America’s Flagship remains a marvel of American design and engineering, and continues to inspire a new generation of enthusiasts around the world. Southeast Conservancy Chapter Co-Chairman Mike Strasbaugh heavily studied the design of the SS United States to design his own vessel, the MV United States. After 11 years of constant design refinements, Strasbaugh arrived at the final design shown above. Regarding the design he tells us: "Initially the design looked much like a mo

The story of the SS United States is the story of the many extraordinary men and women who traveled and worked aboard her. Recently, Conservancy board member Mark B. Perry joined former SS United States purser Jim Green for a special screening of the acclaimed 2008 American Public Television documentary, SS United States: Lady in Waiting. Perry, who also produced the film, wrote following the event: "I had the honor of presenting SS United States: Lady in Waiting at the Oakmo

The global movement to save the SS United States requires all hands on deck. Even one individual can make an extraordinary difference, and the Conservancy is continually inspired by the energy and initiative of the Big U's incredible supporters. Navy Federal Credit Union's "Dollars for Doers" grant program recognizes, supports, and encourages the contributions of Navy Federal employees' volunteer efforts. The grant program awards a $1000 grant to 100 qualified employee team m

Looking for a new podcast to listen to on your commute? The SS United States remains an incredible symbol of American innovation, design and engineering. Recently her story was featured on the HowStuffWorks podcast, Omnibus. The show describes itself as "an encyclopedic reference work of strange-but-true stories that [hosts Ken Jennings and John Roderick] are compiling as a time capsule for future generations." Jennings is a Jeopardy-winner and New York Times-bestselling auth

SS United States designer William Francis Gibbs was notable in his time for basing his hires on ability, rather than background. Of top priority was finding the best man — or woman — for the job; Gibbs found her in pioneering female engineer Elaine Kaplan, whose work on the top-secret propulsion system of the SS United States was essential to the ship's incredible speed. Pioneering female engineer Elaine Kaplan, at table with SS United States designer William Francis Gibbs (f