August 1, 2018
Whether you walked her decks as she charged through the North Atlantic in 1952, or you discovered this extraordinary vessel for the first time in 2018, we are so grateful for your role in the vibrant, international community fighting for the future of the SS United States.

As we chart a course together towards her revitalization, you can show your support for our nation's greatest and sole-surviving ocean liner by ordering the Conservancy's newest limited-edition t-shirt, designed by European Chapter Chair Mario Alvarez-Garcillán.
Now available: Limited-edition SS United States t-shirts, designed by European Chapter Chair Mario Alvarez-Garcillán.
Look familiar? This pattern by interior designers Anne Urquhart and Dorothy Marckwald was featured in First Class staterooms.
Mario's extraordinary shirt design was inspired by a fabric pattern featured in First Class staterooms aboard the ship, originally designed by prolific female interior designers Anne Urquhart and Dorothy Marckwald. Aboard the Big U, colors and patterns were chosen to achieve a bright, ultra-modern look, moving away from the ornate styles of older liners.

CLICK HERE to place your order today.
Help Us Save America's Flagship!
Executive Director Susan Gibbs is interviewed by journalist Mathias Haentjes for Florian Films GMBH.
The SS United States may be America's Flagship, but she has always been a true global ambassador. Conservancy Executive Director Susan Gibbs was recently interviewed by the German production company Florian Films GMBH for a documentary currently in production on the world's greatest ocean liners. The piece will air on the Franco-German television network ARTE, a widely viewed European network that promotes programming in the areas of culture and the arts.

CLICK HERE to learn more.
“ The ship is magnificent, even in her current state. It is a tribute to her design and construction that the areas we saw appeared to be structurally pristine...I came away with a sense of wonder." — Kevin Goff, Atlanta, GA
The story of the SS United States is the story of many dedicated crew members — extraordinary personnel that served aboard the vessel during her service career and who, through their hard work, cemented the Big U's enduring legacy.

Jonathan Ely recently reached out to the Conservancy to share the story of his father, Samuel L. Ely, whose prolific career at sea took him from the WWII shores of France to a position as Chief Officer aboard the SS United States, and later to a role as Captain aboard various United States Lines vessels.

Ely signed on to the SS United States as Second Officer on June 21, 1952, and was aboard as the ship sailed into New York Harbor for the first time. He continued on for the record-breaking maiden voyage and served on the SS United States for another 10 years, leaving her as Chief Officer.
Chief Officer Samuel L. Ely in dress uniform on the Big U's bridge. Photograph courtesy of Jonathan Ely.
The SS United States played another significant role in the life of Samuel Ely. Ely met his wife, Mary Ann Knight, when she was aboard as ship's nurse for a 1953 voyage. After making a rocky first impression on the bridge, Jonathan shares that "Officer Ely made his way down to the ship's hospital with the excuse of needing some aspirin." The rest, as they say, is history!

READ MORE about the remarkable career of Samuel L. Ely.
Recreation Services Director Shawn Hanberry of the James River Center, with Gibbs & Cox's Keith Harper.
It is always special when the Conservancy has the opportunity to connect with former employees of Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company.

This summer, Keith Harper, Conservancy Advisory Council member and Vice President of Design at Gibbs & Cox, had the opportunity to present on the Big U to residents of the James River Convalescent & Rehabilitation Center in Newport News, including former shipyard employees excited to receive an update on the vessel they had helped to build in 1950-52.
During the ship's construction, over 3,100 shipyard workers took the SS United States from keel laying to delivery date in an astounding two years and three months. Recreation Services Director Shawn Hanberry commented following Harper's visit: "Thank you for taking the time to make such a great difference, bringing them back some really good memories. 

READ MORE about this special event.
"[The SS United States ] was built at a time when 'made in America’ really meant something, and that is a legacy that cannot be lost.  — H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, Blue Riband Council