WE ARE THE UNITED STATES: Blog

THE BLUE RIBAND BLOG

Passenger Memories: Mark Yuill Shares Vintage Footage of America's Flagship

Passenger Memories: Mark Yuill Shares Vintage Footage of America's Flagship

"Twice in a Lifetime" Growing up as the son of an Army officer, Mark Yuill had lots of experience moving to far-flung places, but when the family boarded the SS United States in New York in 1963, he knew this time would be different. “This time,” he recalls, “we were going to France! And, better yet, rather than the 12 hour flight in a prop plane that was our last European posting travel experience, this time we got to take a ship, for the first time! As a high school-aged te

A Moving Reunion with the Big U

A Moving Reunion with the Big U

On July 14, the Conservancy was delighted to host a special "Blue Riband anniversary" tour of the SS United States for former passengers, crew, and their families. We thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all our guests and talking about their individual relationships with the ship. Today, we're delighted to share the story of one of those former passengers, Liz Waters. As the winner of our recent Blue Riband Month social media contest, Liz was invited (along with her mother,

Memories of Captain Tucker, Relieving Master of the SS United States

Memories of Captain Tucker, Relieving Master of the SS United States

Captain John S. Tucker played a pivotal role in the history of America's Flagship. Beginning with her sea trials and concluding with her final voyage, he proudly served aboard the SS United States — ultimately becoming her relieving master. In addition to his service to the ship, the late Captain Tucker was a strong supporter of the SS United States Conservancy. He was also quite a storyteller. In fact, we were fortunate enough to be both inspired and entertained by memories

Captain Tucker Honored in Extraordinary Donation to the Conservancy's Collection

Captain Tucker Honored in Extraordinary Donation to the Conservancy's Collection

The Conservancy is deeply honored to announce an extraordinary donation to its permanent collection. The family of Captain John Tucker, relieving master of the SS United States, has entrusted us with his captain's uniform. Captain Tucker passed away last year, after a 37-year career with United States Lines. He proudly served on the Big U from her sea trials and triumphal maiden voyage until the ship's withdrawal from service in 1969. Captain John S. Tucker aboard the SS Unit

A Night at the Wax Museum with William Francis Gibbs

A Night at the Wax Museum with William Francis Gibbs

Nearly 67 years after her maiden voyage, the SS United States continues to make an impact on people of all ages — including young supporters like Ryan Miller, who chose to portray the Big U's dedicated designer, William Francis Gibbs, for a recent school project. The project in question included a living "wax museum," where students would begin to imitate their subjects once visitors placed a quarter into the display. Ryan Miller as William Francis Gibbs on "museum night." Ph

Passenger Memories: A Cure for Seasickness

Passenger Memories: A Cure for Seasickness

The Conservancy is always delighted to hear from former passengers and crew of the SS United States. In recent months, we've been regaled with memories from one of her earliest voyages, had our hearts stolen by a soaring, shipboard love story, and even checked in with one of the very few people born on America's Flagship. We recently heard from John Rodes, who traveled aboard the Big U at age 11. Like many people not used to traveling at sea, John found himself struggling wit

Passenger Memories: Tom Mueller's Collection

Passenger Memories: Tom Mueller's Collection

From the day she set sail on her maiden voyage in July 1952, the SS United States has made an unforgettable impression on passengers, crew, and maritime enthusiasts of all ages. The Conservancy is always delighted to hear from former passengers, who often share with us not only their memories from aboard the Big U, but also a wide variety of photographs and keepsakes from their personal collections. One of these passengers is Tom Mueller who, just a few months after the vesse

Passenger Memories: Born on America's Flagship

Passenger Memories: Born on America's Flagship

Every passenger who traveled aboard the SS United States left with a story they could tell for the rest of their lives. However, none of these stories is quite like the one told by John Dost, one of the only children ever born on America's Flagship. John's parents, Lucia and Harald Dost, were traveling to visit John's grandmother in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They departed from Bremerhaven, Germany on December 1, 1959 — a full month before Lucia's due date. The Big U made her reg

Flashback: Art and the SS United States

Flashback: Art and the SS United States

"She was withdrawn from service back in 1969," says Conservancy executive director Susan Gibbs. "But what is striking is that she still inspires so much creativity." The above sentiment comes from a 2016 segment of WHYY's weekly TV program, Friday Arts. The segment, which was helmed by Emmy-winning producer Michael O'Reilly, looks at the intersection between art, design, and the SS United States. Apart from Susan Gibbs — whose grandfather, William Francis Gibbs, designed the

Love Aboard the Big U

Love Aboard the Big U

Happy Valentine's Day from the SS United States Conservancy! In anticipation of this day, we recently put a call out to our supporters, asking for stories of love and romance from aboard America's Flagship. Today, as promised, we're sharing our favorite submission. It comes from Maud Tarrant of Larchmont, NY, who has won our grand prize: a tour of the SS United States! Maud sent in some excerpts from her diary, recalling memories of a shipboard romance with a man named Mark o

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