LIMITED-EDITION MAIDEN VOYAGE 70TH ANNIVERSARY T-SHIRT SALES EXTENDED THROUGH MONDAY, JULY 25

Designs Commemorate the SS United States' Record Breaking Voyages
We're just a few days away from the 70th anniversary of the SS United States capturing the Blue Riband, having smashed the transatlantic speed records on both the eastbound and westbound crossings.

Like the maiden eastbound voyage (more on that below), the westbound voyage was also one of excitement. When the Big U arrived back in New York she was greeted by a flotilla of fire boats, tugs, and private craft that all turned out to celebrate the great ship unprecedented performance.

To commemorate our flagship's crowning achievement, the Conservancy is offering two limited-edition t-shirts celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Big U's triumphal maiden voyage.

The first shirt (pictured right) features a port side view of the SS United States, set proudly against a gorgeous blue sky. The design was the winning submission in our "Maiden Voyage 70th Anniversary T-Shirt Contest." Created by design student Riley Bugg, the imagery provides a breathtaking perspective of the ship's grandeur and scale. CLICK HERE to order your shirt now!
The Conservancy is also pleased to be offering these limited-edition Big U Platinum Jubilee shirts (left), featuring the work of the Conservancy's graphic designer and longtime supporter Greg Shutters. CLICK HERE to order yours now.

Sales of both shirts will conclude on Monday, July 25, so be sure to order yours before they sail off into the sunset. They will no longer be available for purchase after this date. 

MAIDEN VOYAGE REFLECTIONS:
TELLING THE STORIES OF AMERICA'S FLAGSHIP

"Bishop Rock - A light" proclaimed Paul Krinsky on July 7, 1952
On the morning of July 7, 1952 Junior Officer Paul Krinsky was on watch on the bridge of the SS United States during what he described as "very, very bad" weather. Krinksy recalled, "a full gale had been blowing" and "visibility was practically nil."

Surrounded by the ship's senior officers, dignitaries including the ship's designer William Francis Gibbs and First Daughter Margaret Truman, among others, Krinsky suddenly shouted, "Bishop Rock - A Light." With those words, Paul Krinsky proclaimed what many already anticipated - the SS United States had bested the RMS Queen Mary and had smashed the eastbound transatlantic speed record.

In our latest episode of our "Maiden Voyage Reflections" series, former U.S. Lines junior officer Paul Krinsky takes the Conservancy behind the scenes and shares what it was like being an officer on America's Flagship during her fabled race to be the Queen of the Atlantic.

Krinsky had joined the Big U after serving on the SS America, and he had been part of the SS United States' sea trials off the coast of Virginia. He would go on to serve as part of the ship's officer corp for two years.
MORE FROM THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY
Conservancy President Susan Gibbs recently spoke at length with Dr. Sam Willis, host of the Mariner’s Mirror podcast presented by The Society for Nautical Research.

Susan and Sam discussed many of the major factors that went into making the SS United States the Blue Riband holder as well as William Francis Gibbs’ obsession with fire-safety and design and some of the famous passengers who walked the decks of America’s Flagship.

Last month, three generations made a pilgrimage to Philadelphia's Pier 82 all the way from Milwaukee and Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Four-and-a-half-year-old Nora was enthralled by the Big Ship. Her Nonna, Liz Bryde, explained that the SS United States was designed by her great-Aunt Susan's grandfather, William Francis Gibbs, a long time ago. Liz also assured Nora that, while the ship may appear old and rusty, many people were working very hard to ensure she shines again. 

It was a special visit to a special ship, and Liz was happy to be able to share it with Nora, her daughter Maggie Dauss (Nora's mother), and her soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Liz Smith.

SHARE YOUR FAMILY'S SS UNITED STATES PICTURES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND BE SURE TO TAG @SSUSC.
THE BIG U CONTINUES TO INSPIRE...

"Commodore Manning had a flair sense of the the dramatic... Everybody on the bridge could feel the weather... It was a very very exciting moment."
- Paul Krinsky, former junior officer on the SS United States' maiden voyage