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The SS United States as she appeared
in May, 2004. |
The SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY is pleased to update you on our upcoming
spring events and future plans. This bulletin contains the following
sections:
- The SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY'S Unique Approach
- Feasibility Studies for the restoration of the SS UNITED STATES Underway
- SS UNITED STATES Soon to be in Film
- The CONSERVANCY will Professionally Digitize your Vintage Photos and Film
for Free
- The CONSERVANCY Announces its Passenger List Database Project
- SS UNITED STATES Events Scheduled in New York
- Passages
- Thank You for Your Support!
The SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY'S Unique Approach
Over the years, the cause of saving the SS UNITED STATES has inspired many
websites, museum displays, articles, events and organizations. There are
now two national nonprofit organizations dedicated to our nation's flagship:
the SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY and the SS United States Foundation. There
are key differences between these two groups. Both share a vision for a
preserved and revitalized SS UNITED STATES. The SS UNITED STATES
CONSERVANCY, however, believes that the only realistic way to achieve this
goal is by working with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the ship's current
owner. While the SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY is not affiliated with NCL in
any way, we are working with the company to ensure that as much as possible
of the ship's historic integrity is maintained as she is returned to sea as
an American-flagged cruise vessel. The SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY
recognizes the enormous financial investment required to restore the SS
UNITED STATES, which will involve funds far beyond the reach of any small,
all-volunteer nonprofit organization. The recent bankruptcy filing by the
operator of the QUEEN MARY illustrates the financial challenges associated
with liner
preservation. Hence, we are committed to working productively and
constructively with corporate and public sector partners to achieve our
dream.
In the event that NCL determines it must forfeit its plans for a restoration
of the SS UNITED STATES, the SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY is positioned to
work with NCL to postpone any hasty disposal of the ship and to help procure
an alternative future for this historic, one-of-a-kind vessel.
Feasibility Studies for the Restoration of the SS UNITED STATES Underway
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) purchased the SS UNITED STATES in April of 2003
and is currently studying options for her refurbishment and restoration. NCL
has been conducting extensive computer simulations to assess the ship's
stability and potential compliance with SOLAS requirements. Many have
contacted us to express concerns over the fate of another NCL-owned historic
liner, the SS NORWAY. A final determination on the SS NORWAY is still
pending, but NCL has directly assured the Board of the SS UNITED STATES
CONSERVANCY that the fate of the SS NORWAY is in no way related to their
plans to revitalize the SS UNITED STATES as an American-flagged cruise ship.
SS UNITED STATES Soon to be in Film!
Last fall, the SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY launched production of a unique
documentary film about the history of our favorite ship. We began filming
former SS UNITED STATES crewmembers in October of 2004. We have been working
with Mat Kaufman at Zip Dog Productions and our exciting
"trailer" will soon be ready for viewing. Mat can be reached at
mkaufman@zipdog.net. We are also assisting other filmmakers including Tim
Phillips of Rock Creek Productions who has embarked on
a documentary film project on the SS UNITED STATES. Tim can be reached at
tim@rock-creek.com. We will keep you informed as these films take shape and
will work to ensure that they receive the widest posssible distribution!
The CONSERVANCY will Professionally Digitize your Vintage Photos and Film
for Free!
In conjunction with the production of the SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY's
documentary film as well as our museum outreach initiative, the CONSERVANCY
is compiling an archive of visual materials featuring passengers and crew
who traveled in, helped to build, and/or served aboard our nation's
flagship,
the SS UNITED STATES. To that end, the CONSERVANCY seeks donated
submissions of photos, slides, and home movies taken aboard the ship.
In exchange for granting the CONSERVANCY exclusive permission to use these
images to promote the cause of saving, revitalizing, and preserving the
history of the SS UNITED STATES, the CONSERVANCY will pay for the scanning
of still images (both prints and slides) as well as for the transfer of
original 8mm, Super 8mm, 16mm film and/or 35mm film to digital video. Those
who provide the CONSERVANCY with these materials will have their original
prints, slides and/or films returned to them along with a CD-Rom of their
digitized images, and/or a DVD or VHS copy of their home movie (as desired).
The digital format will preserve the donated images for many years to come
in the highest quality format now available, preventing the loss of such
irreplaceable images through the inevitable deterioration of photographs,
slides, and especially home movies. Each contributor will also be
acknowledged with a credit such as "photo (or film) courtesy of" when their
images are used by the CONSERVANCY to raise awareness and promote the cause
of preserving the
SS UNITED STATES and her history.
To have your memories become a part of this important archival project or
learn more about the services offered by the CONSERVANCY, please email:
archives@ssunitedstatesconservancy.org
The CONSERVANCY Announces its Passenger List Database Project
The SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY has launched a project with the ambitious
goal of making passenger information from all 400 voyages of the SS UNITED
STATES available online. Individuals will be able to search these records by
passenger name, sailing date, ports of call, and cabin category to find
either their own voyage information or that of friends or family. This
project will ultimately provide a unique snapshot of the service career of
this very
important ocean liner and pinnacle of maritime design. We hope to have this
database available by the end of the spring.
If you have SS UNITED STATES passenger lists that you would be willing to
scan, copy or loan to the SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY, please let us know!
For
more information, please call (617)320-8459 or email:
passengerlists@ssunitedstatesconservancy.org.
SS UNITED STATES Events Scheduled in New York
On Thursday May 5th, the SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY and the Ocean Liner
Council have organized an exciting evening program at the South Street
Seaport
Museum. Maritime historian Bill Miller will join a panel of former SS
UNITED STATES crewmembers - Jim Green, Ray Kane and Joe Rota - and we will
learn what shipboard life was REALLY like. (We have given this event a
PG-13 rating and we are hoping our esteemed panelists oblige!) The event
will take place from 6-8 pm at the South Street Seaport Museum's Melville
Gallery, located at 213 Water Street in lower Manhattan. To make
reservations for this event, please call (212) 748-8786.
On Saturday, June 4th, the SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY and the Maritime
Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler will celebrate the SS UNITED STATES.
Presentations will be made by Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the designer of
the SS UNITED STATES William Francis Gibbs, and maritime historian Barry
Thomas, Chairman of the History Committee of Society of Naval Architects and
Marine Engineers (SNAME). All three United States Lines Commodores - Harry
Manning, John Anderson and Leroy Alexanderson - are Fort Schuyler graduates,
and the Museum has an exciting collection of United States Lines material
including some important new acquisitions from the Alexanderson family. Just
minutes from Manhattan, Westchester, Long Island and Connecticut, the
Maritime Industry Museum is located just off of I-95 in the Throggs Neck
section of the Bronx. Directions and more information about the museum can
be found on their website. Details on how
to register for this event will be forwarded shortly.
For more information about our New York activities, please feel free to
contact Carl Weber, the CONSERVANCY's New York region Director of
Outreach.
Passages
The SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY continues to mourn the passing of Mike
Alexander, whose premiere SS United States website introduced so many to our cause. We are honored to be partnering with
Mike's family in the care and continuation of Mike's
website. A tribute page can be found on the CONSERVANCY's website at. We thank all of you who
have reached out to Mike's family during this challenging time and a special
thanks to those of you who have contributed to the CONSERVANCY in honor of
Mike's passion, the SS UNITED STATES. A special event to honor Mike is
planned for our annual meeting this fall.
In addition, the Conservancy expresses our deepest condolences to the family
of former SS UNITED STATES crewmember Dan Keating, whose amazing home movies
of life below decks in the engine room and crew quarters of the Big U were
enjoyed by attendees at the CONSERVANCY's SS UNITED STATES crew reunion
convened in North Carolina last fall.
Thank You for Your Support!
During this crucial time, your donations will help to offset our operating
costs as we work to protect the UNITED STATES. Please visit the SOS page of
our website for information about how you can help.
You may also purchase any of our ship-related merchandise (a portion of the
proceeds support the CONSERVANCY) by visiting our online store.
The SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY will not rest until a bright future is
secured for the SS UNITED STATES! We thank you all for your ongoing
interest in this magnificent vessel and your generous support. With your
help, Voyage 401 will become a reality!
With our best regards,
Board of Directors
SS United States Conservancy
Post Office Box 90482
Raleigh, NC 27675
Telephone: (617) 320-8459
Email: info@ssunitedstatesconservancy.org
www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org
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