US District Court Rejects Penn Warehousing’s Claim for Massive Rent Increase, But Sets Up Race Against Time for the SS United States
PHILADELPHIA, PA —US District Court Senior Judge Anita Brody ruled today that the SS United States’ landlord, Penn Warehousing, could not double dockage fees without notice in its effort to force “America’s Flagship” from Pier 82 in Philadelphia. However, the Court also directed the irreplaceable national symbol to vacate the premises by September 12, 2024.
The ruling, while a partial victory for the nonprofit organization that owns America’s Flagship, sets up a race against time for the SS United States Conservancy to save the nation’s sole remaining historic ocean liner. A unique engineering marvel, the SS United States is the fastest ship ever to cross the Atlantic Ocean and an enduring expression of mid-century design and technological innovation.
“While the Conservancy was vindicated in not being compelled to pay a large sum of back rent to the SS United States’ pier operator, the ruling makes clear this iconic American symbol is in peril,” said Conservancy President Susan Gibbs, the granddaughter of the ship’s famed designer, William Francis Gibbs.
“The judge’s decision gives us a very limited window to find a new home for the SS United States and raise the resources necessary to move the ship and keep her safe. We must do both to avoid the tragic fate that countless supporters from around the world have worked for over a decade to prevent,” said Gibbs.
As a result of the ruling, the organization will be launching an urgent campaign to help save America’s Flagship and celebrate her historic legacy. Supporters can donate to the campaign at SSUSC.org.
When the SS United States has faced imminent danger before, supporters from across the country and around the world have always stepped up to save her from destruction.
“Relocating a ship the size of the SS United States is complex and costly. It requires funds for insurance, tugs, surveys, and dock preparations to ensure the ship’s safe passage to a new home,” Gibbs said.
The Conservancy has been actively exploring potential pier locations in the Philadelphia area and along the East Coast able to accommodate the nearly 1000-foot-long ocean liner. The Conservancy has also been engaging in targeted outreach to federal and state officials who could help with that effort.
Despite the challenges posed by the pier dispute, in November 2023, the Conservancy unveiled a full redevelopment plan produced by RXR and MCR Hotels, demonstrating the SS United States’ commercial viability as a privately funded, mixed-use destination and museum. The ship’s redevelopment would create thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars in annual tax revenue. Renderings of the ship’s potential transformation and economic activation can be found HERE. The redevelopment plan can be adapted to any suitable home port city, but it cannot advance until a permanent home for the ship is secured.
Since acquiring the SS United States in 2011, the Conservancy has also been educating the public about the ship’s historical importance and advancing its curatorial mission through exhibitions, events, and the care of a major museum collection of original furniture, artwork, ephemera, archival documentation, and historic components from the ship.
“As we approach our nation’s 250th birthday, the loss of this American masterpiece could be viewed at home and abroad as a tragic metaphor. A unique historic achievement that bears the name of our great nation should not be at grave risk of destruction. While the Conservancy is responsibly preparing for all possible scenarios, we have great faith that our global community of supporters will help us meet this latest challenge. We must all come together to save this symbol of American pride and innovation,” Gibbs added.
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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 the nation’s sole-surviving historic ocean liner. 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. For more information about the SS United States Conservancy and America's Flagship, visit ssusc.org or the Conservancy's Facebook page.