The SS United States Conservancy is proud to announce that it will
unveil a large informational sign next to the SS United States at her
Philadelphia pier on Sunday, April 24th. As shoppers stream in and
out of the new Lowes and IKEA across the street from the ship and
travelers drive up and down Columbus Boulevard and I-95, many see the
great liner's faded red smokestacks and razor-sharp bow and wonder
about the ship's identity and history. Now their questions will be
answered by our weatherproof four-by-eight-foot sign featuring a
glorious image of the ship cutting through the sea in her prime.
Brochures providing an overview of the ship's history will also be
available.

We invite everyone to join us for the sign's official unveiling on
Sunday, April 24 at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow at the Moshulu,
the largest four-masted sailing ship in the world still afloat and
now a world-class restaurant and bar. We will provide a briefing on
the history and current status of the SS United States and we will
also show film footage of the SS United States' hull taken last month
by an underwater camera commissioned by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).
NCL continues to lay the groundwork for restoring the ship and
bringing her back to sea and has kindly made some of this fascinating
footage available to the Conservancy.

We hope you can join us in celebrating this small milestone in
raising public awareness of the SS United States! If you plan to
attend the reception following the sign unveiling, please send an
email to info@... or call 617/ 320-8459.

Event Details

Sign Unveiling

TIME: Sunday, April 24, 2 pm.

LOCATION: At Pier 82 in front of the SS United States

Reception

TIME: Sunday, April 24, 3 pm.

LOCATION: At the Moshulu, permanently docked in Philadelphia on the
Penn's Landing Marina at 401 S. Columbus Boulevard (between
Lombard
and Pine Streets). Cash bar, coffee, tea and light fare available.

Launched under the name Kurt in Glasgow, Scotland on April 20, 1904,
the Moshulu spent her first 40 years carrying cargo around the world.
The 394-foot-long four-masted barque journeyed around Cape Horn 54
times. She was confiscated by the United States government during
World War I, when First Lady Mrs. Woodrow Wilson renamed the vessel
Moshulu, which means "fearless," to honor the Native American Seneca
tribe. In 1939, the Moshulu won the last great grain race from
Australia to Europe. The ship appeared in two Academy Award-winning
movies, "The Godfather II" and "Rocky."

For more information about the Moshulu, call 215-923-2500 or visit
www.moshulu.com.

Directions to Pier 82 and the Moshulu from I-95: Take Exit 20 (Old
Exit 16) Columbus Blvd/Washington Ave exit. To reach Pier 82: Turn
right and head south on Columbus Boulevard and the SS United States
will be visible on your left. To reach the Moshulu from Exit 20:
Turn left on Columbus Boulevard and the vessel will be on your
right. Paid parking is available in a private lot in front of the
vessel.

RSVP to info@... or via phone to 617/320-
8459.

Thank you so much for your interest in the SS United States!

Board of Directors

SS United States Conservancy

Post Office Box 90482

Raleigh, NC 27675

Telephone: (617) 320-8459

Email: info@...

quote:

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Originally posted by PamM:
Actually when I read it before, I wondered quite why such a 'well-known' ship, needed a sign to tell locals [those shopping at IKEA & Lowes] who she was. Perhaps some of those passing through could be forgiven for not knowing. Then I asked myself if the general public as a whole even know anything at all about SSUS, or even that such a named ship exists/existed? I think not, judging by even some comments made by regular cruisers.

Pam

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You're right, Pam, to most people outside our cadre of shiplovers, the SSUS is unknown, or at best, an obscure item from ancient history.

To all of those claiming that by bringing her back to service, NCL will capitalize on her history and glamor, I'm afraid its about 30 years too late!

quote:

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Originally posted by PamM:
Actually when I read it before, I wondered quite why such a 'well-known' ship, needed a sign to tell locals [those shopping at IKEA & Lowes] who she was.

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I was standing in Longbeach looking across the water to the Queen Mary. An American guy and his son stood near me and both gazed at the ship. The Guy then said to his son, "Gee, look at that big old building with chimneys".

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

I was standing in Longbeach looking across the water to the Queen Mary. An American guy and his son stood near me and both gazed at the ship. The Guy then said to his son, "Gee, look at that big old building with chimneys".

I rest my case.

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News is that it will cost nearly a billion dollars to get the BigU into a modern cruise ship.

When presenting my ideas a few people asked about the talented ship designer from Holland

A film presentation was shown of her hull underwater and has about 6" of algae growing on her, however she is sound.

The ship is under maintinence to have her mooring lines re-tensioned and replaced when necessary. There are security cameras all over, 2 people tried to sneak on board and arrested.

ABC news was at the event and interviewed the Conservancy staff.

quote:

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Originally posted by desirod7:
Just was at the festivity and the sign unveling....

News is that it will cost nearly a billion dollars to get the BigU into a modern cruise ship.....

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[ 04-25-2005: Message edited by: steeplechase ]