SS United States is Saved! SS United States Conservancy announces purchase of the nation's flagship

In a long-anticipated milestone in the effort to save and redevelop the legendary ocean liner SS United States, the SS United States Conservancy has announced that it will purchase the nation's historic "ship of state." Full details on this major development will be disclosed at a press briefing scheduled for Tuesday, February 1, at 3 p.m., EST at IKEA South Philadelphia, across Columbus Boulevard from the liner.



"We are one big step closer to ensuring that this great symbol of American innovation is permanently preserved," said Susan Gibbs, the Conservancy's board president, whose grandfather, William Francis Gibbs, designed the legendary liner. "Now that we have secured title, we will accelerate our efforts to redevelop the nation's flagship as a multi-purpose waterfront destination with dynamic hotel, retail, educational and museum offerings. To succeed, we will tap into the same "can-do" spirit and ingenuity that the ship has embodied since her first splash in 1952."

In July 2010, the Conservancy announced a pledge of $5.8 million by Philadelphia philanthropist H. F. "Gerry" Lenfest to purchase and maintain the vessel for 20 months. Owners Norwegian Cruise Line/Genting Hong Kong entered an exclusive purchase option with the Conservancy last year, graciously declining a bid twice as high from a vessel scrapper, in order to support the Conservancy's efforts. The Conservancy is deeply grateful to both Gerry Lenfest and NCL/Genting for their support.



Lenfest underscored the importance of the ship by stating, "She is worth keeping. This ship is an iconic part of American maritime history and if there's any chance at all that she can be saved, we should take that chance." Lenfest is a retired Navy Reserve captain and major maritime enthusiast whose father, a naval architect, designed components of the SS United States. He has been a visionary in his support for the ship.



"This is the first time in the history of the SS United States that a group concerned primarily with the vessel's historical significance and preservation has owned her," said Dan McSweeney, the Conservancy's executive director. "We can't truly say she's saved yet - that will happen when we establish a successful partnership to redevelop the ship - but we can say that we're generating the right momentum to be able to achieve that goal. Thus far, New York, Philadelphia, and Miami have expressed an interest in the vessel. The total cost could be a couple of hundred million dollars but that's comparable to land-based development on a similar scale. We're completely committed to accomplishing this and there's no question that we'll succeed."



The vessel was launched in 1952 and is widely considered the greatest ocean liner ever built. Four U.S. presidents (Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Clinton) and countless foreign heads of state, business, military, and diplomatic leaders, Hollywood celebrities, and everyday Americans traveled aboard her during 400 mishap-free voyages. Thousands of immigrants to America sailed aboard the vessel, which served in the Navy Reserve Fleet as a convertible troop ship and Cold War weapon able to carry an army division 10,000 miles without refueling.



"We're in a race against time," said Gibbs. "The Conservancy has just launched a $1 million fundraising campaign, and we've been encouraged by the enthusiastic response to date from around the nation, and indeed the world. These funds will provide crucial support for our historic preservation activities as well as help us address certain environmental remediation issues. The good news is that many of the original materials used in the ship's construction have already been removed."



The Conservancy thanks Francis X. Nolan, III, a New York based partner in the Global Transportation Finance Practice at the law firm of Vedder Price P.C., and Christopher L. Bell, a Washington, D.C. based partner in the Global Environmental Practice of the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP, without whom this transaction would not have happened. Frank was central to the successful negotiation of the complicated contracts and other documents necessary to our success. Chris led the effort on the environmental side, including complex discussions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and working closely with our technical consultants. This work was all done pro bono, and we thank Frank and Chris, and their firms, for their hard work and significant contributions to this effort.

This is Breaking news here LIVE from New York City ,
we will be having our continuing coverage of this remarkable and beautiful news
here on Liveboat USA.

This is Reporter
Byron Huart signing off!

Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth depart Southampton for New York

This is our continuing coverage of the coming Royal Rendezvous festivities next week.

Yesterday Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria departed Southampton on a 7 day  tandem transatlantic crossing to New York where they will arrive to New York next Thursday at around 5:30am-6:00am est where they will be joined by the flagship Queen Mary 2 coming in from one of  her routine winter Caribbean Cruises out of New York.

Web cam shot from QV of the QE in port at her new terminal awaiting departure

Queen Elizabeth & Queen Victoria departing.

 

The 2 ships departed in the evening with a stunning fireworks sendoff ,

 Ms.Patricia Dempsey was there to capture it all with these amazing photographs.

Soon to come , 

video of the QE & QV'S crossing and exclusive coverage of 

the Rendezvous here in New York ,

stay tuned!

(Photographs

Copyright  Patricia Dempsey )

Cunard wins the 122 th edition of the Tournament of Roses Parade! 1/1/2011

Cunard wins the 122 th edition of the Tournament of Roses Parade!

Cunard with its beautiful floral float won the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena , California.

They were awarded The Queen's Trophy for the best use of roses.

From bow to stern, a big party at sea theme "were featured brands & trademarks that are on Cunard ships , including the Grand staircase lobby which was perfectly obvious made entirely with flowers.

Three Queens have taken center stage,
a reference to the youngest fleet at sea and the next Cunard Royal Rendezvous next January 13, 2011 in New York harbor.

This very rare maritime event will be held for only the second time in the history of 170 years of Cunard, Cunard's three ships moored along the port of New York ,
stay tuned for our exclusive coverage of the Royal Rendezvous on Jan 13th where we will be on the center of the festivities.

A Liveboat USA production.

(Photographs courtesy of : Cunard Line)

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SS United States Conservancy: Reception at Christie's, New York in Celebration of Our Nation's Flagship

Christie’s Chairman Emeritus Stephen Lash recently invited supporters of the SS United States to Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza headquarters for a reception to raise awareness of the ship and efforts to redevelop her.  Conservancy benefactor Gerry Lenfest attended, as did a variety of influential New Yorkers, eager to hear about prospects for the ship.

“Ths gathering represents something of a dream I’ve had, which is to bring back the great, old SS United States,” said Lash, who has been an ocean liner afficionado for decades and whose personal collection includes fixtures, furnishings, and memorabilia from a variety of liners including the SS United States.  “My vote is for New York, others may think of Philadelphia…that’s fine, but we look forward to working together.”

Gerry Lenfest echoed the sentiments of many by stating, “She’s a great ship and worth preserving.  We have 20 months [after title transer] to raise the funds to have the ship restored…it will take help from people like you.”

Susan Gibbs, Conservancy Board President, expressed her enthusiasm for the event. “We’re just so delighted to be here.  Thank you on behalf of our entire board.  This is the greatest ship that the nation ever produced…thanks to Gerry we have been able to issue a stay of execution.  We are challenged but absolutely inspired and determined.”

Conservancy Executive Director Dan McSweeney finished the presentation by adding, “We need to introduce all of you and all your friends and colleagues to our efforts…to make sure the ship is saved, whether she ends up in Philly or New York.”


This is continuing coverage of this story ,
as of now where the SS United States will be is a big question.


The Foxwoods Casino project has fell through ,
heres the news.


State Rep. Curt Schroder commended the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board's decision to revoke the casino license of Foxwoods for its proposed Delaware River waterfront casino in Philadelphia.

Schroder, who serves as chairman of the Gaming Oversight Committee, said he will also introduce legislation to put the license out to bid statewide when the new session of the General Assembly begins in January.

The gaming board made a 6-1 decision Thursday to revoke the license after the plan has struggled for four years to get the proper financial backing to begin construction.

"Foxwoods had more than ample time to get its financing in order," said Schroder, R-155th of East Brandywine. "I commend the state Gaming Control Board for its decisive action in this case. After four years of delays and restructuring, it was apparent that Foxwoods did not have financing in place to establish a casino and generate revenue for the Commonwealth."

Schroder said the license that was revoked currently has to stay in Philadelphia and will be sold at a cost of $50 million. But he said he wants to open up the process to a bid and allow the license to be moved outside of Philadelphia.

"Many of us have thought that you should put these licenses out to bid," Schroder said. "It's a bargain-basement price at $50 million."

Schroder said the bidding would start at $50 million and could go up from there. The existing bidding process for licenses does not involve a price war.

Schroder said the revenues from a slot-machine license would go into the property tax relief fund and could help Pennsylvania homeowners "to some extent" while the table-game revenues would go into the state's general fund. Schroder said it would help the state's economy, but he said he is unsure exactly what impact it would have.

Schroder said moving the casino out of Philadelphia, and perhaps the surrounding area, would not likely impact the local economy very much.

And he said the economy of his district, which is entirely in Chester County, would not be greatly affected if the casino moved across the state. 


The Philadelphia area may be "saturated" with casinos already, Schroder said, and may not need a second casino in the city.

SugarHouse Casino recently opened in the city, and nearby casinos in Bethlehem, Bensalem and Chester are also up and running.



The investors behind the Foxwoods project have been struggling for four years to launch a casino in South Philadelphia on Columbus Boulevard between Tasker and Reed Streets. After winning one of the city's casino licenses in December 2006, the PEDP group faced intense political and neighborhood opposition.
Mayor Nutter came into office in 2008, vowing to stop both of the city's planned casinos, arguing that it was bad use of waterfront property. At the same time, the collapse of the economy took a toll on the Mashantucket Pequot tribe of Connecticut, which was supposed to open and operate the Foxwoods Casino in Philadelphia.
With the support of Gov. Rendell, PEDP tried to placate political opponents in Philadelphia by moving its project to Center City, at first exploring The Gallery at Market East mall before settling on the old Strawbridge & Clothier department store.
But the gaming board ordered the partners to move the project back to its original waterfront location. With the Mashantucket Pequot tribe unable to bring the project together, local investors reached out to Las Vegas casino operator Steve Wynn, who reached an agreement last March to open a Wynn casino in Philadelphia. Wynn, however, abruptly dropped out of that deal last April, giving no public reason.
Facing a deadline on its license, PEDP had to scramble to find a replacement. Many in the gaming industry viewed Harrah's Entertainment as a logical choice. The Las Vegas company operates more casinos than any other business, including a facility in Chester, 15 miles south of Philadelphia. Under Pennsylvania law, Harrah's cannot own more than 33 percent of a second casino.



This is a dark hour as the Foxwoods Casino project was a beautiful proposal to revitalize the SS United States , in the nations struggling economic recession the Foxwoods casino along with another casino project in Atlantic city , The Revel Casino project that has been delayed.


What the next option for the SS United States Conservancy will be lies in the balance as
the organization works to see a viable future for America's last ocean liner.

30 Passengers Injured on Brilliance of the Seas Mediterranean Cruise

(WTNH) - A Connecticut couple is making the best of their honeymoon on a cruise ship damaged by rough weather in the Mediterranean Sea.
Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas ran into rough seas in the Mediterranean over the weekend, which caused the ship to list 15 degrees several times. The ship was on its way to Egypt but had to be rerouted to Malta because of storms in the area.
The ship is carrying 2,500 passengers including Jimmy and Justine Lovelace from North Branford.  Justine said they are not nervous now, but they were during the initial hours late Saturday night.
"It was a little scary on Saturday because the boat was rocking down and rocking back up, but you never knew how deep it was going to go," Justine said. "And then that Saturday night is when the boat almost went on its side."
Justine Lovelace said both her and her husband have never been in that much fear. "I've never seen that look on my husband's face and I don't think he's ever seen that look on my face before," said Justine.
Jimmy Lovelace said he watched his wife get thrown around by the rocking of the ship. "It threw us both up into the air and she went flying across the room, I went the other way. Then the boat kinda went back and we went back the other way."

The cruise line says there was cosmetic damage like broken glass and furniture knocked over. Some people suffered minor injuries such as bumps and bruises and were treated on board.
Justine said the captain made an announcement right after the ship almost went down and the crew was very helpful.  "Staff came out and knock on everyone's door and check on everybody," Justine said. "They were really very gracious about everything, but they were just as afraid as we were."
Lovelace said the ship never made it to port in Egypt. Instead they were cruising somewhere between Greece and the North African coast.
"We're not nervous now, but on Saturday night we looked at each other and said we might have to ditch this boat," she said, and laughed.
"This is not what we imagined," said Justine.  "We're very thankful to be alive."

Video:



More news to come.

This is a continuing story ,
signing off.