October 14, 2018
Conservancy Executive Director Susan Gibbs photographs the SS United States in a still from the newly released episode of ARTE's "Paradis de rouille" (Rust Paradise), aired in Europe and now available online.
The SS United States may be America's Flagship, but she has always been a true global icon; her graceful lines, record-breaking speed and engineering prowess are admired worldwide to this day.

The Big U recently demonstrated her enduring international 'wow'-factor by starring in an episode of the documentary series "Paradis de rouille" (Rust Paradise) by French director Thierry Berrod, which aired in September on the popular Franco-German television network ARTE.

With stunning footage of the ship at her Philadelphia berth, as well as compelling testimonies by Conservancy Executive Director Susan Gibbs and vessel caretaker Michael Wolfe, the feature is not to be missed.
Stills from "Paradis de rouille," featuring the SS United States .
Help Us Save America's Flagship!
Attention former SS United States passengers, crew and family members! We have a special announcement: an upcoming November tour aboard the Big U, to assist the Conservancy in advancing its vital curatorial mission.
Former SS United States passenger Peter Dreher returns to the vessel that his family immigrated aboard in 1955.
General public access to the SS United States is highly restricted; while a limited number of tours are available to Conservancy members at the "Captain’s Quarters" level and above, we are excited to offer this special, limited opportunity to those with a personal connection to America’s Flagship, to assist in our ongoing Legacy and oral history projects.

Tour attendees will be invited to share their personal recollections with Conservancy staff and contribute to our vibrant and growing permanent archive.
Do you have a keen knack for story-telling, communications, and digital marketing strategies, as well as a passion for our nation's greatest and sole remaining ocean liner?

The SS United States Conservancy is currently recruiting for a part-time
Editorial Associate, as well as an enthusiastic Communications and Outreach Intern. Learn more about these exciting employment opportunities on our website.
Deck tennis aboard the SS United States .
Photograph courtesy of Robert G. Lenzer.
“ 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
We are always thrilled to hear from those with a personal connection to our nation's great flagship. Today, we'd like to highlight a recent donation by supporter Margaret Smith, who reached out to generously share images from her family's stunning collection of SS United States photographs.

Margaret's grandparents, V. Weaver Smith, Sr. and Gertrude R. Smith, sailed to Europe aboard the SS United States in the late 1950s.
A tow boat eases the SS United States away from her New York City berth on the Hudson River in this photo from the late 1950s.
Margaret's aunt, uncle, cousin and mother bid her grandparents farewell at the SS United States ' pier.
Well-wishers watch as the SS United States departs from New York City, en route for Europe.
Photograph courtesy of Steven Ujifusa via Twitter .
For any Jeopardy! fans out there —the SS United States made an appearance during the popular quiz show's September 25th episode.

America's Flagship featured in the Double Jeopardy round, as the star of this $1200 question in the "Ocean Liners" category.

Do you know the answer? Make your guess, and then read on!
SS United States designer William Francis Gibbs was obsessed with fire prevention and banned wood from the legendary ocean liner, with only a few exceptions. The persistent Gibbs even attempted to personally cajole Theodore Steinway into producing custom pianos in aluminum, with the men almost coming to blows over the heated dispute!

Steinway ultimately had his way, but only after dousing a mahogany piano with gasoline and igniting it, in a bold demonstration of the wood's fire-resistant attributes.

CLICK HERE to watch the full Jeopardy clip on the Conservancy's Facebook page!
Duke Ellington plays aboard the SS United States . Photograph courtesy of John Gustave Kunze.
"[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 (1930-2018)