“We are the United States” campaign aims to raise USD 0,5 million by July 4 to protect a historic ship - the fastest ocean liner in history and the largest passenger ship ever built in America.
SS United States Conservancy is attempting to convert the ship, currently moored in Philadelphia, into a development complex and mixed-use museum. However, with no developer commitments and additional donations, the nonprofit will be forced to search for other alternatives like recycling the vessel or converting it into an artificial underwater reef.
In 2016 Crystal Cruises explored a plan to renovate SS United States and return it to service as an ocean cruise ship. A 6-month evaluation, however, found that the commercial and technical challenges required to bring the vessel up to modern regulatory standards which rendered the proposal unfeasible.
SS United States was constructed as part of a top secret Cold War program to create the fastest ship in history. The vessel still holds the transatlantic speed record and has played host to world leaders, movie stars and immigrants.
Contributions to SS United States Conservancy are tax-deductible.