February - 2018

THE BLUE RIBAND BLOG

The Extraordinary Photographs of Albert W. Durant Capture African-American Life Aboard the SS United

The Extraordinary Photographs of Albert W. Durant Capture African-American Life Aboard the SS United

Continuing its commitment to protect and showcase the legacy of America’s Flagship, the SS United States Conservancy is proud to include a series of spectacular black and white photographs by Albert W. Durant in our permanent curatorial collections. The photographs were taken by Durant — Williamsburg, Virginia’s first African-American city-licensed photographer — during the ship's top-secret trial runs in early 1952, and depict African-American kitchen staff and stewards aboa

Remembering the Last Captain of the SS United States, Commodore Leroy Alexanderson

Remembering the Last Captain of the SS United States, Commodore Leroy Alexanderson

The story of the SS United States is a story of the many extraordinary men and women who traveled and worked aboard her. The last captain of the United States was Commodore Leroy John Alexanderson, who was master of the ship for the last five years of her service career. Alexanderson passed away on the 28th of February, 2004, at the age of 93. He was buried in the uniform he wore as commodore and captain of the SS United States. Commodore Leroy Alexanderson of the SS United S

WATCH: American Evangelist Billy Graham Arrives in Britain Aboard the SS United States

WATCH: American Evangelist Billy Graham Arrives in Britain Aboard the SS United States

The SS United States was the ship on which to sail in the 1950s and 60s, carrying a very impressive complement of notable passengers on nearly every voyage. British Pathé has shared this archival footage of one such passenger, American evangelist Billy Graham, arriving in Britain aboard the SS United States in 1954. In a crowd of fans and reporters, Graham was interviewed as he prepared to embark on a three-month "crusade" through England. "Thousands Mob U.S. Evangelist." Vid

Flagship FAQs: Preserving Your SS United States Story with the Conservancy

Flagship FAQs: Preserving Your SS United States Story with the Conservancy

Today, we’re back to answer another important question posed by our generous supporters: How can I preserve and share my own SS United States story? The SS United States Conservancy prides itself on preserving the unparalleled history of the SS United States through our curatorial programs and growing permanent collections. As part of our curatorial mission, we're also capturing the intangible history of America's Flagship and collecting the stories of passengers and crew mem

Discover the Story Behind This Rare SS United States Pocketknife Owned by Woodcarver William W. Gegg

Discover the Story Behind This Rare SS United States Pocketknife Owned by Woodcarver William W. Gegg

Over the course of her 17-year service career, the SS United States played host to over a million passengers, often making an impression that would last a lifetime. To commemorate a memorable voyage aboard America's Flagship, travelers had the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of memorabilia on board. Supporter Stanton Daywalt recently reached out to the Conservancy to share a photograph of an especially extraordinary souvenir from aboard the Big U — an intricate SS Unit

The Inspiring Redevelopment of the QE2: World Famous Liner to Open as Hotel

The Inspiring Redevelopment of the QE2: World Famous Liner to Open as Hotel

The Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth 2 was the company's proud flagship for nearly 40 years, operating from 1969 to 2008 as a transatlantic liner and cruise ship. Over the course of her prolific service career, she covered almost six million miles, carrying 2.5 million passengers. Following her retirement, the QE2 sailed to Dubai, where new owners made plans for her refurbishment and conversion into a floating hotel. When the 2008 financial crisis intervened, the future of the g

Robert G. Lloyd ‘A Race to the Finish’ Prints Now Available

Robert G. Lloyd ‘A Race to the Finish’ Prints Now Available

The Conservancy is excited to share an extraordinary new painting by world-renowned marine artist Robert G. Lloyd entitled, "A Race to the Finish." Prints of the painting, which features the SS United States and RMS Queen Mary returning side-by-side to New York, are available now in two sizes. "A Race to the Finish" by Robert G. Lloyd. Lloyd imagines the scene of his breathtaking work, loosely inspired by true events: Early Spring, 1957. The SS United States races the RMS Que

WATCH: Commodore John Anderson Appears on Game Show "What's My Line?"

WATCH: Commodore John Anderson Appears on Game Show "What's My Line?"

"What's My Line?" was a televised panel game show that ran in the United States on CBS from 1950 to 1967, with several subsequent U.S. revivals. The game required four celebrity panelists to pose yes or no questions to a contestant in order to determine the contestant's mystery occupation, or "line of work." Commodore John Anderson of the SS United States appeared on the show on February 12th, 1956, with his occupation visible to the audience as "Captain of SS United States (

Raising a Flag to the SS United States' Royal Passengers

Raising a Flag to the SS United States' Royal Passengers

Over her prolific 17-year service career, the SS United States played host to a number of famous travelers. Regular transatlantic passengers included the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, who occupied the same suite of luxury cabins on each crossing. When the royal couple were aboard, three triangular flags were raised and remained flying for the entirety of the Duke and Duchess' passage. Supporter Elizabeth Clark-Miller reached out to the Conservancy this month to share photograp

America's Flagship Goes Green: SS United States Lights Up for Philadelphia Eagles

America's Flagship Goes Green: SS United States Lights Up for Philadelphia Eagles

Excitement was at an all-time high in Philadelphia on February 4th as the Philadelphia Eagles faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, fighting for their first-ever Super Bowl title. In honor of the city that has welcomed her for the past 20 years, the SS United States lit up Eagles green — and she'll be going green again on Wednesday night to celebrate their historic win! Photograph by Michael Wolfe. Photograph by Michael Wolfe. See more stunning photographs below:

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