SS United States Conservancy
SS United States Conservancy Update

SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY IN WALL STREET JOURNAL
 
EFFORTS TO SAVE THE BIG U PICK UP STEAM IN NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA
 
SS UNITED STATES STARS IN LAST WEEK'S EPISODE OF COLD CASE
 
SS UNITED STATES 2010 SPECIAL CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE
 
September 30, 2009

SS United States in BremerhavenDear SS United States Conservancy Members
and Supporters:

 
As we continue our race against time to save the mighty SS United States, we've been increasingly reaching out to prominent political leaders and the national media.  Our efforts are paying off: Our "Save Our Ship" campaign is featured on the front page of today's Wall Street Journal.  The Conservancy is generating major momentum in both New York City and Philadelphia, as evidenced by many recent meetings and events with city officials, supporters, Congressional officials, media representatives, and others.  (For more detail, please read below.)  We are more determined than ever: We will save our great national flagship!
 
And of course, as the holidays approach, don't forget to purchase the SS United States Conservancy's special 2010 calendar featuring a series of incredible renderings of the ship created by 12 individual artists... ordering information is provided below.  We are sure you will enjoy the ship's beautiful and diverse portrayals!

None of our work could be accomplished without the continued support and enthusiasm of our members and supporters - as always - we thank you so much!

With our best wishes,

The SS United States Conservancy's Board of Directors
 
SS UNITED STATES FEATURED IN WALL STREET JOURNAL

(Photo by Jesse Pesta, Wall Street Journal)

WSJ Masthead

Front Page Coverage of the Big U
A major feature story about the SS United States Conservancy's efforts to save the SS United States can be found on the front page of today's Wall Street Journal.  To read the full article CLICK HERE.  The article was written by Jesse Pesta, who traveled aboard the ship as a child in 1968.  The piece offers an overview of the ship's history and describes the Conservancy's campaign to  "Save Our Ship" and showcases a number of Conservancy members and supporters.
 
Also, be sure to check out the interactive slide show that accompanies the article by CLICKING HERE.  We are thrilled that the Wall Street Journal's 2.82 million paying subscribers will be introduced to the historic importance and future potential of the SS United States!  We encourage you to add your voice to the on-line comments section of the Wall Street Journal's website and/or express your support for the Big U in a Letter to the Editor.

MAJOR HEADWAY UNDERWAY IN PHILADELPHIA; GROWING INTEREST IN BIG U AMONG CITY'S POLITICAL LEADERS 
WHYY logo

Tom Corcoran Interviewed on WHYY;  Philadelphia City Council Support
The SS United States Conservancy's outreach in Philadelphia is beginning to gain significant momentum.  Tom Corcoran, new President of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, talked to guest host Dave Davies about the future of Philadelphia's waterfront recently on WHYY's Radio Times. Mr. Corcoran mentioned the SS United States Conservancy's meeting with him scheduled for later this week and had the following to say about the SS United States: "The ship is sitting within the area covered by our jurisdiction. Beautiful from a distance, and its in terrible condition.  Its been completely gutted, and I think it's a disgrace because it's a very proud ship with a very proud heritage.  It still holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing ever in 1952 on its maiden voyage, and it should have been treated by this country by more respect...it came careening into this port 10-15 years ago, and right now there are people interested seeing if there is some sort of reuse for that ship, and actually I will be having a meeting with some of those people in the next two weeks. I just don't know what will be economically feasible...it's certainly worth exploring, because its a great historical artifact."  To listen to the full interview, please CLICK HERE.

Mr. Corcoran previously served as head of the Cooper's Ferry Development Corporation, which has transformed the Camden, New Jersey waterfront from a desolate industrial wasteland to an entertainment mecca that includes the permanently-moored World War II battleship U.S.S. New Jersey.  We hope that Mr. Corcoran will use his considerable expertise to wisely develop Philadelphia's languishing Delaware riverfront with a vibrant, restored SS United States as one of its centerpieces.

In addition, SS United States Conservancy President Susan Gibbs received a warm letter of support from Philadelphia City Council President Anna C. Verna.  It is worth quoting in full:

Dear Ms. Gibbs

I applaud the efforts of the Conservancy and all others who have
joined the campaign to save our national flagship. The SS United
States is truly an historic national treasure that should be preserved
for current and future generations.  I am hopeful that this
magnificent ocean liner can be restored to her original grandeur and
become a river front attraction in our city for residents and
visitors.

I must say it is very sad indeed to pass by Pier 81 in South
Philadelphia, where the SS United States is currently docked, and see
this remarkable display of engineering and design in its current state
of neglect and disrepair.  I am confident, however, that through the
efforts of the Conservancy and its many supporters, this vessel will
have not only an historic past but a long and bright future.

The many who have volunteered to undertake this very important task
have my sincere appreciation.  Because of your hard work and
dedication, I look forward to seeing a resplendent SS United States
one day grace the shores of the City of Philadelphia.

signed:

Anna C. Verna
President, City Council
Councilwoman, 2nd District
City of Philadelphia
SS UNITED STATES FEATURED IN CBS HIT SHOW COLD CASE -
SORT OF!
Cold Case image 
Writer Taylore Elmore Inspired by Lady in Waiting
Pens Episode Entitled Murder of Titanic Proportions
Several months ago, Conservancy board member Mark Perry, who also produced the award-winning documentary SS United States: Lady in Waiting, was contacted by Taylor Elmore, a writer for the hit CBS show Cold Case.  While the show is set in Philadelphia, it is filmed entirely in Los Angles.  After seeing the documentary, Taylor was inspired to pitch a story idea about a fictional murder aboard the Big U on her last voyage, featuring flashbacks to that fateful journey. The show's executive producers had been very excited about doing the episode as their season opener. Well, as fate (and the economy) would have it, after consulting with Conservancy board members Greg Norris and Joe Rota, Taylor's first draft was written and the studio accountants realized they couldn't bring the ship back to life on their current budget.  So, the powers that be decided that they would still do the story... only it would be set on a fictional ship called the Americana which ended up looking suspiciously like the RMS Queen Mary. When the episode premiered on Sunday, September 27, the storyline still held vestiges of the original draft: the Americana was the record-holding speed champion of the North Atlantic, was fondly called the "Big A" by those who sailed aboard her, and was even owned by a family named Gibbs!  If you happen to catch the episode in reruns, remember that it was meant to be set aboard the SS United States!
SS UNITED STATES 2010 CALENDAR ON SALE NOW!

ONE-OF-A-KIND CALENDAR FEATURES UNIQUE
ARTISTIC RENDERINGS OF BIG U!

The The SS United States Conservancy is pleased to announce that our 2010 full color wall calendar featuring artists' visions of the SS United States is now ready for purchase!  Noted maritime artists have generously licensed their amazing works to help the Conservancy's ongoing fundraising efforts.  Artists include Robert C. Semler, Russell Parmerter, David M. Boone, art and filmmaking student Matthew Richards, Gregory Prestegord, Paul McGehee, Simon Fisher, James A. Flood, Thom Sweeney, Robert Beck, Robert Lloyd, and Stephen J. Card (who enthusiastically created a brand new vision of our nation's flagship specifically for introduction in our calendar).  These gorgeous paintings are all featured in full color, in an oversized 11 X 17" format.  The Conservancy is eternally grateful to all of these fine artists for their contributions toward our efforts to save our national flagship.  Because our calendar is self-published through Cafepress this year, we've had to increase the price, but please know that each purchase goes toward helping us prevent the irreplaceable SS United States from going under the breaker's torch.  Order yours today, and please consider giving the calendar as gifts to your friends and family!  To order, please CLICK HERE.

For the latest news about efforts to save the SS United States,
please visit our S.O.S. News Blog.

2009 Holiday Card
Please visit our shop of exclusive SS United States merchandise and
help support the SS United States Conservancy.

SS United States Conservancy
P.O. Box 32115
Washington, DC 20007
(888)-488-7787
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