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Cruise Industry Executive, Son of Late Capitals, Wizards OwnerSaves Historic Propeller from Destruction,Makes Largest Contribution toward Saving the United States Since 2011
PHILADELPHIA, PA - June 17, 2014 - With the SS United States' historic five-bladed propellers just days away from being scrapped, cruise industry executive Jim Pollin has donated $120,000 to the SS United States Conservancy to save the propeller and support a national campaign to re-purpose America's Flagship. The donation, as well as a pledge to match an additional $100,000 in other contributions for the ship's upkeep, was announced this morning in front of the once Top Secret 60,000-pound propeller on board the SS United States. Handing over a big check to Conservancy Executive Director Susan Gibbs in front of the 18-foot-wide bronze propeller on the ship's stern, Pollin stressed the SS United States' historic importance and urged others to contribute. "This great ship represents the best of American ingenuity. She's as iconic a symbol as the Washington Monument or Empire State Building, and she must not be destroyed on our watch," he said. "I've stepped up to help, and I hope that my contribution will help generate additional donations and build major momentum for the day when we can finally say we've saved the United States." Pollin, the son of the late Abe Pollin, former owner of the Washington Wizards, Capitals and Mystics professional sports franchises, and women's health expert, Irene Pollin, answered the Conservancy's national call for a buyer to save the propeller and help prevent the ship's destruction. Jim's passion for ships and the sea was sparked in 1991, when he traveled from New York to Los Angeles aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2. He left a long career in the airline industry to found The Pollin Group, a cruise management company that today serves a wide range of corporate, educational, and other group accounts. The SS United States, still the transatlantic speed record-holder and icon of mid-twentieth century American engineering, could be sold to a scrapper by summer's end unless additional funds are raised to pay her formidable carrying costs in tandem with an investment deal to re-purpose the ship into a mixed-use destination. "We hope Jim's contribution will serve as an inspiration to others during this critical time. In so many ways, we've never been closer to ensuring that this great symbol of American innovation and our nation's can-do spirit is saved for future generations," stated Gibbs, whose grandfather William Francis Gibbs designed the vessel. "Jim's generosity will help ensure that this propeller will remain aboard the ship, where it belongs. Now, we must save the rest of the vessel." Four other propellers from the ship are on display in museums in New York and Virginia. The redeveloped United States would serve as a museum and provide more than 500,000 square feet of space for retail, restaurants, hospitality, open space, cultural and educational opportunities. The Conservancy has been advancing discussions in recent months with a number of real estate developers in New York and has identified several viable locations for the ship in her former home port. "Our team continues to have encouraging discussions with developers in the New York area, and we've advanced plans for a dynamic shipboard SS United States Center for Design and Discovery," said Gibbs. "However, this good news comes as we are issuing our final SOS for America's Flagship. Without additional support from public officials and private donors, we're only months away from the unthinkable," said Gibbs. "Destroying our nation's flagship would send the wrong message at home and abroad about how our country views its historical accomplishments, our present-day challenges, and our dreams for the future." Those interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to the SS United States Conservancy can do so at www.SSUSC.org.
Pam
Some of us like to see the glass as half full and are thrilled to see that there are other dreams who share the vision and say lets keep going a little longer to see if they can make the dream a reality. There's lots of things going on behind the scenes still exploring possible partnerships, etc.
If you want to take the negative view then you could say the Queen Mary should have been scrapped years ago. Her maintenance is poor, she had not made money in years, large parts of the ship are deserted and the numbers of tourists are at best at a trickle. So maybe she should be abandoned and cut up too?
Till 1980 she was in the Government's hands with no real plans other than not to let her go. The Government started looking for alternatives in the mid-1970s but only wanted American operators. The Hadley plan was ill conceived and many could argue that was her best chance of an active future. She could easily have been competition to the Norway. Then came the Turks and then Ed Cantor and finally NCL.
Since the beginning everyone has know the Conservancy was fighting an uphill battle but it is the last best hope.
I agree most people will never know if she survives or is destroyed but thankfully the Conservancy's plans are for a commercial enterprise that uses her to best advantage and not just as a Museum ship.
Surviving she also provides an opportunity to educate and fascinate whole new generations with a precious final link to the great steam era and the days of the liners. As I said before if you can not stand on her decks, look up at those gloriously over sized funnels or explore her engine rooms in person you will never get the true feel for her and what once was. To say it is captured in pictures .... well there pictures of the pyramids but is it the same as seeing them in person rising out of the desert?
I don't get the negativity to the United States and the slim chance she might survive. Maybe it is still a little envy that she left the Queen Mary and ever other ship in her wake <grin>.
It is so much better to dream about what could be than sitting around and lamenting what we lost.
Peter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5wVZwdHmRY&feature=kp
You might think I am a big Journey fan: "Don't Stop Believing"<grin>
quote:Originally posted by SSTRAVELER:[...]If you want to take the negative view then you could say the Queen Mary should have been scrapped years ago. Her maintenance is poor, she had not made money in years, large parts of the ship are deserted and the numbers of tourists are at best at a trickle. So maybe she should be abandoned and cut up too?
Queen Mary might be in bad shape, but a lot of her original art deco interior is still there while United States is an empty shell. This makes a huge difference. An entirely different approach is necessary to save the remains of the United States. It will be a challenge and it will require creativity as well as tactfulness to preserve these remains in a dignified manner. However, I do hope that a solution will be found and I applaud supporters like Mr. Pollin for their contribution to keep the chance alive.
[ 06-18-2014: Message edited by: Ernst ]
quote:Originally posted by PamM:The general public won't notice she's gone and those abroad won't get sent the wrong message as they don't know she exists - only ship enthusiasts...
I met an American couple on vacation, in London last week. I asked them where they were from, they said "Philadelphia PA".
I said: "oh are you anywhere near where the 'SS United States' is berthed"? They said "pardon me".
I said: "the old Ocean Liner", they repeated "Pardon me"!
[ 06-22-2014: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
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