SS United States Conservancy
SS United States Conservancy Newsletter March 1, 2009
SSUSC SOS Dear SS United States Conservancy Members and Supporters:

Word about the uncertain fate of the SS UNITED STATES continues to circulate, with more individuals and organizations signing on to the cause every day.  We urge everyone to continue spreading the word about the historic significance and current peril facing our national flagship. We promise to continue to keep you posted on press coverage, coalitions and alliances being formed on behalf of the ship, notices of special events and updates, and everything newsworthy pertaining to the glorious SS UNITED STATES! 
 
PLEASE HELP

You can help the Conservancy spread the word about the plight of the SS United States in a number of ways.  First, if you have a website, please provide a link to our SOS News Blog which is updated regularly with news and information about the status of our nation's flagship.  The URL is:

http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org. 

Also, a direct link to our website would be helpful.  That URL is:

http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/SSUS/Home.html. 

For more ways to help, please visit our "Take Action" page at:

http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/SSUS/Take_Action.html.

The Sculley family prepares to board the Big U.
Sculley family (Raymond, left; Mark, center; Sheila Jane, behind Mark; Sheila, right; Se�n, in-hand) about to board ship in Le Havre, France, June 8, 1965.  Photo courtesy of the Sculley family.
 
More Media Coverage on the SS United States!
Stories of the plight of the "Big Ship" reach nationwide

Magestic funnel photograph courtesy of Bob Strum.
Recent media coverage of the SS UNITED STATES includes:

The Los Angeles Times ran a story on its travel blog on  February 28.  To read the story, click here.

Professional Mariner ran an enthusiastic review of the documentary film, "SS UNITED STATES: Lady in Waiting" in its current issue.  To read the review, click here.

Choices, Inc., the distributor for the documentary SS United States: Lady in Waiting, issued a press release joining forces with the Conservancy to help save the historic ship.  To read it, click here

To view even more coverage updated regularly, visit the SS United States Conservancy's SOS Blog.

(Funnel Photograph courtesy of Bob Strum)

Coalition to Save the
SS United States Formed
  Planning Call held February 24



SSUS Coalition Logo


An initial conference call was convened on February 24 to explore the formation of a "Coalition to Save the SS UNITED STATES."  Eighteen individuals participated.  A follow-on conference call has been scheduled for 8 PM EST on Tuesday, March 3.

Call participants agreed to draft a Coalition Charter, develop a workplan and time line, and formed four working committees: Media, Business Development, Legislative and Direct Action.  Participants also agreed to establish a blog for internal and external communications. 
 
If you would like to more information about the Coalition or to participate in future conference calls, please contact SS United States Conservancy board member Dan McSweeney at
media@ssunitedstatesconservancy.org.  
A Child's Eye View
Poem Composed about the SS UNITED STATES


I am the waves, crashing against the bow,

Moving along the ocean, my fate undecided.

I am a whale, my destination never ending,

King of the ocean, prince of the sea.

I am old as can be, aging and fading,

It's hard to be me.

I am blue as navy, red as scarlet

White as can be.

I am in Philadelphia, no longer have stress,

Sitting in the harbor, taking a rest.

I am a ship, bold and loud, tall and proud.

I am sadness, depressed and still,

Waiting for another chance, a chance to thrill.

 

By Thea Piccone (age 12)

Washington, DC

SS United States Conservancy presence grows on Facebook and MySpace

Keep Spreading the Word!

Please join Facebook and become a "Fan" of the SS United States Conservancy!  Conservancy member Mary Vilalba has created a wonderful and informative SS United States Conservancy Facebook site.   Please share the site with your friends and family!

Longtime SS UNITED STATES supporter Rich April has created a fabulous SS United States Conservancy presence on MySpace.  Rich also maintains a highly informative website dedicated to the Big U.  Please visit by clicking here. 


 
SS United States Conservancy Contributes to Major New Smithsonian Institution Maritime Exhibit

SSUSC 2009 Calendar
"On the Water: Stories from Maritime America," a major multi-year exhibition at the National Museum of American History scheduled to open in May, 2009, will include items provided by the SS United States Conservancy.  Contributions include SS United States Conservancy member Joan Browning's evocative family photographs taken aboard the ship and a selection of Conservancy Board member Joe Rota's fabulous photographs from his days as a member of the ship's crew. The Conservancy is honored to partner with the Smithsonian Institution in preserving the legacy of the SS UNITED STATES for future generations. 

According to a recent Museum release, "'On the Water' will provide a multimedia educational experience spanning more than 300 years of American history. The exhibition will build on the Smithsonian's unparalleled National Watercraft Collection of rigged ship models, patent models and images to bring the sights, sounds and stories from the oceans, inland rivers and coastal communities to the Museum's millions of visitors. Visitors will explore life and work on the nation's waterways, from 19th century whaling ships to today's mega containers. "On the Water" will be an 8,000-square-foot exhibition that replaces the Museum's Hall of American Maritime Enterprise, on view from 1978-2006."

We will keep you updated on exhibit details as opening date nears!

(Photo above: Joan Browning and her father aboard the SS United States.  Photo courtesy of Joan Browning.)
 
As always, thank you so much for your support of the SS UNITED STATES!
 
Sincerely,

Board of Directors
SS United States Conservancy