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September 3, 2016 | ssusc.org
In This Update
Acclaimed Photographer Devotes Entire Exhibit to the SS United States
Courtesy of Stephen Mallon.

You may recognize Stephen Mallon's soulful photographs of the SS
United States, some of them accompanied the major story published by National Geographic in February about the Conservancy's efforts to save America's Flagship. 

Now a collection of those photographs will be displayed as an exhibition titled "47 Years in Waiting -- SS
United States" at the Front Room Gallery in Brooklyn, New York. 
 
Mallon's photographs feature iconic public spaces like the ship's ballroom, dining room, theater and swimming pool, as well as spaces usually hidden from sight, like the engine room and the inside of the funnels. His remarkable work conjures the grandeur the SS United States still possesses. In some of the images, you can sense the lingering traces of a world where passengers sipped tea in the First Class promenade while the watching the ocean rush by outside the long wall of windows.
 
Mallon's work has been shown in museums and galleries internationally, and been covered by publications including the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Wired, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, and NPR. 

The opening reception for "47 Years in Waiting -- SS United States" will take place on September 9th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. For more information about the exhibition, visit our Events page.
A New Book from a Former Engineer on the Big U 
Courtesy of Robert Strum.

Former crewmember Robert Strum (some of whose stories were featured
 on our blog Call Sign KJEH) recently published an account of his time as an engineer on the SS United States. In this fantastic book, he offers "an insider's view of the history, construction, operation, and 'secrets' of this magnificent vessel." 

For ordering information, click here.
Liberty Ship John W. Brown Visits New York
On September 9th, the SS John W. Brown, one of only two surviving Liberty Ships, will arrive in New York from her home port of Baltimore. 

Courtesy of the SS John W. Brown Project.

William Francis Gibbs designed the "Liberty Ships" for the U.S. Navy during World War II. By the end of the war, production of these high-capacity cargo ships had become so streamlined that one could be built in only forty-two days. The fact that the SS John W. Brown is still fully operational is a testament to the design know-how of Gibbs & Cox.

For more information about the SS John W. Brown's visit to New York (including the two "Steam Days" when visitors will be able to see engine at work), click here. 

We're saving the SS United States and working to ensure 
her legacy endures and inspires.
Please join us! 

  




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The view from an entrance of the SS United States looking aft. Cabin class rooms are located along the left side of the hallway. Courtesy of Stephon Mallon.
Travel Weekly Explores What's Next 
for the SS United States
Courtesy of the SS United States Conservancy Archives.

Now that Crystal Cruises feasibility study has concluded, the Conservancy team is busy advancing plans for the ship's potential stationary redevelopment. Senior Editor Tom Steighorst of Travel Weekly spoke with Executive Director Susan Gibbs about the important data gathered from the feasibility study, including fantastic 3D scans of the entire ship, and the Conservancy's renewed outreach to qualified developers in New York and other port cities. 

"It's one of the most innovative, exciting, unique real estate projects in the country right now," Gibbs told Steighorst. "Because the ship has approximately 500,000 square feet of usable space, one can imagine a variety of very exciting uses of that space." You can read Steighorst's article in full here. 

Over the last several years, the Conservancy has held substantive discussions with more than a dozen investors, developers, and architects, many of whom had exciting visions for the ship. We are now revisiting those discussions and expanding our outreach. Given the results of the Crystal feasibility study, our focus will be solely on converting the vessel into a stationery mixed-use development that might include a museum, hospitality and event spaces, restaurants, and office spaces. We have also resumed active exploration of alternative locations for mooring the ship.

As we press forward, it is critical for all of us to remember that the SS United States is a unique development project that, in addition to the opportunities it offers, poses a number of challenges such as marrying a location with sufficient market size and density to a development program that will be both commercially viable and will showcase the ship's historic significance.

Alongside our outreach to developers, we are advancing our curatorial plans by building our permanent collections, laying the groundwork for new digital explorations of the vessel, and continuing to spread the word about the ship's unique historic significance and potential.

We've always know that saving and rejuvenating America's Flagship would be a challenge. The allure this iconic ship holds for a growing community around the world -- as well as your continued support -- inspire us as we continue our work. To help us continue our efforts to preserve the legacy of the SS United States for generations to come, click here.
Remembering Helen Delich Bentley, Barnie Nixon, and James Rindfleisch
Photograph of the SS United States 
taken by B.J. Nixon. Courtesy of the Mariners' Museum, Newport News, VA.

With heavy hearts, we share the sad news of the passing of three dear friends of the Conservancy: Helen Delich Bentley, Barnie (BJ) Nixon, and James (Jim) Rindfleisch.  
 
Former Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley of Maryland was a leading expert on federal maritime policy and an early champion of the SS United States. Prior to being elected to the United States House of Representatives, she served as chair of the Federal Maritime Commission. Over the course of her career, she played a key role in passing legislation, such as the SS United States Preservation Act of 1992, to protect the ship from being scrapping or sold to a foreign entity. 
 
As official photographer for the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, BJ Nixon documented the construction and christening of the SS United States. He also took photographs onboard during her maiden voyage. "It was just a solid party for three and a half days!" he said in an interview with the Conservancy. "The night before we broke the record, everybody stayed up all night. The band was playing out on the Promenade Deck and we all formed a conga line. That ship was the highlight of my life."
 
Jim Rindfleisch was the SS United States' caretaker while she was laid up in Norfolk prior to being towed to Turkey and the Ukraine. "We knew that if the ship wanted to get rid of you, she could do that," he told the Conservancy in an interview, "so we always talked nice to her. And looked out for her interests. You know, kept her pumped out, tied up. I think she appreciated that." His book about the ship 
-- "a complete tome of knowledge" -- may be published posthumously.
 
Representative Delich Bentley, BJ Nixon, and Jim Rindfleish each played indispensable roles in sustaining the SS United States' legacy, and we will remain forever grateful for their contributions. We wish fair winds and following seas to all three. 
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SS United States Conservancy

P.O. Box 32115

Washington, DC 20007

(888) 488-7787