Larry Driscoll has a lifelong fascination with our nation's great ships, dating back to childhood voyages on the SS United States and her sister ship, the SS America. A proud member of the Conservancy's Advisory Council, Driscoll is widely regarded as an expert on the subject of maritime history — particularly when it comes to the "super liners" of the 20th century. His 2013 book, The Last Great Race: The SS United States and the Blue Riband, delves into the heated rivalry be

Commodore John Anderson and his loyal dog, Chota Peg. Photo courtesy of Charles Anderson When she set out on her record-breaking maiden voyage in 1952, the SS United States captured the imagination of the country that was her namesake — forever securing her place as a source of patriotic achievement and pride. While she continues to be a soaring symbol of national pride for Americans, the Big U has long held a special place in the hearts of citizens across the globe. A letter

Salty-tongued, superstitious, and with no formal training in marine engineering or naval architecture, William Francis Gibbs quit his job in real estate law in 1916 to devote himself to designing the world’s fastest ship. Gibbs would go on to direct plans for more than 60 percent of the nation's wartime fleet during World War II and design over 6,000 ships — including the record-breaking SS United States. Gibbs' wife, Vera Cravath Gibbs, recorded her impressions of the SS Uni

The SS United States touched thousands of lives over her prolific seventeen year service career. Today, as we fight to secure a future for our nation's greatest and sole-remaining ocean liner, the Conservancy is also hard at work preserving the stories of the Big U's former passengers and crew members. SS United States Radio Officer Paul MacCarthy served aboard the vessel from 1957-1969. He has generously shared this transmission from the ship's past with the Conservancy: "It

The story of the SS United States is the story of many dedicated crew members — extraordinary personnel that served aboard the vessel during her service career and who, through their hard work, cemented the Big U's enduring legacy as our nation's greatest ocean liner. Today, the SS United States Conservancy continues to document the singular history of America's Flagship, collecting the stories of passengers and crew members who traveled and worked aboard the SS United States

The SS United States has always been a true American icon; she made a lasting impression on all who traveled aboard her, and to this day, many of the Big U's most enthusiastic supporters are former passengers and crew members eager to see the ship restored to her original glory. Former passenger Neil Roosevelt has an extra special connection to America's Flagship — his father, James Arthur Roosevelt, served aboard as an engineer during the vessel's prolific service career! Fo

The SS United States endures to this day thanks to her many generous friends and supporters across the nation and around the globe, all of whom understand the urgent need to protect and revitalize this incredible vessel. This week we're highlighting one steadfast supporter's special connection to America's Flagship, and his extraordinary collection of SS United States memorabilia and art! Dennis Belanger's father, Joseph L.A. Belanger, served aboard the SS United States from

Former passenger Peter Dreher recently joined the SS United States Conservancy on a special limited-access curatorial tour of America's Flagship, joined by fellow passengers and crew members assisting with our ongoing Legacy and oral history projects. Peter was moved by the experience, and has generously shared his thoughts below: Former passenger Peter Dreher returns to the SS United States. Courtesy of Peter Dreher. Earlier this month, I had the rare opportunity to take a t

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

The SS United States brought thousands of Americans to Europe for work and travel, many of them U.S. service members and their families. Captain James McPherson and his wife Lillie had already lived and worked in Japan and Brooklyn before the army posted the family to France in 1958. Booked by the military into first-class accommodations on the SS United States, they sailed from Manhattan with their two young daughters and a great-aunt who moved with them to help care for the