NOW AVAILABLE: LIMITED-EDITION MAIDEN VOYAGE
70TH ANNIVERSARY T-SHIRTS

Designs Commemorate the Blue Riband Voyage
This summer, we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the SS United States' record-breaking maiden voyage. A trip of excitement, wonder and awe, America's Flagship left New York at noon on July 3, 1952 and steamed past Bishop Rock on the morning of July 7, 1952 having achieved an astonishing average speed of 35.59 knots, with a sailing time of 3 days, 10 hours, 40 minutes.

The Big U's return voyage to New York was no less remarkable. A flotilla of fire boats, tugs, and private craft welcomed the triumphal Blue Riband champion back to her home port after she also smashed the westbound speed record - a record that she still holds to this day.

To celebrate our flagship's crowning achievement, the Conservancy is excited to offer two limited-edition t-shirts commemorating 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 read more about Riley's interest in the SS United States, and the inspiration for his design. Shirts are available for purchase exclusively through CustomInk.com, and are offered in all sizes and in white or light gray. CLICK HERE to order your shirt now!

Our contest received a number of outstanding entries, and while we were only able to select one Grand Prize winner, we are proud to share the designs created by our two runner-up artists, Stephen Bloom and Ashley Latrella. You can see their submissions and learn more out their interest in the SS United States by CLICKING HERE. Two more "Honorable Mention" designs will be shared in the coming weeks.
The Conservancy is also excited to offer these limited-edition Big U Platinum Jubilee shirts (left), our special 70th anniversary design created by the Conservancy's graphic designer and longtime supporter Greg Shutters. (Greg is also the creator of our unique Gibbs font!) This design is also being offered exclusively from the Conservancy, through our fundraising campaign. CLICK HERE to order yours now.

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

Former Passengers, Crew Members, Families Share Stories from the SS United States' Blue Riband Maiden Voyage
As we all know, the first transatlantic crossing of the SS United States was one for the record books.

On the day of her departure, July 3, 1952, the ship was fully booked with 1,700 passengers, including Vincent Astor, Margaret Truman, and Sara Roosevelt. As the SS United States glided past lower Manhattan, captained by Commodore Harry Manning, those standing on the decks could see a large banner hanging from a skyscraper at 21 West Street. It read: "Good Luck SS United States. Gibbs & Cox."
Among the passengers on board was Louise Meière Dunn, the daughter of muralist Hildreth Meière, who was one of the two artists who coordinated all the art work for the SS United States. Louise had just graduated, and she and her mother were embarking on a "Grand Tour."

Her voyage on America's Flagship was filled with incredible experiences, and recently, Louise sat down to record her story for our "Maiden Voyage Reflections." Among the memories, Louise recalled, "Numerous friends came to bid us farewell since we had not planned to return to New York for fifteen months....Prior to departure, in our cabin there was a champagne party with toasts and good wishes, lots of flowers, telegrams, and presents."

She also shared some of her mother's reflections from the trip, which were recorded for posterity. One notable passage, focused on the ship's departure from New York, said, "It was noon of a scorching hot day. I stood beside Gwen [Lux] on the Boat Deck, looking down on the cheering, waving crowd on the decorated pier; bands were playing, horns were tooting and the great deep voice of the ship herself roared overhead... Our mighty United States, after all the years of planning and work and worry and strain, she was off on her Maiden Voyage!" WATCH the full "Maiden Voyage Reflections" of Louise Meière Dunn by CLICKING HERE.

The Conservancy also recently re-mastered an interview with Laura Franklin Dunn, the daughter of U.S. Lines President General John M. Franklin, which was originally recorded for "SS United States: Lady in Waiting". CLICK HERE to watch Laura Dunn's "Maiden Voyage Reflections." Additional video reflections from former passengers and crew members will be shared in the coming weeks.

MORE FROM THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY
Showcasing photographs by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. Chief Photographer, B.J. "Buddy" Nixon, this new video created by longtime Conservancy supporter Bill Magee takes us behind the scenes during the Big U's construction and Blue Riband capturing maiden voyage. The Conservancy is honored to serve as stewards of Nixon's extraordinary photographs and is grateful to Stanton Daywalt for facilitating the donation.

You can also watch a full-length video featuring images from the Conservancy's expanded collection of BJ Nixon's photos by CLICKING HERE.

The Conservancy has recently been made aware of a growing number of online ads featuring images of the SS United States and the Conservancy's name. These ads, like the one pictured here, are not associated with our work and do not raise resources to help save America's Flagship.

We are working to combat these fake advertisements. However, in the interim, you can order our special 70th anniversary shirts HERE and visit www.SSUSC.org to get other official SS United States Conservancy merchandise and other products that directly contribute to our work to save America's Flagship.

As always, we want to thank our members and supporters for their continued patronage.
THE BIG U CONTINUES TO INSPIRE...

"That ship was the highlight of my life."
- Newport News Shipyard & Dry Dock Co. Chief Photographer B.J. "Buddy" Nixon