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The SS United States in December, 1961, courtesy of the SS United States Conservancy Legacy Project and the Perry Collection.
IN THIS ISSUE
- Four Upcoming Events
- Media Coverage Continues
- Key Philadelphia Volunteers Recognized
- New York Tugboat Tour a Success
- Save Our Ship Wristbands Now on Sale
- New Line of SS United States Apparel Launched
Dear SS United States Conservancy Members and Supporters:
Greetings! We hope this update finds you well and that you've
been enjoying the Labor Day holiday. Things continue to go well at the
Conservancy. We're keeping busy on a wide variety of fronts, all aimed
at "Saving Our Ship." We recently completed a top-to-bottom assessment of
our mission, structure, and functioning and now have enhanced capabilities and streamlined operational
procedures. This initiative engaged the Conservancy's full Board of
Directors, a variety of advisors, and an organizational management
consultant.
Executive Director Dan McSweeney will continue to lead the organization, guided by Board President Susan Gibbs and a newly enhanced Executive
Committee. Two new members have recently joined the Conservancy's board of directors: Susan Caccavale, a management
professor based in Smithtown, New York, and Frank DeGiulio of Philadelphia, a
maritime attorney. Both Sue and Frank have an avid personal interest in
the Big U and Sue's mother Elaine Kaplan designed the propellers for the SS United
States. We will share more information about these new leaders in our next update.
The Conservancy is hard at work paving the way for a successful title transfer before the exclusive sales option agreement with Genting Hong Kong/Norwegian Cruise Line expires at the end of January, 2011. We are mounting major fundraising initiatives as well as conferring with a variety of business interests as we refine plans for the vessel's potential restoration. We invite you to join us at one of our fall events (listed below) to learn more about our progress and plans.
The Conservancy will now conduct its operations via six working
groups (Marine Operations, Media Relations, Outreach, Legacy, Business Partnerships, and Fundraising/Development). Conservancy
Chapters in New York and Philadelphia will ensure local supporters are
engaged in the effort to save the vessel. Emerging chapters in Hampton
Roads, Virginia and Miami, Florida will soon be operational.
If you'd like to become more involved in a local chapter or explore starting a Conservancy chapter in your region, please email Sue Caccavale, the Conservancy's new director of member outreach by clicking HERE.
As always, thank you for your support!
SS United States Conservancy Board of Directors
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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MV Twin Capes Photo by Adam Gilson.
Saturday, September 18 - Cape May, New Jersey and Lewes, Delaware
The Conservancy will partner with the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point alumni to organize an exciting day at sea aboard the ferry MV Twin Capes. Cruise headquarters will be the DeBraak Room with its gorgeous balcony bar and port and starboard views of the bay. Guests can board the ferry either in Cape May, New Jersey, or Lewes, Delaware. Attendees will enjoy a buffet lunch featuring crab bites, a cold shrimp platter, a
petite sandwich tray, mini croissants, as well as fruit & cheese,
and dessert. The group will be treated to
exclusive tours of the wheelhouse and engine room, and will receive a
presentation by Heath Gehrke '93, Director of Operations of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The SS
United States Conservancy will also deliver a presentation about the SS United States and recent developments in the organization's quest to save the ship for future generations.
The cost is $35 per person. Anyone interested in joining the cruise should contact Kevin Patrick Smith at (732) 887-4776 or via email HERE or Jeff Henry from the Conservancy HERE.
Friday, September 24 - New York City 
Members of the Conservancy's New York Chapter (and anyone else who
happens to be in Manhattan and would like to learn more about the SS United States) will be holding a happy hour
at Emmett O'Lunney's Pub (210 West 50th Street; just off Broadway) on
Friday, September 24th, starting at 6 p.m. The gathering will offer
Conservancy supporters in the New York area an opportunity to hear about
latest developments and get re-energized before a busy fall season of
events for the organization. If you're interested in attending, please email Paul Stipkovich for more information.
The Hampton Yacht Club in 1945
Friday-Sunday, October 1-3 - Hampton Roads, Virginia
The Conservancy is partnering with the Steamship Historical Society's Hampton Roads chapter in planning an exciting weekend maritime celebration. On the evening of Friday, October 1, maritime enthusiasts will gather at the Hampton Yacht Club for a festive dinner. On Saturday, a day-long educational program at the Crowne Plaza Marina Hotel in Hampton, Virginia, will feature presentations on the SS United States, the NS Savannah, TITAN Salvage, the Titanic expedition, and much more. The Conservancy will be showing a dazzling new 15-minute video presentation featuring the latest updates on the SS United States. A gala dinner on Saturday night dinner at the Crowne Plaza will feature a 1950s theme and include a "Name that Ship" competition.
The program fee is $45.00 per person. Friday night's dinner is "pay as you go" and Saturday night's dinner is $50.00 per person. Further event details and registration instructions will be forthcoming. For more information, contact Elizabeth Fletcher, SS United States Conservancy Advisory Council member and Steamship Historical Society of America's Hampton Roads Chapter Chair via email HERE or by telephone at (757) 810-6664.
Saturday, October 2 - New York, New York
Thanks to the generous contribution of the SS United States Yahoo Group (expertly moderated by Carl Weber and Kevin Fucillo), the Conservancy will be represented at the Port of New York branch of the World Ship Society's Ocean Liner Bazaar. The SS United States Yahoo group has been collecting SS United States ephemera and plans to sell some of these special items and donate the proceeds to the Conservancy. The SS United States Yahoo group is a fabulous online resource on the SS United States, and we are delighted to be partnering with Kevin and Carl in spreading the word about the history of our national flagship at this year's Ocean Liner Bazaar!
The bazaar will take place between 10 AM and 2 PM at the Abigail Adams Smith Auditorium at 417 East 61st Street (between First and York avenues) in Manhattan. Admission is $5.00. |
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KEY PHILADELPHIA VOLUNTEERS RECOGNIZED
DURING YACHT CRUISE
|  Conservancy supporters aboard the Sea Fox.
Two dozen Philadelphia-area Conservancy supporters were recognized during a recent cruise aboard the Sea Fox, a yacht owned by John
Reynolds of Atlantic Logistics, the firm that has been taking care of the SS United States since
the ship was purchased by Norwegian Cruise Line in 2003. In addition
to receiving Conservancy Certificates of Achievement, the volunteers
were thanked individually for their efforts in making the July 1
National Flagship Celebration such a big success. Singer/songwriter Jimmy Maraventano was aboard to sing his stirring
tribute to the ship "Symbol of America" and Conservancy Board Members
Jeff Henry, Steve Ujifusa, and Sue Caccavale offered their views on the
importance of staying involved in the effort to "Save Our Ship." The Conservancy is profoundly grateful for the ongoing guidance and support provided by so many dedicated volunteers. |
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NEW YORK TUGBOAT TOUR A GREAT SUCCESS! | 
| | Last month two dozen SS United
States Conservancy supporters braved the wilting heat in New York to
hear from Conservancy Executive Director Dan McSweeney and Real Estate
Consultant Michael Kramer about potential development plans for the SS United States in New York aboard the vintage tug Edith Thornton, owned by SSUSC supporters Eddie Carr and Gerry Thornton.
"This was a great way to demonstrate that we are very much leaning
forward, with regard to our great opportunity to save this national
treasure," said McSweeney. "Though we've recently received a tremendous
shot in the arm with Mr. Lenfest's donation, we haven't 'saved' the
ship until she's re-purposed as part of a viable business plan. Now is
when the real work begins. We're up to it and we're going to make this
happen the right way."
During the three-hour tour of the Hudson and East Rivers and
Governors Island, guests - some traveling from as far away as Michigan -
were given a comprehensive history of the New York waterfront by
Kramer, who has served in key positions and contributed to diverse
projects in New York for over 20 years. Kramer also pointed out several
locations along Manhattan's West Side that could see a return of the
ship to its original homeport.
Conservancy member Paul Stipkovitch summed up the afternoon: "...bravo
on the vintage tug boat tour. It was great to see what the possibilities
are for the Big U, should she return to her home port."
More details on potential development plans in both New York and
Philadelphia will be announced in the coming weeks and months. Please
stay tuned!
To view a terrific video of the harbor tour produced by MageeMedia, please click HERE or on the image above.
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CONSERVANCY WRISTBANDS AVAILABLE NOW!
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SS United States Conservancy member and supporter Carl Wesch has designed a fabulous line of Save Our Ship wristbands! As Carl's Ebay Store notes, we can save the SS United States "one wrist at a time." These colorful bands make fabulous gifts for children, teens and people of all ages. We hope to see someone wearing the SS United States Conservancy's wristband on every college campus in the country! The Conservancy will be selling these fabulous bands at its forthcoming events and we also encourage you to buy some directly to share with your family and driends. They are only $4.75 each and all profits go to the Conservancy. To get yours, click HERE or on the image above! |
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FANTASTIC NEW LINE OF T-SHIRTS AND POSTERS DESIGNED
BY GREGORY SHUTTERS!
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Conservancy member and supporter Greg Shutters has introduced an exciting new line of SS United States tee shirts and posters. The
stunning graphic, reminiscent of those great 1950's era travel agency
posters, is now available. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of
each item will generously be donated to the Conservancy. Shirts are $19.52 each. To order yours, please click HERE or on the image above. As Greg's website notes: "The world is full of historic treasures, though many of them exist in
obscurity or are in danger of demolition. It is our purpose at Don't
Give Up the Shirt to start conversation about our world's history by
providing stylish wearables, stickables, postables, etc. for history
buffs and non-history buffs alike to appreciate and enjoy... In buying from Don't Give Up the Shirt, you
are not only purchasing a shirt, a poster, or a piece of art, but you
are helping support the preservation of history for future generations." Greg is a very talented graphic designer and is available to take on additional projects. He can be reached at grshutters@gmail.com.
Thank you, Greg, for all of your help in saving the SS United States!
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NUMBER OF PLANK OWNERS CONTINUES TO GROW
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Conservancy's national campaign titled "Save Our Ship"
(SOS) offers a customized "Plank Owner" certificate for tax-deductible
donations of at least $25 via its DONOR WEBSITE.
Please click on the link above and give as generously as you can. If every American contributes even a modest amount, the SS United States could be saved, but we are in urgent need of your help! Your continued support is what fuels our determination to save the
SS United States!
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For the latest news about the SS United States,
please visit our Save Our Ship blog
P
Please visit our bookstore on Blurb.com.
Please support our efforts to save
the SS United States by
visiting our store.
SS United States Conservancy
P.O. Box 32115
Washington, DC 20007
(888)-488-7787
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