SS UNITED STATES CHAMPIONS HONORED WITH
BLUE RIBAND AWARDS

Joe Muchulsky and Jim Rindfleisch Honored During Hampton Roads Chapter's Heritage Weekend
While the SS United States was a modern engineering marvel when she embarked on her maiden voyage almost 70 years ago, it was the people who designed her, built her, and worked aboard who assured her triumphal role in history. From the earliest vessel designs to current plans for the ship's redevelopment, the SS United States continues to embody innovation and excitement. 
 
During the Hampton Roads Chapter's recent "Heritage Weekend" at The Mariners' Museum (more to come on that below, including a special recap video), the SS United States Conservancy paid tribute to two notable figures in the history of the Big U - former Conservancy Advisory Council member, crewmember and leader in the Hampton Roads chapter, Joe Muchulsky, and the SS United States' caretaker during part of her post-service period, Jim Rindfleisch.
 
Conservancy President Susan Gibbs presented Blue Riband medals, the organization's highest award, to Melissa Muchulsky (pictured above) and Debbie Rindfleisch (pictured below), who accepted on behalf of their late husbands.
Joe Muchulsky's long and distinguished maritime career began aboard the SS United States in 1967 as Assistant Linen Keeper, a job he later described as arduous. He went on to hold positions with the Military Sealift Command, the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, and the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy during a career that spanned more than five decades. 
 
A Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War era, Jim Rindfleisch returned to Virginia after his service and graduated from Christopher Newport University (now home to the SS United States’ bell). When the ship was docked in Newport News following her removal from service, Jim became her primary caretaker and an author and expert on the ship's history. He passed away in 2016.


LESS THAN TWO WEEKS UNTIL OUR
"FIRST LADIES OF THE SEA" VIRTUAL DISCUSSION

Join the Conservancy's Curatorial Team to Learn More About the Contributions of Women to the SS United States' Engineering, Art, and Design
Our virtual panel discussion, "First Ladies of the Sea," is coming up on Tuesday, May 24 at 6pm ET.

Led by the Conservancy's curatorial team, this enlightening presentation will provide an in-depth look at the work involved in developing our latest digital exhibition, "Transatlantic Trailblazers: The Women Behind the Art & Engineering of the SS United States." The discussion will also provide further insight and analysis into the leading roles women played in creating the fastest ocean liner to ever cross the Atlantic.

The "Transatlantic Trailblazers" exhibition explores the pioneering roles Mira Jedwabnik Van Doren, Hildreth Meière, Elaine Kaplan, and others played in the design, art, and engineering of America's Flagship.
MORE FROM THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY
Longtime Conservancy supporter and videographer Bill Magee has produced a special recap of last month's successful "Heritage Weekend" at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia.
 
Featuring a number of our speakers' presentations, including author Larry Driscoll, Captain James McNamara, and our keynote speaker, Admiral Mark Buzby (pictured here), this video offers a great opportunity for anyone who couldn't make the event to feel like they were still there.
Attendees at the "Heritage Program & Tour" sipped on coffee brewed to honor the SS United States. Now you can too!

Blue Riband Blend is a delicious blend of higher-end Brazilian coffees created by Ironclad Coffee Roasters of Richmond, Virginia. This coffee was created to pay tribute to the Blue Riband holder, as well as Ironclad’s founder’s Grandfather, Philip Rourke, who worked as a welder aboard the Big U. A portion of the proceeds from each bag of coffee sold helps support the Conservancy's work to save America's Flagship.

THE BIG U CONTINUES TO INSPIRE...

"[Joe] believed in the power and magnificence of this ship and he believed that this ship was the fastest ship in the world." - Melissa Muchulsky, upon accepting the Blue Riband Award on behalf of her late husband, Joe Muchulsky