Despite her her faded appearance, the SS United States remains indefatigable — retaining more than 90% of her structural integrity as she awaits her much-deserved second act. Last week, she was tested by Tropical Storm Isaias, which pounded the Big U's home port of Philadelphia with blinding rain and wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour. We are happy to report that America's magnificent Flagship not only endured, but was totally unfazed!

The Greater Philadelphia region saw significant flooding, countless downed trees, and major power outages. Through it all, the SS United States once again proved resilient. Today, we are excited to share incredible time-lapse photography taken during Tropical Storm Isaias by Michael Wolfe, one of the SS United States’ devoted caretakers. America’s Flagship has weathered countless storms and remained proudly afloat each and every time. We suspect the strong winds and rain of Isaias reminded her of the Category 5 hurricanes she once plowed through in the North Atlantic!


Photo courtesy of The Pollin Family
The Conservancy was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Irene Pollin, mother of Conservancy advocate and steadfast supporter Jim Pollin. Conservancy President Susan Gibbs reflected on Irene's passing:

“Irene Pollin was a pioneering figure who had an impact on countless lives. Whether it was her work as a psychotherapist, her passionate support (together with her late husband Abe) for the City of Washington and its people, her impact on professional sports, or her life-long commitment to women’s health, Irene lived life ‘full speed ahead.'"

MORE FROM THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY
The Conservancy is devoted to raising awareness and education around the historic SS United States. We are delighted any time we learn of teachers incorporating America’s Flagship into their lessons.

Steven Ouellett, a Canadian-born science teacher based in The Bronx, New York City, recently created a model of the Big U out of unconventional materials (manila folders, aluminum, and poster board) to teach students about density and displacement.

At the link below, you'll find footage of the model, along with Ouellet's reflections on the SS United States.

Good news: We've extended our t-shirt campaign by two days means you have one last chance to order your stylish, limited edition t-shirt or tank top.

The 100% Cotton, Hanes Tagless T-shirts provide comfort while remaining durable through each wear and wash. The Hanes X-Temp Tank Top, with a tearaway label, offers special moisture-wicking fabric, perfect for warmer weather.

Don't delay — this campaign ends Saturday, August 15 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
THE BIG U CONTINUES TO INSPIRE...
"The ship now is not pleasing to look at, because she's been tied up to a pier for over 25 years. But the hull is 98% intact. Once those stacks are painted, and the lights go on, she'll be again the most beautiful ship in the world." — Joe Rota, former SS United States crew member and Founding Board Member of the Conservancy