WHAT: "Bring Home the United States" will be the theme of a booth hosted by The SS United States Foundation during the International Naval Review 2000 www.inr2000.navy.mil on the waterfront in New York City. The maritime festival is estimated to attract over 5 million visitors.

WHERE: In front of the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier at pier 84 on Manhattan's
historic 'ocean liner row'.

WHEN: July 2 - 9.

WHO: Officers, members and volunteers of the foundation will man the booth (Robert Hudson Westover* founding chairman of the SS United States Foundation, and foundation President Dan Trachtenberg will be attending INR 2000, Friday July 7th and Saturday, July 8th and will be available for interviews). Graphic Art Designer Jeff Kwait will provide all signage, graphics and displays.

WHY: The SS United States is considered an engineering marvel and still
holds the distinction of being the fastest moving object of its size ever built. She was a common sight for New Yorkers in the 1950s and '60s and being the third largest ship in the world, the United States was a
showstopper every time she sailed into port.

The SS United States Foundation is a tax exempt non profit organization that is seeking to have Congress enact legislation to protect the ship which is currently moored in Philadelphia harbor. The ship is considered by the National Register of Historic Places as one of the most significant historic
sights in the nation and is one of only several thousand sites across the country to have ever been designated as having Compelling National Significance by the Register.

Because of thirty years of neglect, the SS United States is in danger of losing its historic designation. The foundation wants to obtain the ship from its current owner and have it turned into a museum along Manhattan's waterfront as a dramatic reminder of the city's rich Transatlantic heritage.
The foundation has been working with New York City officials and developers for the past three years to arrange the return of the storied ocean liner and former national flagship.

*Mr. Westover has received international recognition for his efforts to bring awareness to the plight of the historic ship. He lives and works in Washington DC.

P.S. I just pledged my availability on the 4th of July from 10 AM to 2 PM to help out in this effort. Stop by if you have the chance.

Joe (from PwC)

P.P.S. I spoke to Bob Westover to sign up and from what he says, Pier 84 is very likely the old US Lines terminal. Ironic, isn't it?

I think the problem lies in the fact that the event was attended largely by tourists who had not lived through the Big U's career in the first place, and also by people who had lived through it, but have forgotten what this ship means to the country. It was very sad to see this. But let it be said that at least I stood there proud, proud to be associated with this cause.

I really know these words are not enough to save a loved ship, especially this master piece which is UNITED STATES.
So many hopes, so many gesticulations, so many disappointments, so much money and work necessary and since the begining of her inactivity, so many memories worn away for the common one,...and so much years too.
But by this board, even if they are words only, I just wanted to say I really value and encourage your fight, mobilization, search of informations about the future of this great ship and to share them with us, as your emotions too.
Yes, this is not enough, and it won't be something concrete to save her, but know few peoples share the same urge than your, even if they are not American.

I've always been a little bit emotional about machines. It all started when I was a child and I saw the world's biggest Hovercraft, the SRN4, roar up the beach at Ramsgate, UK. My Dad tells me that it made my eyes bulged out! Then there was the Saturn Five launches, the Lunar module landings and the Apollo splash-down on TV.

I don't understand why people spend so much time worshipping, restoring, protecting and display artefacts like paintings, china and jewellery? Theses are inanimate objects - they don't do anything, they never did, apart from look nice (well, in some cases). Yet they can let as masterpiece like the SS United States just rust away?

The great Ocean Liners are part of our history and culture. The great ships have made social and political statements, they have been the catalyst for international business, they have created nations by facilitating massive immigration, they have played a part in global tourism, they have even won wars and they have given us some of the worlds greatest disasters. Not only were they technically breathtaking, they were floating galleries of fine architecture and art.

I'm not an American, but I still think that it is a crying shame to let the SS United States in her present condition. She deserves more! After all the American Public does not let the Empires State Building or the Statue of Liberty crumble away? America preserved the Queen Mary - how about your own ship now?

I understand what you are saying. Just understand, US culture is comparatively young compared to most European countries, and this is just my opinion, but I think as a result, we don't have that sense of history that your country has...look how in Venice how everyone has pitched in to restore the old monuments and frescos in that wonderful city - in America, you have to practically snatch the money out of our pockets to do something like that. The same theory applies to ocean liners as well. I mean, I think the European cruise market appreciates the older vessels like, for example, the Germans have done wonders with the ALBATROS and MAXIM GORKY, and the market there, as far as I can see, seems to appreciate the fact that they ARE older ships, and look how long HAL held on to the ROTTERDAM, I am certain that had they not been owned by Carnival, she would still be sailing with them...were they in the US market, they would be bargain basement ships (I mean, look how Premier markets the OCEANIC and SEABREEZE - as cut-rate family ships, not caring about their illustrious histories as ocean liners, just the fact that they are cheap and paid for and they don't have to invest as much to keep them running...). I think Yankees (myself and some other American ship lovers here on this BB excepted) like everything to be new and bright and shiny...I could be wrong, though...that's how it seems to me...

[This message has been edited by Rex (edited 07-10-2000).]

Does anyone realize how invaluable the BIG U would have been if she had been made into a hotel in time for the convention? We knew a while ago the RNC would be held here - and no one, I mean no one, had the foresight to see how useful she would have been right now. I love my city, but the powers that be are parochial, intolerant and extremely short-sighted.