"Big U" Update

[Philly Steve]

Just a reminder about tonight's (6/15) 60th Anniversary celebration for the SS United States at the Independence Seaport Museum at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia.

 

The SS United States Conservancy will announce a new and ambitious public awareness/fund raising campaign.

[DevCruise]

So many people are willing to moan endlessly about the demise of this American icon, but not willing to put up the money to save her. That seems to be the way in America today.

They should have scrapped her years ago.

 

The problem is it is going to take a lot of people with big money to save this ship. Even if I donated my entire annual salary, it wouldn't even be a drop in the bucket. :(

[Philly Steve]

About fifty people turned out for last night's 60th Anniversary celebration for the SS United States in Philadelphia.

 

The event at the Independence Seaport Museum was attended by board members of the SS United States Conservancy who announced a new awareness/fund raising effort to be launched early next month. The announcement was lean on details. A new website is in the works.

 

The board says discussions are underway with parties in NYC, exploring the preservation of the ship as an education/meeting center. There could be some retail connection as well. Again, there were no specifics.

 

The gathering heard from new Big U spokesman and former NFL coach Dick Vermiel who promised to use his business and personal connections to help the ship.

 

A rough cut of a new SS United States documentary was screened. There was a lot of footage from "Lady In Waiting."

 

Afterward, attendees made the 10-minute drive to a parking lot across the street from the ship to watch the lighting of the funnels.

 

 

[CroozinFamily]

Do you have any pics of the funnel lighting?

[Philly Steve]

Do you have any pics of the funnel lighting?

 

I did not attend this funnel lighting but saw it a little over a year ago when last gasp funding was announced for the ship.

 

Here's a video of that ceremony including a peek at the lighting toward the end...

 

[Philly Steve]

The SS United States Conservancy has launched its new information-fundraising website as it continues to observe the 60th anniversary of the ship's inaugural voyage.

 

https://savetheunitedstates.org/

 

It's worth a look if you're a fan of the "Big U."

[Philly Steve]

The SS United States Conservancy will host a panel discussion in New York City on October 9th. With the background of the Conservancy's exhibition on the history of of the Big U, the panel will discuss the women artists and designers who contributed to the SS United States.

 

http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/news/_/2012/9/update-fall-2012-event-schedule/

[CroozinFamily]

LOTS of pictures!!

 

http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/travel/cruises/2012/11/12/ss-united-states/1699479/

[Philly Steve]

The Philadelphia Chapter of the SS United States Conservancy will hold its holiday celebration Saturday, December 22nd at a restaurant across the street from the ship.

 

http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/news/

Edited December 16, 2012 by Philly Steve

[George C]

CBS morning show will have something on the SS United States next Sunday 1/20

[CroozinFamily]

Was it on? I recorded it. Didn't see it. Do you have a link?

[George C]

it was not on , I was disappointed, not sure if I misheard what they were waying last week, sorry for giving out the incorrect info, my wife is always saying I need my hearing checked

[CroozinFamily]

When I couldn't find it I googled about it and it was talked about in several places that it was going to be on this Sunday. Maybe it was kicked off by coverage of something else? Let us know if you hear anything else.

[Rotterdam]

I received an email from ss US org stating that due to the innauguration the piece was bumped from last Sundays lineup but will air at a later date....

[George C]

I received an email from ss US org stating that due to the innauguration the piece was bumped from last Sundays lineup but will air at a later date....

 

Thanks for the info, we always tivo this show anyway. Glad I was not hearing things

[Philly Steve]

Thanks for the info, we always tivo this show anyway. Glad I was not hearing things

 

Hopefully, the feature will air soon. It was "bigfooted" by the inauguration and the wheel out of the new Vette. :cool:

 

[CroozinFamily]

It's not like the inauguration was a surprise!! We knew when the date was! Why did they say they were doing the piece in the first place?

 

well, I look forward to when it does air. Please post again if you hear when it will be on.

 

Thanks.

[Philly Steve]

It's not like the inauguration was a surprise!! We knew when the date was! Why did they say they were doing the piece in the first place?

 

well, I look forward to when it does air. Please post again if you hear when it will be on.

 

Thanks.

 

Will do. I hope it's a full story and not just a brief mention after a commercial break. Cronkite would be pleased with an expanded piece. ;)

[Conte Di Savoia]

Why wait to see the segment? It's been posted on YouTube here.

[Rotterdam]

I just recv'd this notification:

 

 

 

Please join the New York Chapter for their upcoming meeting:

 

Date: Saturday, February 2nd

Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

Location: O'Lunney's Times Square Pub, 145 West 45th Street (between Broadway and 6th Avenue), New York, NY 10036

 

 

Meet fellow members, discuss chapter outreach efforts and hear exciting updates from the Conservancy! Not yet a member of the Conservancy? Come to the meeting and learn how to become a member.

 

Any questions, email newyork@ssusc.org.

[Philly Steve]

Why wait to see the segment? It's been posted on YouTube here.

 

A nice piece that aired last July. Still looking forward to the latest. :)

 

I just recv'd this notification:

 

 

 

Please join the New York Chapter for their upcoming meeting:

 

Date: Saturday, February 2nd

Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

Location: O'Lunney's Times Square Pub, 145 West 45th Street (between Broadway and 6th Avenue), New York, NY 10036

Meet fellow members, discuss chapter outreach efforts and hear exciting updates from the Conservancy! Not yet a member of the Conservancy? Come to the meeting and learn how to become a member.

Any questions, email newyork@ssusc.org.

 

Thanks for posting. Anyone attend this session?

[Philly Steve]

The SS United States Conservancy now says the CBS Sunday morning story on the ship will air this weekend (2/17).

 

Don't forget to watch or set your DVR! :cool:

[George C]

Thanks, we always tivo that show, looking forward to seeing it

[George C]

Just saw the show, really enjoyed it, find it strange they did not use it for Carribbean rather than just stop sailing it in 1969. They did not seem to give it that much hope.

[Post Captain]

The feature on the SS United States broadcast on the CBS Sunday Morning program of February 17, 2013, can be viewed on this page at the CBS website:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57569752/saving-the-ss-united-states/

 

In addition to the seven-minute video segment, the page also includes the full text of the program.