S.S. United States saved for at least another year

The last update we gave you on the S.S. United States gave hope for the future of the ship as it approached the stated deadline to save the vessel at the end of October.

In the span of that month, donors from all over the world gave enough money to keep the ship afloat and away from the scrapyard for at least another year.

More from The New York Times:

But in recent weeks, the ship’s existential crisis attracted donors from around the world who have contributed more than $600,000, buying time for the preservationist group, the S.S. United States Conservancy, to press ahead with a plan to redevelop the vessel.

The donations — including an anonymous gift of $250,000 — will cover the cost of caring for the ship “well into next year,” said Susan Gibbs, the conservancy’s executive director.

The conservancy received three offers to melt down the vessel, but on Monday its board voted unanimously to reject those bids. The ship has particular value as scrap metal because, according to naval historians, it contains more aluminum than any structure built before the World Trade Center.

Previously during a time of crisis, the ship had been saved from the scrapyard at the last minute by a huge donation from Gerry Lenfest. Now thanks to these new donors, including the $250,000 donation, two other $100,000 donations and other, smaller, contributions, the S.S. United States Conservancy has decided to continue towards plans of redevelopment.