CAN THIS WOMAN SAVE THE UNITED STATES?

(THE STORIED OCEAN LINER, THAT IS.)

New York Times Profiles Conservancy President Susan Gibbs and Her Quest to Save America's Flagship

Today, a special, wide-ranging profile featured in the New York Times, offers readers an in-depth look at Conservancy President Susan Gibbs as she reflects on the historic importance of America's Flagship and her personal journey leading the global effort to save the SS United States. While Susan's grandfather, William Francis Gibbs, designed the famous ocean liner, he died when she was five years old.

Over the course of multiple interviews, including a trip with Susan from Washington, DC, to Philadelphia, to visit the SS United States at her berth, veteran reporter and former SS United States passenger Jesse Pesta spoke extensively with Susan about the the ship's history and significance, the Conservancy's acquisition of the ship in 2011, the ship's current, urgent challenges, and how Susan's growing obsession with the SS United States began to mirror her grandfather's. As Susan told Jesse, "Appreciating the ship is 'a way to appreciate America, the idealism and the can-do spirit.'”

While this story focuses on Susan, the fact that America's Flagship remains afloat today is only because of the passion, persistence, and generosity of the Conservancy's tens of thousands of supporters from across the country and around the world and the organization's dedicated and tireless board of directors, staff, advisory council, and regional chapter chairs. Thank you so much for supporting the Conservancy's work to save the SS United States and create a museum to honor America's Flagship's legacy.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE NEW YORK TIMES' PROFILE OF SUSAN GIBBS AND THE CONSERVANCY'S FIGHT TO SAVE THE SS UNITED STATES.

NATIONAL MARITIME HISTORICAL SOCIETY HONORS CONSERVANCY PRESIDENT SUSAN GIBBS WITH 2024 RODNEY HOUGHTON AWDARD

Conservancy President Susan Gibbs was recently honored by the National Maritime Historical Society. Susan’s article, “Naval Architect William Francis Gibbs, ‘A Dream Deferred Never Died,’” from the Society’s flagship publication, SEA HISTORY, was selected as the winner of the 2024 Rodney Houghton Award for the best article in SEA HISTORY in the past year.

At the organization’s annual meeting in Peekskill, New York, Conservancy Board member Charles Anderson, pictured here alongside SEA HISTORY Editor Deirdre O'Regan, accepted the award on Susan’s behalf. Our thanks to SEA HISTORY and all the members of the National Maritime Historical Society for their continued support of the Conservancy and America’s Flagship.

CLICK HERE TO READ SUSAN GIBBS' FULL ARTICLE FROM SEA HISTORY.