Last week, the 12th annual Maritime Heritage Conference in Buffalo, New York brought together nautical heritage organizations and enthusiasts for sessions featuring maritime museums, historic lighthouses, tall ships, small craft, marine art, sailing, naval and maritime scholars, advocacy, and more.

SS United States Conservancy Board Members Charles Anderson, Bill Myhre, and Warren Jones presented the story of the Big U in a plenary session on September 25th. Charles described the ship’s design, unique features, launch and record-breaking years of her service life, including maritime stories from his father, Commodore John Anderson’s, service as the ship’s longest-serving master.

Bill shared the many milestones of the SS United States and the various owners and their proposed plans during the ship’s post-service years. Warren continued with the Penn Warehousing litigation that led to an urgent search for an alternative pier — and ultimately forced the choice between scrapping or reefing America’s Flagship. He shared exciting updates on the planning and preliminary designs for the SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience.

The conference setting was ideal for brainstorming with maritime enthusiasts, fans of the SS United States, and seasoned museum curators. It was rewarding to have so many attendees express support for the Conservancy and the future museum. 

THE SS UNITED STATES FERRIES FAMILY TO FREEDOM

A Conservancy supporter, Hynek Lettang, recently donated photos of his family’s voyage aboard the Big U and shared the moving story of their journey. Originally from Prague, Czechoslovakia, the Lettang family experienced the 1968 invasion of the Soviet military and the resulting chaos and fear imposed by the military occupation. 

In April 1969, the Lettangs traveled aboard the SS United States as political refugees to America before landing at Pier 86 in New York City to embark upon their new life.

The Lettang's family photographs document their journey from Hynek’s time in the play room to the family on the Big U’s deck looking out to sea. We are so grateful for this generous donation.



If you have photos that you wish to share to be preserved by the Conservancy, please reach out to archives@sssusc.org.

Photos courtesy of Hynek Lettang

PIECE TOGETHER THE BIG U

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US

Last month, the Conservancy welcomed journalist Doug Most for an incredible presentation about his recently-published Launching Liberty: The Epic Race to Build the Ships That Took America to War, and the key contributions of William Francis Gibbs to this monumental ship-building effort, which produced over 2,700 Liberty ships.

Programs like these are hosted by the Conservancy as part of our efforts to commemorate the history of the SS United States and her significance in American maritime history.

We are so grateful to our supporters who were able to attend! Do you have suggestions for future Conservancy member book talks or other special programs? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at hmcgovern@ssusc.org.

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY WITH THE CONSERVANCY