National nonprofit has built a global community around saving America’s Flagship
(NEW YORK, NY) – Seventy years after her historic maiden voyage departed from New York City, supporters of America’s Flagship – the SS United States – returned to Manhattan’s waterfront for a special presentation from one of the iconic vessel’s most generous supporters.
Veteran cruise industry executive Jim Pollin joined Conservancy President Susan Gibbs and dozens of the ship’s supporters for a special ceremony in front of the SS United States’ propeller at Pier 76 on Saturday. During the event, Pollin announced a donation of $200,000 to the national nonprofit organization working to save and repurpose the fastest ocean liner to ever cross the Atlantic.
“Over the past decade, Jim Pollin’s generosity has been critical to the cause of saving America’s Flagship, and this contribution re-affirms his dedication to ensuring we can preserve this great symbol of our nation,” said Conservancy President Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the ship’s designer William Francis Gibbs. “Like America’s Flagship, Jim’s passion is inspiring. Seventy years after making history, this great ship touches so many hearts and moves people to action all around the world. Together, with supporters like Jim, we will ensure this ship has a future as bright as her past.”
“We are tremendously grateful for Jim’s continued generosity. The pandemic has challenged so many of us, and this gift comes at an important moment for our mission. While our redevelopment partner continues to explore options for the ship’s rebirth, we will continue to do all we can to keep the ship safely afloat, advance plans for a world-class museum, and highlight the extraordinary innovation made the SS United States a singular American achievement,” Gibbs continued.
“We are very lucky that the SS United States is still afloat and has not been scrapped like so many other historic vessels. She has survived for 70 years for a reason. She is a stellar example of American craftsmanship. Now let’s bring her back to life for new generations to experience. Saving America's Flagship is a patriotic project that can make us all proud,” said Jim Pollin, founder of The Pollin Group.
The presentation followed a sightseeing cruise of New York Harbor that helped supporters of America’s Flagship kick-off a special, 70th Anniversary Cruise aboard the Norwegian Breakaway that was organized by the Pollin Group. The trip will feature a special slate of activities for Conservancy supporters, surrounding the historical significance of America’s Flagship, and the work being done by the Conservancy.
Since taking title to the SS United States more than a decade ago, the national nonprofit organization has raised resources to keep the ship safely afloat and explored a range of possibilities for her redevelopment as a dynamic mixed-use destination. The organization has grown a global community of supporters from every state in the nation and more than 40 countries to help protect the fastest ocean liner in history and the largest built in the United States.
The SS United States embarked on her maiden voyage from New York Harbor on July 3, 1952, breaking the transatlantic speed record on both her eastbound and westbound maiden crossings – records that still hold to this day. Widely known as America’s Flagship, she operated primarily along a transatlantic route, between New York and Europe for much of her service career, playing host to hundreds of celebrities – stars of stage and screen, heads of state, authors, artists and musicians – along with business leaders, military personnel, tourists, students, and immigrants.
United States Lines withdrew the ship from service in 1969, and she passed through a series of owners including Norwegian Cruise Line, before being purchased by the SS United States Conservancy in 2011. In December of 2019, the Conservancy entered into an option agreement with a prominent commercial real estate development firm, RXR Realty, which has been exploring options for the SS United States’ revitalization and a permanent home.
As part of the 70th anniversary of the vessel’s maiden voyage, the Conservancy has developed a series of recordings with former passengers and crew, including Paul Krinsky, one of the junior officers who was on duty when the ship broke the transatlantic speed record on its first crossing, and the `daughter of Hildreth Meière, a prominent artist whose work was commissioned for the ship’s mid-century modern decor. The Conservancy has also developed a digital exhibition that explores the role of women in the art, design, and engineering of the SS United States.
ABOUT THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY
A national nonprofit organization, the SS United States Conservancy leads the global effort to save and repurpose America’s Flagship, the SS United States. The Conservancy raises public awareness and financial resources for the maintenance, restoration and ultimate reuse of this iconic vessel and works to ensure that the fastest ocean liner ever to cross the Atlantic remains an inspiration for generations to come. For more information about the SS United States Conservancy and America's Flagship, visit www.ssusc.org or the Conservancy's Facebook page.
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