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 Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Image courtesy of Paul Stipkovich, Chairman of the SS United States Conservancy's New York Chapter. Update from the Executive Director Dear SS United States Conservancy Members and Supporters: As you know, this is the SS United States Conservancy's "make or break year." The summer of 2012 will mark the 60th anniversary of the SS United States' maiden voyage, and we will be ramping up our communications, museum planning, fundraising and ship redevelopment efforts. We are actively seeking volunteers to assist with event planning and outreach: Please send an email to info@ssusc.org if you are able to help. We also invite you to join us next month for a Conservancy holiday happy hour in New York, Philadelphia or Washington. (See details below.) As part of our 60th anniversary celebration, we will soon unveil a special project. We will be collecting answers to the question, "Why does the SS United States inspire you?" In 150 words or less, we hope you will tell us why you think this ship is so special. We will be summarizing and publishing these statements in a range of print and social media outlets. Please stay tuned for further instructions on how to participate in this important project. My grandfather William Francis Gibbs, the SS United States' designer, was deeply inspired by his beloved "Big Ship." Every time the ship would leave New York, he'd grab his binoculars, head to the window of his waterfront office at 21 West Street, and watch her glide out into the open ocean. And every time she'd return from Europe, his chauffeur would drive him out Brooklyn's Shore Parkway before the sun rose so he could be the first to watch her appear on the horizon. Then he'd get back in his car and dash to her pier so he could be the first up her gangway after she'd docked. Every day while she was at sea, he'd call the ship's captain and chief engineer to check on her mood and performance. William Francis Gibbs often wrote about the SS United States in his letters and speeches. In searching for a 150-word statement that conveyed why the SS United States so inspired him, the following words stand out: The people who (contributed to the S.S. United States) ...understood what they were doing. They knew that they were trying for the greatest ship in the world and they knew that they were doing it as trustees for the citizens of the United States. They were made aware of that by continuous preaching, and I have the feeling that the reason that this was possible in the United States, with all of its checks and balances, all the difficulties of discussion of all kinds by those opposed to ships and those for ships, all of the arguments that would be made as to the type of design, and all the rest of it, I feel that this result coming out of it indicates the strength of a free society and individual initiative. It is a tribute to the American system... Why does the SS United States inspire you? We look forward to finding out! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Best wishes, Susan L. Gibbs Highlights in this issue: |
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Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the SS United States' maiden voyage with our spectacular new calendar! Follow the SS United States on a voyage across the Atlantic - from boarding in New York City, steaming down the Hudson River, racing through the open ocean, docking in Southampton and Le Havre, and then speeding back home. Filled with facts, including notations on important dates in the ship's history. A must-have for any ship lover, history buff, or both! Calendars are $25 each. To pre-order (calendars will begin shipping early December, in time for the holidays), visit the SS United States Conservancy online shop.
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 SS United States Conservancy Holiday Happy Hours! |
Attention SS United States Conservancy members and supporters in the vicinity of the New York, Philadelphia or Washington, DC metropolitan areas! Please join us for a holiday happy hour and year-end celebration of the SS United States!
The past year was a momentous one for the Conservancy - we managed to prevent the SS United States from being sold for scrap - so please join us as we toast our accomplishments and discuss our plans for the coming year! New York Thursday, December 15, 2011 - Venue: The Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club, 283 Lexington Ave New York, NY.
Philadelphia - Tuesday, December 13, 2011 - Venue: Longhorn Steakhouse, 2120 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia. (This venue is very close to the SS United States' Pier 82.)
Washington, DC - Thursday, December 15, 2011 - Venue: SS United States Conservancy executive director Susan Gibbs' private residence in NW Washington, DC.
For more information or to RSVP for any of these festive gatherings, please email the Conservancy at info@ssusc.org with "holiday gathering" somewhere in the subject line. We look forward to seeing you and hope you will bring along some friends and colleagues!
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SS United States Conservancy Retains Beckelman+Capalino |
T  he Conservancy is delighted to announce that it has retained the Manhattan-based firm of Beckelman+Capalino (B+C) for strategic counsel on organizational development issues. As the Conservancy expands its outreach efforts in the New York metro area and nationwide, B+C is uniquely positioned help us develop our curatorial vision and plan, build our base of supporters, and ensure that the SS United States is saved for future generations. B+C takes on only a very small number of clients, and this strategic partnership promises to enhance the Conservancy's presence and programs.
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Prior to co-founding B+C, Laurie Beckelman held a range of influential positions, including Director of the New Building Program for the Museum of Art & Design; Deputy Director for Special Projects for the Guggenheim Foundation; Vice President for the World Monuments Fund; and Executive Director of The Joseph Papp Public Theater. She also served as Chair and Commissioner of New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission. In her work with the Conservancy, Beckelman is assisted by Mimi Taft, a talented writer and communicator. Taft has worked with a range of previous B+C clients, including the National Dance Institute, Children's Museum of the Arts, Katonah Museum of Art, and Clemente Soto Velez. We are grateful to new Conservancy board member Stephen Lash for referring us to this talented firm. Welcome aboard! |
A Special Presentation from Historic Annin Flagmakers
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Conservancy supporter Bill Lawton of Long Beach Island, NJ presents a flag donated by Annin Flagmakers, America's oldest and largest manufacturer of flags, to Dan McSweeney and Nick Manzi at the Atlantic Logistics headquarters in Philadelphia. Atlantic Logistics manages the SS United States and hosts the SS United States Redevelopment Project.
Bob Caggiano, Vice President of Sales at Annin Flagmakers, which was founded in New York City in 1847, arranged for the donation of the flag. It will be placed aboard the ship next spring, in conjunction with a ceremony and other announcements and events.
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SS United States to Recieve Her Third Stack!
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Newly come aboard is the Conservancy's Curatorial Associate, Margaret Stack!
Margaret Stack recently obtained her bachelor's degree in history, cum laude and with departmental honors, from Bryn Mawr College and is a graduate of the Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, Connecticut. A lifelong maritime history aficionado, she studied at the Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Program and went on to intern at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. and at Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut.
The SS United States, moored along the Philadelphia waterfront, was frequently seen throughout her college years, but it was a year and a half ago that the Big U's fight for survival came to her attention. No stranger to the plight of historic ships, she was captivated by the United States' brilliant past and important role as an American icon. She's thrilled to be given the chance to lend a hand and help preserve the ship for future generations!
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SS United States Redevelopment Project Update
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Putting the United States back to work...
Dear Friends of the SS United States:
Last week I visited the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler and spoke to a group of first-year cadets about our efforts to save and redevelop our great ship of state. It was heartening to see such a talented group of young people pursuing their dreams. They very evidently wanted to learn more about their legacy as members of the American Merchant Marine and how the SS United States fits into a historical continuum that continues to unfold. (By the way, the Fort Schuyler museum has an excellent display on the Big U, should you be in New York and want to visit.)
The larger point is that my visit demonstrated to me that there are plenty of young Americans interested in our work, and that they can be counted on to make major contributions to the effort. Indeed, one of the Conservancy's largest donors is a Schuyler cadet. She is an inspiration to many.
I recently published an editorial about the SS United States in the Morningside Post, an outlet associated with Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. To read the piece, click here. I'm glad to report that there has been some movement in the ship redevelopment arena. Recently, John Reynolds, principal at Atlantic Logistics, and I visited the Aker Philadelphia Shipyard to discuss the potential of doing rebuild work on the vessel at their facility. John's article in The Beacon, the newsletter of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, can be found through this link, on page five. The momentum is growing. We know it must. Thank you for your continued interest and support.
Best regards,
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A Toast to the SS United States!
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The SS United States Conservancy is pleased to announce, in partnership with the award-winning Barrel Oak Winery of Delaplane, Virginia, the launch of two commemorative wines just in time for the holidays! We are pleased to offer, for your liquid enjoyment, the "Big U" Red and the "Hales Trophy" White.
The "Big U" Red is Chambourcin with a fine blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, Syrah and Malbec. Slightly off-dry and very fully developed, it is highly quaffable and an excellent pairing for a wide assortment of foods!
The "Hales Trophy" White is light and fruity, a blend of Vidal Blanc & Sauvignon Blanc. Reminiscent of Riesling, it's sure to brighten your glass!
The "Big U" and the "Hales Trophy" are splendid pairings for a wide variety of meals. Of course, they are also perfect for toasting both to the progress we have made, and to the future of our ship! Each bottle may be purchased for $35, or two may be purchased for $60, in honor of the upcoming 60th anniversary of Big U's maiden voyage and capture of the Hales Trophy.
Funds raised from the sale of these wines will go towards the preservation of the SS United States. As always, we are grateful for your support!
Wine May Be Ordered Here!
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Members of our New York chapter enjoying the new vintage. From left: Greg Shutters, Paul Stipkovich, and Cassie Alvarez.
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William Fox's classic Always Good Ships Re-Released!
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 SS United States Conservancy Advisory Council member William A. Fox has recently re-issued Always Good Ships: Histories of Newport News Ships. The volume was originally published in 1986 for Newport News Shipbuilding's 100th anniversary. This 125th anniversary edition incorporates extensive updates and design changes and showcases all 530 Newport News ships. The revisions include the sad loss of some favorite vessels such as the SS America, USS America, and the tug Huntington, tempered by the stubborn survival of others - the cargo ship Medina, tug Bath, cable ship Joseph Henry, ferry Binghamton, battleship Texas and of course, the peerless SS United States.
The price is $39.95 plus 5 percent sales tax and $6.00 shipping and handling (per order). Orders with payments by check can be mailed to: Always Good Ships, The Donning Company Publishers, 184 Business Park Drive, Suite 206, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. For additional information, please email info@AlwaysGoodShips.com or contact Pamela Engelhard, the Donning Company Publishers, at 800-369-2646 x3370. This volume is not available in bookstores.
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Follow the Conservancy with Facebook and Twitter!
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Over the past few months, the Conservancy has completely redeveloped its presence on online social media, giving us new ways to connect with potential supporters of the SS United States. Be sure to join us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest in developments from the Conservancy as well as discussions, photos from the ship, photos of Conservancy events, and fun ship related trivia!
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