthusiastic responses, and financial support. We want you to know that we are seeing your emails and hearing your voicemails. Because our team is small and time is limited, we cannot respond to every message with a personal call back or email. However, please know that constructive suggestions are received and welcomed. We continue to need supporters to urge their elected officials to take action to help save the SS United States.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE SS UNITED STATES .

MORE FROM THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY

THE SS UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO INSPIRE

Young Shipsters' Passion Gives Hope to a Bright Future

On social media we recently shared this drawing of the SS United States, sent to the Conservancy by a young supporter, Caelan McCormick, along with a beautiful note about his support for our mission to save America's Flagship.

Caelan is one of many young SS United States admirers whose outreach and support remains a testament to the importance of the iconic ocean liner, and why she remains a lasting symbol of our nation and our innovative spirit.

Another supporter recently wrote to share how the SS United States brings their family joy and inspiration:

"As residents of the Philadelphia area, we were saddened to learn of the ruling reported in the news today that the SS United States will need to be moved or dismantled.The ship has offered a unique encouragement to my son and I over the last several years. My son is on the Autism spectrum and also suffers from Mitochondrial Disease, which causes him to have very low muscle tone and stamina because he cells do not create the power and energy he needs. He is followed at CHOP and we frequently have appointments in the city. Part of our routine has been to travel to Delaware Ave and eat lunch across the street from the ship so my son can see the SS United States... This has become the highlight of his trips to the doctor and he really looks forward to that part of the day. We are not in a position to donate to help save the ship but we hope our story can be motivation to you all to do what you can to save it. My little boy would be grateful."

Thank you to all who continue to have faith in America's Flagship and the Conservancy's mission to save her. You are an inspiration for our work each and every day.

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