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Historic SS United States Short On Funds, Time

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The SS United States is sending out what may be its final distress call.

The conservancy working to secure a home and purpose for the 990-foot-long ship tells The Associated Press that it could be sold for scrap within two months unless they can raise $500,000 immediately so they can continue negotiations with several parties.

Money and time are running out for the historic ocean liner, which carried princes, presidents and celebrities across the Atlantic Ocean in the 1950s and 1960s.

It has been berthed on the Philadelphia waterfront since 1996.

It costs $80,000 a month just for the ship's mooring, basic maintenance, insurance and security expenses.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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