The SS United States, a historic ocean liner, faced a court-ordered eviction deadline that recently passed without the ship being moved. However, new court documents reveal that the ship’s landlord, Penn Warehousing, is responsible for the lack of movement.
The conservancy for the SS United States filed a motion in federal court alleging that Penn Warehousing hindered compliance with court orders by demanding $3 million before releasing the ship to its potential buyer, Okaloosa County in Florida. This demand effectively blocked the sale contract and prevented the ship from being moved from Pier 82 in South Philadelphia.
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Due to these actions deemed as “bad faith,” the conservancy has requested an extension of the eviction deadline until December 5. A hearing is scheduled before Senior U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody on Friday morning.
The conservancy expressed its frustration, stating, “We’ve been dealing with the impacts of Penn Warehousing’s underhanded tactics for some time, but the revelation that they attempted to negotiate the sale of the ship without our knowledge or authorization is upsetting.”
News emerged in August that Okaloosa County was interested in acquiring the SS United States to sink the vessel in the Gulf of Mexico and turn it into an artificial reef. However, negotiations were derailed by Penn Warehousing’s demands for a hefty sum.
The tumultuous saga of the SS United States, which has been docked at Pier 82 since 1996, continues as legal battles unfold. The ship’s future now rests in the hands of the district court.
After the initial court ruling, Escambria County also expressed interest in sinking the SS United States to create an artificial reef. As the situation evolves, the fate of this iconic ship remains uncertain.
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