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Historic Ocean Liner Could Find a Berth in Manhattan

By DNAinfo Staff on July 1, 2010 8:35am  | Updated on July 1, 2010 8:40am

The SS United States is currently docked in Philadelphia.
The SS United States is currently docked in Philadelphia.
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Photo: Big Ship Films

By Nicole Breskin

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

CHELSEA —A hefty donation by a philanthropist may help save a venerable ocean liner from the scrap heap — and, with luck and funding, ultimately make the vessel a permanent attraction on Manhattan’s waterfront.

The ship, the SS United States, embarked on its 1952 maiden voyage from Chelsea Piers at a time when trans-Atlantic voyages were considered the ultimate in luxury travel. Its passengers over the years included Marilyn Monroe, Harry Truman and Salvador Dalí.

Preservationists in New York and Philadelphia, where the liner is currently berthed, have been concerned that the huge ship would be sold to a scrap yard.

Their hopes have been raised significantly by a $5.8 million donation by philanthropist H.F. Gerry Lenfest, who lives in Philadelphia. The donation would allow the preservation organization, the SS United States Conservancy, to enter into exclusive negotiations to buy the liner. 

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor on the SS United States. Marilyn Monroe and President John F. Kennedy also traveled on the ship.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor on the SS United States. Marilyn Monroe and President John F. Kennedy also traveled on the ship.
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Photo: Courtesy of Charlie Anderson

“This is a game-changer in our work to save this irreplaceable American icon,” said the conservancy’s board president Susan Gibbs, who is also the granddaughter of the vessel’s designer. “We are thrilled that the SS United States has received a new lease on life.”

Shareholders of the vessel's owner, Norwegian Cruise Liner, have complained that they were weary of footing an annual $800,000 bill in upkeep costs.

The new influx of funds will go towards maintaining the ship at its current berth and eventually contribute to the purchase price.

The conservancy envisions that the ship could be a major stationary attraction on Manhattan’s waterfront. But they need a partner and additional funds to get the project in motion.

The organization has been in talks with Community Board 4’s waterfront committee and the city's Economic Development Corporation to discuss how to use the ship's  550,000 square feet.

“Now comes the very challenging work of solidifying plans in New York or Philadelphia and that will take significant capital and operating funds,” said conservancy executive director Dan McSweeney, an Upper West Side resident whose father was a crew member on the ship during its 17-year run. “This is very far from the end of the story.”

The SS United States Conservancy has a fundraising campaign called “Save Our Ship."

The conservancy’s exclusive purchase option will expire in February 2011.

The conservancy will formally announce the donation Thursday in Philadelphia near the ship’s berth.