A statement released Wednesday from the SS United States Conservancy says additional donors or investors must step forward soon to sustain the dream of transforming the 1950s-era icon into a modern waterfront attraction.
"After much deliberation and consultation, the SS United States Conservancy's board of directors has decided to retain a broker to explore the potential sale of America's flagship, the SS United States, to a responsible, U.S.-based metals recycler," the statement begins.
Absent an infusion of funds or a new sales option by Oct. 31, the preservationist group says "we will have no choice but to negotiate the sale of the ship" to a recycler.