Meet the Conservancy: Ray Griffiths, Ship Caretaker

The Conservancy is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to preserve the SS United States, with the goal of creating an inspiring future for this magnificent ship.

Today, we would like to introduce SS United States’ Caretaker, Ray Griffiths, who manages a team that handles the day-to-day maintenance of the 1,000-foot-long vessel for the SS United States Conservancy.

Griffiths is Director of Operations for Atlantic Logistics and which has served as the ship’s caretaker for over a decade.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE SS UNITED STATES AND THE CONSERVANCY?

Atlantic Logistics, at the time, was doing business with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in Philadelphia and Baltimore in 2003, when NCL purchased the SS United States. It was brought to Philadelphia where its care was entrusted to me and our crew. At the time, NCL intended to convert the vessel into a state-of-the art, modern cruise ship.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE WITH THE CONSERVANCY?

I oversee the team that provides day-to-day maintenance for America’s Flagship. Our professional team is aboard the ship, tightening the lines, diverting rainwater, and ensuring the ship remains safely tied to the pier (which can be challenging in gale force wind conditions!) Beyond that, the Atlantic Logistics team works closely with Conservancy President Susan Gibbs and her team to provide special tours of the ship for donors and vessel access for the media and other partners.

IN YOUR WORK WITH THE CONSERVANCY THUS FAR, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

A lot has happened over the years. We’ve brought potential developer partners and supporters aboard the ship as well as supported preservation inventory work. We’ve also worked to help keep the ship in the public eye, such as lighting the ship green during the Philadelphia Eagles 2018 Super Bowl Victory, to launching Tradition Brewing’s Hull 488 beer aboard the ship. What’s most notable to me is the longevity with the vessel. We’ve been able to support the Conservancy in its various endeavors, and we’ve kept hope alive. That’s what I’m most proud when I think about all our years taking care of the ship.

I also tip my hat to Susan and the Conservancy's entire board and staff, who have been relentless in their search to find new development partners and supporters and continue to draw attention to the ship and its future. More than once, I’ve worried that everything wasn’t going to be fine and somehow – even in the darkest hours – the Conservancy and its supporters have found another lifeline for her.

WHAT PART OF THE SHIP HAS BEEN THE MOST INTERESTING FOR YOU TO EXPLORE?

Everyone loves the engine rooms and the bridge, but for me the most interesting aspect is all things engineering. I am most excited to spend an afternoon in the engine room, crawling around – especially when it’s with someone who knows the ship even better than me. It is astonishing to see everything that was accomplished before the age of computers. The ship's builders and designers were craftsmen who achieved such a remarkable product and that achievement just blows me away. When you walk the decks and see the little nuances that are really what makes the ship so impressive. It is truly an engineering marvel.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE STORY ABOUT THE SHIP?

Most of the stories I know come from former crew member and Conservancy board member Joe Rota. Among Joe’s many positions, he held the position of First-Class elevator operator, and he has some of the greatest stories about the ship, its passengers, and crew. Joe’s stories are so colorful and interesting, but I really like the story about Commodore Anderson docking the United States without tugboat support at a finger pier in New York. You just imagine, with no bow or stern thrusters and only using the four blade screws, that he guided the ship into her berth and his own crew tied the ship up at the pier.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM VISION OR REIMAGINATION FOR THE SS UNITED STATES?

If you had asked me this question in my younger years, I would have said it was to see her cross the ocean again. Unfortunately, it just would not have the same power and prowess, and it’s just not economical. Now, I would just like to see it return to glory as a stand-alone attraction and be able to be part of the ship’s future when it’s open for business again.