Conservancy that oversees SS United States seeks $500K to help relocate historic ship

By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI
Associated Press

The conservancy that oversees the SS United States has launched an urgent $500,000 fundraising campaign to help cover relocation expenses for the historic ship amid its uncertain future. A federal judge ruled earlier this month that the 1,000-foot ocean liner, which still holds the transatlantic speed record it set more than 70 years ago, must leave its berth on the Delaware River in Philadelphia by Sept. 12. That culminated a years-old rent dispute between the conservancy and its landlord. Besides finding a new home, the conservancy also must obtain funds for insurance, tugs, surveys and dock preparations for moving the ship, which is incapable of self-propulsion.