SAVANNAH (1962)

 

Another exception to our rules, the Savannah carried just 60 passengers. She is included because of her artworks: those created for her, and those on loan.

 

As the world's first nuclear-powered merchant ship, Savannah was ironically obsolete before she entered service. Designed to carry bulk cargo, container ships were already sailing by the time of Savannah's maiden voyage in August 1962.

 

Formerly of George G. Sharp, Jack Heaney had opened his own shop designing interiors. As the delivery date neared, the budget seemed to shrink exponentially, and little was left for Heaney to spend on the final touches. To decorate the lounge, he resorted to a mix of paintings from the recently opened Rive Gauche Gallery in New Canaan, CT.

 

When American Export Lines took over management of the Savannah, the Whitney Museum of American Art arranged a loan of artworks to be displayed onboard. It was a stunning collection, spanning over 30 years, and a variety of styles.

 

ARTIST ROSTER

Pierre Bourdelle, Louis Bunce, Preston Dickinson, Ernest Fiene, Adolf F. Fleischmann, Frederick Franck, Fred Hauck, Jacob Lawrence, Gwen Lux, Henry Lee McFee, Hobson Pittman, Manfred Schwartz, Isaac Soyer, Russell Twiggs, Nicholas Vasilieff, Esteban Vicente, Jean Woodham

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BASIC STATS

Length: 595'  |  Beam: 78'  |  Passengers: 60  |  15,590 gross tons  |  Speed: 21 knots

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