Groundbreaking Online Experience Leverages Social Networking and Power of Internet to Save and Restore America's Flagship
NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — After a successful beta launch this summer, the groundbreaking SavetheUnitedStates.org campaign to save and repurpose America's Flagship has launched an upgraded 2.0 version with an improved user interface, enhanced content and more ways to help save this irreplaceable piece of American history.
The Save the United States Campaign (www.SavetheUnitedStates.org) blends social networking with historic preservation to raise awareness and resources for the cause of saving one of the nation's most enduring, yet most neglected national symbols. The groundbreaking interactive experience has already received national attention for its unique approach and is fast creating an online community committed to protecting this unique and inspiring icon of American pride and innovation.
The dynamic SavetheUnitedStates.org 2.0 web platform enables visitors to scroll across the exterior of the ship and zoom in to uncover historical information about the ship's passengers and crew, from the Presidents who sailed aboard her as well as immigrants, movie stars, diplomats, and people from all walks of life. For as little as $1, supporters can select and save their own sections of the ship. They can also upload photos, stories, anecdotes, and tributes which can be linked to their Facebook pages and other social networking platforms.
Individuals and corporations have a variety of customization options including highlighting their sections with badges, colors and other graphics. Since the beta launch, dozens of additional facts, photos and user interface improvements have been made to enhance the experience for visitors and supporters.
The safest, fastest and most advanced ship of her time, SS United States epitomizes "Made in America" and remains the largest passenger ship constructed entirely in her namesake nation. Like the Space Shuttle and the 747, the vessel is one of the nation's crowning engineering achievements. Larger than the Titanic, she shattered the transatlantic speed record 60 years ago this year – a record that has never been broken. Part of a top secret Cold War program to build the fastest ship afloat, the SS United States served as the luxury liner of choice for Hollywood stars celebrities and could be quickly converted to transport 15,000 troops 10,000 miles without refueling
Today, America's Flagship sits idle and in a state of disrepair in Philadelphia awaiting restoration and repurposing as a museum and self-sustaining stationary waterfront destination. But time is running out. With costs rising, the ship needs a lifeline from the public to stay afloat as redevelopment plans are finalized. All contributions to the campaign are tax deductible.
The launch of SavetheUnitedStates.org 2.0 comes at a critical time in the crusade to save the ship from destruction. The SS United States Conservancy, which purchased the historic ship last year, has only a few short months to raise $1 million to prevent the ship from being sold to the scrapyard. The SavetheUnitedStates.org campaign has the potential to reach millions of people around the world and engage them in the cause at this critical time.
"After a very divisive election, this campaign to "Save the United States" is unifying and inspiring. The SavetheUnitedStates.org Campaign enables the entire nation to rally around this great ship through a new online community," states Susan Gibbs, executive director of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the ship's designer William Francis Gibbs. "The SS United States embodies the nation's post-war power, optimism and unshakable "can-do" spirit. By leveraging the power of social networking and the internet, we will save one of the 20th century's crowning technological achievements for future generations in a fun and exciting way."
Funds raised by the campaign will be used to maintain the ship, and initiate the exterior restoration of the nearly 1,000-foot-long ship to her former glory. They will also be used to develop a 20,000-square-foot museum as well as a dynamic Center for American Design and Discovery that will explore history, science, technology and innovation themes.
The campaign's low-dollar approach makes it accessible for all ages and income levels. All donors will be included in a new high-tech Wall of Honor in the permanent shipboard exhibition ensuring all participants' profiles become a lasting part of the larger story of the SS United States.
Those interested in supporting the campaign can log onto www.SavetheUnitedStates.org or can connect with the effort on Facebook at facebook.com/SSUSC or on Twitter @SSUS.
ABOUT THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY
A national nonprofit organization and owner of the greatest American ocean liner ever built, the SS United States Conservancy leads the global effort to save and repurpose the SS United States. The Conservancy raises public awareness and financial resources for the maintenance, restoration and ultimate reuse of this iconic vessel and works to ensure that the fastest ocean liner ever to cross the Atlantic remains an inspiration for generations to come. For more information about the SS United States visit www.ssusc.org.