Ghost of Cruises Past

[unclebalu]

It is a real shame about what has become of one of the most famous early cruise ships, SS United States. Read this article then follow the link for interesting video about the ship featuring a recent Ebay ephemera Lot auction.

The SS United States Conservancy has learned that the SS UNITED STATES will soon be listed for sale. The SS UNITED STATES was purchased by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in 2003, and ownership of the vessel was recently transferred to a holding company controlled by NCL's parent company, Hong Kong-based Star Cruises. In light of current economic conditions, the SS UNITED STATES is now in grave danger of being sold for scrap.

 

The American-built SS UNITED STATES shattered all trans-Atlantic speed records on her maiden voyage in 1952 and remains the fastest passenger liner ever built. She was listed on the National Register of Historic Places before attaining 50 years of age because of her "compelling national significance." The SS UNITED STATES must be saved for future generations. We believe that a project to restore and revitalize the SS UNITED STATES could create thousands of jobs and help stimulate the economy in these challenging times as well as preserve one of the world's finest engineering achievements.

 

While the SS United States Conservancy has been working diligently behind the scenes to secure a future home and reuse for the ship, we have been continually hindered by the fact that the vessel remains privately owned. If we are going to succeed in saving the SS UNITED STATES for future generations, we need all hands on deck.

 

• Reach out to Congress! We urge all supporters to contact their members of Congress by visiting our website's new "Take Action" page at www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org. Congress needs to act to prevent our national flagship from being sold for scrap. On our website you will find text for a letter to your Senators and Representatives which can be copied and pasted into an email or snail mail letter, as well as instructions for how to obtain contact information for your elected officials.
  

 

• Reach out to the Media! Write a "letter to the editor" of your local newspaper! Post a blog entry on one of your favorite sites! Pitch a story to a media outlet! Educate the press on the historical significance of the SS UNITED STATES! Contact your local PBS affiliate and suggest that they re-broadcast the documentary film "SS UNITED STATES: Lady in Waiting."
  

 

• Reach out to Friends, Neighbors, and Colleagues! Pass on the word to everyone you know that the SS UNITED STATES is in danger of being sent to the breakers. We need to join forces with local maritime unions, port authorities, civic organizations, and other constituencies to bolster our base of support for saving the ship. Reach out to everyone you know and enlist their support!
  

The Conservancy will continue to recruit potential public and private sector partners to secure a dignified and sustainable future for the SS UNITED STATES. During this period of high alert, the Conservancy has launched an SOS "Blog" on our website where we will post updates about the ship's status as they become available. Please visit our website at www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.organd click on "Blog" to visit. We invite you to share your views.

 

Time is of the essence. Our nation's flagship is once again facing the ignoble fate of the breakers' torches. We must act now, we must act together, and we must save the SS UNITED STATES.

 

 

 

 

http://viralwealthmarketing.posterous.com/phillys-ss-united-states-ocean-liner-may-end