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Welcome to the Northern California Section. If you have any questions, use the Contact Us link. See below for the next event or check out our Calendar for details, more upcoming events, and past meetings.

		From the Chair: Welcome to the Northern California Section representing The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers in Northern California and Western Nevada. We strive to provide presentations of interest to our members and guests. Meetings are monthly from September until late Spring jointly with ASNE and occasionally with the Port Engineers at locations varying from San Francisco and Oakland to Vallejo or Sunnyvale. The usual meeting format includes a social hour, dinner (sometimes lunch), presentation and Q&A period. Several meetings each season are field trips to industry landmarks. Our meetings are usually the Second Wednesday of the month unless noted. We are always in need of volunteers. If you wish to volunteer, please use the "Contact Us" link. If you receive your announcements by mail, please let us know your email address. This will speed up notification and save on section mailing costs.

From the Chair:

Welcome to the Northern California Section representing The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers in Northern California and Western Nevada.

We strive to provide presentations of interest to our members and guests. Meetings are monthly from September until late Spring jointly with ASNE and occasionally with the Port Engineers at locations varying from San Francisco and Oakland to Vallejo or Sunnyvale. The usual meeting format includes a social hour, dinner (sometimes lunch), presentation and Q&A period. Several meetings each season are field trips to industry landmarks. Our meetings are usually the Second Wednesday of the month unless noted.

We are always in need of volunteers. If you wish to volunteer, please use the "Contact Us" link. If you receive your announcements by mail, please let us know your email address. This will speed up notification and save on section mailing costs.

Upcoming Events

SS United States and William Francis Gibbs - IN-PERSON EVENT

Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 05:30 PM - 08:30 PM PT

SS United States and William Francis Gibbs - The History of the Greatest Ocean Liner and the Man Responsible for Her Creation

EVENT DESCRIPTION
SS United States and William Francis Gibbs - The History of the Greatest Ocean Liner and the Man Responsible for Her Creation

This presentation explores the remarkable history of the SS United States and the visionary Naval Architect, William Francis Gibbs, who spent nearly three decades bringing the ship from concept to reality. Entering service in 1952, the SS United States became the safest and fastest transatlantic liner ever to sail, setting records that still stand.
The presentation highlights the technological innovations and engineering and political challenges that shaped her development, her years in service and the forces that ultimately ended the era of ocean liners with the rise of jet travel in the late 1960s. It also highlights the role and innovations of William Francis Gibbs, who, in the course of her development, design and construction became the best-known Naval Architect in the United States at the time.
The presentation also reviews the many unsuccessful attempts to return the ship to service as a cruise liner and discusses her planned future as the world’s largest artificial fishing reef off of the coast of Florida. In addition to the historical narrative, the presenter includes some personal observations from having met William Francis Gibbs on several occasions and toured the SS United States during one of her stops in New York in 1964.

Join our NorCal SNAME Section Meeting at the popular Two Pitchers Brewing Oakland Beer Garden and Taproom...considered one of the best in Northern California on Tuesday, April 28th from 5:30p-8:30p to this exciting event!

SPEAKER/PRESENTER
Eugene R Miller, SNAME Fellow

Mr. Miller is a semi-retired naval architect who has lived in Pleasanton, CA for the past three years. He was raised on Long Island and graduated from Manhasset High School, Webb Institute and MIT. After completing his studies at MIT, he began his professional career in Maryland, working in Maryland and the Washington DC area from1965 until 2022.
His career spans naval architecture, marine engineering, model testing, modeling and simulation. He is active in the Webb Institute alumni association and maintains a strong interest in maritime history and the associated technological achievements. He is SNAME Fellow and has been a SNAME member for fifty plus years.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Two Pitchers Oakland was voted the best beer garden and taproom in the East Bay, and is consistently rated as one of the top breweries in Northern California.

Located in a historic former auto repair shop in the heart of Uptown Oakland and originally constructed in 1919, the large interior space offers high ceilings, cozy nooks, and comfy couches in the semi-private "Living Room Lounge"

Burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and more (including veggie options) are available on site from Lovely’s (Not included with Registration Fees)

#In-PersonEvent

Oakland, CA, United States