Walter Cronkite helping to save SS United States
Philadelphia Business Journal
A foundation trying to save the SS United States ocean liner has brought on famed newscaster Walter Cronkite as honorary chairman.
Cronkite, 92-year-old former anchor of the CBS Evening News, will serve as honorary chair of the SS United States Conservancy’s advisory council.
The Conservancy is one of two nonprofits trying to preserve the ship, which was launched in 1952 and still holds the speed record for a westbound Atlantic passage, averaging better than 35 knots an hour (or 41 mph). The ship has not been used commercially since 1969.
Since 1996, it has been moored in South Philadelphia.
Last month, the nonprofits sounded the alarm that the ship’s owner, Norwegian Cruise Line, might be willing to sell the ship for scrap.
But, earlier this month, the Miami-based cruise line listed it with a broker. As conditions of sale, Norwegian said it would not sell the ship for scrap, nor would it sell to a foreign entity.
The SS United States Conservancy still hopes the ship can find a buyer that would return the ship to its past grandeur.
By bringing on Cronkite, the Conservancy hopes to bring an air of trust to the campaign to save the ship, said Dan McSweeney, vice president of the organization.
“It’s an honor to have the moral force he represents,” said McSweeney. “He traveled on the ship in 1953.”
Cronkite also appeared in a related documentary, “SS United States: Lady in Waiting.”
Most Read Stories |
Most Emailed Stories |
