Documentarian Tom Lynskey has a love for adventure and all things history. His popular YouTube channel, Part-Time Explorer, has covered everything from famous ocean liners and ship wrecks to abandoned parts of the American landscape. He's even assembled some amazing LEGO creations, including a unique time-lapse video about building a LEGO SS United States while sitting in the IKEA parking lot across the street from America' Flagship at her current berth in Philadelphia.
Last fall, the Conservancy, led by New York Chapter co-chairs Paul Stipkovich and Glenn Lappin, worked with Lynskey to chronicle the Big Ship's historical importance, her service career, and the Conservancy's work to see her reborn.
The result is an incredible, in-depth documentary that takes viewers from the radar mast down to the engine rooms, and even the swimming pool. Lynskey even brought one of the blankets from the ship's service career back aboard.
Following the documentary's release, Lynskey told the Conservancy: "I've loved ocean liners my whole life and enjoy telling their stories through my works, often with the aim of exploring the history of a vessel as authentically and definitively as possible. My fascination for the SS United States, however, didn't start because of her history, her record breaking voyages, or prestigious reputation, but rather as the mysterious 'ghost ship' (if you'll excuse the term) of Philadelphia, my home town. I initially knew very little about the ship, but slowly learned more over the years because she has been there for as long as I can remember."
"The more I learned, the more this old mystery vessel took on a personality to me, and the more I realized there was a story to be told. Sure, it's been told in documentaries plenty of times, and oftentimes told quite well, but her localness, her current state, and her parallels to our own nation's dormant American pride compelled me to tell her story in my own words," Lynskey said.
Already, Lynskey's documentary has received nearly 150,000 views online and scores of positive comments and praise.
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AN IMPORTANT UPDATE ON THE RENT DISPUTE AT THE SHIP'S PHILADELPHIA PIER |
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As we discussed in our 2022 Annual Appeal, the Conservancy has been engaged in a rent dispute with the SS United States’ current landlord, Penn Warehousing, for more than a year. This situation presents us with significant challenges both financial and logistical. Your continued passion for our mission is critical and we value your continued support. We will continue to update you as the legal process proceeds and as we explore potential new homes for the ship.
While the litigation remains pending, the Conservancy will, as we have done, pursue all available avenues for a mutually agreeable resolution. Forcing our nonprofit organization into a position that imperils the preservation and redevelopment of the SS United States, is not in the country's best interests. As the late Walter Cronkite once said—the destruction of "America's Flagship" would be a crime against history itself.
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WALK THE DECKS OF AMERICA'S FLAGSHIP WITH SPECIAL SUPPORTER TOURS
Explore Unique Vessel Spaces Guided by Experts
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Have you dreamed of walking the decks of the SS United States at her Philadelphia pier? Special tours of the ship are available throughout the year to our generous Captain's Quarters supporters who donate $1,000 to the Conservancy. We will be offering two themed tours in early 2023 - Saturday, February 11 and Saturday, March 11 - that will focus on the ship's record-breaking propulsion system. These Captain's Quarters supporter tours will be guided by marine engineering experts, and we encourage our guests to bring us their most esoteric technical questions. We will also be announcing two special celebratory tours for former passengers and crew later this spring - please stay tuned!
These ship tours will also explore "Grand Central Station," the Grand Ballroom, taking in the views from the bridge, and, of course, there will be plenty of photo opportunities next to the ship's iconic red, white, and blue funnels.
If your are interested in these special tour opportunities, visit ssusc.org/donate and donate at the Captain's Quarters level. Questions? Please email us at info@ssusc.org.
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Out later this year, "SS United States: An Operational Guide to America's Flagship" is authored by Hampton Roads Chapter co-chair Stanton Daywalt, professor Sam Bauer, and the late Jim Rindfleisch, one of the ship's former caretakers.
The richly illustrated book features many previously unpublished photographs, as well as personnel lists, performance and engineering data, and other documents that illustrate the massive undertaking and attention to detail that made this “America’s Flagship.”
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Show off your passion for America's Flagship with this stylish t-shirt featuring an overhead view of the SS United States. Soft and lightweight, with just the right amount of stretch this t-shirt is comfortable and flattering for everyone.
Each shirt sold results in a generous commission that helps the Conservancy safeguard the SS United States and create informative and educational programming.
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THE BIG U CONTINUES TO INSPIRE...
"I've loved ocean liners my whole life and enjoy telling their stories through my works, often with the aim of exploring the history of a vessel as authentically and definitively as possible."
- Tom Lynskey, historian and documentarian
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