News
Bob Driscoll
Associated Press: Historic ocean liner could ...

The conservancy that oversees a storied but aging ocean liner and its landlord have resolved a years-old rent dispute that will clear the way for a Florida county to turn the historic ship into the world’s largest artificial reef.

Associated Press: Historic ocean liner could soon become the world’s largest artificial reef

Media Highlights

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Mar 15, 2017 -- Newsday: Tending to a giant liner’s grand history

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Courtesy of Heather Walsh/Newsday.

Courtesy of Heather Walsh/Newsday.

This excellent profile of Robert Sturm, former SS United States engineer and author of the book SS United States: The View From Down Below, explores his decades-long fascination with the Big U.

“The ship is the epitome of American genius when it comes to naval architecture and marine engineering, both in design and construction and in operation,” Sturm told Newsday.

“It was truly a magnificent piece of work.”

Sturm spoke with reporter Bill Bleyer about his book -- available for purchase here -- in which he "details his knowledge about the ship gleaned during his 44 transatlantic voyages, from 1957 to 1959."

He also discussed his work as a volunteer archivist at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, organizing and cataloging boxes of documents and photographs the museum acquired when United States Lines was dissolved in 1992. Unsurprisingly, the files he lingers the longest over are those related to the Big U.

To read the profile in its entirety, click here.

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Mar 9, 2017 -- USA Today: Peek Inside the Last of the Great Ocean Liners

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Courtesy of the Grand Liner Lounge, http://grandlinerlounge.com/Created by veteran cruise writer, ship photographer, and Conservancy Advisory Council member Peter Knego, this fantastic virtual tour takes visitors inside four of the most iconic trans-Atlantic vessels, including (of course!) the SS United States. Knego includes both historical and current photos of "some of the most spectacular machines ever made for transportation."The tour of the SS United States -- "the largest, fastest, and arguably greatest American passenger ship ever built" -- begins at slide 27 and concludes at slide 51. Knego beautifully summarizes the current condition of ship when he says: "Peeling paint and superficial rust aside, the grace and beauty of the ship's architecture is unparalleled." He finishes by expressing his hope that there will ben more to the story of "one of the mightiest ships to ever grace the seas," a hope the Conservancy is working hard to make a reality.To view the tour, click here.

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Dec 22, 2016 -- News Coverage of Santa's Visit to the SS United States

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Courtesy of Julia Hatmaker.Reporters from NJ.com, Curbed Philadelphia, Penn Live, and CBS 3 Fox Chasing News came aboard the SS United States to cover Santa's inspection of the region's largest chimney -- the ship's six-story-tall forward smokestack.Although his reindeer were too shy to speak to the media, Santa shared some wise advice for parents and children alike. For quotes from Santa, photos of the ship ablaze with lights, and commentary from supporters who attended the event in person, check out the following pieces: "Santa boards SS United States for Christmas inspection," "On board the SS United States ship for its historic lighting," "Santa makes a visit to light up the sky in Philadelphia," "United States of Christmas," and this fantastic video by Bill Magee, "Santa Helps Light the Stacks."