DECK LOG American Icons in Philadelphia at Risk SS United States gets 11th-hour reprieve
Hundreds of people gathered on Pier 82 in Philadelphia on July 1" for the National Flagship Celebration for the historic ocean liner SS United States. H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest, a Philadelphia philanthropist, whose naval architect father designed the ship's watertight doors, SS United States in Philmlelphia recently pledged $5.8 million to the SS United States Conservancy (SSUSC) . The ship's current owner, Norwegian Cruise Lines, has agreed to sell the ship for $3 million to this non-profit organization dedicated to providin g her a dignified future. The liner was in imminent danger of being sold for scrap. Built during the Cold War, she was partially funded by the US government so she could be used for troop transport. She was designed to be able to transit the Panama Canal and carry 15,000 troops more than 10,000 miles without refueling. Ar the same rime, she was also a luxury passenger liner, viewed as the go ld standard in rransArlanric travel. On her maiden voyage she proved to be the fastest ocean liner in the world, a record that has never been beaten. Susan Gibbs, president of the SSUSC and granddaughter of the ship's designer, William F. Gibbs, describes the ship as an important symbol of the United States at its best. With her elegant lines, luxurious features, engineering accomplishments and massive twin funnels, this ship is indeed an American icon. She has languished in Philadelphia since 1996 and now looks for a reprieve. SSUSC executive director Dan McSweeney revealed that their purchase option with NCL will expire in February 201 1, and, if a ride transfer occurs by then, they will have 20 months in which to begin the process of redevelopment. This generous donation brings great hope to the ship bur it is just the beginning of a new chapter char will demand increased dedication and support. And w hat's this I hear about USS Olympia?
Also in Philadelphia the great USS Olympia, Queen of the Pacific, once again faces an uncertain fate. The Independence Seaport Museum, unable to raise the $ 10- $30 million needed for a necessary restoration, has put in a request to the navy char they repossess her. The world's oldest floating steel warship and the sole surviving naval ship of the Spanish American War, Olympia served as Admiral Dewey's flagship at the Barrie of Manila Bay, which marked the emergence of the United States as a world power. Olympia fired the first shots when Admi ral George Dewey uttered those immortal words to Captain C harles Vernon Gridley, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley." In 192 1 Olympia brought America's Unknown Soldier home from Le Havre, France, to the Washington Navy Yard.
Look for updates on both ships in upcoming issues of Sea History. For those who are actively involved in saving our maritime treasures, through giving of time, talent or financial support, we salute yo u! -Burchenal Green, President 4
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NATIONALMARITIME HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PUBLISH ER'S C IRC LE: Peter Aro n, W illiam H . White OFFIC ERS & T RUSTEES: Chairman, Ro nald L. O swald; Vice Chairman, Richardo R. Lopes; President, Burchenal G reen; Vice Presidents, D eirdre O 'Rega n, N ancy Schn aa rs; Treasurer, H. C. Bowen Smi th; Secretary, Thomas F. D aly; Trustees, C harl es B. And erson, Walter R. Brown, James Ca rter, D avid S. Fowler, Virginia Steele Grubb, Karen Helmerson, Steven W. Jon es, Robert Kamm , Richard M . Larrabee, G uy E. C. M aitland, John R. McDonald Jr. , James J. McN am ara , Wi lliam Pinkney, Richard Scarano , Philip J. Sh apiro, Peter H. Sharp , Howa rd Slotnick, Bradford D . Smith, Cesare Sario, Philip J. Webster, D aniel W W halen, Wi lliam H. W hite; Chairmen Emeriti, Walter R. Brown, Alan G . C hoa te, G uy E. C. M aitland, Craig A. C. Reynolds, Howard Slotnick; President Emeritus, Peter Sranford FOU N D ER: Karl Kortum (191 7-1996) OVE RSEERS: Chairman, RADM David C. Brown; C li ve C ussler, Richard du Moulin, Alan D. Hutchi son , Jakob Isbrandtsen, Gary Jobson , Sir Robin Knox-Jo hnston, John Lehman, Brian A. McAllister, John Stobart, W illiam G. Winterer N MHS ADVI SORS: Chairman, Melbourne Smith ; D. K. Abbass, George Bass, O swald L. Bren, RADM Joseph F. Ca.Ila, Francis ]. Duffy, John S. Ewald, Timothy Foote, Wi lliam G ilkerso n, Thomas G illmer, Steven A. H yman , J. Russell Jinishian, Hajo Knunel , G unn ar Lundeberg, Joseph A. Maggio, Conrad Milster, W illiam G . Muller, Stuart Parnes, Lori Dillard Rech, N ancy Hughes Richardson , Bert Rogers, Joyce Huber Smith
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SEA HI STORY l 32AUTUMN 2010