On Saturday, October 2, 2004, over one hundred fans of the SS United States joined two dozen original designers, builders, and members of the crew of the SS United States, to celebrate the greatest American ocean liner ever built. This first-ever reunion of SS United States crew honored the vision, determination, and effort that led to the ship's creation and ongoing reign as holder of the trans-Atlantic speed record. The event also marked the official launch of the SS United States Conservancy, an initiative of the SS United States Preservation Society, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission of preserving the ship's legacy. The Conservancy would like to thank major contributors for their support of this special evening including Dr. Sarah Forbes, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Gibbs & Cox, among others.
The event received extensive coverage in the media. Stories were aired on radio stations WUNC and WCXL and print articles ran in the Virginian Pilot (for complete text click here) and the Outer Banks Sentinel (for complete text click here). Additional articles are forthcoming.
The crew reunion was held at the Windmill Point Restaurant, a Nags Head landmark founded by Dr. Sarah Forbes, who grew up in Newport News and observed the ship's construction as a child. The restaurant is furnished entirely with original fixtures from the SS United States, including the ship's bell and the famous kidney-shaped bar and stools from the First Class Lounge where celebrities such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Marlon Brando, Sean Connery, Ava Gardner, President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy, President Bill Clinton and many others hobnobbed during their travels across the North Atlantic. It was here beside the bar in the SS United States Lounge where crew members Bill Krudener and Joe Rota led a recreation of the famous 1957 dart competition held between crew members of the Big U and the original Queen Mary, and their original trophy was proudly displayed to attendees. The cocktail hour featured fabulous color film footage of the Big U presented by the Conservancy’s Mark Perry and it was here that the fantastic silent auction kicked off featuring many unique items donated to the Conservancy.
A highlight of the dinner event was an update on the status of the SS United States from Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), which purchased the ship in April 2003. Peter Randall, an NCL Vice President and SS United States Project Manager, pledged that NCL would return the ship to sea. He told the gathering, “I know you've had a lot of false starts in the past. This isn't a false start. We have the will to do this.” To read a full transcript of his remarks, click here. Mr. Randall also mentioned that NCL's website took an unprecedented 1.3 million unique viewer hits after news of the ship’s purchase was released. Later in the evening, crewmember Joe Rota presented NCL with the last tattered flag flown aboard the SS United States together with a new flag that had flown above the New York state capitol. He also read greetings to NCL and the SS United States Conservancy from New York Governor George E. Pataki and New York Representative John Sweeney. This flag transfer powerfully symbolized the first step toward the revitalization of the SS United States.
Tom Schubert, Vice President, Engineering Services Group Washington of Gibbs & Cox, the noted marine engineering firm that designed the ship, also addressed the group and paid homage to the ship's many unique and timeless features.
The SS United States Conservancy honored a number of the crew members in attendance with special acknowledgments, beginning with nine crew members who were aboard the SS United States for her historic and record-breaking maiden voyage: Joseph Belanger, Paul Bence, James D'Andrea, Ray Kane, Bill Krudener, Nick Landiak, Joe Sampson, Arthur Taddei and Thomas Young. Engraved plaques were also presented to three crew members who had served aboard the ship for all 17 years of her service: Nicholas Landiak, Joseph Belanger, and James D'Andrea. Crew member Joe Rota also received an award for his tireless advocacy efforts on behalf of the great ship. Bertha Anderson and Rosemary Bennett, two Gibbs & Cox staff members who together logged over 80 years of service to the company, also received honors.
Captain John Tucker, relieving Master of the ship, was presented with an award for his outstanding service on behalf of the Big U. While Captain Tucker was unable to attend the event, he noted in a prepared statement to the participants that, "Here we are, 52 years after the world record breaking maiden voyage for the North Atlantic speed record which still stands as far as I am concerned. Ferry boats don't count in my book. We are paying tribute to a great liner, her crew and her place in history. I am truly sorry not to be with you all."
Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of William Francis Gibbs, the ship's designer, voiced some of her grandfather’s sentiments, spoken in 1952 as he presented special medallions of thanks to the crew who sailed on the ship's maiden voyage. Mr. Gibbs likened the operation of the ship to a symphony orchestra: “In this ship we have not only the most complicated structure that a man can conceive of... we have a 'symphony orchestra’ of more than a thousand people.” He continued: "On the maiden voyage I saw unfolded before my eyes what to me was a miracle. I mean, a miracle.”
Later in the evening, the SS United States Conservancy's Richard Rabbett announced that every crew member in attendance would receive a special replica of the original "Gibbs Medallion," recreated in precise detail by himself and noted artist and maritime painter Donald Stoltenberg, in recognition of their outstanding contributions on behalf of the SS United States.
SS United States Conservancy Board member Jeff Henry presented a moving tribute to the late Commodore Leroy J. Alexanderson, and presented a special gift to Dr. Sarah Forbes, owner of the Windmill Point Restaurant. Dr. Forbes then addressed the group and spoke powerfully about how the ship symbolized the very best of our nation. The Conservancy also paid special tribute to Mike Alexander and Elizabeth Fletcher, two talented advocates who have done so much to keep the memory of the ship shining brightly. Several audio-visual presentations produced by the SS United States Conservancy's Mark Perry were shown to the packed dining room, including rare color footage supplied by crew member Dan Keating of engine room crew at work and play.
The SS United States Conservancy's crew reunion and launch event drew a large crowd of enthusiasts committed to the cause of preserving and restoring the SS United States including: Mike Alexander, founder of the premier website www.ss-united-states.com, distinguished maritime artists Bob Semler and Russell Parmerter, authors Larry Driscoll, (SS. America, USS West Point, SS Australis: The Many Lives of a Great Ship) and Elizabeth Fletcher (Grandfather's Ship), SS United States crew photographer and enthusiast Phil Trahadias, SS United States passengers Cathleen Brady, Maurice Polak, Cornelia Mueller, Big U preservation advocates Carl Weber and Alex Rodmell, and many, many others.
During the course of the evening, The SS United States Conservancy shared some of its ongoing priorities. The Conservancy will work with the ship's current owner as NCL studies options for bringing the ship back to active service while honoring its architectural integrity and historical legacy. If NCL is unable to proceed with its plans for the ship, the Conservancy will aggressively pursue other solutions to ensure that the ship has a dignified future. As a first step, the Conservancy has secured approval from the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority and Horizon Stevedoring for the placement of a large informational sign about the SS United States at Pier 82 where the ship is currently moored. Plans are also underway to produce a documentary film. Fantastic footage of crewmembers at the reunion sharing tales of their time aboard the ship has already been collected (special thanks to Mat Kaufman of Zip Dog Productions for helping to make this happen). The Conservancy is planning a major outreach program targeting maritime museums and will begin by conducting an inventory of SS United States-related holdings and collections nationwide and then assess options for mounting a traveling Big U exhibit.
We welcome your support for all of our exciting projects and plans! There are various ways in which you can assist us in our efforts: Charitable contributions are always welcome: For instructions, click here. The Conservancy has just launched an exciting new line of merchandise, including exclusive SS United States note cards, mouse pads, coffee mugs, wall calendars, tote bags and apparel. Proceeds from every purchase will help support the Conservancy’s work. To view the Conservancy's "Slop Chest" of items for sale, click here.
Please keep us informed of your current contact information so we may notify you of future reunions, celebrations and events by emailing us here. We are already planning activities in New York, NY and Newport News, VA so stay tuned!
