December 24, 2012

Season's Greetings 

 

We'd like to extend our heartfelt wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season and thank you for your continued support.   Word continues to spread about our campaign to "Save Our Ship" and develop the SS United States Center for Design and Discovery - see below for a link to a fantastic piece in the Wall Street Journal - and your continued backing is what makes these successes possible.  

   

As you may have heard, the venerable Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth 2 has reportedly been sold to Chinese interests for scrap. Along with the SS United States, the QE2 is one of the world's last remaining classic liners.  We must not allow "America's Flagship" to meet this same fate.  Please help us ensure that the SS United States survives and thrives for generations to come by joining the Conservancy, helping us recruit new members, and becoming a virtual "ship owner" at SaveTheUnitedStates.org.

 

If you have a moment, please view our holiday message on YouTubeWe are forever grateful for your continued support.    

 

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Also in this Issue:
 
 

 


wsj SS United States Featured in the Wall Street Journal

  



Immediately following our recent press in New York Magazine, the SS United States and the Conservancy were featured in the Wall Street Journal this week. The author of the piece, Ralph Gardner, Jr. writes:

To be honest, when a press release for the SS United States Conservancy crossed my metaphorical desk last spring, I was surprised. I didn't realize the ship still existed. I assumed it had been sold for scrap years ago, or sunk to create an artificial reef, or whatever happens to old ocean liners when nobody loves them anymore.

 

Except that somebody does. It was pleasant to spend some time aboard the SS United States with people even more obsessed with ocean liners than I am.


Gardner's initial shock that the SS United States is still afloat illustrates why it is so crucial to spread the word about the ship's restoration and museum plans. You can read the full article here - and please help us by sharing it with your friends, colleagues and family members!


appeal2012 Never Too Late: Support our Annual Appeal & Membership Drive 

  

2012 Highlights
 
Last year, the SS United States Conservancy's purchase of the SS United States saved the vessel from certain scrapping. This year, the Conservancy celebrated the 60th anniversary of the ship's historic maiden voyage. However, our work is not yet done.
 

While we've been making progress every day toward securing a sustainable future for the SS United States and laying the groundwork for the SS United States Center for Design and Discovery, the vessel's maintenance costs are formidable. We have moved much closer to securing the ship's redevelopment, but terms are still being negotiated and success is not guaranteed. Without a major infusion of funds in the near future, the vessel's future is in dire jeopardy. To lose the SS United States while she's still capable of being saved would be an unspeakable tragedy.   

 

We know that you are inundated with requests from worthy causes at this time of year, but we hope you will give the Conservancy your serious consideration.  If you itemize deductions, there may be a tax benefit to making charitable donations before year's end in light of uncertainties around "fiscal cliff" negotiations. It's not too late to send in your contribution before year's end!    

  

Your fully tax-deductible donation of $1,000, $500, $100, $25 - or whatever amount you can spare - will make a huge difference in our efforts.  Read the full end-of-year letter from Conservancy Executive Director Susan Gibbs HERE.

 

 



If the above "Donate" button does not display properly, please view it online on our website.


jmg Maritime Historian John Maxtone-Graham
Aboard the SS United States

  

John Maxtone-Graham visits the SS United States
John Maxtone-Graham visits the SS United States

As we reported last month, world-renowned maritime historian John Maxtone-Graham visited the SS United States, and gave the Conservancy's efforts a ringing endorsement, saying "The SS United States is a monument that should be rallied around and restored."

Conservancy supporter Bill Magee at Magee Media shot and edited footage of Maxtone-Graham's visit, which is now available to view on the Conservancy's YouTube channel.  Enjoy!


calendarSS United States 2013 Wall Calendars Announced     

  

2013 Calendar
 
Back by popular demand! Despite production delays, the SS United States Conservancy is proud to announce the 2013 edition of our popular wall calendar series. This year's calendar includes spectacular black-and-white United States Lines promotional images of the ship's interiors - including some rarely seen spaces.
 
Calendars will be available for pre-order after the holidays, and will ship in January. Be sure to read our next e-Newsletter for pre-order information. Until that time, if you bought our 2012 calendars, make sure you flip the page - we did include a January 2013 spread!

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SS United States Conservancy

P.O. Box 32115

Washington, DC 20007

(888)-488-7787