[photo by EDDIE HALES]
INQUIRER: All it needs to be a ghost ship is ghosts. But the SS United States – its name faded but visible on the bow – is going to come back from the dead, if its supporters have their way. Officials announced Thursday that Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest will donate up to $5.8 million to help save the ship, a storied but suffering ocean liner celebrated at a ceremony Thursday night on the Delaware River. The money will allow the Washington-based SS United States Conservancy to buy the ship from Norwegian Cruise Line, a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong, and maintain the vessel in its South Philadelphia berth for up to 20 months while redevelopment and refurbishment plans are completed. MORE