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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With a sleekness that makes her seem longer than she is, the Savannah was designed as a traditional cargo carrier. However, during her construction, container ships came into fashion, making her obsolete before the first voyage.
The curved wall behind the Captain's Table, with the blue chairs, is an abstract plaster creation by Pierre Bourdelle. It remains on board to this day.
Adolf R. Fleischmann, 1962 Oil on canvas, 38 7/8 x 32 in., Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, Purchase, with funds from an anonymous donor, 63.36.
With a sleekness that makes her seem longer than she is, the Savannah was designed as a traditional cargo carrier. However, during her construction, container ships came into fashion, making her obsolete before the first voyage.