Blue Riband Supporters United To Salute Two Historic Ocean Liners

Having trouble with the formatting of this email? Click here to open as a web page.

"BLUE RIBAND RENDEZVOUS" BRINGS TOGETHER SUPPORTERS OF TWO TRANSATLANTIC QUEENS

Former Passengers, Crew Members, Enthusiasts Unite for a Memorable Day

Ocean liner aficionados of all ages recently convened for a special "Blue Riband Rendezvous" on board the historic RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.

Co-hosted by the Conservancy's West Coast Chapter and QMI-Restore the Queen, supporters of the two most iconic transatlantic liners to hold the prestigious Hales Trophy enjoyed a guided tour of the RMS Queen Mary and a special SS United States exhibit. Attendees swapped stories and raised funds to support a worthy cause.

Among those gathered for this unique event were former passengers who traveled on America's Flagship and former Big U crew member Mark Citron (center), as well as West Coast Chapter co-chairs David Perry (left) and Mark Perry (right). The Conservancy is currently planning an event that will feature Mark Citron's exciting seafaring tales. Until then, you can hear some of Mark's first-hand experiences and see more of this unique event on YouTube.

The Blue Riband Rendezvous also featured an exciting auction including a beautiful encased model of the SS United States donated by Mark Perry, a signed copy of the new book "SS United States Operational Guide to America's Flagship" donated by Hampton Roads Chapter co-chair Staton Daywalt, and a mounted Mercator model set featuring the RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth II.

The successful preservation of the RMS Queen Elizabeth II, RMS Queen Mary, and the SS Rotterdam as exciting venues celebrating the transatlantic liner era continue to inspire the Conservancy as it works to save and redevelop the iconic SS United States.

Thank you to Mary Rohrer, one of the leaders of QMI Restore the Queen, for sharing this and other photographs from the event, and thank you to everyone with QMI Restore the Queen for partnering with the Conservancy on this special event.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE FROM THE CONSERVANCY'S WEST COAST CHAPTER.

A UNIQUE THRIFT STORE FIND

Family Scrapbook Features America's Flagship

A crossing on board America's Flagship was a memorable experience for many.

Recently, the Conservancy received a note from supporter Jim Johnson, who found a rather unique family photo album while shopping at a local thrift store. The album features photos of the family of Mr. Joseph A. Clarke.

We know from the contents of the scrapbook that Mr. Clarke and his wife (pictured here) were passengers on the SS United States in early August, 1963. Unfortunately, what became of the family and how this scrapbook ended up at the thrift store remains unknown.

Jim is now trying to locate any Clarke family relatives that might be interested in taking the scrapbook back into the family's possession.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND SHARE THIS STORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TODAY

MORE FROM THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY

OUT NOW:

SS UNITED STATES

AN OPERATIONAL GUIDE TO AMERICA'S FLAGSHIP

Available now from your favorite book seller, this new book co-authored by the late-James K. Rindfleisch, Hampton Roads Chapter co-chair Stanton R. Daywalt, and professor F. Samuel Bauer, chronicles the design, construction, and operation of America's Flagship.

The book is richly illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs. It also includes personnel lists, performance and engineering data, and other documents that illustrate the massive undertaking and attention to detail that made her an iconic representation of America.

A release party and book signing is being planned for the fall, with details to follow in a future e-update.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY.

SS United States Fine Art Prints

Anthony “Tony” Strublic is a maritime artist who specializes in fine pencil drawings done in graphite on illustration board. His work depicts vessels plying the Great Lakes, the lighthouses that surround the harbors these ships visit, and great ocean liners like America's Flagship.

His work has won awards at the Sault Ste. Marie Summer Arts Festival and the Waterfront Arts Festival. His drawings have also been displayed at the Alberta House Gallery and featured in international publications. Each SS United States print sold includes a 30% donation to the Conservancy.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONE OF TONY STRUBLIC'S PRINTS.

DONATE

WEBSITE

SHOP

THE BIG U CONTINUES TO INSPIRE...

"Being on the vessel is surreal...The saving of this ship...is a huge undertaking, so much more than I thought, but it needs to be done." - Candace Baird, former SS United States passenger