When it comes historic moments associated with the SS United States, few have seen and been a part of more than former Big U crew member and Conservancy Founding Board Member Joe Rota. Rota, who in his own words, "got on to the ship with no time to spare," served four years as a crew member holding numerous positions.
In this week's episode of "The Observation Lounge," Joe Rota gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at life on board America's Flagship. This photo shows Joe alongside fellow crew members Johnny Rizzo (cabin class bellboy), Rita Denehy, Donald D. Denehy (Chief Photographer), and John Francis White (Assistant Bell Captain), in Southampton in 1956.
Reflecting on his years aboard the Blue Riband holder, Joe says, "for a young man it was a remarkable experience in life." Rota shares stories about the crew's favorite pastimes, including baseball games against military personnel (both American and British) and dart competitions against crews of other transatlantic liners (including an intense match against the crew of the RMS Queen Mary that was covered by Time magazine). One of the great benefits of working on the SS United States was that Joe could explore the English and German countrysides when the ship was in port.
Joe's most notable position was that as ship's photographer, a role that provided him with many memorable interactions with many notable celebrities, including John Wayne, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Judy Garland and more. Rota even shares a special story about his first time on board the ship - and making the "pier head jump" when he took his first crew assignment.
Correction: In our e-update published on October 27, we regrettably errored in spelling the name of former SS United States engineer Bob Sturm. The Conservancy regrets the error.
