$5.8M donation from H.F. Lenfest rescues SS United States, sparing the giant ship docked in South Philly from the scrap yard

As a child, Susan Gibbs heard stories of the obsession of her grandfather, William Francis Gibbs, with the SS United States, a luxury ocean liner he began building in 1950.

"He called the ship every day she was at sea to check on her," said Gibbs, the president of the SS United States Conservancy, a Washington-based nonprofit whose mission is to save the ship from destruction.

Gibbs announced yesterday that Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest has pledged $5.8 million to save the historic ship, whose owner had opened the door to its being sold for scrap.

Lenfest was praised for his charitable donation by Mayor Nutter and the conservancy and was awarded the National Flagship Champion award by the group at an event last night celebrating the ship's apparent rescue.

"At first I said it's impossible to do it because it costs too much money and then I thought, 'Well it's worth a try because it's a great ship,'" Lenfest said.

"It was a great achievement for the United States to build this vessel, she's worth saving."

Gibbs graciously thanked Lenfest for his pledge and his passion to help the conservancy's fight.

"Mr. Lenfest's donation was literally a life saver for the ship," Gibbs said.

She said that scrap dealers had been invited to submit bids to the current owners, Norwegian Cruise Line, and were happy to do so because there are valuable metals on the ship.

"Mr. Lenfest's pledge really came in the 11th hour and made all the difference in the world," Gibbs said.

"He felt strongly that this ship is a very important part of American history and it would be a tragedy to see the ship destroyed."

Lenfest's money will be used to buy the ship from the current owners and maintain it where it has been docked since 1996 in South Philadelphia along Columbus Boulevard at Pier 82, according to Gibbs.

She said the conservancy hopes to identify partners and investors to convert the ship to something that is more economically sustainable. Those plans, which are not finalized, include a museum, restaurants and retails shops.

The conservancy's option agreement expires at the end of January 2011, at which time, Gibbs said, she hopes the sale will be finalized with the help of an established public-private partnership.