Having trouble with the formatting of this email? Click here to open as a web page.

THE SS UNITED STATES HEADLINES

OCEAN LINER HISTORY SERIES

Photo courtesy of Bob Sturm and the

SS United States Conservancy

The SS United States was recently highlighted by “The Captain’s Table,” a blog focused on classic liners and the golden age of ocean travel. The detailed history spans ship designer William Francis Gibbs’ prolific and painstaking conversion of the SS Vaterland into the SS Leviathan after World War I to his obsession with his beloved SS United States.

The Big U’s exceptional engineering made her “one of the fastest liners in history with her state-of-the-art propulsion system, but also among the safest passenger ships ever built.” To read more from “The Captain’s Table” about the ship’s construction, record-breaking service career, and legacy that will be celebrated and commemorated in our future SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience, please click HERE.

LAUNCHING LIBERTY AVAILABLE THIS WEEK!

This week, journalist Doug Most’s fascinating book, Launching Liberty: The Epic Race to Build the Ships that Took America to War, is available for purchase. Reflecting a broad array of American experiences during World War II, the book details the mid-century manufacturing advancements that facilitated the production of Liberty ships with ever-increasing efficiency.

William Francis Gibbs, the SS United States’ designer, played a key role in this process alongside famed shipbuilder Henry Kaiser.

We are thrilled to welcome Doug Most for an exclusive book talk on Wednesday, September 17th at 7pm (eastern). This exciting presentation will take place via Zoom. To register and submit your questions in advance, please click HERE.

To purchase your copy of Launching Liberty, please click HERE.

THE SS UNITED STATES INSPIRES ARTISTS

Brooklyn-based artist Kelly Micca is featuring a number of stunning paintings of the SS United States in her new solo exhibition at Procession Gallery in Philadelphia. Her small oil paintings depict the Big U docked at Pier 82, including poignant images of the ship’s final night in Philadelphia.

Please click HERE to see these captivating and poignant pieces! For those in the area, this exhibition can be seen at Procession Gallery during their limited weekend hours, or by appointment, through August 30th. Visit Procession Gallery's website HERE for more information.

BIG U MODEL STEALS THE SHOW

Eugene Berger's spectacular 1:96 model of the SS United States won first place at the International Plastic Modelers Society's Annual National Convention earlier this month! Check out these photos of this incredibly detailed recreation of the Big U on Facebook HERE.

The Conservancy welcomed Gene and his extraordinary model several years ago at a special member event at the Mariners Museum in Newport News.

Constructed over 14 years, the 11-foot model contains incredible details, from seagulls on the funnels to passengers' vintage outfits to the ship's signature (fireproof!) deckchairs.

Conservancy President Susan Gibbs with Gene Berger and his incredible SS United States model. Courtesy of the SS United States Conservancy.

SHARE YOUR FOOD AND DINING PHOTOS!

Our newest digital exhibition “Food Tastes Better at Sea: Dining Aboard the SS United States” details items used in the dining rooms on board, such as United States Lines-branded napkins and the distinctive “Grey Star” patterned china. These items have outlasted the ship’s service career, both as part of the Conservancy’s extensive collections as well as treasured items in the homes of many former passengers and collectors.

Tables set with "Grey Star" china aboard the SS United States. Photo from the Mark Perry Collection.

Have you been dining or entertaining with china, glassware, or other serving items from the SS United States? We would love to see photos or videos of your feasts to include in a new section of our digital exhibition as a tribute to these treasured mementos from the ship’s service career.

Please consider sharing your photos of wining and dining with serveware from the Big U with the Conservancy at archives@ssusc.org! To visit our digital exhibition, please click HERE.

GUESTBOOK GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Did you enter our giveaway contest? Six lucky visitors to our digital exhibit will receive a reproduction of "The Captain's Table," the 1964 SS United States recipe booklet.

Recipes include “cold eggs muscovite,” “holiday capon,” and “parfait mocha.” Please check the email you used when signing our digital guest book to see if you won!!

COMMEMORATE AMERICA'S FLAGSHIP

Show off your love of the SS United States with this comfortable sweatshirt! Available in sizes up to 5XL, this high-quality sweatshirt will keep you warm as summer cools down.

Click HERE to purchase.

Donate

Website

Shop