Click here to view British Pathe video of SS United State's record breaking maiden voyage
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that an agreement has been reached between Norwegian Cruise Line and the SS United States Conservancy, a preservationist group, to save the SS United States from the scrap yard. The Conservancy is reported to have agreed to pay NCL $3 million dollars for the ship. It has also been reported that NCL had received an almost $6 million dollar offer from a scrap yard but had agreed to work with the Conservancy instead. The offer by the Conservancy was made possible by a reported $5.8 million pledge by Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest.
Famed Liner Steers Clear of Scrapyard
The SS United States was the fastest passenger liner ever built. Click here or on the image to the right to see footage of her first voyage where she easily broke the speed record for an Atlantic crossing. Thanks to David Hayes for pointing out the video.
Well you know I can feel the wave of relief having got rid of the thing coming from the NCL offices in Doral down here in “The Gables”. It seems NCL did learn their lesson from l’affaire “France” to “Norway”. Please don’t expect much from this, unless some nautical genius converts it to “Whale Gigantic”. OK! enough of the sarcasm.
Good Watch.
I think that you are exactly right. The Big U had to be a potential PR nightmare for RCL. I wish the Conservancy well but so far have not seen any overriding vision of what they will do with the old ship. Nostalgia is not enough.
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