SS United States propeller saved by $120,000 gift

A group trying to save a historic cruise ship moored in Philadelphia has received $120,000 to preserve its last massive propeller.

The SS United States Conservancy announced the gift Tuesday from cruise industry executive Jim Pollin.The group had planned to sell the 60,000-pound propeller for scrap if it couldn’t find a buyer. Four other propellers from the ship are displayed in museums in New York and Virginia.

The organization hopes to repurpose the SS United States as a museum and mixed-use destination, but says time is running out.

Pollin also pledged to match $100,000 in additional contributions to help preserve what was once the world’s fastest ocean liner.

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Pollin is the son of the late Abe Pollin, who owned the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals.

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