Transmission 31: Craig Peter Kleber

Overall, I remember excitement. Magic. A giant ship and a very small boy. The big chairs. The round dining tables. Our cabin with cozy beds. I think I made a castle out of all the pillows.It was my first birthday. I, of course, cannot remember anything directly, but I was told a lot about the trip by my parents. My father, Louis C. Kleber, worked as an executive with U.S. Lines in the London office, 50 Pall Mall. Our chief steward for the crossing was a lovely older gentleman named Cornelius who made an extra effort to make me feel special. Our table was full of U.S. Lines red balloons and a big cake with one candle. All the passengers and crew sang Happy Birthday to me, and I was very happy.I sailed on the SS United States again, and on other ships, but surely the highlight of all the travel in my life must be my first birthday on the SS United States.-- Craig Peter Kleber, former passenger, who celebrated his first birthday aboard the SS United States in 1967

Feb 25, 2017 -- Tradition Brewing Hull 488 Launch Party

[huge_it_gallery id="12"]The SS United States Conservancy was proud to witness the release of the signature craft beer Hull 488 in 12-ounce cans. Newport News city officials were in attendance, and there was much enthusiasm shared in support of the  the SS United States making a grand return to the place where her hull (number 488) was laid.The energy and support from all attendees is a testament to the enduring power of the SS United States to inspire. Not only did Tradition Brewery donate all proceeds from the silent auction and the sale of Hull 488 at the event to the Conservancy, but they also pledged to donate 5 percent of all proceeds from the sale of cans of Hull 488 going forward!At this time, cans of Hull 488 can be purchased exclusively from the Tradition Brewing tasting room. They plan to launch the beer in stores in New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia in the near future. More information can be found on their website.Thank you to Tradition Brewing for putting on such an incredible event and for your generous contribution to the future of America's Flagship! Thank you, too, to the individuals and organizations who made the event such a success: Barrel Oak Winery, Michael Cole, Jim Flood, Wayne Forth, the Mariners Museum and Park, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, P.F. Chang's – Newport News, Robert Semler, and the Virginia Living Museum.

Transmission 30: Tony Strublic

I didn’t really begin to study the SS United States until 2014 when the late Jordan Morris, former chair of the SS United States Conservancy Southeastern Chapter, commissioned me to draw a bow-on image of the liner. That was when I began to study her physical appearance as well as her history.The element of her history that stood out most to me was her quest to be the fastest liner ever, and to bring home the Blue Riband and Hales Trophy. The mere fact that she is still around, and has no hull issues to this day, gives her even more prestige. There are very few links to the grand history of ocean liner travel. Even in a static state, the ship still can—and will—have meaning for generations to come. She is a symbol of national pride.-- Tony Strublic, Maritime Artist