January 27, 2018

"SS United States could be America's Flagship once again," says Fox News

The SS United States has been a cultural icon since her maiden voyage in 1952. She remains an international media sensation, as the incredible story of America's Flagship spreads and new supporters rally to save America's greatest and sole remaining ocean liner. This Friday, the ship was featured on Fox News' Happening Now, a show with approximately 1.8 million daily viewers. In the moving piece, the ship is likened to other American icons, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

In an interview with Happening Now 's anchor, Jon Scott, Conservancy Executive Director Susan Gibbs discussed the need to save the SS  United States:   "It would be such a loss, such a crime against history,"  she said, "for this ship to be cut up into razor blades. We just can't let that happen!"  She also remembered the determination of  her grandfather, the ship's designer William Francis Gibbs:  "He saw the ship as a patriotic contribution. He was quite competitive, and back in the early days when the European liners were dominating the seas, he felt America should win that race."

Conservancy spo kesperson Tom Basile went on to emphasize the need for Americans across the nation to "c ome together and do something that is really powerful and really special." He continued, "We need the President to take notice and Congress to take notice…We can work together as a nation to save America's Flagship."

Incredible potential: Fox News highlights the contrast between the ship's luxurious original interiors and her present-day condition. Images of the Promenade Deck courtesy of Robert G. Lenzer (left), and Fox News. Watch the Fox News story and read the article HERE!

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Supporters Celebrate America's Flagship Online: Social Media Highlights

Do you follow the Conservancy on social media? With over 19,500 followers on Facebook , and over 1,500 on Twitter , we're building a diverse global community united by the drive to save America's Flagship. We love to hear from the Big U's supporters and followers, and today we're sharing a selection of highlights from our Facebook comments section:

"I came to the U.S. as an immigrant on her in 1953...my grandpa said I woke in the morning and was all over her throughout the day. I was not quite three, however I do remember sitting on a pile of suitcases at Ellis Island when we landed." — Natalia Chorew

"How wonderful it would be to see this ship restored, once again creating wonderful memories for so many people...The fact that [the SS United States was] also a valuable asset during war time, makes its full restoration doubly imperative." — Arlene Cole "She is a An OCEAN LINER. Perhaps the finest example of what an ocean liner is supposed to be. While I’ve never walked her decks, my father made several crossings and the key tag to S 109 has been on my keychain since 1987." — Kurt Ahlstrom

Do you have an SS United States story? Contribute to our Legacy Project by sharing your relationship to America's Flagship at archives@ssusc.org .

"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

Claire Foy, center, plays Queen Elizabeth II in  “The Crown.” Photograph from Netflix via AP. American minister Billy Graham and his wife, Ruth Graham, aboard the SS  United States , 1954.

A Royal Connection: SS United States Helps Fact-Check Netflix Hit Can't stop binge watching Netflix's royal period drama "The Crown"? A  recent article  by the  Washington Post takes a look at the show's second season, evaluating its realism in depicting the friendly relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and famous American evangelist Billy Graham. Breaking down the evidence, the SS  United States plays a surprising role in the author's assessment of an important costuming decision — what would Ruth Graham, Billy's wife, have worn to meet the queen? A photograph of the couple aboard the SS United States helps to shed some light on Ruth's sartorial preferences, and raises questions about the show's adherence to historical fact... CLICK HERE to learn more.

“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

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Help us to reach more people  in our quest to save America's Flagship. Thanks to your support, we now have over 19,500 followers on our  Facebook page! Remember to follow us on all of our social media platforms, and encourage your friends, colleagues and family members to do the same!