The SS United States has carried her fair share of famous passengers over the years, but few enjoyed the illustrious reputation of the ship's oldest ever traveler: a 460-year-old woman from Italy with a mischievous smile. That woman, as fate would have it, was none other than Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Mona Lisa (c. 1503), Leonardo da Vinci. The story of how da Vinci's fabled masterpiece got to the U.S. in the first place — let alone how it wound up on board America's Fla

The Conservancy is dedicated to raising awareness of the SS United States far and wide, with the goal of creating an inspiring future for this magnificent ship. Of course, in the digital age, the web and social media play a significant part in spreading the word about America’s Flagship. Today, we’re speaking with the Conservancy’s current Communications and Outreach Associate, Kevin McElvaney, who takes an active role in promoting the Big U online through social media, email

It was a gloomy, steel gray day a few years ago, the kind of November late afternoon you’d expect on the Philadelphia waterfront. I parked my car and walked slowly towards the high chain link fence, topped with a foreboding section of barbed wire. I stood there for a long time, gazing, pondering, reminiscing, lost in my own thoughts, when I noticed that I wasn’t alone. To my left was an older woman who was standing motionless, staring ahead, just as I had been. I had no idea

Since the very beginning, America’s Flagship has been been a fixture of the popular imagination and a muse for artists of all stripes. She’s starred in movies, inspired musical compositions, and even appeared as a “character” in books. As longtime readers of this blog might recall, the SS United States played a major role in the 2017 novel, The Torchlight Gambit. Now, the Big U is once again included in a prominent work of literature: Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love

Did you know the Big U has her own theme song? It’s true! Though there have been several pieces of music associated with her over the years — including Kenneth Fuchs’ moving 2012 composition, “Atlantic Riband” — “The SS United States: First Lady of the Sea” boasts a unique connection to the history of America’s Flagship. “First Lady of the Sea” was conceived in 1952 by Meyer Davis, a prominent bandleader who also proudly served as the ship’s Musical Director. In a riveting co

​Want to immerse yourself in more SS United States history? We would love to introduce you to a number of terrific books currently available for purchase that celebrate the culture and history of America's Flagship. Choose from a variety of top titles, including some of our favorites: A Man and His Ship: America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Quest to Build the S.S. United States by Steven Ujifusa William Francis Gibbs was an American original, on par with John Roebling a

Among the thousands of passengers who traveled aboard the SS United States, there was one very special “crew member” who delighted everyone fortunate enough to meet him — a cocker spaniel by the name of Chota Peg. Chota Peg (a Hindi expression meaning “small drink”) was the steadfast and loyal companion of Commodore John Anderson, who proudly served as captain of America’s Flagship from 1953 until 1964. Purchased from a Manhattan pet shop as a 4-month-old puppy, the spirited