Editorial: Ship safe for now

Posted: July 13, 2010

Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest has tossed the financial equivalent of a life preserver to the storied SS United States ocean liner.

But Lenfest's generosity, coming as scrap bids were being sought for the ship moored in South Philadelphia, represents only a temporary reprieve.

The up to $5.8 million pledge will cover an estimated $3 million purchase of the liner from Norwegian Cruise Line and the cost of maintaining the vessel for about 20 months.

Remaining, though, is the enormous challenge of planning and financing its makeover.

The SS United States Conservancy, headed by Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the boat's designer, William Francis Gibbs, envisions the ocean liner as a floating nautical museum, with restaurants, shops, and other entertainment offerings. Lenfest's grant gives the conservancy time to map out a plan that might involve a public-private partnership.

It would be good to see a refurbished SS United States docked on the Delaware. Gibbs, its designer, was raised in North Philadelphia and Rittenhouse Square, and Coatesville's Lukens Steel crafted the steel for the ship.

With Mayor Nutter's plan to transform much of the central Delaware River into a residential, commercial, and recreation destination, the conversion of the SS United States into a visitor attraction also would serve as the perfect bridge to the waterfront's past as an industrial port.

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