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 | Photographer Kyle Ober was inspired to create this powerful poster after meditating on the relative scarcity of images of the SS United States as she exists today. Shooting these photographs on a cold and bleak December day, he hoped to capture the ship's grandeur and the "urgency that presently hovers over its current day status of possible destruction."
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Executive Director's Update
Dear SS United States Conservancy Supporters:
As you will read below, we are formally launching our SS United States museum planning process. We hope to create a dynamic and immersive destination experience that celebrates the ship's storied history as well as her namesake nation's. Future visitors will be able to examine and explore everything from the glory days of trans-Atlantic seagoing travel to Cold War secrets to American engineering and industrial design to the music and fashion of the "Mad Men" while visiting, shopping, dining, and sleeping aboard the refurbished SS United States.
While our SS United States museum will restore and recreate some of the vessel's most iconic spaces, artwork and design features, we must - above all else - find powerful ways to express and share the ship's stories. I've had the pleasure and honor of speaking with so many former SS United States crew members, officers and passengers, and I have heard so many extraordinary tales: How her exhausted crewmembers drank beer out of Maxwell Coffee cans and slept on their laundry bags in Times Square when the waters were rough. How the Newport News ship yard workers toiled on Christmas Day to ensure that the Big U would be ready by her delivery date. How the ship scaled 90-foot waves and was so "muscular" that she gulped down 859 tons of Bunker C fuel in a typical day at sea. How her horn made her navigator's hair stand on end when she announced to the entire ocean that she was making her way across.
The Conservancy continues to pursue the ship's long-term redevelopment, and we promise a full update from the SS United States Redevelopment Project in this newsletter's next issue. As you know, we are in a race against time to ensure that this one-of-a-kind piece of American history is not lost forever. As the buzz begins to mount around the 100th anniversary of the Titanic, let's not forget that our national flagship did not sink. In fact, she remains proudly afloat at her Delaware River pier, awaiting resurrection.
As always, thank you so much for your support...
Susan L. Gibbs
Executive Director
To become a member of the SS United States Conservancy or to make a tax-deductible donation in support of our efforts, please click here
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 SS United States Museum Planning & Inventory Process Launched | |
The SS United States Conservancy is dedicated to the legacy of the Big U - to preserving both the ship herself and the memory of her, as she survives in the minds and hearts of those who were connected to her. As we work to save and repurpose the vessel, we are also dedicated to establishing an extraordinary museum celebrating the SS United States and the American Century she so powerfully symbolized.
To further our goal, we are embarking on an effort to compile a comprehensive inventory of the vessel's existing artwork, furnishings, and other artifacts. Ultimately, we hope to make this information available for researchers and historians, to facilitate communication and information exchange among enthusiasts and collectors, and to identify sources for future loans in support of the Conservancy's exhibitions and displays.
To accomplish this ambitious undertaking, we would be very grateful for your assistance. If you own original items from the ship, we hope you might be willing to complete the attached survey. Sharing this information with the Conservancy in no way implies any intent to loan or donate your material. At this stage, we are simply trying to create a comprehensive record of how the SS United States' legacy endures in material culture and memory. Please help us by taking a few minutes to complete this short survey!
For more on the inventory project, please, read our letter here.
For a pdf version of the survey itself, please click here. If you'd prefer to complete the survey online, please, click here.
If you have any questions about the survey process, please don't hesitate to contact the Conservancy's curatorial associate, Margaret Stack, at mstack@ssusc.org.
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Please Join us at Conservancy's Fort Schuyler Chapter event and SS United States event in Philadelphia Honoring John Reynolds
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Friends and supporters of the Conservancy, there's still time to RSVP for our upcoming events in New York and Philadelphia!
You are cordially invited to a celebratory evening at SUNY Maritime's Fort Schuyler campus hosed by the Conservancy's Fort Schuyler and New York chapters. The festivities will began at 5:00PM on Saturday, March 24th, in Vander Clute Hall. Throughout the evening, the Maritime Industry Museum, also located on SUNY Maritime's campus, will be open to guests. All three of the SS United States' commodores - Harry Manning, John Anderson, father of Conservancy Board President Charles Anderson, and Leroy Alexanderson - were Fort Schuyler graduates. Please go here to make your reservation!
We also invite you to join us for a special celebration in Philadelphia on Wednesday, March 28th. John Reynolds of Atlantic Logistics, whose firm has been taking care of the SS United States since 2003 and plays a key role in the SS United States Redevelopment Project, is being honored by the Seaman's Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey. He will receive 2012's Spirit of the Port Award. The Conservancy is deeply grateful for all the help that he has given us over the years, and are proud that we can help recognize all of his good work.
The Award luncheon will be held at the Sheet Metal Workers' Union Hall, at 1301 South Columbus Boulevard in Philadelphia. The celebration will begin at 10:00am with a special pre-screening of the documentary SS United States: Made in America. Following the film and discussion of the future of the Big U will be a cocktail reception, and, at 12:30pm, the luncheon itself. Space is limited, so please reserve your space in advance. Please contact barlow@sciphiladelphia.org to make a reservation.
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Dan McSweeney To Address the Circumnavigators Club
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It's a busy month for the Conservancy, but we hope that there are still a few open days on your calendar! On the evening of Wednesday, March 20, the Circumnavigator's Club will be hosting a dinner party in New York City, featuring Dan McSweeney. Dan - the managing director of the SS United States Redevelopment Project - will screen a brief film about the SS United States and then address the assembly about the ongoing efforts to preserve and repurpose the Big U. The event will be held at Connolly's Pub & Restaurant, at 14 East 47th Street, in New York City, beginning at 6PM. Though there is a charge for dinner, all friends of the SS United States are welcome. We look forward to seeing you on the 20th! Please click here for RSVP details |
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Media Highlights: SS United States Conservancy and the Big U Making Waves At Home and Abroad
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"Final Attempt to Preserve the Historic Ocean Liner SS United States"
The esteemed maritime and naval historian, Juan Carlos Diaz Lorenzo, has written an article profiling both the SS United States and the Conservancy's mission across the Atlantic. Calling attention to the both the illustrious history of the ship, and her current plight, he's certainly brought her to the attention of a wider audience. Many thanks go to the Conservancy's tireless European Outreach Chair, Mario Alvarez-Garcillan, for bringing this article to our attention!
To read the full text of the article as it was originally written, please click here.To read a translation, provided by Mario Alvarez Garcillan, please click here.
"America's Lady In Waiting is Still Waiting"
Jim Palmer, of Inside Milwaukee, has written a beautiful tribute to the SS United States. Having seen her leave on her maiden voyage, he both remembers her heyday and holds out hope for her continuing greatness and existence, and commends the continuing efforts to preserve her for posterity. To read the full text of the article, please click here.
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Steven Ujifusa Honored with Conservancy's Blue Riband Award
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We are pleased to announce that Steve Ujifusa, soon-to-be published author of A Man and His Ship: America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Quest to Build the SS United States, has been honored with our Blue Riband award. Given in commemoration of his many contributions to the Conservancy, it is a token of our high regard and incredible gratitude for playing a leadership role in our efforts to save the SS United States.
In a recent interview, Steve said that his time with the Conservancy has been "an incredible journey, working for an incredible group of people." Speaking of the SS United States, he recounted the many reasons why she is worth saving - that she represents both a "great American effort" and a "great American story," that she is a "masterpiece" that must be preserved. "What really matters," he emphasized, "Is how the ship has touched so many people."
Happy as we are to recognize Steve, we must also announce that he is leaving his staff position at the Conservancy in order to pursue his career as an author and historian. He will continue to serve on the Advisory Council. We're sad to lose him as a colleague, but we cannot thank him enough for all of his great work, and hope that he finds nothing but success and joy in all his future endeavors. Farewell and following seas!
To learn more about Steve's book about William Francis Gibbs and the SS United States, which will be published by Simon & Schuster in July 2012, please visit www.stevenujifusa.com.
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Washington DC Chapter Event A Complete Hit!
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The Conservancy's busy March series of events has officially begun! On March 4, the Washington DC Chapter held its Greater Washington Area Kick off and Silent Auction. Taking place in DC's Wharf Preview Center, the gathering featured appropriately festive food, wine, and, of course, the Conservancy's incredible members and supporters.
 | | Guests assembled at the Wharf Preview Center; Photo credit: Kyle Ober. |
Despite the rain, spirits were high. Among our friends were two members of our advisory council, Elizabeth Fletcher and Bill Myhre. We were particularly pleased to that "Fletch" could join us after braving a seven-hour drive!
 | | Conservancy Advisory Council member Elizabeth Fletcher chats with Denny Edwards of the National Defense Transportation Association and his wife. Photo credit: Kyle Ober. |
Many thanks are owed: to our tireless DC Chapter Chair, Seth Levey; to dedicated supporter Commissioner Bob Craycraft, for hosting the event; to Chris Beck, for providing food - including the fabulous SS United States cookies. Thank you to all who turned out to support our ship - none of this would be possible without you!
 | | Susan Gibbs and her daughter Thea Piccone show off the evening's special treat: custom SS United States cookies created by chef extraordinaire Chris Beck Photo credit: Kyle Ober. |
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| From The Vault: Keiran B. Meagher Recalls Working the Atlantic Crossing | |
Last December, we began the series From The Vault, showcasing oral histories, still images, home movie footage and other personal remembrances of America's "Ship of State." These stories and photographs will be incorporated into our future exhibitions, expanded archives and outreach materials. We will also share highlights in our newsletter. We are always searching for new material - we look forward to hearing from you! Contact us at archives@ssusc.org!
A personal note from Keiran Meagher on his connection with SS United States:
"In June, 1962, just graduated from high school, I had the good fortune to secure seaman's papers, joined the NMU, and "threw in" for a five cruise job as a waiter in the Engineering Petty Officers' Mess. Our normal routine was NY to Southampton, discharging passengers going to England, then sailing the same day to Le Havre, where we dropped off passengers for France and picking up passengers to NY, then back to Southampton for an overnight stay, then back to NY. Every fourth or fifth trip, Bremerhaven was thrown into the middle of that schedule. I had one trip to Bremerhaven that summer. In June, 1963, I threw in for a four cruise job in the Cabin Class scullery.
To say that these trips were a coming-of-age would be a great understatement. Aside from the fact that the wages (for a kid) were fabulous, I had the opportunity to meet a universe of different people, all supportive and part of the ship's mystique. I remember vividly two events. I think it was the second summer, we received a message that a sailing vessel had encountered some sort of trouble. We were closest, although past the vessel, so we had to turn around and go back. I am certain Capt. Alexanderson, under the pressures of schedules, was unhappy, but of course back we went. The scene was startling: apparently someone on board the sailing vessel had gotten waylaid by the boom and required medical attention. The enormity of the Big U was brought home as we looked down upon the sailboat, probably 40-50 feet in length, which looked like a bathtub toy.
During the late spring of 1963, the France was commissioned. It was reportedly the French Line's determination to take the Blue Riband crossing record away from the United States on her maiden voyage. We prayed that that would happen, so that we could, that summer, take it back, with a record crossing that would put the French Line in their place. Alas, France was unable to approximate the time of the United States' maiden voyage, and we had to make do with the usual sedate 32 knots.
My time on the United States was wonderful. I matured, traveled a little in France and England, and paid for college expenses. It is inconceivable that a work of art so beautiful as United States could be permitted to be lost."
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All Hands On Deck - Help Us Celebrate the Big U! | |
A Call for Volunteers! Please help us celebrate the Big U's 60th Anniversary
This year is a big one for the Big U. July will mark the 60th Anniversary of her maiden Atlantic voyage. We plan to celebrate by making a huge splash nationwide and we need YOUR help organizing local events. Casual happy hours, informative lectures and film screenings, themed evening events... every event garners interest and support for our mission to SAVE the SS United States! In this make-or-break year, we need to rally support throughout the nation. You can help by joining the Conservancy and volunteering your time to organize an event or start a membership chapter in your area.
We are now planning our special 60th Anniversary events calendar and would like to include an array of festivities across the nation. Let us know if you can organize an event in your local community!
We will welcome volunteers from across the nation. At this time, we are particularly interested in founding membership chapters in the Miami area of Florida, Hampton Roads area of Virginia, and on the West Coast. Volunteers will work closely with the Conservancy to recruit members, fundraise, and raise local awareness of the SS United States. Interested? Send an email to Sarah Carley, the Conservancy's outreach associate, at scarley@ssusc.org
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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 social media presence, giving us new ways to connect with Conservancy members, fans and potential supporters of the SS United States. Be sure to join us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest 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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