BIG ANNIVERSARIES FOR THE BIG U | | Image from June 23, 1951 courtesy of B.J. Nixon Collection, SS United States Conservancy Archives Collection | | |
Early summer marks the anniversaries of several exciting milestones for the legendary SS United States. On June 23, 1951, a crowd of 12,000 onlookers celebrated the ship’s christening. A red, white, and blue banner adorned the ship’s bow, and the 50th Army Band serenaded the massive crowd with a rendition of “Salutation March.” Lucille Connally, wife of Senator Tom Connally, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, christened the ship with a bottle of (American!) champagne.
One year later, on July 3, 1952, the SS United States embarked on her maiden voyage. Scheduled to coincide with Fourth of July celebrations, excitement was in the air for the Big U’s much-anticipated grand debut.
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At Pier 86 in New York, this momentous event was celebrated with airplanes above, flags flying, a band playing and crowds gathered to witness the first departure for the new American ocean liner – the largest and fastest ever built.
Among the 1,660 passengers on this first voyage were key designers and artists who contributed to the ship’s exceptional interiors including Dorothy Marckwald, Anne Urquhart, and Gwen Lux. Also onboard – for his first and only transatlantic crossing on the Big U – was ship designer William Francis Gibbs. Commodore Harry Manning, a former navigator for Amelia Earhart, was captain of the ship for this first transatlantic crossing.
| | Maiden voyage passenger list. Image from the SS United States Conservancy Collection | | This initial journey was a record-breaking achievement: no ocean liner would ever cross the Atlantic in both directions faster than the SS United States. With an average speed of 35.59 knots eastbound and 34.51 knots westbound, the ship easily secured the famed Blue Riband. An abstract log of the maiden voyage noted, “These passages are world records. It is the first time in a century that an American ship has captured the Blue Ribbon of the North Atlantic. The United States Lines is rightfully proud of the achievement. We believe you are too.” | | Copy of the original abstract log of the maiden voyage of SS United States from New York of Southampton and return trip.Image from the SS United States Conservancy Collection | | As we celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the SS United States’ maiden voyage, the Conservancy looks forward to bringing the ship’s history and legacy to life in our future land-based museum, where our extensive collection of art, artifacts, and archival materials will continue to illuminate the magnificent stories of America’s Flagship. | | THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS! | | |
The Conservancy is so grateful to our dedicated supporters who join us in celebrating and commemorating the enduring legacy of the SS United States. Following the exciting launch of our newest digital exhibition “Food Tastes Better at Sea: Dining Aboard the SS United States” we are particularly grateful to supporters who have contributed their photographs, ephemera, and memories to our oral history collection.
As plans advance for our new SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience, we will have many more opportunities to showcase artifacts, art, and archival documentation from our supporters. Thank you all so much!
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KEEP COOL WITH THE
SS UNITED STATES
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Keep the summer sun off with our SS United States baseball hat! Featuring America's Flagship and the year of her maiden voyage embroidered on a navy cap, this high-quality hat can be your go-to outdoor accessory all summer long.
Click here visit our online store.
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CALL FOR PHOTOS:
YOUR BIG U TABLEWARE
| Have you been dining with 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 in use with the Conservancy at archives@ssusc.org | Pictured above: Steel carafe was donated by Katherine Neurohr, while the Lamberton china was donated by Susan Allen. Photo courtesy of SS United States Conservancy Archives Collection | |
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Mark B. Perry, founding Conservancy board member and Emmy, Golden Globe, and GLAAD Award-winning writer, will be sharing the storied history of the SS United States later this summer! Mark will be discussing the record-breaking maiden voyage of the Big U at Sutter Theater Center for the Arts in Yuba City, CA on Sunday, August 17th at 1pm. This is an in-person event.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased through Friday, August 1st, HERE. Mark will also be signing copies of his superb new novel, And Introducing Dexter Gaines, in which our favorite American ocean liner also makes an appearance!
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