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SS United States in New York Harbor, courtesy of Christopher Buckley
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New Year's Gratitude and Greetings
As we begin 2015 and redevelopment and museum planning for Big U continues to advance, we want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you -- our supporters from all 50 US states and 36 different countries -- for helping us not only keep the Big U afloat with your crucial donations, but also for supporting the greater mission of the Conservancy.
It is through your dedication and passion for America's Flagship that we have been able to spread the word about the SS United States, her history, and her future. Some of you have donated or loaned items, photos and ephemera for our exhibition displays, archives, and Legacy Project. Others have volunteered your time to do outreach at various events, either by speaking at the event or handing out informational materials. A number of you have written articles or produced photo essays that have appeared in local, national, and international newspapers and magazines. And those of you who are artists continue to pay tribute to her through your graphic designs, photography, sculptures, drawings and paintings exhibited throughout the world.
We also thank you for supporting our 2014 annual appeal. For those of you who have not yet donated, it's not too late! Year-end materials were sent to our membership via "snail mail" last month; please contact our office if you did not receive one or if you'd like extra copies.
With your help, we will continue to: build our archival and curatorial collections; educate the public about the ship's history and importance; launch exciting exhibits with partners, such as our previous collaborations with the Forbes Galleries and the Independence Seaport Museum; and bring awareness of the SS United States through regional Chapter events around the world.
 We're saving the SS United States and working to ensure
her legacy endures and inspires. Join us!
Also in this Issue:
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 New Limited Edition Macaulay Tee Available!
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The Conservancy is thrilled to announce the second limited-edition premium t-shirt featuring one of David Macaulay's original sketches, highlighting a gorgeous and graceful propeller from the SS United States!
This Hanes 50/50-blend shirt features David Macaulay's sketch inspired by Jim Pollin's donation to save one of Big U's 5-bladed propellers. The image was used extensively in the Conservancy's 2014 "Propelled by Champions" campaign.
This navy-colored shirt is available in all sizes from youth XS through adult XXXL for only $22 plus shipping by clicking HERE. These shirts will only be produced if we can reach our goal of 200 shirts sold by the end of this month. Please order your very own wearable David Macaulay sketch while showing your support for Big U!
All proceeds from the sale of the "Propelling the SS United States Forward" campaign will go to support crucial Conservancy preservation and museum planning projects. Thank you so much for your continued support of the SS United States!
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SS United States Media Highlights
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Photo by Eric Adams.
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On December 4, Popular Science published an article and photo essay by p hotojournalist Eric Adams titled, "Can Our National Flagship Be Saved?" He writes: "We step on board the SS United States--60 years after the superliner first appeared in Popular Science--and find a rusting but still spectacular icon."
Read Eric's article and view the photo essay HERE. The first article about the SS United States that appeared in Popular Science can be found on page 108 in the May 1952 issue.
The Daily Press reporter Hugh Lessig covered the news of our preliminary-agreement announcement for his readers in the Hampton Roads/Newport News, VA, area. Read the December 15 front-page article, titled " Newport News-built SS United States gets answer to distress call," HERE.
A selection of nine shots of the SS United States from a series of 47 recently taken for the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) was published in the July/August issue of VIEWCAMERA� magazine. VIEWCAMERA� is a bi-monthly specialty publication specifically tailored to the large-format photographer.
 New Jersey Chapter Chairperson Chuck Parodi wrote a great historical overview article about the SS United States for the Fall 2014 issue of the Society for Industrial Archaeology newsletter.
The three-page article, titled "SS United States Conservancy Seeks To Save National Icon," can be read HERE.
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DC Chapter Holiday Event Update
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from left: Conservancy board Secretary Bill Myhre, supporters James Bamford and Sandy Crary, Conservancy Executive Director Susan Gibbs, and Conservancy Hampton Roads Chapter Co-Chair Keith Harper of Gibbs & Cox. Photo by Kyle Ober.
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Conservancy supporters gathered in Washington, DC, on December 22 to celebrate the holidays and the SS United States. Supporter Jim Pollin was honored with the 2014 National Flagship Champion Award for his role in keeping the ship afloat in 2014. Previous honorees include Walter Cronkite (awarded posthumously), philanthropist Gerry Lenfest, and legendary NFL coach Dick Vermeil.
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Blue Riband Council Donor Jim Pollin after receiving the Conservancy's National Flagship Champion Award. Photo by Kyle Ober.
| Songwriter Dan Landau debuts his song about the SS United States, "To Every Journey". Photo by Kyle Ober. |
Another event highlight was the world-premiere performance of singer-songwriter Dan Landau's original song about the SS United States, "To Every Journey." The Conservancy is working with Dan to record his beautiful and powerful song so it can be shared more widely. Conservancy board member Joe Rota announced that all attendees had become "honorary crewmembers," and executive director Susan Gibbs expressed her thanks for the crucial financial support the Conservancy received in 2014.
 |  | Conservancy Communications & Development consultant Christine Hower and Conservancy board member and former United States crewmember Joe Rota listen as NY Chapter co-chair Paul Stipkovich shares a Big U story.
Photo by Kyle Ober. | Supporter Patricia Schultz shown with a print of the SS United States she donated to the Conservancy. The Conservancy continues to build its curatorial and archival collections. Photo by Kyle Ober. |
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Philadelphia Chapter Holiday Gathering
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The Conservancy's Philadelphia Chapter gathered for some food and fellowship on Saturday, December 13, across from the ship in the IKEA cafeteria. After welcoming everyone, Chapter chair Steve Perry introduced his two new co-chairs, Christopher Moody and Tom Lynskey.
Chris and Tom, who are both active volunteers with the Conservancy, introduced themselves and then Steve read a message from executive director Susan Gibbs. The message expressed Susan's profound gratitude for everyone's support of the SS United States, including the generous response to Jim Pollin's challenge grant campaign. It also contained an encouraging update about the ship's preliminary redevelopment agreement.
After an informative and spirited Q&A about the ship and activity in 2014, supporters enjoyed camaraderie and viewing the numerous old photos and news clippings that Conservancy member Stanton Daywalt brought with him to share. Stanton, who is in one of those photos as a young boy, drove up from Stephens City, VA, that morning with Allison Frank specifically to attend the Chapter gathering and to see the ship. In addition, another supporter shared copies of an article he wrote about America's Flagship several years ago.
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David Macaulay's Journey Continues: The Stern
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David Macaulay's sketch of the stern of the SS United States
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The latest blog post from renowned author and illustrator David Macaulay shares the inner workings of some of the key parts of the stern: the propellers, bossings, and rudder. He begins: "Here are some sketches from the stern -- the business end of the United States..."
To learn more about David Macaulay's journey aboard the SS United States as well as read the full blog post and see his new sketches, click HERE.
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In Memoriam: David T. FitzGerald and Elizabeth Holliday Ramsay
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The Conservancy would like to express its condolences to the family and friends of David Tarrant FitzGerald, who passed away on December 2. David served with the Merchant Marines in World War II, and his love with the sea continued through his assignment with the SS America, and later, the SS United States where he served as Chief Purser from her maiden voyage in 1952 through her last cruise in 1969. In 1971, he became Chief Purser of the MS Boheme and served there through his retirement in 1986. David was also President of Inter Island Shipping and the Riedel Corporation, and a Director of the Bank of Maryland and Old South Shipping.
His father, Jim FitzGerald, was a sports editor with The Washington Post and the information director for the Department of Labor. His uncle, Jack FitzGerald, was a turf writer in New York in the 1920's and 30's, and gained notoriety for coining the phrase "The Big Apple."
We are honored and grateful for David's family's wishes that donations be made to the Conservancy in his memory. Fair winds and following seas, David.
The Conservancy is the recipient of a bequest of $50,000 from the estate of Elizabeth (Betty) Holliday Ramsey, who died early last year. Mrs. Ramsey was active in the community, and was a member of the Adam Holliday Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Altoona Council Navy League, the Fort Roberdeau Association, the National Maritime Historical Society, the Blair County Historical Society, and a life member of the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum. During World War II, she was employed, first, at the Philadelphia Port of Embarkation and then as a statistician at the New York Port of Embarkation, Brooklyn, NY, in the Commanding General's Top Secret Chart Room. In 1946, she was employed as a Cost Accountant by United States Lines in their New York office, later transferring to the Philadelphia office until retirement in 1972. Mrs. Ramsey was the great-great-great granddaughter of the founders of three Blair County, PA, towns, and was a direct descendant of both Lazarus Lowery III, and of Nathaniel Patterson, whose first cousin married Jerome Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon. Mrs. Ramsey's generous bequest will help to support the Conservancy's primary mission of education and awareness of America's Flagship, the SS United States. |
Dates in SS United States History
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January 3, 1953: SS United States arrives in Bremerhaven, Germany, for the first time. She is carrying 617 passengers, most of them American military personnel.
January 5, 1769: James Watt patents the first modern steam engine.
January 9, 1972: The SS Seawise University, formerly United States' contemporary RMS Queen Elizabeth, is destroyed by a fire while anchored in Hong Kong Victoria Harbour.
January 10, 1893: Meyer Davis, the famous bandleader who later managed the three orchestras aboard the SS United States, is born.
January 17, 1994: The SS American Star, formerly the United States' running mate SS America, breaks free of her tow lines and is set adrift, en route to Thailand. She is wrecked the next day off the coast of Fuertaventura.
January 18, 1962: Jacques Angelvin and Fran�ois Scaglia are arrested for smuggling 24 pounds of heroin into the US aboard the United States. These events are included in the book and later movie, The French Connection.
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Help spread awareness of America's Flagship.
Thanks to your support, we have almost 13,000 followers on our
Facebook page! Remember to follow us on the following social media platforms, and encourage your friends, colleagues and family members to do the same!
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SS United States Conservancy
P.O. Box 32115
Washington, DC 20007
(888)-488-7787
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