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 Philanthropist
H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest has pledged a $300,000 matching grant to help a nonprofit
purchase the SS United States, the iconic Cold War-era ocean liner docked in
South Philadelphia.
The record-setting 990-foot vessel, which has languished at Pier 82 for more
than a decade, was offered for sale in January by Norwegian Cruise Lines for an
estimated $20 million.
A spokesman for the SS United States Conservancy was not immediately available
yesterday to elaborate on the nonprofit's matching-grant announcement or say how
much has been raised.
An awareness program and buffet diner to benefit the conservancy was held at the
Ikea store that sits across Columbus Boulevard from the rusting hulk.
The program featured a panel of speakers including conservancy president Susan
Gibbs, who is the granddaughter of the ship's famed designer, William Francis
Gibbs.
Walter Cronkite, who died this month, was the honorary chairman of the
conservancy. He called the vessel's neglect "a crime against history."
In 1952, the SS United States set the trans-Atlantic speed record on its maiden
voyage - a mark that still stands.
Besides being an ocean liner - President Bill Clinton was a passenger on a 1968
voyage to England to pursue his Rhodes Scholarship - the ship was outfitted so
that it could carry an infantry division more than 10,000 miles without
refueling.
It was retired in 1969. |
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