Showing posts with label SS United States. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SS United States. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Final Bow

By Robert Hudson Westover
Chairman Emeritus, S.S. United States Foundation

Seeing the film Titanic when it was released in December 1997 proved to be pivotal moment for me. That’s because watching Mr. Cameron’s near exact replica of the 1912 White Star ocean liner reminded me of another ship I had adored, imagined and built (the Revel model that is!) as a child. A ship whose very name made me feel patriotic.

The S.S. United States.


Titanic made me want to know where the S.S. United States had gone. I went on (what we called then) the World Wide Web and discovered (to my delighted surprise) that America’s flagship was very much still afloat and a former passenger, Mike Alexander, had started a Website to bring awareness to her plight.

That following January I went to visit the United States for the first time. I could hardly sleep the night before! I felt like a little boy going to Disneyland for the first time! I’ll never forget seeing her red, white and blue funnels for the first time that day. Her sleek profile. Her dramatic and cutting bow.

She was weather beaten for sure, but where others saw discouragement and a badly decaying vessel I saw hope and a glorious restoration like the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.

I was 33 years old and full of excitement and possibilities. I didn’t care that the herculean task of saving this ship would take years of my life. I didn’t care that many other interests where vying with their own visions--and, sadly, personal self-aggrandized agendas.

I just knew I could do this.

And I began by starting an organization I named the S.S. United States Foundation.

I’m not going delve into the details--the impossible odds of creating and leading one of the largest all volunteer preservation non-profits in the country--because this amazing story has been covered in many news stories and in books.

Safe to say, the attention I sought to bring to the ship via the SSUS Foundation, went well beyond anything I could have imagined. For the first time since the ship won the Blue Riban for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean (and her untimely retirement in 1969) her story appeared in the New York Times, then the BBC World News Service, then ABC World News Tonight and on and on.          (Click on video below)



This constant national and international media attention began in April 1999 and has never let up.

With success came attention and many now wanted to become part of what had been a few, but highly devoted, Big U (her nickname) fans in varying fields of expertise from advertising, public relations, media relation, maritime and legislative-based professions.

The SSUS Foundation's greatest accomplish happened when we lead the effort and succeeded in placing the S.S. United States on the National Register of Historic Places when she was less than 50 years old. This "less than 50 years old" is important because we had to prove the Big U met the National Register's stringent “National Significance” criterion.

We did and the Big U was placed on the National Register in June 1999 resulting in another round of national attention including a prime time broadcast on CNN. (Click on video below)



But soon the reality of having to actually convince a municipality to take her in as a Queen Mary type attraction set in. Meetings were held with elected representatives but no one seemed to grasp (or have the vision) of what a huge tourist attraction the SS United States could become—a classic problem in preservation efforts.

Then the owner, who had allowed the SSUS Foundation free and near unfetter access to the ship passed away. She was sold to NCL and the Foundation’s noble vision to see the S.S United States preserved as a monument to her splendor (and being able to keep her on the National Register) seemed lost.

Then everything changed.
The official logo of the S.S. United States Foundation.
The Foundation's confrontational approached to NCL’s renovation plans didn’t sit well with some members of the board of directors.

In the ensuing heightened climate of profound ideological differences a new non-profit, the S.S. United States Conservancy, was created (or reemerged from an existing organization as some would insist) and they succeeded in purchasing the United States from NCL after the cruises line abandoned its renovation plans.

Not long after the remaining board of the SSUS Foundation voted to suspend any further activities and to not compete for our vision of preservation.

Since that time I have maintained a social media presence as a fascinated spectator of the SSUS Conservancy’s efforts to bring their vision of the Big U to fruition--I even donated my last royalty proceeds from the book SS United States Fastest Ship in World (Turner) to the Conservancy. And until their recent announcement about the deal worked out with Crystal Cruise Lines I was as unaware of their vision as anyone else.

Cover to the successful book
SS United States Fastest ship in the World (Turner)
Let me be clear. I cannot begin to express my profound disappointment in the future chosen by the SSUS Conservancy for this great historic site.

To me the plans are an abomination of what I, and many others feel, was the epitome of ship building. And I realize many feel differently but I very much disagree with the argument that all that matters is that she sails again.

Sails as what?

To me it’s analogous to giving Queen Elizabeth a Hollywood-style face lift, collagen lip injections, massive Dolly Parton-esque breast implants, a tummy tuck and a rear-end lift, put her in a red, skin-tight beaded dress and parade her around with the Kardashian sisters.

Yes, what a comical and ridiculous site that would be and what horrid last visual memories of a great queen!

Yet, I’m supposed to feel that what is planned for the S.S. United States is any different?

Well, I can’t.

Now that the board of the SSUS Conservancy has made their choice to, what I strongly feel, eviscerate the remaining historic integrity (as I believe is clearly spelled in the requirements for historic designation by The National Register of Historic Places), I will suspend any involvement in and abandon my watch as a preservationist seeking to protect this amazing relic of maritime greatness.

Good-by once great Queen of the Seas.

I did my best to save you.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

New York Times Reporter, Iver Peterson, Helped Bring Awareness to Plight of the SS United States

By Robert Hudson Westover

I so clearly remember the day I met Iver Peterson. How could I forget when it was in front of the great SS United States! Filled with the excitement of touring through the interior of the massive ocean-liner, we behaved like school boys peering down dark passageways and staring into the cavernous space that is the forward engine room of the storied vessel.

Iver was interested in writing a story about the plight of the ship and the nascent organization I was forming to save her. I didn't know it at the time but Iver's story Group Battles to Save Luxury Liner Big U, and Glory of Its Day published on Easter Sunday in the entire New York Times syndicate, would bring my fledgling organization, the SS United States Foundation, into national prominence and launch a worldwide effort to Save the United States.


His story was (and is) invaluable to the still ongoing effort to Save the United States. And his subsequent follow up stories kept the flame alive for many years.

Iver had a passion for the Big U because as a child he sailed on her many times. His parents were a Washington, DC power couple and in his dining room a picture of his  famous mother, Ester Peterson, riding shotgun next to President Lyndon Johnson in his convertible Lincoln Continental said it all.

No doubt the SS United States held such fond memories for Iver simply for the fact that on this ship, for a few days as it crossed the Atlantic, he could have an adventure with his family.

When it became obvious that the direction to change tactics for preserving the former national flagship, Iver said to me at Christmas party in his home, "Robert, you are a puritan...and I respect that but you're going to have to consider alternatives."

He was right.

In the end, I would turn over the Foundation to others and Iver would never pen another story about the fabled ship.

It was time for a new direction on the path that we puritan preservationists had forged.

Iver died August 1, 2012. Sadly, I just discovered his obituary in the online edition of the newspaper he wrote for The New York Times.

Sail on Iver. Sail on...

For more information about helping the effort to Save the United States go to the SS United States Conservancy. #ssunitedstates #savetheunitedstates 


This was the first New York Times story (releases across the newspaper's entire syndicate)about the SS United States since 1969 and with a readership of over 25 million (including The Dallas Morning News, The Boston Globe and the International Herald Tribune) it brought world attention to the plight of the great vessel.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

SS United States on CNN Live July 7, 1999



Thought to have been lost, this rare footage from a 1999 CNN Live broadcast was found in the SS United States Foundation archives. The footage is grainy and flows more like a movie from the silent screen era, but some wonderful footage remains! This footage is the only known national news broadcast featuring maritime legend Frank O Braynard. The short interview with SSUSF Chairman Robert Westover is also (to date) the only known Big U engine interview to appear on national prime time TV.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Monday, March 29, 2010

Thanks for the memories...




March 28, 2010 – Dan Trachtenberg, Chairman of the SS United States Foundation, recently announced the organization would cease operations “in order to present the most unified, concise vision possible regarding the future of our beloved vessel…” The Foundation website will now direct visitors to the SS United States Conservancy site and will encourage its membership to support Conservancy efforts on behalf of the ship.


It’s safe to say that the Foundation re-introduced the American public to the history and plight of our great national flagship and for that, true believers in the SS United States should be deeply thankful.


“They really did a lot to kick-start the movement to save this irreplaceable national icon,” said Dan McSweeney, who currently serves as Executive Director of the Conservancy. “Dan Trachtenberg has been a part of the SS United States preservation movement for well over ten years and he’s never waivered in lending an encouraging word to those who share his vision for saving the ship at any and all costs.”


The Foundation scored major media placements in the late 1990s and early 2000s under the leadership of Robert Hudson Westover, who founded the organization.


“Robert’s efforts will not be forgotten. His enthusiasm attracted many supporters who went off to pursue their own efforts on behalf of the ship,” said McSweeney. “He was a resonant voice in support of a deep and strong vision to ensure this great ship is not lost.”


The Conservancy thanks the Foundation for its many years on behalf of the “Big Ship.” We are glad to be combining the different organizations that have worked to ”Save Our Ship” and understand the importance of unified effort, both in order to maximize impacts and minimize confusion about how members of the public can join the cause of ensuring the SS United States is not lost to future generations of Americans.


“This is a time for unity,” said Conservancy Board President Susan Gibbs. “There is much hard work to be done.”

Thursday, September 3, 2009

RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE S.S. UNITED STATES FOUNDATION

Whereas, Robert H. Westover has tirelessly dedicated himself to thepreservation of the S.S. United States for many years without pay;
Whereas, he has provided inspiring leadership for fellow supporters ofthe S.S. United States and exemplified the spirit of volunteerism at itsfinest;
Whereas, he deserves credit for being a public face for this worthycause in the national media and is responsible for stirring publicawareness and attention;
Whereas, he will be moving on from the leadership of the S.S. UnitedStates Foundation;
Be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the Foundation, that weexpress our deep and profound gratitude for his dedication and inspiredefforts on behalf of her preservation and express our determination tocontinue on the path that he has pioneered for us.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Chairman Westover Stepping Down

Effective upon the announcement by the board of directors of the SS United States Foundation of a new leader, I will no longer serve as Chairman of the SS United States Foundation. It’s been an incredible twelve years and I have been honored to lead and inspire those seeking to Save the United States. When news arrived that Norwegian Cruise Lines would no longer attempt to refit the Big U, I knew a tremendous effort would have to be launched to bring the type of attention needed to make an 11th hour and 59th minute rescue necessary.
However, after over a decade of countless hours working to save our great national flagship, I knew I didn’t have the stamina for another full throttled battle. Unfortunately, my doctor confirmed this and without getting into details, I need to ease my load somewhat—at least for now. But don’t think for a minute I’ve completely resigned my effort. I will continue to fight on through social marketing efforts and occasional visits to thought influencers when and where the board of directors deems it appropriate.
Our accomplishments over these twelve years have been tremendous. Some of the highlights include:
•Placement of the SS United States on the National Register of Historic Places •Two front page national sections stories in the New York Times (the first such national coverage in nearly fifty years) •Repeat national and international broadcast exposure on ABC World News Tonight, CNN Live and the World News Service of the BBC •The Addy award winning advertising campaign “Save the United States” •Yahoo.com’s 2003 “Website of the Day” for http://www.ssunitedstates.org/ •The book “SS United States Fastest Ship in the World” now in its third printing •And, most importantly, building a national movement from scrap with an active membership and supporters base of thousands!
If this ship is saved, it will not be because of any one person, or even an one organization, it will be because we as a group of dedicated enthusiasts inspired a nation to save one of it’s most unique and irreplaceable treasures. I will go down with this ship. I will not give up the fight. God bless all of you and God “Save the United States”!
Robert Hudson Westover Founding Chairman SS United States Foundation Washington, DC
Some of the latest stuff:
Turning Publish is reprinting the popular “SS United States Fastest Ship in the World”! To get a copy go to: http://www.turnerpublishing.com/detail.aspx?ID=528 This two-hundred page plus coffee table book contain more photos and color pictures than any other book ever printed about the SS United States. It’s considered a most have by maritime historians and a most read by ocean liner enthusiasts.
Recent Media on the effort to Save the United States:
The Examiner
Help save the SS United States tonight at IKEA South Philly The SS United States Conservancy and IKEA South Philadelphia will join together tonight for an Outreach Event and Campaign Update focusing on the preservation and restoration of the cruise liner/naval auxiliary ship, the SS United States. Beginning at 6 until 8 p.m., a buffet dinner and program discussing the vessel’s history and future will occur at IKEA South Philadelphia Restaurant and CafĂ©, 2206 South Columbus Boulevard, which provides a waterfront view of the ship and Pier 81 on the Delaware River where she is docked. For the full story go to: http://www.examiner.com/x-10357-Philadelphia-Cultural-Events-Examiner~y2009m7d31-Help-save-the-SS-United-States-tonight-at-IKEA-South-Philly
ABC News
PHILADELPHIA - July 30, 2009 -- Philanthropist H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest has pledged a $300,000 matching grant to help a nonprofit buy a historic cruise ship that is rusting away on Philadelphia's waterfront. (The comment about the SS United States Foundation is incorrect. The event mentioned was hosted by the SS United States Conservancy) For the full story go to:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=6940350
The Post and Courier Ship lovers fear fabled liner lost
Bill Wood has marveled at the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley. But the fate that likely awaits the cruise ship S.S. United States has left him and other ship enthusiasts from the Carolinas teetering on depression. For the full story go to:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/feb/18/ship_lovers_fear_fabled_liner_lost72017/
South Philly Review Shipping out
Before the SS United States relocated to her current home of the last 13 years at Pier 82 across from IKEA, she was moored for about a week a bit farther south at Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. For the full story go to:
http://www.southphillyreview.com/view_article.php?id=8519