SSUS Conservancy

We're celebrating the inspiring legacy of America’s Flagship, the SS United States. Learn more about our future museum, collections, and digital exhibitions at ssusc.org. Our newest exhibition, "Food Tastes Better at Sea" is available now!

2/2 These shards include pieces of plates, cups, and bowls, all stamped with the signature pottery mark of Mayer China.

🧵1/ When plates broke on the SS United States, crew members would simply throw them overboard. Conservancy supporter Stephanie May donated her incredible collection of sea pottery shards to us, which she found between 2001-2017 on the Southampton beaches.

Alexanderson is buried in Parklawn Memorial Park in Hampton, Virginia.

Today the @SSUSC remembers Commodore Leroy J. Alexanderson, the final master of the Big U, who passed away #onthisdate 21-years-ago. As part of the Heritage Program hosted by the Hampton Roads Chapter in 2022, members gathered to pay their respects to Commodore Alexanderson.

@RFCooke1584 If you'd be willing to share this video and your story with the Conservancy, please email info@ssusc.org.

Old home movie of SS United States crossing from LeHavre to NY in July 1953. And yes, the boy is me. @SSUSC

4/4 I was in Philadelphia the other month and as we went along the expressway, pointed out the ship to my wife and kids as the ship in my collection - it really is amazing to see up close!”

3/ - love all the photos and narrative in this book!! Jim continued, “I was very lucky to find a Mercator model of the SS United States on eBay - as these are quite rare. It now stands front and center with the other ships of my ‘fleet’.

🧵1/ Supporter Jim E. recently shared, “I’ve always been interested in historic ocean liners since my younger days and a few years ago, I started collecting Mercator die cast models of a variety of ships.

5/5 found a handmade model in dilapidated condition at a flea market. I snatched it up and restored it. The SS United States will forever be a part of our family legacy.”

4/ new husband to the orange orchards of California. She was sick at sea and spent most of the freezing cold days outside to get fresh air. My Dad bought the plastic model after arriving home and built it for my Mom as a gift from their honeymoon. My husband and I also

🧵1/Supporter Kathy B. recently shared this incredible collection of ephemera and mementos from her parents’ crossing on the Big U. Kathy said, “I’ll never forget the day we were driving through Philly after attending an Army-Navy game and, in the distance, I saw the smokestacks.

Ship photographers frequently snapped photos in the dining room. We have hundreds of family photos in our collections, like this one donated by Sonja Jones. This 1962 photo was taken in the tourist class dining room. Can you spot what the Jones family was eating?

2/2 I was able to go visit the ship a couple years ago and it was such an impressive thing to see in person. I drew the front view one in 2022 and the side view one in 2024."

🧵1/2 Young artist Rory Pugh (@rorypugh_art) recently shared this drawing he made of the SS United States, after seeing our ongoing #ModelMonday series. Rory wrote, "I've always been fascinated by ocean liners and the SS United States quickly became my favorite.

The SS United States is lit up in red, white, and blue on what is likely her last night in Philadelphia, where she has called home since July 1996. 🇺🇲

UPDATE: After careful consideration and out of an abundance of caution, Florida's Okaloosa County has announced that the departure of the SS United States from Philadelphia has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2025 due to continued high wind conditions.