Preservationists taking title of famed cruise ship:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A nonprofit preservation group is about to take ownership of a historic ocean liner that carried presidents, celebrities and immigrants across the Atlantic in the 1950s and 1960s.

The SS United States Conservancy said Monday it's acquiring the title of the legendary ship, which has been berthed in Philadelphia since 1996.

The liner got a reprieve from scrapping when philanthropist H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest in July promised $5.8 million so preservationists could buy it from Norwegian Cruise Line and its parent company and maintain it for 20 months.

Since then, the conservancy has been working with the Environmental Protection Agency on a plan for removing hazardous chemicals from the ship. They said the EPA is satisfied with their plan, so the sale can go through.

The SS United States Conservancy is releasing more details when the deal becomes official Tuesday.

Source: The Associated Press. January 31, 2011 5:15 PM ET

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