PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Caretakers for the SS United States, the legendary ocean liner moored on Philadelphia's Delaware River since 1996, are renewing and expanding their emergency distress call.
A local philanthropist's $5.8 million gift allowed the SS United States Conservancy to buy it and keep it afloat until November 2012.
With that date looming, the nonprofit conservancy has launched a "Save the United States" fundraising rally to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the ship's maiden voyage on July 3, 1952.
The conservancy is hoping to raise $25 million to restore the exterior and part of the interior to house a museum.
The fundraising campaign includes a new interactive website, www.savetheunitedstates.org, which allows donors to sponsor a piece of the ship for $1 per square inch.
