Here is a copy of a letter that the Coalition's attorney sent to the Okaloosa County attorneys on Monday, August 18, 2025 - twelve days after the case had been dismissed by the District Court.
NOTE: Correspondence between counsel is not ordinarily filed with the Court and is not generally available on PACER.
On August 6, 2025 the Coalition was notified that our civil complaint against Okaloosa County was dismissed by the Northern District of Florida court due to "STANDING." It is difficult to say that this isn't a major disappointment in our efforts to prevent the destruction of our Flagship, SS United States. We have invested many hours, sleepless nights, personal investment, as well as like minded donor investments, into this lawsuit.
However, a dismissal on STANDING and not on MERIT, means the case on MERIT is yet to be heard. Whether it be by us or by a party with more clearly defined standing, the SS United States deserves to have her case heard. At this time, we are already continuing, and will continue to, pursue other avenues. Additionally, we have an ongoing legislative effort via Congress and other senior members of the current administration, we stand proudly among a sea of groups and individuals committed to the cause of saving our US Flagship, and we will continue to work together to do everything we can to save this important piece of our collective US history.
Therefore, now more than ever, we depend on you and the thousands of other supporters to push your Congressional representatives to ensure your voice is heard. It’s time for our elected officials to act in the interest of preserving our history through Public Law 92-296 & 94-536, relating to this very ship.
Your voice matters more than you may think - We absolutely could not have come so far without those of you who have believed in the cause of rescuing our nation’s ship, and we cannot properly express how much your support means to us.
We hope you'll continue to stand alongside the NY Coalition to Save the SS United States on this voyage to save the beautiful SS United States, and remember - "Don't give up the ship”
Legal Action & Relevant Information
Public Law
92-296
A brief summary: This authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to purchase the SS United States, as is, where is, at the depreciated cost of the vessel to the owner.
History:
11/04/1971 - Introduced in the House
11/05/1971 - Reported to the House from the Committee on Merchant Marine Fisheries, H. Rept. 92-617.
12/01/1971 - Passed/Agreed to in the House
04/25/1972 - Reported to the Senate from the Committee on Commerce, S. Rept. 92-758.
05/02/1972 - Passed the Senate/Agreed to in the Senate
05/16/1972 - Became public law
The full law can be found within our Federal Complaint under Exhibit 5 by tapping here.
Public Law
94-536
A brief summary: This amends Public Law 92-296 to include an allowable use of acquiring the SS United States as a floating hotel (or other uses) in US Waters.
History:
04/13/1976 - Introduced in the House and Referred to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
07/13/1976 - Reported to the House from the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, H. Rept. 94-1339.
07/19/1976 - Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in the House. Measure was then considered in the House. The measure then passed the House, roll call #510 (370-6).
07/20/1976 - Referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce.
10/01/1976 - Committee on Commerce discharged in the Senate. Measure was then considered in the Senate. The measure then passed the Senate.
10/05/1976 - Measure enrolled in the House
10/06/1976 - Measure enrolled in the Senate and the measure was then presented to President Gerald Ford.
10/17/1976 - President Gerald Ford signed 94-536 into Public Law
The full law can be found within our Federal Complaint under Exhibit 5 by tapping here.
SHIPS Act & President Trump’s
American Shipbuilding Initiative
“[The SHIPS Act] represents a comprehensive approach to revitalizing the U.S. Merchant Marine by establishing national oversight and consistent funding for U.S. maritime policy, making U.S.-flagged vessels commercially competitive in international commerce by cutting red tape, rebuilding the U.S. shipyard industrial base, and expanding and strengthening mariner and shipyard worker recruitment, training, and retention.”
The SS United States is the embodiment of US Shipbuilding.
The vessel was built in the US, with US materials, by US labor - in partnership with our military. She bears the name of our country, the colors of our flag, and still proudly holds the record for fastest ocean liner more than seven decades after taking it. The “Big U” has transported Presidents, Celebrities, and even the Mona Lisa - there is no ship which inspires the American public quite like this. Preserving this icon of US shipbuilding capabilities allows us to promote the might of our maritime engineering while educating the public on the history and future of US built vessels, acting as an inspiration for the next generation of our revitalized US shipbuilders.
“To boost our defense industrial base, we are also going to resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding.
And for that purpose, I am announcing tonight that we will create a new Office of Shipbuilding in the White House and offer special tax incentives to bring this industry home to America, where it belongs.
We used to make so many ships. We don’t make them anymore very much, but we’re going to make them very fast, very soon. It will have a huge impact.”- President Donald Trump, in his speech to Congress, on March 4, 2025
We’re asking President Trump to save the SS United States from being lost to history.
Join us by writing your own letter to the White House by tapping here.