HELP US CELEBRATE THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
SS UNITED STATES' MAIDEN VOYAGE

Conservancy Collecting "Maiden Voyage Reflections"
Next month, the SS United States Conservancy will mark the 70th anniversary of the iconic American ocean liner's maiden voyage.

A transatlantic crossing for the record books, the maiden voyage of America's Flagship was the realization of a life-long dream for the ship's designer, William Francis Gibbs, who was obsessed with seeing the United States recapture the Blue Riband.

To help preserve and commemorate the Big U's Platinum Jubilee, the Conservancy is recording "Maiden Voyage Reflections" with passengers and crew who were aboard the ship for the momentous crossing. These video recordings will help our team preserve the first-person perspectives on America's Flagship and become part of our permanent curatorial archive. If you, or someone you know, was part of the record-breaking trip, or if you were close to someone who was aboard and would like to share some of their diary entries, letter excerpts, or stories, please email info@ssusc.org and a member of our communications team will reach out to you.

We'll soon be sharing the first interview, with famed muralist Hildreth Meière's daughter, Louise Meière Dunn, in the coming weeks. Later this month, we'll also be announcing the winner of our "Maiden Voyage 70th Anniversary T-Shirt Contest," and we'll be sharing an "SS United States Maiden Voyage" column that Conservancy President Susan Gibbs authored for the Titanic International Society's magazine. We will also be gathering for a bon voyage sendoff in New York City before our Legacy Cruise in August. Stay tuned all summer long for these and other maiden voyage tributes.

NEW JERSEY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FINDS HOPE
IN THE SS UNITED STATES

Through Trial and Tribulation, the SS United States Inspired His Recovery
In March 2020, people across the country and around the world were gripped by rising fears of a frightening and rapidly spreading disease called COVID-19.
 
Among those the first responders on the front lines was Antonio Ellis (pictured here), a police officer in Manchester Township, New Jersey. Officer Ellis was one of the first law enforcement officers in the state to contract the virus. As Ellis’ condition rapidly deteriorated, his wife urged him to go to the hospital, and soon thereafter he was placed in a medically induced coma.

After enduring nearly 100 days separated from his family, including spending about 45 days in the ICU, he was finally moved to out-patient rehab, where the SS United States became a symbol of hope for him during some of his most difficult hours. Ellis recently shared with the Conservancy that, “Every day I looked forward to the first glimpse of the ship," he said. "Each day, when left on Columbus Boulevard I would stare at the ship until she was out of sight. She was my symbol of ‘Hope.’ Hope of returning to life, my family, and my career. That ship has become a part of my history."

MORE FROM THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY
We are mourning the passing of Eric William Jones, the Conservancy's New England Chapter co-chair (pictured center). Eric had a deep, passionate love for ocean liners, especially the SS United States. He played an invaluable role in sharing information about the ship in New England and beyond. 

As his fellow New England Chapter co-chair, Charles Zilinski, recently wrote in a memorial post on Facebook, "He was responsible for some of the best content [in the 'Lovers of the Ocean Liners' groups], including his frequent 'Liners in History' posts, his 'Liner of the Week' tournaments, and his original Trivia Tuesday contests." We wish fair winds and following seas to Eric, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family.
Did you miss out on our “First Ladies of the Sea” curatorial discussion?

During the event, exhibition curators Sydney Sheehan and Alaina Noland showcased how pioneering women such as Mira Jedwabnik Van Doren, Hildreth Meière, Elaine Kaplan, and others played prominent roles in the design, art, and engineering of America's Flagship. From the groundbreaking propulsion system, to the ship's Americana interior and even its noted safety features, women played pivotal roles in the historic liner.
THE BIG U CONTINUES TO INSPIRE...

"The SS United States is the Queen of the Atlantic."
- Supporter Mary Rohrer during our "First Ladies of the Sea" curatorial discussion