January 31, 2015
Photo courtesy of Robert Hope
Marking an Historic Moment
 
Four years ago tomorrow, February 1, 2011, the SS United States Conservancy took title to the SS United States, saving "America's Flagship" from imminent scrapping. While Gerry Lenfest's game-changing donations saved the ship from certain destruction, the ship remains afloat today only because of your continued support.
 
Thank you for contributing to our fundraising efforts, purchasing SS United States-themed merchandise (including the fantastic David Macaulay limited-edition tee described below), and sharing your memories, artifacts, and documentation related to the ship and her voyages.
 
We've been especially heartened by responses to our annual appeal. Donations continue to come in, many with notes sharing your personal stories and reasons for supporting the SS United States.
 
Allyson, serving on the Ferguson High School Class of 1964 Reunion Committee in Newport News, VA, forwarded a donation on behalf of the class. She wrote: "Many of our class members had families or other relatives that worked on the original construction of the SS United States at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and we all feel a connection to the ship."

Robert from Marlboro wrote to express his gratitude for "the noble effort to save the magnificent and majestic SS United States from an undeserved and unhappy fate." He states that she "is the epitome of what an ocean liner should look like. This is a ship with grace, speed, and class."

Barbara from Princeton, NJ, shares the memory of going down to "The Narrows" on Staten Island to watch the SS United States go in and out of New York Harbor, with the dream of walking her decks one day. Barbara's father was a mechanical engineer and worked for Gibbs and Cox in the 1940's.

As a child, Elton was thrilled by the sight of the ocean liners he would see at the piers when his family drove along the Henry Hudson Parkway. When he learned of the Conservancy's efforts, he knew he would regret it if the ship went "to the knacker's yard" and he did nothing to help. He then resolved to give something every year until the Conservancy "either succeeded or gave up."
 
We are grateful to everyone for your ongoing dedication and passion for America's Flagship, through which you help us to spread the word about the ship, her history, and her future.
 
As due diligence and feasibility studies continue in support of the SS United States' redevelopment, stay tuned for some exciting updates in the coming weeks and months about progress with our curatorial and preservation programs.
 
Once again, we thank you for your unwavering dedication to helping ensure that America's greatest ocean liner continues to endure and inspire for generations to come.
 

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

 



If the above "Donate" button does not display properly, please view it online on our website.

 

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Also in this Issue:
 
 

 

shipshirt 
Just Days Left to Get Limited-Edition Macaulay Tee!

Macaulay tee #2
 
There are just a few days left to order the second limited-edition premium t-shirt featuring one of David Macaulay's original sketches and show your support for America's Flagship! 

 

This striking navy tee is available in two options -- Hanes 50/50-blend and American Apparel jersey -- and features David Macaulay's sketch inspired by Jim Pollin's donation to save one of Big U's 5-bladed propellers. This image was used extensively in the Conservancy's 2014 "Propelled by Champions" campaign.

The Hanes shirt is available for $22 plus shipping, and the American Apparel shirt (which has a slimmer fit) is available for $25 plus shipping. (Because of the cut of the American Apparel shirt, you may want to order up a size or two for comfort.)

This shirt is available in all sizes from youth XS through adult XXXL by clicking HERE. Our international supporters may order their shirt by clicking HERE. (When prompted, the booster campaign page is www.booster.com/propelbigu.)

Wear your support on your shoulders and help us to reach our goal of 200 shirts sold through Monday! You may also make a tax-deductible donation to support the SS United States on the same page when placing your order.
 
All proceeds from 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!

 

media 
SS United States Continues to Inspire


Tony Strublic Maritime Artist
Photo by Tony Strublic, Maritime Artist

Our Great Lady continues to inspire artists of every kind, from writers to poets, photographers to painters, and musicians to scultptors. As these works are shared with us, we like to share them with you.

Above is a drawing by one of our supporters, Maritime Artist Tony Strublic. Tony's work consists of fine-detailed black-pencil drawings of Great Lakes freighters, ocean liners, Coast Guard/Naval vessels, and lighthouses. He drew the image of our ship after being inspired by a photograph he saw of the SS United States at dock, with her bow proudly jutting up toward the sky.

Tony was recently featured in the Nomadic Preservation Society's 1st Quarter publication, with his artwork of the RMS Olympic and Nomadic tender adorning the front cover and an article inside. More of his work can be seen on on his web site at www.greatlakesartwork.webs.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/greatlakesartwork.


rotterdam 
Spreading Awareness of the Big U in The Netherlands


Steamship Rotterdam Foundation publication
Article by historian Ronald Aker in the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation
member publication.
Our friends at the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation continue to help us spread awareness of the SS United States in the recent issue of their newsletter, with an article written by Ronald Aker, a Big U supporter and SS Rotterdam historian and expert. The publication is sent to over 850 ship lovers in The Netherlands and abroad.

 

In November, an SS United States Conservancy delegation visited the SS Rotterdam, where they were treated to a tour by Steamship Rotterdam Foundation Chairman Klaas Krinjen and Ronald Aker. The 748-foot-long "Dutch Flagship" -- an outstanding model for the Big U's restoration -- has been beautifully restored as a stationary mixed-used attraction and features a hotel, convention center, office space, restaurants and bars, and a museum.

To learn more about the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation, please visit its website at www.ssrotterdam.net.

 

coins 
A New Year with New Offerings

 
SS United States Challenge Coin
SS United States Challenge Coin

You may notice a few small changes with Conservancy membership benefits at the SS United States Benefactor and SS United States Champion membership levels this year. For 2015, we are introducing our brand new SS United States Challenge Coin, pictured above.
 
The front of this beautiful collectible coin features a 3-D relief of the SS United States during her service career, as seen in one of the photographs courtesy of Bill DiBenedetto. The reverse of the coin displays the Conservancy's color logo and web site. The coins are produced by Gray Water Ops, a company that is 100% veteran-owned and operated.

Watch for other changes to be announced, including a new monthly giving program where you can schedule your donations to be made automatically, and spread your support throughout the year!
 
shop 
Support the Ship Through Our Shop

 
SS United States merchandise
SS United States merchandise

From time to time, we receive questions from supporters asking how they can purchase SS United States merchandise. If you just can't get enough of the Big U, please visit the Shop page on our web site. The links will take you to external web sites, many of which are run by supporters of the SS United States who donate a portion of the sale price to the Conservancy. We both win!
 
Do you have merchandise to sell? The Conservancy is an eBay GivingWorks designated charity, so when you list your items for sale on eBay, you can designate a portion of or the entire sale amount to go to the SS United States Conservancy with just a few clicks! Click HERE to learn more.


Special note: Due to extenuating circumstances, there will not be a 2015 calendar. We apologize for the inconvenience, and expect to offer the 2016 calendar starting this fall.

dates 
Dates in SS United States History


January 26, 1927:  William Francis Gibbs, who would later design the SS United States, marries Vera Cravath at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York.

 

January 30, 1962:  The SS United States makes the first of 23 cruises during her service life - this one a 14-day excursion to the West Indies.

 

February 1, 2011:  The Conservancy takes ownership of the SS United States, marking the first time that a preservation organization held title to the vessel.

 

February 5, 1964:  Commodore John Anderson retires; Captain Leroy J. Alexanderson assumes command.

 

February 6, 1946:  Naval architect William Francis Gibbs presents "Design 12201" (which would become the SS United States) to General John M. Franklin of United States Lines for the first time.

 

February 7, 1957:  Commodore John Anderson maneuvers the 990-foot United States to her berth without tug assistance for the first time, due to a tug workers' strike.

 

February 8, 1950:  The keel for "Hull 488" (later the SS United States) is laid at Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock. The SS United States was the first passenger liner to be nearly entirely constructed in dry dock.

 

February 9, 1942:  The French liner Normandie catches fire and later capsizes at her New York pier. The disaster partially fuels William Francis Gibbs' obsession with fire prevention. Among the fireboats at the scene is the Gibbs-designed Fire Fighter.

 

February 10, 2009:  Norwegian Cruise Line, then-owner of the SS United States, announces that it will abandon plans to refit the ship to active cruise service, and lists the vessel for sale.

 


Help spread awareness of America's Flagship.

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SS United States Conservancy

P.O. Box 32115

Washington, DC 20007

(888)-488-7787