WHAT IS THE SS UNITED STATES?

The SS United States is an historic ocean liner, widely known “America’s Flagship.” She is the fastest passenger ship ever built and the largest ever made in the USA. The SS United States still holds the transatlantic speed record and is the last of America's great 20th century ocean liners. Since the vessel’s launch over 70 years ago, she has served as an enduring iconic symbol of American innovation and engineering might. She is the only ship to bear the name of her namesake nation.

WHY IS THE SS UNITED STATES SO IMPORTANT?

Like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the Washington Monument — there’s only one SS United States. The ship was an ambassador of America’s post-war industrial power and a technological marvel. The soaring symbol of grace and grandeur touched the lives of over one million passengers, thousands of crew members, and countless others who were thrilled by her mere presence in New York or Europe flying the Stars and Stripes. The vessel still holds the transatlantic speed record, achieved on her maiden voyage using only two-thirds of her power. She served as a Naval auxiliary and was packed with top-secret features.

HOW DOES THE SS UNITED STATES COMPARE TO THE RMS TITANIC?

At nearly 1,000 feet long, the SS United States is more than a hundred feet longer than the ill-fated RMS Titanic, and she has five more decks. The SS United States is so large that if you stood her on end, she’d be nearly as tall as New York City’s Chrysler Building or the Comcast Center in Philadelphia. As the fastest ocean liner ever constructed, the SS United States could move almost faster in reverse than the RMS Titanic could travel forward.

HOW FAST WAS THE SS UNITED STATES?

The SS United States’ propellers, fireproof and lightweight materials, double hull, and sleek overall design were part of a top secret Pentagon program to create the world’s fastest and safest ship. The SS United States still holds the transatlantic speed record or “Blue Riband.” Her true performance figures were kept secret for many years, but we know now that on her sea trials she achieved an amazing speed of over 38 knots — about 44 miles per hour. Some maritime historians and former crew members maintain that she could have traveled even faster, so her true top speed may never be known. By comparison, today’s modern cruise ships travel at around 28 miles per hour. The SS United States smashed the transatlantic speed record on her maiden voyage in 1952 using only two-thirds of her power.

WHO BUILT THE SS UNITED STATES AND WHY?

For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, passenger travel across the Atlantic Ocean was dominated by a handful of European merchant shipping lines that competed for the honor of owning the biggest, fastest, and most luxurious ocean liner. The RMS Queen Mary and SS Normandie are two examples of famous liners that transported travelers between New York and the ports of Europe in comfort and style. After World War II, it was America’s turn to demonstrate its ability to compete and dominate the seas. This era brought with it new American prosperity and ingenuity as well as new security threats. The U.S. Government worked in conjunction with United States Lines to develop a “super ship” to be part Cold War weapon and part luxury ocean liner. The top-secret Pentagon project produced the fastest, safest, and most advanced vessel ever constructed — the SS United States. The ship could be quickly converted into a troop carrier able to transport 14,000 military service members for 10,000 miles without refueling, and she could do it faster than any other ship before or since.

WHO DESIGNED THE SS UNITED STATES?

The SS United States was designed by self-taught naval architect and marine engineer William Francis Gibbs. Born in 1886, Gibbs realized a life-long dream of designing the fastest ship in the world after the SS United States concluded her record-breaking maiden voyage in 1952. His firm designed over 60 percent of all the nation’s heavy armored ships in World War II, some 5,000 vessels in total. Widely regarded as one of the nation’s foremost naval architects, he was deeply attached to his prized creation. Gibbs called the SS United States every day when she was at sea and rarely missed being on hand for the vessel’s docking at her pier in New York. Gibbs’s granddaughter, Susan Gibbs, serves as the SS United States Conservancy’s president.

DID ANY FAMOUS PASSENGERS TRAVEL ON THE SS UNITED STATES?

The SS United States was the ship on which to sail in the 1950s and 1960s, and she carried a very impressive complement of notable passengers on nearly every voyage. These luminaries included Marlon Brando, Coco Chanel, Sean Connery, Gary Cooper, Walter Cronkite, Salvador Dali, Walt Disney, Duke Ellington, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Charlton Heston, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The ship also carried four US presidents — Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Clinton.

WHERE IS THE SS UNITED STATES LOCATED NOW?

The SS United States is presently docked at Pier 82 on Philadelphia’s Delaware River. She arrived in Philadelphia in 1996, transported there by a previous owner who had hoped to return her to service as a seagoing cruise ship.

CAN I VISIT THE SHIP?

Because the vessel is located at a working pier, subject to Homeland Security regulations, and she is awaiting her redevelopment as the world’s largest artificial reef, she is not open to the general public. Excellent views of the vessel can be seen from Columbus Boulevard or from the IKEA cafeteria in Columbus Commons across the street. To pinpoint directions to the vessel using GPS, the following address may be used: 2100 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia PA 19148.

WHY ISN'T THE SS UNITED STATES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT PIER 82 IN PHILADELPHIA?

The SS United States is presently docked at Pier 82 along the Philadelphia waterfront. This pier is an active, working cargo pier and part of a Foreign Trade Zone as designated by the U.S. government. Pier 82 is one of the only local piers that can accommodate the ship which is nearly 1000 feet long. The pier complex is closed to the public and all visitors must comply with security standards set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This significantly limits access to the vessel. Additionally, visitation to the ship requires specialist crew members to be on board for safety and security reasons which come at considerable cost to the Conservancy.

ARE THE SS UNITED STATES’ INTERIORS STILL INTACT?

No. Unfortunately, the vessel’s fittings were all dismantled in the 1980s and 1990s by previous owners of the vessel for financial gain and to remove building materials popular in the 1950s that were later deemed hazardous. While the Conservancy has collected a large number of the vessel’s original fittings and artwork, many items remain in private collections. As plans for the vessel’s redevelopment as the world’s largest artificial reef continue to advance, the Conservancy is committed to creating an extraordinary land-based interactive, dynamic, museum and visitor experience that will explore and celebrate the SS United States and mid-century design, art and innovation. Our future museum will also showcase the Conservancy’s permanent collection of SS United States artifacts, historical documents, artwork and fixtures as well as our vintage film and photography archives. Beyond the items in our current collection, the Conservancy continues to catalogue the location and ownership of the remaining fittings from the vessel including furniture, artwork, dishware, and other fixtures.

IS THE SS UNITED STATES STILL STRUCTURALLY SOUND?

As a singular engineering achievement designed and built for speed, safety and national security use, the SS United States still retains more than 90 percent of its hull integrity. The ship’s hull was designed similar to battleship specifications and was built to stand the test of time, surpassing today’s cruise ships. The vessel has undergone several structural reviews over the years by top-flight engineering and architectural firms and is in remarkable condition for its age. She has not been “rusting away” and is structurally sound to complete her tow from Philadelphia.

HOW DO I RESEARCH WHETHER ONE OF MY ANCESTORS TRAVELED ON THE SS UNITED STATES?

Over one million passengers traveled on the SS United States, and passenger lists from each voyage were maintained by United States Lines. These documents were scattered after the ship was withdrawn from service, but the Conservancy is currently compiling and digitizing these records for future use, including genealogical research.

WHAT IS THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY?

A national nonprofit organization, the SS United States Conservancy leads the global effort to celebrate and commemorate America’s Flagship, the SS United States. The Conservancy raises public awareness and financial resources for the maintenance and preservation of the iconic vessel and her legacy.  Through its curatorial collections and educational programs, the Conservancy works to ensure that the fastest ocean liner ever to cross the Atlantic Ocean remains an inspiration for generations to come.

The Conservancy is committed to creating an extraordinary land-based interactive, dynamic, museum and visitor experience that will explore the history of the SS United States and broader themes of mid-century design, art and innovation. The Conservancy’s staff, Board of Directors, and advisors work in tandem with volunteers from across the nation and around the world to ensure that the story of the fastest ocean liner ever to cross the Atlantic endures and inspires for generations to come.

HOW CAN I HELP SAVE THE SS UNITED STATES?

If you would like to become a member of the SS United States Conservancy or support our efforts, please visit www.ssusc.org/donate.

HOW DO MY CONTRIBUTIONS HELP?

By becoming a member of the SS United States Conservancy, you help continue our efforts to ensure that the SS United States inspires and endures for generations to come. Your donations help us expand our curatorial collection and planning for a future museum that celebrates the legacy of America’s Flagship. Donations to the Conservancy also support our educational and outreach programs that inform the public, policymakers, and the media about the SS United States’ history, and help us launch exciting exhibitions and displays honoring and exploring the SS United States.

HOW CAN MY COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION HELP SAVE THE SS UNITED STATES?

Becoming a Corporate Sponsor of the SS United States Conservancy provides your company or organization with a unique opportunity to help champion the global effort to tell the story of the SS United States. Sponsor benefits include national media exposure, naming rights opportunities, and appreciation events. The cause of America’s Flagship reaches a wide range of audiences in a growing global community of supporters. Show them you care about saving our history and become a sponsor today. If you have any questions about our Corporate Sponsorship Program or would like to receive copies of our Corporate Sponsorship materials, please contact us at info@ssusc.org or call (888) 488-7787. You can also download our Corporate Sponsorship brochure here.

IS MY CONTRIBUTION TAX DEDUCTIBLE?

Yes! As a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all contributions to save America’s Flagship are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

HOW DOES THE CONSERVANCY SPEND THE FUNDS IT HAS RAISED?

Historically, as owners of America’s Flagship for over a decade, the Conservancy spent approximately 81 cents out of every dollar raised on direct costs related to the SS United States’ upkeep, including dockage, insurance, security, vessel maintenance, and caretaking expenses.

The Conservancy’s overhead is very low, and the organization carries out its work with a very small team of part-time staff members and consultants, supported by a large network of volunteers and pro bono advisors. The Conservancy's most recent IRS 990 form can be viewed here.

ARE THE CONSERVANCY’S BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS COMPENSATED?

No. The Conservancy’s management and board of directors receive no compensation for their work on behalf of the SS United States.

WHAT IS THE CONSERVANCY'S VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE SHIP AND WHAT IS THE STATUS OF REDEVELOPMENT?

While the Conservancy's first priority has long been keeping the ship safely afloat with the ultimate goal is seeing the SS United States brought to life as a stationary, mixed-use destination in a major port, a challenging Court-imposed deadline evicting the ship from her current pier compelled us to suspend our  efforts to advance the vessel’s adaptive reuse as stationary mixed-use development. In October 24, we partnered with Florida’s Okaloosa County to convert the ship as the world’s largest artificial underwater reef as an alternative to scrapping. We are confident that the experienced and committed team in Okaloosa County fully appreciates the historic significance of the SS United States and our longstanding commitment to educating future generations about this unique expression of American technological innovation.”

WHY DID THE CONSERVANCY NEVER PAINT THE SHIP OR ITS FUNNELS WHILE IT MAINTAINED THE SHIP IN PHILADELPHIA?

The Conservancy explored painting the vessel and its iconic funnels over the years but ultimately concluded that it was not possible. First, the project was cost prohibitive. Estimates received for the stripping and painting of the exterior of the ship (which is the size of three city blocks) ranged from $25 million to $40 million. Wrapping the funnels was considerably less expensive, but it was not feasible because it would have required puncturing and damaging the funnels for the wrapping to adhere.

The ship’s location at Pier 82 was also a significant factor. Major work could not be performed on the SS United States because she was berthed at a working cargo pier. Because the vessel could not be painted at Pier 82, she would have needed to be moved to another location, which was not financially feasible.

Third, state and federal environmental regulations would have required the ship to be towed to an appropriate facility (likely a drydock) to ensure that the lead-based paint widely used during the ship’s service career did not contaminate the surrounding waterways during the blasting and stripping of the hull. Encapsulating the ship or its funnels to contain potentially harmful material during remediation may have been technically possible, but it would have been cost prohibitive.

DOES THE CONSERVANCY HAVE A MUSEUM THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?

The Conservancy’s collections are not currently on display for public viewing. However, the SS United States Conservancy has begun planning and preparations for a future museum and visitor center that would feature one-of-a-kind artwork and artifacts from the vessel, interpretive displays, and augmented and virtual reality experience to allow visitors from around the world the ability to experience and appreciate the ship’s extraordinary history. The Conservancy continues to expand its permanent collection of SS United States artifacts, historical documents, artwork, and ship fixtures. For more information, click here.

DOES THE CONSERVANCY OFFER EDUCATIONAL AND CURATORIAL PROGRAMS?

The SS United States Conservancy remains deeply committed to honoring the legacy of the SS United States through curatorial and educational programs. Since its founding, the Conservancy has developed and mounted major temporary exhibitions at the Forbes Galleries in New York City and the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia. The Conservancy has also partnered with the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, to develop an exhibition featuring the SS United States artwork of renowned author-illustrator David Macaulay. We have also advised and supported displays at other institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of American History and the Peabody Essex Museum. We also produce regular digital exhibitions that explore the ship's cultural and historical significance. Our last two exhibitions were “Advertising the United States: Discovering America's Flagship Through Prints, Posters and Advertisements”; and “Transatlantic Trailblazers: The Women Behind the Art and Engineering of the SS United States”. In 2025 we will launch our new exhibition, “Food Tastes Better at Sea: Dining Aboard the SS United States.”

The Conservancy also maintains the world’s largest collection of SS United States documents, images, artifacts, and other historical materials. We have also conducted an exhaustive preservation inventory of the fixtures and shipboard components remaining aboard the vessel.

WHAT IS THE SS UNITED STATES CENTER FOR DESIGN & DISCOVERY?

In tandem with the SS United States’ redevelopment as the world’s largest artificial reef, the Conservancy is planning an exciting land-based museum and innovation center as well as the recreation of some of the ship’s most iconic, historically significant features and spaces. The Conservancy’s future SS United States Center for Design and Discovery will explore the SS United States’ emergence as an iconic American achievement and examine broader themes of 20th century post-war society, maritime history, science and technology, and mid-century modern art and design. The Conservancy continues to expand its permanent collection of SS United States artifacts, historical documents, artwork, and ship fixtures. For more information, click here.

DOES THE CONSERVANCY RECEIVE ANY GOVERNMENT FUNDING?

During its ownership of the vessel for over a decade, the Conservancy received no state or federal government financing. As part of the agreement between the Conservancy and Okaloosa County, which will the ship turned into the world’s largest artificial reef, the SS United States Conservancy is receiving financial compensation for the sale of the vessel and, potentially, for its future land-based museum. However, the Conservancy continues to rely upon the generosity of private citizens from across the nation and around the world to preserve the legacy this unrivaled design and engineering achievement.

WHY DID THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY PARTNER WITH FLORIDA’S OKALOOSA COUNTY TO CONVERT AMERICA’S FLAGSHIP INTO THE WORLD’S LARGEST ARTIFICIAL REEF?

The conflict with the operators of Pier 82 drastically impacted the Conservancy’s plans for the ship’s long-term future. Because of the court proceeding, we had a very limited time to find a new home for the SS United States. Despite intensive outreach to private pier owners, government agencies, elected officials, and public authorities at the local, state and federal levels - an effort that began well before Penn Warehousing sued the Conservancy in early 2022 - no suitable and available location was secured within the mandated schedule. While we have vetted various entities with proposals to purchase and relocate the ship, none satisfied our minimum due diligence or proved viable within our current timetable and logistical constraints.

Unable to save the SS United States in her current state and under a binding court order, we faced the painful but unavoidable choice between scrapping America’s Flagship or converting her into an artificial reef in tandem with a land-based museum. We chose the latter as the most dignified path. As part of the settlement that resulted from a court-ordered mediation, the SS United States Conservancy agreed to the sale of America’s Flagship to Okaloosa County, Florida, who in turn is facilitating her removal from the pier to comply with the Judge’s order. While this is not the outcome we originally envisioned, the ship will have a future. This next chapter of the SS United States’ story will bring tens of thousands of people annually from around the world to experience her.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FLORIDA’S OKALOOSA COUNTYAND THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY?

On October 1, 2024, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners approved a contingent contract to acquire the SS United States that could see the historic ocean liner converted into the world’s largest artificial reef.  The deal stipulated that the Conservancy will be compensated for the vessel, as well as receive a seed grant to help construct an innovative land-based museum and immersive experience that would visitor from around the world to explore the legacy of America’s Flagship.

On Saturday, October 12, 2024, leadership from the SS United States Conservancy's Board of Directors and officials from Okaloosa County, Florida, joined by members of the Conservancy's preservation team, gathered aboard the historic ocean liner to inaugurate a new era for America's Flagship with a contract signing ceremony.

While the timing of the process is subject to various factors, , it is anticipated that the SS United States will be towed from Philadelphia to Norfolk, Virginia, in Fall 2024 for reefing preparations and removal of artifacts for the Conservancy’s future museum. We will keep our supporters closely informed as to the timing of the ship’s relocation and offer guidance on prime viewing locations.

WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF ARTIFICIAL REEFS?

Once deployed off Destin-Fort Walton Beach, at nearly 1,000-feet long, the SS United States will become the world’s largest artificial reef and a home for a diverse range of marine life and attract divers and anglers from around the world. The purchase of the SS United States will continue the growth of Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s robust artificial reef program, the most active, and one of the largest vessel artificial reef collections in the United States.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, for every dollar spent on artificial reefs in the Florida Panhandle, the conservative overall economic benefit of the artificial reef system over its life span is $138, a 13,800% return on investment. This includes job creation in the construction and maintenance of reefs and increased economic activity in related sectors such as retail.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR THE SS UNITED STATES TO COMPLETE PREPARATIONS FOR BEING DEPLOYED AS AN ARTIFICIAL REEF?

The announced agreement between the SS United States Conservancy and Florida’s Okaloosa County marks the start of a lengthy process that will include the cleaning and preparation of the ship. It is expected to take more than a year to complete the necessary environmental remediation of the historic ocean liner and an additional six months to a year to arrange the deployment of the vessel.

WHERE WILL THE SS UNITED STATES BE DEPLOYED AS AN ARTIFICIAL REEF?

The exact deployment location offshore Florida’s Destin-Fort Walton Beach has not been determined and will ultimately be guided by Okaloosa County Natural Resources Division’s multi-year artificial reef plan, which is geared toward establishing Destin-Fort Walton Beach as the dive capital of the state of Florida and artificial reef capital of the United States. However, it is projected that the SS United States will be deployed at a depth that will be widely accessible, providing ample opportunities for divers of all skill levels.

CAN THE PUBLIC ACCESS THE SS UNITED STATES AS THE SHIP IS BEING PREPARED FOR DEPLOYMENT AS AN ARTIFICIAL REEF?

As Okaloosa County advances on the environmental remediation work associated with the SS United States’ redevelopment as the world’s largest artificial reef, public access to the vessel will be extremely limited. The Conservancy continue to have limited access to America’s Flagship for the purposes of securing historically significant items that may be included in a future land-based museum. Conservancy staff, along with a skilled team of advisors, have identified key elements from the vessel that would be integral to any future museum space and the items will be appropriately and professionally removed from the vessel and accessioned into the Conservancy’s existing curatorial collection.

LEGAL DISPUTE BETWEEN THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY AND PENN WAREHOUSING

In 2011 the Conservancy and Penn Warehousing executed a “Berthing Services Agreement” for docking the SS United States at Pier 82 in South Philadelphia. Drafted by Penn Warehousing, the agreement had no end date or provisions for rent escalation. In 2021, without warning and outside the terms of the agreement, Penn Warehousing doubled the monthly rent it was charging the Conservancy. The Conservancy continued paying the mutually agreed-upon rent amount. In 2022, Penn Warehousing sued the Conservancy to attempt to collect the arbitrarily increased rent and evict the ship from her berth.

Following a bench trial in US District Court in Philadelphia in early 2024, the judge issued a verdict on June 14, 2024. The Court found the Conservancy was not liable for the arbitrarily increased rent, stating, “[Penn Warehousing’s] unilateral demand for increased dockage fees beginning in August 2021, with 14 days’ notice, finds no support in the Berthing Agreement or contract law. The Conservancy never agreed to pay more than the rate specified in the 2011 written agreement. There is no basis to order the Conservancy to pay more than it bargained for. The Conservancy’s failure to pay at the daily rate of $1,700 does not amount to a breach of the Berthing Agreement or entitle PWD to any damages.”

The order continued, “Pennsylvania state courts have recognized the ‘general rule’ that ‘when a contract provides that one party shall render service to another … but does not specify a definite time or prescribe conditions which determine the duration of the relation, the contract may be terminated by either party at will.’” Consequently, the Court deemed the Berthing Agreement terminated as of September 12, 2024 and ordered the ship to be removed from her pier by that date.

What day — and at what time — is the ship leaving Philadelphia?

The specific day is still undetermined, however it will likely be before the end of November, depending upon completion of the regulatory approvals currently in progress. The SS United States’ departure will be in two stages. She will first be pulled away from her berth at Pier 82 at high tide and positioned alongside Pier 80, the adjacent pier directly to the north. There she will await a subsequent low tide to allow her safe passage under the Walt Whitman Bridge about a mile south of the piers.

Although it would be ideal for observers if both stages of her move took place in daylight, the tides (and other factors like bridge closure) will dictate the precise timing. The ship may be shifted between piers in the daytime hours, for example, but towed under the bridge after dark. Okaloosa County and the Conservancy will share dates and timing as soon as they are determined.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO RELOCATE THE SHIP, AND WHAT ARE THE COSTS?

Because of the contract between the SS United States Conservancy and Okaloosa County has been signed, moving the ship will become the responsibility of Okaloosa County. Moving the ship even a short distance requires extensive due diligence, assessments, preparations, approvals and other factors.  

WHERE IS THE BEST VIEWING POINT NEAR THE PIER AND ALONG THE TOWING ROUTE?

Piers 82 and 80 are both within an area secured by the Transportation Security Administration (part of the Department of Homeland Security), and the area is also a Foreign-Trade Zone. As such, the piers are not open to the public. The best view of both piers is from the New Jersey side of the Delaware River at waterfront public parks such as Phoenix Park at 227 Jefferson Street in Camden.

There are several potential vantage points along the Delaware River south of the Walt Whitman Bridge. Among others, they include Fort Mifflin (6400 Hog Island Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19153), Red Bank Battlefield (100 Hessian Ave, National Park, NJ 08063), Fort Nassau (110 New Jersey Rd, Brooklawn, NJ 08030), Freedom Pier (101 S King St, Gloucester City, NJ 08030), and the RiverWinds Complex (1000 RiverWinds Drive, West Deptford, NJ 08086).

Other viewing points along the ship’s coastal path to Mobile, Alabama will be announced. The Big U’s passage will be relatively close to the shore to avoid ocean currents that could slow the tow and burn excessive fuel. Through an onboard tracking device, Okaloosa County will continuously report on the ship’s progress down the east coast, around the tip of Florida, and northward to the panhandle and the shipyard destination in Mobile.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY’S CURATORIAL COLLECTION AND PLANNED MUSEUM?

The Conservancy has acquired an extensive collection of artwork and artifacts from the SS United States that heralds the extraordinary and innovative craftsmanship that made the United States a singular achievement. We are continually expanding this collection of art, artifacts, and archival documentation. Portions of the collection will likely featured in the Conservancy’s future SS United States Center for Design and Discovery, which will explore the SS United States’ emergence as an iconic American achievement and examine broader themes of 20th century post-war society, maritime history, science and technology, and mid-century modern art and design.

DID THE CONSERVANCY EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE TEMPORARY BERTHS FOR THE SS UNITED STATES?

The SS United States Conservancy’s Board of Directors conducted an extensive search, assisted by Advisory Board members and other maritime experts to determine a pier that was suitable and available for the SS United States.  Beginning well before the court's ruling, the Conservancy was actively engaging in outreach to both public and private entities in an urgent search for a new temporary or permanent location for the SS United States. Because the ship is the largest passenger vessel built in her namesake nation at nearly 1000 feet long and a present draft of up to 28 feet, the number of piers large enough to accommodate her were extremely limited. Nor was it possible to temporarily moor her at sea because she is lacking key equipment, and such a plan would not be permitted by the Coast Guard. 

After months of outreach to the highest levels, the U.S. Navy responded definitively that it had no available piers due to an extreme shortage for existing vessels, made worse by deteriorating facilities that reduce the number even further. CLICK HERE to see a summary of all the cities where the Conservancy has conducted outreach listed in alphabetical order.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO HELP?

We encourage you to become a member of the SS United States Conservancy. As a national nonprofit organization, your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law. By supporting our preservation and educational efforts, you will join thousands of fellow supporters worldwide to honor the legacy of America’s Flagship. Donations are welcome — please click here.

OVERVIEW

In November 2023 the Conservancy announced an exciting plan developed in conjunction with two prominent New York firms, RXR and MCR Hotels. The detailed plan would repurpose the SS United States as a unique, mixed-use destination, including a 1,000 key hotel, numerous food and beverage destinations, multiple event venues, acres of public green space, and a world-class museum. RXR and MCR developed full schematic design drawings, extensive engineering and construction feasibility diligence in consultation with U.S. shipyards, a financial analysis to demonstrate the project’s commercial viability, and an assessment of the permitting and regulatory requirements to advance the redevelopment program. The project diligence team included Gibbs & Cox, the vessel’s original design firm, Perkins Eastman and HLW architects, and local land use and regulatory counsel.

WHY DID THE CONSERVANCY PARTNER WITH RXR REALTY AND MCR HOTELS ON THIS PROJECT?

The Conservancy met with dozens of prospective developers and partners during its more than decade-long effort to redevelop the nation’s flagship. We engaged in detailed planning and consultations with a number of ventures. RXR and MCR presented the most concrete expertise, track record, and the financial ability to support a project of the size and complexity associated with redeveloping the SS United States as a waterfront development. Their leadership also understood the patriotic responsibility associated with protecting America’s Flagship.

WHAT EXACTLY NEEDED TO HAPPEN FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT TO MOVE FORWARD?

Ultimately, we were unable to secure a pier to serve as the permanent home for the SS United States, despite intense grassroots lobbying and government relations work in New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and other states along the eastern seaboard. While we had clear and convincing evidence that the ship could be a powerful economic development engine for a home city, we were unable to convince political leaders to have the courage to support our cause. Because we could not advance without expect investors who could allocate additional resources to this project, and because we could not secure a permanent location, the ship’s redevelopment could not advance.

WHY DID RXR/MCR USE NEW YORK CITY’S HUDSON RIVER FOR CONCEPT ART?

For experienced New York-based developers RXR and MCR, conceptualizing the United States at Pier 76 on the west side of Manhattan was a natural way to address many factors found in other potential home ports, including New York, and confirm commercial viability. Supporters from around the globe also noted the proximity to the Big U’s original home Pier 86, which is only a few blocks north. One of the SS United States’ propellors is in fact displayed at the Pier 76 entrance.

HOW MUCH MONEY DID RXR AND MCR INVEST IN THE PROJECT?

The two firms spent over $6 million in the due-diligence process of the project.

WHAT WAS THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE PROJECT?

The plan developed by RXR and MCR would have redeveloped the SS United States and the adjacent pier as a private sector funded project and minimal public funding. The ship’s complete redevelopment was projected around $450 million, excluding the cost of the pier infrastructure which would have varied depending upon the location. The SS United States’ complete redevelopment would have created 550,000 square feet of internal space, as well as exterior spaces and a pier-side activation.

WERE MULTIPLE CITIES AND LOCATIONS CONSIDERATED AS A HOME PORT FOR THE SS UNITED STATES? IF SO, WHAT WERE THEY?

RXR explored the feasibility of Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Seattle, and New York as host cities for the vessel. Ultimately, no political leaders in any of these states or cities had the courage to step up and support the transformational project RXR was proposing.

WHY NOT SIMPLY HAVE GIVEN THE SHIP A FACELIFT AND DEVELOPED IT AS A TOURIST ATTRACTION SOMEWHERE?

She would still have needed a home. Even giving the ship a facelift and paint job would have cost between $25 and $40 million. Additionally, Penn Warehousing aggressive efforts to compel the ship to leave her berth in Philadelphia and the Court-imposed eviction limited the timeframe available to pursue redevelopment partners and host cities.