May 11, 2019
Author David Macaulay poses atop one of the Big U's signature funnels.
The Conservancy is excited to announce an exclusive opportunity for our supporters. From Conservancy members who join or renew between now and May 18, 2019, FIVE LUCKY SUPPORTERS will be chosen to take part in a special tour of America's Flagship, guided by world-renowned author-illustrator David Macaulay.

Macaulay’s new book, Crossing On Time , tells the story of history’s steamships, especially the greatest of them all — the SS United States . Macaulay immigrated to America as a boy on board America's Flagship. The ship and his personal story are a focus of this exciting new book.

This unique opportunity to tour the SS United States with Macaulay will take place at her current berth in Philadelphia, on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 9 a.m. This special tour will include rarely-seen, below-deck locations, including the ship’s swimming pool, the operating room, the famous Duck Suite, one of the cavernous shaft tunnels, and even the morgue.*
The tour will be followed by a gathering in the ship’s grand ballroom, where David Macaulay will sign copies of Crossing on Time and we will offer the Big U (and Macaulay's "Big Book") a champagne toast.

This is a great way to support our efforts to create a bright future for the SS United States while also having a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore this iconic American symbol.

To be considered, join or renew your Conservancy membership with a donation of $75 or more by clicking HERE .

Eligible members must donate to the Conservancy at the $75 level or above between now and midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on May 18, 2019. The tour participants will be drawn at random and notified on May 20, 2019. Each chosen participant will be allowed to bring one guest, age 18 or older. Best of luck!

*Public access to the SS United States is highly restricted. Please be advised that all tour participants must be at least 18 years of age and sign waivers. The tour involves extensive walking, including a climb up a narrow spiral staircase. Also, since having been stripped down to her bare structural essentials, the ship poses numerous tripping hazards. Finally, because the ship is docked at a working pier, the Conservancy must submit identification credentials to pier security in advance for each person who will be accessing the pier and boarding the ship.
An Additional Tour Opportunity for Young Fans of America's Flagship
In addition to our special tour opportunity for Conservancy members described above, we are also offering a chance for a passionate fan of the SS United States (and David Macaulay!) to meet David in person aboard the Big U on June 8. Simply email us a one-page letter explaining why you love America's Flagship — or why you love David Macaulay's new book about the vessel, Crossing on Time . Illustrations accompanying your letter are welcome!

We will select our favorite, and that person will be invited to join our special ship tour on June 8th. To participate, simply email your letter to  info@ssusc.org  with "Crossing on Time Submission" in the subject line before midnight EST on May 18. (Please note that you must be 18 years old to board the SS United States . If younger than 18, we will arrange a book signing and photo session with David at the ship's pier.)
Help Us Save America's Flagship!
The Conservancy's Executive Director Susan Gibbs and author-illustrator David Macaulay pose beside America's Flagship. Photograph courtesy of Kyle Ober.
Have you picked up your copy of Crossing on Time ? Readers and critics alike are taken with David Macaulay's stunning tribute to the SS United States and the steamships that preceded her revolutionary role in American maritime history.

Macaulay recently spoke with Publisher's Weekly about his journey writing the book, as well as his unique relationship with the SS United States — which began as a boy traveling from his native England to his new home in America. Macaulay explained:

"I was not aware, until I began working on this book, about its history, about its storied career, about its record-breaking feats—I didn’t know any of that stuff! My connection with the ship was that of a 10 year-old who couldn’t believe it was going to take five days to get across the ocean, from one world to the next.

I looked the ship up online and started reading about it. I became aware of the Conservancy, the group that’s trying to save the ship, keep it afloat and find a new home and a new use for it. So I contacted the Conservancy and Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of William Francis Gibbs [the ship’s designer], and they were fantastic from the beginning. That’s when I made my first trip to the ship since 1957, five or six years ago, and it was amazing to be on it again."

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the interview, and, if you haven't already, be sure to order your copy of Crossing on Time .
In celebration of Crossing on Time , the Conservancy is thrilled to offer a new commemorative SS United States t-shirt — a collaboration with the award-winning author and illustrator.

This fetching shirt proudly features David Macaulay's artwork from Crossing on Time , as well as a facsimile of his signature. Best of all, proceeds from sales of this shirt help us continue our efforts to ensure an inspiring future for America's Flagship.

As we mentioned in our last update, this shirt will only be available for a very limited time. Be sure to secure yours today before they're gone for good!

Order your limited edition t-shirt by CLICKING HERE .
"[The SS United States ] was built at a time when 'made in America’ really meant something, and that is a legacy that cannot be lost.  — H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest (1930-2018)