The Conservancy is excited to announce a special digital members lecture with journalist Doug Most, author of the forthcoming book, Launching Liberty: The Epic Race to Build the Ships That Took America to War on Wednesday, September 17th at 7pm.

Launching Liberty explores the emergence and extraordinary success of World War II’s “Liberty Ships,” in which SS United States’ designer William Francis Gibbs played an essential role. Gibbs and his firm created complex design plans that allowed Liberty ships to be built fast and repaired anywhere, greatly increasing the number of ships available to help win the war. Doug will join us to discuss this monumental era of ship-building history and how it informed the subsequent emergence of the SS United States.

Stay tuned for information on how to sign up and join this fascinating discussion!

The SS United States and some of her many admirers were featured in Our Southern Souls, an online outlet based in Mobile, Alabama, earlier this month. Among the visitors profiled are several former passengers who sailed aboard the “Big U” as children. Two sisters who traveled to London in 1964 visited the ship in Mobile with their ship memorabilia, “menus, postcards, slides, and the matching SS United States charm bracelets they bought with the souvenir money their mother gave them,” and shared memories of the elaborate menu offerings from onboard.

Another former passenger, Billie Narvell, recounted an entertaining room steward who cured her seasickness with “concoction that tasted like a strawberry milkshake,” and the fantastic views of the ocean from the ship’s deck.

Her experience was unforgettable: “That ship was a magical land,” Billie said. “Everything was bright, beautiful, and elegant.” Click HERE to read more.

This 1960s postcard shows the SS United States passing her sister ship, the SS America, also designed by William F. Gibbs

Last month, in celebration of our latest digital exhibition, “Food Tastes Better at Sea: Dining Aboard the SS United States,” the Conservancy ran a giveaway for supporters who signed our digital guest book. Six randomly selected guest book signees will be receiving "The Captain's Table," a reproduction of the 1964 SS United States recipe guide as thanks for their early support of our exhibit. While this giveaway has ended, we would still love to hear from you about our digital exhibition. Visit our online guest book to share your thoughts!

“Food Tastes Better at Sea” has resonated strongly with our supporters and former passengers, many of whom treasure memories and mementos from the ship’s food and dining history in their own homes. We featured some special items from the ship’s kitchens and restaurants – plates, tea cups, and more – in our digital exhibition, and we would love to see what items you have in your own collections!

Do you have any china, glassware, or other serving items from the SS United States? We would love to see photos or videos of your feasts! Please consider sharing your photos of wining and dining with serveware from the Big U with the Conservancy at archives@ssusc.org.

Raise a toast to the Big U when you have a drink in this elegant rocks glass! Ideal for whiskey and cocktail lovers, the “Food at Sea” Menu glass tumbler is made from sturdy, quality glass sourced from the U.S. Click here!