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SS United States: An Operational Guide to America’s Flagship
by Stanton Daywalt, Sam Bauer and Jim Rindfleisch
The SS United States was the flagship of the United States Lines and was representative of the apex of steam-engineering technology. Designed by William Francis Gibbs, the ship was designed to be both fast and safe, due to the use of new materials with an emphasis on being fireproof. This book chronicles the design, construction, and operation of the liner. Using many materials taken from the ship itself, the authors detail the intricate interplay of safely operating a 990-foot-long vessel, providing the finest cuisine, entertainment, and personal services as well as running an oceangoing hotel. The book is richly illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs. In addition, included are personnel lists, performance and engineering data, transcripts of ship’s logs, and other documents that illustrate the massive undertaking and attention to detail that made this “America’s Flagship.”
To order a signed copy, contact the Stanton Daywalt at hamptonroads.ssusc@gmail.com.
SS United States: Ship of Power, Might, and Indecision
by William Miller
The SS United States was the most important and newsworthy ocean liner of the post-Second World War era. She was sheer magnificence: technologically advanced, futuristic, stylish, and extremely powerful. The most advanced ocean liner of her time—she entered service in July 1952 in a record-breaking maiden voyage between New York and England, sweeping the seas in three-and-a-half days at extraordinary speeds of over 35 knots. This is the story of a great and beloved ship—her glory days, but also her days of struggle and indecision.
This beautiful 120-page paperback book features 240 photos and examines the history of this innovative and record-breaking ocean liner on the 70th anniversary of its triumphant maiden voyage in July 1952.
Steam Engines, Fast Ships, and a Journey to the New World
by David Macaulay (Conservancy Advisory Council Member)
Award-winning author-illustrator David Macaulay guides readers through the fascinating history that culminated in the building of the most advanced--and last--of these steamships: the SS United States. This book artfully explores the design and construction of the ship and the life of its designer and engineer, William Francis Gibbs.
Framed around the author's own experience steaming across the Atlantic on the very same SS United States, Crossing on Time is a tour de force of the art of explanation and a touching and surprising childhood story.
SS United States: The View From Down Below
by Robert C. Sturm
Robert Sturm worked on the SS United States as an engineer, hence the title: “the view from down below.” In this fantastic book he offers “an insider’s view of the history, construction, operation, and ‘secrets’ of this magnificent vessel,” as well as numerous photos — many of which were taken by the author.
To order, contact the author at the following address: Robert C. Sturm, 27 Pebble Beach Road, Medford NY 11763. For more information, please email randrsturm@optonline.net.
SS United States: Red, White, and Blue Riband, Forever
by John Maxtone-Graham (1929 - 2015)
Eminent maritime historian John Maxtone-Graham has yet again produced a profusely illustrated tribute, this one to America’s most famous and historic liner. In his latest book, he documents the SS United States, her design, construction, and seventeen years of impeccable service. He introduces us to dozens of passengers, famous and infamous, as well as captains and crew. The last great American ocean liner, the SS United States could be converted to a 14,000-man troop carrier and was capable of attaining a speed of over 40 knots. This book with over 200 color illustrations is a must-have for any fan.
by Lawrence M. Driscoll (1943 - 2022)
In The Last Great Race, author Larry Driscoll thoroughly explains the personality and character of the vessel’s designer, William Francis Gibbs, and through historic records and communications, describes the rivalry between Cunard and United States Lines, including Cunard’s attempts to stop funding of the American superliner.
Larry Driscoll is also author of an earlier book about the SS America.
by Steven Ujifusa
William Francis Gibbs was an American original, on par with John Roebling of the Brooklyn Bridge and Frank Lloyd Wright of Fallingwater. He spent 40 years dreaming of the ship that became the SS United States. He loved his ship, the idea of it, and the realization of it, and he devoted himself to making it the epitome of luxury travel during the triumphant post–World War II era. Biographer Steven Ujifusa brilliantly describes the way Gibbs worked and how his vision transformed an industry. A Man and His Ship is a tale of ingenuity and enterprise, a truly remarkable journey on land and sea.
by Andrew Britton
Complete with deck plans, newspaper coverage, and accounts from log books and ship records, this history covers the SS United States’ active service from 1952 to 1969, when she dominated the Atlantic. The astonishing operational capacity of this national icon of the United States—with her red, white, and blue funnels; sleek streamlined hull; and silver-coated fittings—was shrouded in secrecy in case she was ever required to be converted to a troop carrier. Andrew Britton presents a revealing insight into the record-breaking liner, her epic maiden voyage, and how she performed in the secret sea trials. Compiled from a wealth of previously unpublished material drawn from the author’s own unparalleled collection and others from around the world, this special commemorative book is packed with such ephemera as tickets, timetables, menus, keys, luggage labels, gala invitations, and pennants, as well as historical color photography from both sides of the Atlantic, including the maiden voyage departure from New York.
The Big Ship: The Story of the SS United States
by Frank Braynard
Follow Frank Braynard, one of the great American maritime historians, as he chronicles the life of the SS United States, the incredible feat of engineering that still holds the westbound speed record on the North Atlantic. This book stands as a tribute of her maiden voyage, a celebration of her recent rescue efforts by the Conservancy, and an inspiration for future generations to restore the legacy of the greatest ocean liner this country has ever built.
SS United States Interiors in Color
by the SS United States Conservancy Legacy Project
$43.30 (soft cover), $57.30 (hard cover)
The Conservancy Legacy Project, in cooperation with The Mark Perry Collection and Blurb.com, has launched an exciting new line of books highlighting the irreplaceable legacy of our national flagship, the SS United States. Our first published book is a gorgeous reproduction of a United States Lines promotional publication featuring full color photographs of the ship’s fabulous mid-century modern interiors.
SS United States: Lady in Waiting (2008)
The powerful documentary directed by Robert Radler and produced by Conservancy Board Member Mark Perry. This stirring film tells the story of the SS United States: her conception, her record-breaking career, her fade into obscurity and the recent interest in her preservation. A must for any SS United States supporter!
The documentary is also now available to stream via Amazon Prime!
A historic, 45-minute video walk-through of the SS United States, videotaped while the “Big U” was opened to the public for inspection before her contents were sold in 1984. The video was produced by a professional cameraman and, because of its historical significance, has had minimal editing.