AN UPDATE ON THE SS UNITED STATES

As the SS United States Conservancy advances plans for our future museum and visitor experience, Florida’s Okaloosa County is readying the ship for her next voyage. County officials report that the SS United States may depart from Mobile, Alabama as soon as early April. However, they caution that the timeline for the ship’s deployment as the world’s largest artificial reef is subject to multiple factors, including final weather conditions, Coast Guard approvals, and ongoing vessel inspections.

Courtesy of Mark Harvey

Okaloosa County, the ship’s owner, will provide additional information as it becomes available, which we will share with our supporters. We know that some of you hope to travel to Florida’s Destin-Fort Walton Beach area to witness the ship’s transition. While advance travel planning is difficult because of the prospect of last-minute schedule changes, we are working to offer meaningful opportunities for our community to come together in Destin-Fort Walton Beach at this important moment of the ship’s history. A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person.

We are also documenting the full history and next chapter of the SS United States’ story in our forthcoming documentary film Superliner: The Enduring Legacy of the SS United States. We will be sharing an exciting update on this film in the coming weeks. Finally, we are planning a virtual opportunity for our members to pay tribute to the ship and connect online next month - details forthcoming. We know this is an intense and momentous time, and we are fully committed to celebrating and commemorating the extraordinary legacy of the SS United States!

BREATHTAKING BIG U MODEL RESTORATION

Conservancy supporter Craig Moore recently shared photos of his painstaking restoration of an SS United States travel agency model. The model was manufactured in Germany in 1963 by Richard Wagner's workshop, which specialized in wooden models. It was later acquired by Richard Hadley, a former owner of the SS United States, to promote his proposed redevelopment of the ship in the 1970s.

Thereafter, the model was placed in storage in Hawaii and was eventually listed for sale online. Craig purchased the model in 2024 and has spent the last year and a half painstakingly restoring this recreation of the Big U.

Thank you, Craig, for sharing your incredible restoration of this historic model!

The Conservancy has several amazing models in our collection, from toy models to an incredible 11 foot-long replica of the Big U. We look forward to showcasing these in our future museum and visitor experience!

The Conservancy's 11-foot-long model of the SS United States is shown here at a temporary exhibition at the Norman Rockwell Museum in 2019.

BIG U ON THE SMALL SCREEN

An eagle-eyed Conservancy supporter, Paul Estok, recently recognized the SS United States while watching the 1970’s television show Movin’ On! 

The Norfolk, Virginia port was featured in the show’s November 4, 1975 “General Delivery” episode, and the Big U is visible in several scenes. 

Our favorite ocean liner has provided an iconic backdrop in a number of films, including Bon Voyage (1962) and Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955). Have you recognized the ship in any other film or television series? Let us know!

KEEP COZY WITH A COMMEMORATIVE SWEATSHIRT

Commemorate the SS United States with a sharp new sweatshirt from our America's Flagship line of products. This is an authentic SS United States Conservancy offering that you can wear proudly all year long. Proceeds benefit the Conservancy -- thank you for supporting our mission!

Click HERE to purchase.