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Unique Cruise Solutions The news you need to know |
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Cruise News for the Corporate Travel Professional |
February 2011 Edition |
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Historic SS United States Purchased by Conservation Group |
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“We are one big step closer to ensuring that this great symbol of American innovation is permanently preserved,” said Susan Gibbs, the conservancy’s board president, whose grandfather, William Francis Gibbs, designed the legendary liner. “Now that we have secured title, we will accelerate our efforts to redevelop the nation’s flagship as a multi-purpose waterfront destination with dynamic hotel, retail, educational and museum offerings. To succeed, we will tap into the same ‘can-do’ spirit and ingenuity that the ship has embodied since her first splash in 1952.” In July 2010, the conservancy announced a pledge of $5.8 million by Philadelphia philanthropist H. F. “Gerry” Lenfest to purchase and maintain the vessel for 20 months. Owners Norwegian Cruise Line/Genting Hong Kong entered an exclusive purchase option with the conservancy last year, “graciously declining a bid twice as high from a vessel scrapper, to support the conservancy’s efforts,” the organization said. The conservancy said it is deeply grateful to both Lenfest and Norwegian/Genting for their support. “She is worth keeping,” Lenfest said. “This ship is an iconic part of American maritime history and if there’s any chance at all that she can be saved, we should take that chance.” Lenfest is a retired Navy Reserve captain and maritime enthusiast whose father, a naval architect, designed components of the SS United States. “This is the first time in the history of the SS United States that a group concerned primarily with the vessel’s historical significance and preservation has owned her,” said Dan McSweeney, the conservancy’s executive director. “We can’t truly say she’s saved yet -- that will happen when we establish a successful partnership to redevelop the ship -- but we can say that we’re generating the right momentum to be able to achieve that goal. Thus far, New York, Philadelphia, and Miami have expressed an interest in the vessel. The total cost could be a couple of hundred million dollars but that’s comparable to land-based development on a similar scale. We’re completely committed to accomplishing this and there’s no question that we’ll succeed.” The vessel was launched in 1952 and is widely considered the greatest ocean liner ever built. Four U.S. presidents (Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Clinton) and countless foreign heads of state; business, military and diplomatic leaders; Hollywood celebrities; and everyday Americans traveled aboard her during 400 mishap-free voyages. Thousands of immigrants to America sailed aboard the vessel, which served in the Navy Reserve Fleet as a convertible troop ship and as a Cold War weapon able to carry an army division 10,000 miles without refueling. The ship remains the largest passenger vessel constructed in the U.S. and the fastest ocean liner to ever cross the North Atlantic (both eastbound and westbound). As the nation’s flagship for over 17 years, the ship was never plagued by mechanical difficulty. For more information, visit www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org. |
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Worldwide Travel & Cruise Assoc., Inc. 150 S. University Dr. Ste E, Plantation, FL 33324 - USA Tel: +1 954 452 8800 Fax: +1 954 252 3945 EMail: sales@cruiseco.com |
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The
SS United States Conservancy has purchased the SS United States, the nation’s
historic “ship of state” that has languished unused in Philadelphia for years.
