America's Flagship Lights Up for Philadelphia Eagles

February 3, 2018

Big U Goes Green for Hometown Team as They Fight for First Super Bowl Victory

Excitement is building in the SS United States' hometown this weekend as the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

In honor of the city that has welcomed her for the past 20 years, the SS United States is joining other local landmarks in going Eagles green on Friday and Saturday night.

Photographs courtesy of Ray Griffiths.

Stop by her Pier 82 berth from 6-10 PM to see America's Flagship shine! An incredible view of the ship is available from Columbus Boulevard or from Columbus Commons across the street. See more photos HERE.

Did you know that former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil is a proud supporter of America’s flagship? Vermeil was presented with the National Flagship Champion Medal in 2012, after starring in a public service announcement released to correspond with the 60th anniversary of the launch of the SS United States.

In the inspiring personal appeal , the NFL legend campaigned to raise awareness of the ship's history and drive interest in the efforts to restore and revitalize this great vessel. Vermeil stated at the time: "This ship symbolizes the very best of America. The SS United States is a true American champion and she deserves our help." Watch the video HERE .

Donate Now

Help Us Save America's Flagship!

"Ocean Liners: Speed and Style" Dazzles at London's Victoria and Albert Museum

" Ocean Liners: Speed and Style," a new exhibition at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, opens today and explores the design and cultural impact of the world's greatest ocean liners — including the SS United States!

The exhibition guide notes:

"As the largest machines of their age by far, ocean liners have become powerful symbols of progress and 20th-century modernity. No other form of transport was so romantic, so remarkable or so contested."

Deck chair in foreground from SS United States .

Luggage of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

All photographs from Victoria and Albert Museum.

Curated by the V&A in collaboration with Massachusetts' Peabody Essex Museum , objects from America's Flagship are well represented among the more than 250 items showcased.

Highlights include one of the Big U's iconic deck chairs, a Charles Lin Tissot "Snowflake Crystal Montage” panel from the ship's private dining room, the original Hales Trophy awarded to the holder of the Blue Riband and a luggage set as used by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor aboard the SS United States . The Conservancy also contributed footage from the United States Lines promo reel, " The SS United States At Your Service! "

"Ocean Liners: Speed and Style" is already receiving rave reviews. The Telegraph comments:

" Ocean Liners: Speed and Style is a surprisingly sophisticated exhibition. It will satisfy those who yearn, nostalgically, for the glamour of a lost age. At the same time, it will sate those with an appetite for serious analysis of modern design."

CLICK HERE to learn more about the exhilarating exhibition.

"She should be saved, because she is a symbol of the strength and endurance that our country represents.”

— Former passenger Dottie Matthews Waterreus, Orem, UT

Celebrating Seven Years Since the Conservancy Saved America's Flagship from the Scrapyard

On February 1st, 2011, the SS United States Conservancy officially purchased the SS United States , rescuing the ship from imminent scrapping and marking first time in the history of the vessel that her ownership was by a group concerned primarily with her historic significance and preservation.

Since then, America's Flagship has continued to defy the odds, remaining safely afloat thanks to the ship's generous and ever-expanding network of friends and supporters .

A pledge by Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest was instrumental in allowing the Conservancy to purchase the ship in 2011. Lenfest underscored the importance of the SS United States in a statement at the time, declaring:

“S he is worth keeping. This ship is an iconic part of American maritime history and if there’s any chance at all that she can be saved, we should take that chance.”

Photograph courtesy of Greg Shutters.

Photograph courtesy of Bob Sturm.

CLICK HERE to watch a rousing speech given on the day of the purchase by Judge Thomas Watkins, who also played an essential role in the Conservancy's acquisition of the ship from Norwegian Cruise Line.

“I am honored to support the Conservancy as a steadfast guardian of such an important moment in our nation's history.”

— Steve Williams, Revere, MA

Want to share online? Click here to open this email as a webpage.