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Note: Photographs on this page are taken by the author, from my
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Having been in the
passenger shipping industry for well over a half an century,
working from the very bottom, to an agent selling berths on ships
to and from the USA, UK and European ports, as well as having
managed a major Passenger Shipping Company and operated a
successful Cruise Company in the 1960/70s, it stands to
reason that my
love for classic and traditional passenger liner/cruise ships is
rather obvious!
Personally it has
been my good fortune to have been directly involved in saving
worthwhile passenger ships since 1995, but officially online in
1997! Sadly there have been far too many tragedies, but also some
wonderful and sweet victories! But, this is not the time to sing
praises for there are other ships that are now worth our time
right now!
Let me advise you
first; although I am no longer directly involved in the actual
saving of any of these wonderful ships, but I now leave it to the
other well set up organisations with some of the best qualified
people who are well organised to do the job. However, but they do
need your assistance! This page remains online because you have
supported me for so many years and therefore I ask you with all
my heart, to continue to assist me in all our endeavours to save
some of these beloved classic ships, such as the SS United
States, the MV Saga Ruby, ex Vistafjord
that is also in danger, and did you know that she is the very
last passenger ship to be built in Britain? And there are others!
Come aboard and
support the work and feel good knowing that you will have done
your something in saving a part of maritime history that will
last long into the future for your childrens children to
see!
Personally I
supported many campaigns, including the SS United States by
becoming a multiple Plank Owner and I have an
official Plank Certificate, and you know I am rather
proud of it, that I even had it framed, for it will always bind
me to this superb ship! Today of course there are other great and
new ways for you to become one with this great
American liner, and I will explain this down the page!
I sincerely thank all
my wonderful readers and supporters for the many years you have
been with me and returned again and again, for amazingly we have
now received more that 500 million visitors/readers to our sites
since our sites reformation in 2003, and that is quite a feat! I
thank all my supporters as am really touched!
But, now I ask for
you to continue to support the Good Work that is being done,
especially by SS United States Conservancy.
Reuben
Goossens.

The
authors SS United States Plank Owners
Certificate
Currently
there are other great ways to support this great ship!
News Updates:
S.O.S.
The SS United States Conservancy needs your URGENT
assistance NOW. See details below!
MV Saga Ruby
ex Vistafjord to end her 40
year career in 2014!
SS Rotterdam
sold & Great NEWS!
MV Queen
Elizabeth 2 She will now have
a NEW LIFE but WHERE? - Also her
Timeline.
MV Cape Don
- Another fine Australian, built in 1963.
MV Baragoola
- This proud Australian, which was built as a steamship in 1922.
TSS Dover
- This is the very last British Rail steamship ever ordered &
delivered in 1965.
Other
Ships mentioned Mostly Saved - By either this, or
other campaigns. Including my beloved: SS Rotterdam
/ MS Veronica, ex Mona Lisa,
Victoria, Kungsholm However, I
believe she is for sale again?
The
ship of which I have been associated with since the 1970s since
she was the MS Franca C, and I am still her
official historian the MV Doulos, ex MS
Franca C, SS Roma, SS Medina built in the USA in 1914. And
finally, there is the fascinating classic cruise ship, the MS
Kristina Regina, ex SS Bore.
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S.S.
United States

Above
we see the greatest American Trans-Atlantic Liner ever built and
Let us SAVE HER!
Dear friends, it is
vital to understand that the SS United States is
without doubt one of the worlds greatest marine
achievements that was brought about by the wonderful, William
Francis Gibbs who was the brainchild behind the great SS
United States an American liner like no ever other her
the day. The end result was pure perfection a grand ship with the
most sublime proportions, with her massive and impressive funnels
to say the least, their grandeur would announce that the SS
United States has arrived!

The
ships builders plate taken quite a long time ago!
Part
One: A short Introduction to a Mighty Ship!
For the more mature
ones of us, we will well remember that the mighty SS United
States departed on her maiden voyage on July 3, 1952 and
she rapidly became one of the most sought after liners. Over the
years she carried countless famous people, from Royalty, Heirs,
Millionaires, the famous and great Movie, Opera and other famed
Singing stars. However, her claim to fame is that she is the
worlds fastest passenger liner!
During her trials she
achieved a massive top speed of 38 knots. She departed on her
maiden Atlantic crossing in July 1952, completing it in just 3
days, 10 hours and 40 minutes (From Ambrose Lighthouse to Bishops
Rock), thus beating Queen Marys previous Eastbound record
by 10 hours, after which she broke the Westbound record of 3
days, 19 hours and 20 minutes, giving her an average speed of
over 34 knots.

SS
United States is seen during her being officially named on June
23, 1951
On her maiden voyage
to New York July 3, 1952, she crossed the Atlantic (Eastbound) in
record time and was duly was awarded the much sought after Bleu
Riband with an average speed of 35.59 knots
(65.91 km/h). She then broke the westbound record on her
July 11 voyage when she reached her destination with an average
speed of 34.51 knots (63.91 km/h). Since 1838 the
British, Germans, Italians and French have battled to build the
fastest ship ever and to gain the famed Bleu Riband, however the SS
United States was the very last liner ever to gain the
Bleu Riband and retains it to this day!
Obviously, her weight
was lessened as her complete superstructure and her mighty
funnels were made of aluminium alloy. In order to make her
completely fireproof William Gibbs even ordered Steinways
to build aluminium grand pianos. But Steinway obviously refused
to do so. Thus as far as we know, the only timber onboard the
ship were the pianos and the butcher blocks used in the kitchen,
everything else being steel and aluminium. For her day she even
featured telephones in every single cabin. For passenger pleasure
she offered an indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, but she had two
Turkish baths and two theatres.
Right from the
beginning she was one of the most popular liners plying the Atlantic.
During the first ten years of service SS United States
sailed with an average of 90 percent occupancy rate. However
loadings suddenly began to plummet and it was decided in 1966 to
operate place her on a number of cruises between her Atlantic
voyages to the UK. With poor loadings, her running mate the
wonderful SS America was sold to Greek interests and she became
the much loved Chandris Lines SS Australis. The author was the Queensland
(Australia) GSA for Chandris Lines in the very early seventies.
But in 1968 the great
SS United States was sold to the Walter Kidde &
Company. But unfortunately the holding company believed that
she had become obsolete and simply far too costly to operate
mostly due to high labour costs. Thus, sadly her days were
numbered especially as in 1969 the US government subsidy was
completely withdrawn, and that brought about the end as her
owners decided to withdraw her from service immediately! It would
be on November 7, 1969, when she left her New York berth for Newport
News where she was laid up without any future plans for use.
The great ship, she
was and always will be, remained in lay up condition until 1992.
Although there had been a number of failed attempts to obtain her
and return her to service, or preserve her as a maritime museum.
In due time, she was towed across the Atlantic to Turkey to have
her interiors gutted and asbestos removed. And in 1996 she
returned to the United States and was laid up again, but this
time in Philadelphia, but there in due course she comically
became known as the largest abandoned vehicle in the
city.

A
rather sad looking SS United States seen in Philadelphia
Photograph
by & © Dominique-Reer
She was sold to the
famed Edward A. Cantor who was a real estate developer, however
he died in 2002, and his son took her over, but her really had no
interest in the ship, thus the fate of the SS United States
became an unknown factor.
Next came a period, I
would love to forget, as an Asian Casino/Cruise consortium
obtained her and retained her for the most dubious, if not evil
of reasons, and finally having obtained from the US Government
what they wanted, they got rid of her as she (and
another ship the SS Independence) had become a burden to them,
and sold her thankfully to the SS United States Conservancy,
rather than to the breakers!
SS
United States Conservancy:
The SS United States then owner
(I prefer not to name this company) commenced to search for a
buyer sometimes in 2009. Why, well it was costing them around
US$800,000 per year just to keep this rusting away dockside, a
ship they ever intended to use, except to use as a means of
obtaining an American flagged cruise company! Not wishing to
repeat the massive anti company publicity they had received from
this Campaign for many years for their disgraceful handling of
their previous two ships: 1. The SS Norway: 2. The disgraceful
demise of the SS Independence, they were forced to reject a
US$5.9 million dollar offer from the breakers, which they would
have much preferred.
However they agreed to sell the SS United
States Conservancy for just US$3 million. You may ask
WHY? The truth is that this company simply could not
afford any further bad publicity and they just had to get out of
the news and continue with their cruise line which by now had
been partially taken over and the CEO dropped!
The SS United States Conservancy was able to
obtain the ship mainly due to the great generosity of
Philadelphia-based philanthropist Mr. H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest. The
Conservancy took possession of the SS United States
on February 1, 2011. It is important to note that this Mr. Lenfests
donation and those of so many others who have so generously
given, the Conservancy was not only able to purchase the ship but
in this way able to buy time to locate suitable developer/s and a
permanent home for this great liner!

Above
image was provided by SS United States Conservancy,
but Photograph taken by Greg Shutters
In
addition to being a Plank Owner - Now I also own
another part of the ship IT is NEW

Click
the LOGO
above to ENTER
In fact I now own 100 Sq inches on the
starboard side of her aft funnel, and yes you are more than
welcome to join me on the funnel from just a few dollars
donation.
Thus, if you wish to join me and assist in
saving this Great Ship, just click the LOGO
above and wait for the interactive page to load, and you can
donate for parts of the ship, which will carry your name
forever and will be permanently listed! When the page opens,
it will eventually take you to the very space on the funnel where
I have my 100 Square inches and you can add whatever number of
square inches you may wish to obtain! I would love to see you
join me, and if you do, please let me know at info@ssmaritime.com.
What
a GREAT way to assist this GREAT SHIP!

Above
image was provided by SS United States Conservancy
And let me tell you
right now, that without YOU the reader and our many and so
many other supporters worldwide, there would be no future
for the SS United States at all, for I
am well aware that so many of you have already joined the
Conservancy, or have donated in one way or another, and I thank
you for that!
BUT, IF YOU
HAVE NOT AS YET, PLEASE GO TO THEIR WEBSITE ASP - AND GIVE!
BUT NOW, there is
an S.O.S. call out, as YOUR URGENT HELP IS REQUIRED!

Click
the image above for the SOS donation page
Why
not become a friend of the SS United States for just US$25, a
Supporter US$50
An
Associate US$100, Benefactor US$250, or a Champion US$500
Or
one of the other levels But every single dollar counts!
There is a great
future awaiting the SS United States, just look at
one of the superb possibilities, a wonderful maritime museum,
with interactive panels, a theatre, featuring the SS United
States and other great American and great ships of note! A hotel,
tourist and conference centre, etc, with so much more
opportunities that this great ship is able to offer!
And Remember, you
can have a part of that great FUTURE!

The
above and museum images below have been provided by the SS
United States Conservancy for which we are most grateful!
Above we see one of the suggested exterior
possibilities for the SS United States future use, it stands to
reason that she, as well as shore side, there will be substantial
SS United States and maritime museum, as well as many other
relevant features. Other intended projects may well include a
well known Hotel chain, conference centre, restaurants, cafes and
other tourist facilities!

You
can help to make this a reality!

Museum
ashore with the ship seen through the window

Discover
the original plans and how they were drawn up?

Walk
and relax on the Promenade Deck, just like the great old days!

Discover
and view the engine room via a special viewing deck and large
screen
To
make all this become a reality support the

ssMaritime.com
& savetheclassicliners.com fully supports the SS
United States Conservancy
And
we ask that you donate TODAY and be PART in saving this great
American Liner the SS United States.
Visit
http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org.
Remembering,
the Great Dame and the Way She Was

The
great SS United States seen at sea during her great days!
This
is a wonderful photograph I have had in my collection since I was
just a shipping agent and one I greatly love!
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MV
Saga Ruby to be Retired in January 2014
She
was built as the wonderful Swedish MS Vistafjord

The last
passenger ship to be built in Britain is to retire in 2014
This elegant and
sleek looking cruise ship, the Saga Ruby, ex Vistafjord with 661
berths was constructed in 1973 in Newcastle upon Tyne, bust she
will commence her very last 32 day Farewell Cruise next year on
December 7, 2013 after more than four million nautical miles at
sea.
Robin Shaw, the CEO
of Saga Cruises, said the ship was being retired due to its
advancing age. Saga Ruby has delighted cruise goers for
some 40 years, but operating a ship of this age to meet the
exacting standards we and others set is becoming an increasing
challenge, he said. We have therefore decided that
she should be gracefully retired in 18 months.
He added that MV
Quest for Adventure, one of the companys two remaining
cruise ships, will assume its previous name, being the MV Saga
Pearl II, from 2014, and will no longer sail her previous
adventure voyages. The company has hinted recently about their
plans to expand the Saga fleet in due course.
MV
Saga Ruby scheduled - 31 day Farewell Cruise:
Southampton,
England - December 7, 2013.
Praia
Da Vitoria, Azores - 11 Dec 11.
Bridgetown,
Barbados - Dec 17.
Trinidad,
Trinidad & Tobago - Dec 18.
Isla
Margarita, Venezuela - Dec 19.
St
Georges, Grenada - Dec 20.
Castries,
St Lucia - Dec 21.
Roseau,
Dominica - Dec 22.
Basseterre,
St. Kitts - Dec 23.
St
Johns, Antigua - Dec 24.
Funchal,
Madeira - January 1, 2014.
Lisbon,
Portugal - Jan 3.
La
Coruña, Spain - Jan 5.
Southampton,
England - January 7, 2014 - the end of her glorious 40
year career!
With Saga Ruby sailing days ended, she will to
be sold early in 2014, and her estimated selling price is
mentioned below.
It would be wonderful to see this ship saved,
for she is the very last of the superbly British built passenger
ships and her long success sailing the seas of the world is proof
of her the sheer excellence of construction and engineering! In
addition she has some of the finest lines that a ship could
possibly have and she is admired by all who see her around the
globe! Internally she remains in perfect shape and she would be
more than suitable as a luxury hotel in any part of the world.
If you have any interest in her, please email
me at: info@ssmaritime.com,
or if you are a genuine buyer please contact Richard at: mtcusa@gmail.com.
For interest I have been told that she may be
on offer for US$16 million, but that may not necessarily be the
price she will be sold for! Richard is the best man for that job
as he is the ultimate expert. Please do NOT waste
Richards time with simple or basic questions, it is best to
ask me. For Richard is for genuine buyers only!
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SS
Rotterdam V
Has
been sold BUT?

A
superb photograph of the SS Rotterdam V, now a hotel in the city
where she was built and would depart for New York Taken in
March 2011
Photograph
© by Philippe Pierre Brebant
2 November, 2012: The superbly
beautiful ex Holland America liner and cruise ship, the SS
Rotterdam was sold, however the good news is that she will remain
in her homeport of the City of Rotterdam!
On Friday October 26, the ships owners being
the accommodation corporation Woonbron sold
the Rotterdam to a Netherlands based Hotel Company WestCord
Hotels who also own the famed Hotel New York,
being the original Holland America Line head office located on
the original HAL wharves. The sale is said to have been for 29.9
million Euros.
With the acquisition of the SS Rotterdam
WestCord will now have a total of 15 hotels throughout the Netherlands.
Although, I have been advised, that the transfer of the ship to
WestCord will take place before the end of April of 2013!
Besides WestCord, there was also great interest
by an Oman who desired to obtain this amazingly popular SS
Rotterdam, but obviously when a Dutch Hotelier desired to obtain
her this was obviously a far better option for the Netherlands to
retain this great ex Dutch liner in the City she was built as
well as being her homeport. The decision was received with a
great applause worldwide! As for myself having commenced my
campaign so long ago in the mid nineties to save her, believe me,
this news was a huge relief, for I certainly did not desire her
to depart the Netherlands, for she is far safer in Rotterdam than
anywhere else!
There is one other factor that will come into
play for her future. As she will be in the hands of a solid and
safe Hotel company, for I am very happy to say that WestCord
Hotels will manage the Hotel De Rotterdam
in a far superior manner than her previous owner, for ever since
she was opened to the public as a hotel I have, which is very sad
to say, received countless complaints from those who stayed on
her and visited her from around the world. The vast majority made
a very similar statement, which said that they felt that the ship
was geared only to the Dutch public and English on board, was
very poor to just bad and that so many venues were closed most of
the time.
In addition, for ship lovers who travelled
especially to Rotterdam just to stay on her found that the
ships souvenir shop was closed much of the time, and thus
they were unable to obtain the souvenirs they so much desired.
No one seemed to care less and it seemed that the Hotel
De Rotterdam was not being run like a real hotel at
all. No it was a really sad stay for us, for we remember the days
we sailed on this ship, both during her liner and her cruise ship
days. Sadly, we will never go back to her as this hotel, for it
destroyed our memories, even though some of the venues are still
much the same that is if they were not locked! With her
sale, this problem will be fully overcome, for Dutch hotels, to
my experience are very efficient, and I do know WestCord are
simply excellent hotels! If you have ever stayed at the
delightful and historic Hotel New York, you
will know all about it!
Below is our previous report, which is no
longer valid, but I will leave it for the record!
September 2, 2012: I have been
advised that it is now very likely that SS Rotterdam will be
purchased by a certain Omani business interest for her to be used
assumingly as a luxury hotel. However, considering the massive
amount of work that has been put into her by both me and the
Dutch Rotterdam group working to save her and see her back in Rotterdam,
this is most sad indeed. Apparently, the cost of her massive
restoration has proven just too great for her owners, and
should she depart and head for the Middle East, it will be a
massive loss for the city of Rotterdam.

Hotel
De Rotterdam seen at her special berth at her homeport the City
of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, in March 2011
Enter
the SS Rotterdam V multi
page feature
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MV
Queen Elizabeth 2

MV
Queen Elizabeth 2 seen laid up in Dubai UAE but registered
in Port Vila Vanuatu
Photograph
Copyright © Reuben Goossens
Finally the fate of the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2)
purchased by Dubai back in 2008 for her is to become a floating
300 room luxury hotel at the new man made Palm Island Jumeirah.
However, due to the global financial problems this plan was
abandoned due to the extreme high costs involved to convert the
QE2, as her owners intended a massive rebuilding programme that
would have dramatically changed her appearance. In addition it
would have required dredging a deep channel that would be needed
to move her to Palm Island Jumeirah. Thus the economic crisis did
place the future of the QE2 in doubt for quite some time!
However, all that has now changed, and the
following guarantees have been given by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem,
the chairman of DP World and the head of its investment arm Istithmar
who paid US$100 million for the QE2 in 2007;
1
Preserve her tradition.
Meaning retaining her externals as is! Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem
said, So we have decided to leave her basic design as it
is. We will preserve her tradition. What we are doing today is
what we should have done when we first bought her.
2
Her interiors including her furnishings
are perfectly preserved and it looks as new, as there has been a
maintenance crew on board at all times. Most of her cabins will
be rebuilt, turning them into superior hotel style rooms, whilst
all deluxe suites and other superior large rooms will be totally
upgraded and enlarged where needed.
3
The announcement came after a two-year
audit of the ship, which pronounced her in a remarkable
condition. In addition, there are three main hotel groups,
including Jumeirah that have been consulted about running Hotel
QE2 and the good news is that all are interested,
said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
What will be special is that being the new
centrepiece at the Ports Rashid Cruise Terminal, the QE2 will
have the United Arab Emirates coastal shipping trade for
company, that is until the new terminal is completed right next
her, which should be within the next two years, if not a little
sooner, and then all modern cruise ships will berth there and
passengers will be able to see what a real classic ship looked
like!
Personally I am delighted with the outcome and
hope that there will be no changes, for obviously this is far
better than the previous idea of having her located at some
upmarket high-rise housing estate.

MV
Queen Elizabeth seen in Brisbane Australia during her final
days of cruising
Photograph
by © David Kellet
For
ongoing QE2 NEWS Updates, visit
www.theqe2story.com
But
Now
There is some very good News!

Please click the above Image to enter the page that
contains FULL DETAILS!
I am in full contact with the QE2s owners
and will continue to keep all my readers up to date with the
QE2s movements and her details as I receive them. I will
place all the latest news on the new Hotel QE2 page online. After
you have visited it for the first time, may I suggest that you
either save this, my Main-Page in your Favourites
or the actual!
I am sure that all those who love the
Grande Dame will be filled with joy with the latest
news!
Best wishes,
Reuben Goossens.
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The
MV Queen Elizabeth 2 Story:
In July 2007 the QE2 was sold to Istithmar
being the investment arm of Dubai World a wholly
owned company of the Government of Dubai. However she would be
taken over by Nakheel, also a Dubai World company
would redevelop her and construct the new islands being built
known as the Palm Jumeirah where she was going to be
berthed to become a major luxury hotel. Istithmar paid and
estimate £65 million (British Pounds) for the QE2.
Having completed her final official cruise, the
QE2 departed Southampton for the very last time on November 11,
2008, and she began her farewell voyage to Dubai. She arrived on
the evening of 26 November 26, 2008 in a flotilla of around 120
vessels that were there to greet her including the MV Dubai,
being the personal yacht of Sheikh Mohammed the ruler of Dubai.
QE2 was greeted with a fly-past from an Emirates A380 jet as well
as a huge fireworks display, while thousands of people gathered
at the Mina Rashid, waving of British and United Arab Emirates
flags.
It was a fitting welcome and her future seemed
assured, however things was not as it seemed for the financial
crisis of 2008 caused Dubai to have a financial freefall and the
wealthiest of its citizens escaped the country, even leaving
their Mercedes and BMWs and super luxury cars at the
airport as they escaped the financiers who were about to pounce
on them, for most emptied their accounts and run. This disaster
also left the QE2 high and dry and although she was reregistered
cheaply in Vanuatu in Port Vila in 2008, she had been well
maintained by around 100 workers until recently, but most have
now gone, with just a very small number remaining to keep her
reasonably tidy. However reports state that she is suffering,
especially in areas that are from view and behind the scenes.
Today her future is unsure and when I visited
the ship a company insider told me that they doubted that she
will ever become a hotel, for the company had suffered far too
greatly. Although, the country did receive moneys from the
outside to revive its tourism industry and attempt to restore
some pride, but to date numbers remain way down. In reality Dubai
has little to offer as it is all show and razzmatazz, there are
heaps of spectacular man made structures and they are great, but
they are just building filled with very expensive ships, and Dubai
is VERY expensive indeed! Then they do have some beaches, well by
Australian standards these are of an extremely poor standard and
rather small and with the severe heat there and no protection
provided whatsoever from the blazing sun, this is what I would
call the melanoma (skin cancer) capital of the Middle East! I
have been throughout the Middle East and I love this region, but Dubai
has little to offer, unless you like skyscrapers! I would choose
countries like Oman and Egypt for they really have something to
offer!
The truth is that QE2s future will most
likely be a rapid and a secret sale to the breakers, and it will
come so swiftly that we will be totally unprepared, and that is
my greatest fear! Please stay alert and if you hear anything let
me know!
Interesting
background on the QE2:
QE2 sailed an amazing 5.6 million nautical
miles, that's more than any other ship ever I know about, in
other words that is like travelling to the moon and back 13
times. She has accommodated approximately 2.5 million guests and
completed 802 Atlantic crossings and 24 full world cruises, thus
some 1,438 voyages. That is an excellent record indeed!

A
close up of a clean looking ship as she had recently been
repainted
Photograph
© Reuben Goossens
The
Timeline of the SS/MV Queen Elizabeth 2:
1964 - Cunard signs a contract to build the
ship with John Brown Shipyard Clydebank, Scotland.
1967 - September 20 the ship was launched by HRH
Queen Elizabeth II.
1968 QE2 undertakes her deep sea trails;
the first was on November 26 to 29, and the second, December 17
to 19.
1968 - QE2 departs on her maiden voyage, being
a cruise from Greenock to the Canary Islands with the author on
board. Sadly the ship developed turbine troubles and she had to
return to her builders.
1969 - After renewed trails on April 1 to 8,
Cunard takes delivery of the QE2 on April 18 for the second time.
1969 - On May 2 the QE2 commences her maiden
voyage from Southampton to New York City, officially taking four
days, 16 hours and 35 minutes.
1970 - She crosses the Atlantic Westbound in
record time of just three days, 20 hours and 42 minutes.
1972 - QE2 undergoes a refit and rebuilding as
penthouses added to the top of the ship, altering her external
appearance. Accommodating 604 First, 1,223 Tourist, and 1,740 one
class when cruising.
1975 - QE2 departs from Southampton on her
first World voyage, the first of many world cruises.
1982 - The QE2 was requisitioned by the British
government as troopship to operate in Falklands Islands Campaign.
She carried 3,000 troops and 650 volunteer crew to the South
Atlantic. However, she was kept well out of the way for no harm
was to become her, for the ship did carry the name of Her Majesty
the Queen, the Sovereign of Britain, thus she was kept far out of
harm at all times, unlike the SS Canberra!
1987 In October the SS Queen Elizabeth 2
made her final Trans Atlantic crossing from New York under steam
as she was about to head to Germany where her new diesel engines
were to be installed and an extensive refit and remodelling at a
cost of US$162 million.
1988 A new look MV Queen Elizabeth 2
complete with a new and far superior funnel and far more economic
and faster that before, she returned to service and gained even
more popularity on the Atlantic service.
1990 - Queen Elizabeth becomes the first
Monarch to sail on the commercial liner with other passengers on
board.
1995 - QE2 leaves New York for Southampton on
her 1,000th voyage.
1996 - During her twentieth around the world
cruise the QE2 passed her four millionth mile mark, and amazing
feat, but there was more to come!
1998 - South African President Nelson Mandela
sails on the QE2 from Durban to Cape Town. A year later the QE2
was treated to a multi-million dollar refurbishment which
included all her public rooms as well as her cabins that needed
updating.
2002 - QE2 passes five million miles - a world
first.
2004 - The QE2 was considered as being one of
the last of the great Trans Atlantic liners, for there has not
been any true liners since. Although, they pretend that the Queen
Mary 2 is a liner, but she certainly is not and neither was the
QE 2 in her latter years, for both were then cruise ships.
Although QE2 was built as a liner that would also operate
cruises, but her main function was to be a liner; that means line
voyages from the UK to the USA and back. Today all ships operate
short and longer cruises and they may undertake the occasional
cruise from the USA to and from the UK, but that does not qualify
them as being a liner, for the encyclopaedia clearly
states that a liner must be a ship that is on a regular
(constant) liner service line voyage!
2005 - The QE2 becomes the longest serving
Cunard ship ever, surpassing the RMS Aquitania's 35 years.
2008 November 11 Queen Elizabeth 2
departed Southampton in the evening for Dubai UAE and she was
officially retired from active Cunard service.
2009 September 21. The author saw and
photographed the QE2 today whilst on a around the world cruise on
Dawn Princess and noted that she was registered in Port Vila Vanuatu.
2010 January 29. QE2 broke loose from
her moorings during a storm and was only just saved from
destruction by two brilliant pilots.
2012 July, 03. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem
announced that a decision has been made to retain the ships
exterior in her classic and traditional shape, and install
300 rooms and use her as a hotel at the new Port Rashid
International Cruise Terminal within several years! Sultan Sulayem
said: So we have decided to leave her basic design as it
is. We will preserve her tradition. What we are doing today is
what we should have done when we first bought her. And I
agree with him, they should have and she would have been
operational by now!

QE2
in Dubai on September 21, 2009 Note that she is registered
in Port Vila
Southampton
can still be seen beneath the over painting
Photograph
© Reuben Goossens
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Ships
Waiting to be Saved!
Three
Special Vessels worth keeping in mind
Two
in Australia & One in the U.K.
1. MV Cape
Don

The
remarkable 1963 built - MV Cape Don
Like the famed historic Sydney Harbour ferry,
the MS Baragoola, which I strongly support in saving and
preserving, and I am now adding the delightful 1963 built MV Cape
Don, which is a unique all Australian vessel that should, and
must be retained at all costs! However she is a genuine ship that
has sailed great distances and has a fine history. It is worth
reading her story via the link below! But we need your support
NOW!
Enter
my NEW MV Cape Don feature
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2. MV Baragoola

Originally
built as a Steamer but converted into a Motor Vessel between
1958-61
I am well aware that the MV Baragoola may not
fit my criteria as a classic liner, however, I
believe with all my heart that this superb historic 1922 built
and famed Sydney Manly ferry, which I have supported online for
quite some years, needs to be restored and retained long in the
future! Manly ferries are one of the most popular means of
transport in Sydney to this day, and Sydneysiders and
International visitors all make sure they take a trip on a
35 minute cruise on one of the most beautiful harbours in the
world, with views that just have to be seen to be believed.
When the superbly built SS Baragoola was built
back in 1922, there was no Coat-hanger or better
known to the world as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or one of the
best known structures known to man, the Sydney Opera House with
its grand sails sitting on Bennelong Point, but she did
eventfully sail under the Bridge and past the completed Opera
House, but then she had become the MV Baragoola! Her interiors
are of beautiful timbers and her owners intend preserving her in
all her glory. Thus I recommend that All Australian and genuine
lovers of fine vessels of this kind come aboard!
Enter
the MV Baragoola multiple page feature
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3. T.S.S. Dover

Renamed
in 1977 Earl Siward, in 1982 Sol Express
and in 1993 she became the nightclub Tuxedo Royale
The TSS Dover, was later renamed; Earl Siward,
Sol Express but currently she is the Tuxedo Royale, is a British
built twin screw turbine steamship and she was built in 1965 as a
stern loading roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry, but she spent a
great deal of her final years as a permanently berthed floating
nightclub before closing down and since then she has been laid up
on the River Tees in Middlesbrough. However, thankfully there is
considerable interest in this fine classic ferry to preserve her,
as she was also the very last steamship to be ordered by British
Rail. A viable conservation plan is at hand with an excellent
organisation having been set up, being the Dover Steamship
Company, which ssMaritime, and the Save The Classic
Liners Campaign fully supports and I trust that my readers
will also support this work and go and visit their site and join
this good work!
Read the Chairmans News letters, which
are available on their own site and this is located on my TSS
Dover feature!
Enter
the TSS Dover feature
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Ships Saved by this &
other Campaigns
SS Rotterdam V
She
is berthed in Rotterdam the Netherlands
The author commenced his original Save
the SS Rotterdam Campaign in 1997, when I heard that
Carnival (HAL) had intentions of disposing of the superb SS
Rotterdam, but, suddenly they sold her to Premier Cruises and she
became the SS Rembrandt. For this reason I abandoned the campaign
at that time. Premier had her refitted, which turned out to be at
half the cost that Carnival had estimated to bring her up to
SOLAS compliance, and upon completion she returned to duties and
continued as a popular cruise ship, with many past Rotterdam
passengers sailing on her. She commenced cruising first in South
American waters and then elsewhere. However, as is well
documented Premier Cruises officially shut down on September, 13,
2000! As soon as I heard this news I recommenced my original
Save the SS Rotterdam Campaign which continued and
received massive supports from around the world!
However, it was at midnight on September, 13,
2000, when the terrible news was made official and
Rembrandts captain was ordered to go to Halifax Nova Scotia,
and offload his passengers. Upon arrival the ship was placed
under arrest by the Halifax Sheriff's department until early the
next day. However, she was permitted, under special warrant
conditions to sail for Freeport in the Bahamas, arriving
September 21, and was laid up and was placed on the market to be
sold. AS we continued the campaign there was a superb Dutch
organisation then headed by Klaas Krijnen, and considering they
were doing such an outstanding job and with the Rotterdam being
an all Dutch ship, I decided to hand over to them and continue my
pages, but only in a support role and ensured that my visitors
would go to their pages and join their organisation, etc and give
funds of course! We all know that this ended up well and that the
ship is now owned by De Rotterdam BV and she is a
huge success, and I am so glad that I was part of that success in
some way! However, now you can enjoy the sublime pleasure of
living on board this once great Dutch liner, thus head for the Netherlands
and stay for a week on board the SS Rotterdam and explore a
wonderful city that has so much to offer and a country filled
with fine castles, delightful country villages, fishing villages
and many wonders to behold. I loved my last visit there!

SS
Rotterdam has been superbly restored to her original 1958
beautiful self and is now open to the public
Serving
as a fine Hotel, restaurant, food and conference venue and
tourist centre
This Dutch ex Trans-Atlantic liner was known as
the The Grande Dame was launched by HRH Queen Juliana
in a gala ceremony on September 13, 1958, and she departed on her
maiden voyage on September 3 1959. The SS Rotterdam became the
very last of the great Dutch ships of state,
employing some of the greatest Dutch artisans during her
construction and fitting out process. Her successful career
spanned a good forty years, and she became one of the most
successful and profitable passenger ships of all time. She sailed
from September 1959 until her final retirement in September 2000.
Visit
the English version of the
SS
ROTTERDAM Website
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MS Kungsholm IV
Later
to become: MV Sea Princess 19781995, Victoria 19952002
Mona
Lisa 20022007, Oceanic II 20072008, Mona
Lisa 2008 2010
Floating
Hotel Veronica 2011

Although
seen as built, MS Kungsholm is seen here under the ownership of
Flagship Cruises in 1976
Photographer
unknown *See Photo notes at bottom of the page
MS Kungsholm was built in 1966 by the John
Brown & Company shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland to serve as
both an ocean liner and a cruise ship for the Swedish American
Line. When sold in 1978 to P&O England to become the Sea
Princess she was extensively rebuilt as a full-time cruise ship
which saw her external appearance change dramatically with the
removal of her forward funnel and deck closures and extensions,
etc. She became a popular cruise ship and has also sailed under
the names MV Victoria and MV Oceanic II and is currently operating
under charter to the German Lord Nelson Seereisen until August
2010 as the Mona Lisa.
Many of my readers will be aware that Mr. Lars Hallgren
has been working for years to bring this great ship back to Sweden
and have her restored to her original two funnelled glory days!
And if I say so he has done an excellent job indeed! Funding has
been set into place and all was going well, UNTIL a very sad
release on his website on June 13.
News
Updates:
December 2012: Recent news has reached
me that the Veronica is up for sale once again, although I have
not been able to verify this at the moment.
MS
Kungsholm/Mona Lisa now Hotel Veronica. But is
she for sale again????
November 25, 2011: The "Mona
Lisa" is owned by Daewoo in Oman and is being rebuilt into an
luxury hotel ship and will be berthed in the port of Duqm. Some
of her original cabins will be similar to those on the great ex Holland
America liner, berthed in her homeport, the SS Rotterdam and
there will be new hotel rooms as well as some serviced
apartments. There are a total of 208 superbly furnished rooms.
The public rooms are being renovated to be as close as possible
to her original self. The Veronica features a sports bar, several
restaurants, karaoke rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, cafes,
lounges, business centre, library, theatre and a shopping arcade.
Room rates will range from Omani Rail - RO120 (approx
US$312) a night for a luxury room to RO30 (approx US$78) for a
serviced room.
Within a few months, she will be opened as a
hotel ship, but as she has been given a new name, she will be
known as the Veronica. Thus with her new role
as a luxury hotel, thankfully this once great ship the MS
Kungsholm will be with us for many years in the future. And as
she is fully operational, and can sail under her own power, but
without passengers, thus technically she does not require SOLAS
certification, but will need official clearance to sail, al later
she may well become available to other interested parties in
other lands as a hotel ship should the need arise.

MS
Veronica the new Hotel Ship for Oman
Visit
her new feature online: http://www.veronicaduqm.com
Make
sure you visit the photo page and note the superb facilities!
June 2011: The Famous MS
Kungsholm, currently the Mona Lisa was sold to DSME of Oman and
she is currently in Oman. She has been comprehensively refitted
into a hotel offering luxurious accommodations, with fine dining
and spectacular entertainment options. There are a good number of
facilities that will be available to her guests such as
comfortable lounges, cafes and coffee shops, shopping gallery, a
business center, spa facilities and health center, swimming pools
and in and out door sports facilities. Her 300 plus guest rooms
have been reduced to just 261 rooms and are comfortable and
spacious offering every amenity. Her engines are fully functional
and she can sail to any port should she be required at another
venue for a special occasion. She is due to official open in July
2011.

MV
Mono Lisa is seen here whilst in Sydney Australia with PeaceBoat
in December 2008
Photograph
Kosta Specis
April 2011: Finally it has been
revealed that this fine classic ship was been sold for an
estimated US$30 million to a group of (Royal) investors in Oman.
Thus she will not to be destined for Stockholm as has been worked
so hard for by Lars, but she is being rebuilt to become a super
luxury 250 luxury suite hotel. She will be based in Oman, but
also will be able to relocate as she will be required to other Persian
Gulf locations. From what I have been told, she will be of a 6
star quality and fit for kings and queens! Thus be assured this
superb ship is safe, but as many ship lovers would love to see,
her forward funnel will not return!
Mr. Lars Hallgren.
We must all give credit to this remarkable man,
as he has done a sterling job, which has not only has cost him a
great deal of time and effort but also heaps of money, etc! As
all my readers will well know how I would be feeling in his
situation, as I have gone through the very same thing a number of
times, as I have seen the loss of some magnificent ships,
although at this time it does seem that the MS Mona Lisa will
live on for some time yet. But congratulations Lars, you did do a
superb job and had it not be for the city of Stockholm, who was
rather hot and cold on so many occasions you would have had a
wonderful piece of maritime history and a superb hotel and
tourist attraction right there in your city, just like the SS
Rotterdam in the great harbour of Rotterdam Holland who took the
chance and she is a huge success! But how sad that the city of Stockholm
rejected her what a shame, and its a blight on the harbour
and city authorities!
July 27, 2010: The following is
the latest news item taken from www.salship.se/news.asp
as Mr Lars Hallgren wrote:
the City of Stockholm is showing
great interest in harbouring the Kungsholm. The city authorities
have appointed a project manager to supervise the project. The
goal is to find a berthing site before September! This is an
exciting new development of this story.
Although this seems to be a change of heart by
the authorities, lets hope that something will come from it
and that Mona Lisas owner is willing to wait, before they
will sell her as her owners has placed her on the market.
July 24, 2010: Shame on him
who gives up! On Saturday (today) the Mona Lisa arrived in Stockholm
at 0730. I will be on board along with various people, including
representatives from City Hall and the Harbour Master of
Stockholm harbour. We have for some time been working hard in an
attempt to try to find a long term solution, which means that the
ship from September to May can serve as student housing facility
in Stockholm. After this period, we will attempt to retain the
ship to serve as a hotel, but also having a dorm room, maybe
100-200 rooms to the crew cabins. But again, we have problems
with the ship's depth and possible placement. The problem is
greatest during the summer months when the cruise ships berth
needs. We have worked through the problems and opportunities. We
have discussed with insurance companies, etc. We shall see where
that goes, but all parties involved are making a serious attempt
to save the ship from going the scrap yard and her death. Kind
regards. Lars. (Translated from Swedish using a
translator).

The
Mona Lisa is seen in her homeport Stockholm on July 24, 2010
Photograph
by and © 2010 Lars Hemingstam - www.salship.se/news.asp
June 13, 2010: There are many who
love the beautiful MS Kungsholm, as well as this ship in her
various guises, but I am sure that the current news will make
supporters of the ongoing Swedish campaign very sad, for all
their hard fought plans have come to an end due to the same
problems encountered in Germany for the T/S Hamburg (Maxim Gorkiy)
as well as other ships I the past. Sadly once again stupid
Politicians would not permit her a berth in Sweden and see one of
the last great Swedish liners restored to her original great
self, complete with her two funnels and have her restored in a
similar fashion as the Holland America Line liner SS Rotterdam
has been, a ship that has been successfully opened as a hotel in
her homeport earlier this year!
Reuben Goossens.

MS
Mona Lisa as she was as the Mona Lisa
Visit
my NEW MS Kungsholm IV Feature
Also
visit: www.salship.se/kung.asp
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The
Worlds Oldest Passenger ship!
MV
Doulos
SS
Medina (1914-1948) was sold and renamed: SS Roma (1948-1952)
MS
Franca C (1952-1977) - MV Doulos - (1977-2010)
Doulos
Phos (2010 - ) she is now located permanently in Singapore
Doulos
Phos News Updates

MV
Doulos Phos as seen in Singapore on November 14, 2012
Photograph
was taken by and is © Copyright 2012 - Peter Knego MarritimeMatters
Used
with permission
Peter Knego, who I consider as a dear friend,
spent a day onboard the MV Doulos Phos whilst he was in Singapore
on assignment. Thus on November 14, 2012 he boarded her and for
the first time and obviously he had a wonderful time looking
around my much beloved Doulos. Personally, my first experience
with the Doulos was when she was still the luxurious cruise ship,
the MV Franca C, and that was in Italy back in 1971 with my loved
one! The next time he saw her would be some twenty eight years
later as she arrived in Sydney Australia on Sunday July 4, 1999
on a perfect sunny day and she looked perfect as she slowly
sailed past the Opera House and turned into Circular Quay for she
had the finest berth in the city for the duration whilst she was
in port, the International Passenger Terminal!
As this elegant vintage lady of the sea
gracefully slipped past the Sydney Opera House and gently sailed
past the Sydney Opera House, manoeuvring herself into Circular
Quay and alongside the International Passenger
Terminal at Circular Quay where she remained berthed until
July 26. I boarded her the next day officially and remained her
much until she sailed.
I again was fortunate to spend time on her in Brisbane
up in Queensland from August 1 to the 19th.including the voyage
to Sydney on her and I had a superb single cabin on Promenade
deck for the duration! Photographs are on my MV Doulos feature.
I am most grateful to Peter Knego for allowing
me to use the photograph above and for further excellent reading
and further images of her as she is currently, located in Singapore,
visit: http://maritimematters.com/2012/12/decking-doulos-part-one/.
August 18, 2010: Hotel,
Restaurants & Museum plans announced!
I have just received an updated report from
dear friend and brother, Mr. Eric Saw of BizNaz Resources
International Pte Ltd, in Singapore in regard Doulos Phos,
ex Doulos, he and his family company purchased in March. He
advises me that she is currently still berthed at a Singapore shipyard,
however plans are well on the way for her new clothes
and her conversion for her role in 2011.

Doulos
Phos seen laid up at the Singapore shipyards after being
purchased by the Saw Family
Photographer
unknown - *Please see photo notes at bottom of page
Two decks (A and Main) have allocated for the
hotel side of Doulos Phos, in addition there will be two large
(approx 250 seat) restaurants, with one located on Promenade Deck
(the original dinning room) with the second up on Boat Deck aft,
which will be newly built. Other amenities and facilities will
include a Deli/Cafe, a Wine and Juice Bar, as well as a proposed
Amphitheatre with an estimated 50 to 70 seats that will be
located at the Forecastle for open air talks and concerts, etc.
In addition there will be a Bookshop, a Banquet Hall for
seminars, corporate dinners and weddings etc. There will be
Meeting Rooms available, and there will be a non denominational Bible
School on board.
The Maritime Museum will offer escorted tours
that will include the Bridge and the Engine Room; the tour will
be followed by an audio-visual show complete with a Q&A
session upon completion of the tour. The ship will feature
various decor changes around the ship in order to capture the
different time zones of her history, from the days of SS Medina
(1914) to the SS Roma (1950), MS Franca C (1960s), MV
Doulos (1990s) and finally to the new and refreshed Doulos
Phos.
Thus, there will be great things happening to
one of the most amazing ships afloat today, and I trust that all
lovers of classic ships will support Mr Saw, and place Singapore
on the MUST visit list in the future, and if you feel inclined to
make a donation, please do so Contact me for details!
************************
MV
Doulos Background
Recently it was this Campaign that was involved
and saved a number of ships from the breakers, but most notably
for the author was the 95 year old MV Doulos, built in
1914 as the SS Medina, later the passenger liner SS
Roma, then the Costa Line liner, which soon became the luxury
cruise ship MS Franca C, to be sold in 1977 to a well
known Christian organisation GBA Ships (Gutte Buche
fur Alle or Good Books for All), however the
Ministry that actually operates the ship is OM Ships
International. Thus these two organisations work closely
together.
The Doulos has been used as a Christian
outreach vessel and has become a well know floating bookshop
visiting hundreds of countries around the world! Sadly die to
repairs that would be needed and due to prohibitive costs to keep
her operational - MV Doulos was officially decommissioned on
December 31, 2009, which was a great sadness to all who were on
board and past Douloids, as well as long time supporters,
including the author, who did originally make the suggestion to
OM Ships a certain possibility, which was explored and it worked
with the Maltese authorities, which would see a way to have kept
her sailing until 2014. However, when Doulos was in dry-dock in Singapore
certain problems came to light, which regretfully meant that she
had to be laid off.
Although having certain very good Christian
buyers on the books, the ships owners, OM Ships, based in Germany
suddenly announced that they decided to sell Doulos to the
breakers in Alang India. However in order to stop this injustice,
I commenced a rather powerful campaign and OM Ships was bombarded
with emails from around the world with protests and thankfully
they changed their minds and eventually they sold the ship to one
of the buyers that I had been dealing with. The buyer being a
fine Singaporean group who will now use her as a Maritime Museum,
Hotel, Restaurants and Cafes, as well as having a Christian
facility on board the ship, thus continuing her longstanding
Christian work!
The Directors have renamed the ship Doulos
Phos, which is Greek for Servant Light.
The Doulos was officially handed over to Mr. Eric Saw and his
delightful family in Singapore on March 18, 2010, in the presence
of an OM Ship official, Ken Miller who came over from Germany.
During the process of OM Ships attempt to sell
the Doulos I was in contact with all three prospective buyers.
These being: 1. Dr. David Reddy of Ships Ministry
in South Africa, 2. Mr Eric Saw and family of BizNaz
Resources International Pte Ltd, who have obviously succeeded
in the end; and 3. My good Korean friend, Dr. Daniel Chae
PhD, who was the past Managing Director of the Doulos. I
sailed with Dr. Chae in 2008 and we have a wonderful
relationship. But, I can now say with all honesty that I am
overjoyed with the outcome and this historic ship that has been
in the Lords service will continue to service long into the
future!

The
Doulos is seen berthed in Singapore on February 25, 2010 A
ship now saved!
Photographed
by and © copyright 2010 Stewart Mandy
I fully believe that the rescue of the Doulos
from the breakers hands, is without doubt one of my finest
victories, as this is the worlds oldest motor ship, and she
is technically still fully operational, although she will now be
permanently berthed in Singapore.
Many of her features date back to 1914, such as
her Bridge and many other interesting items! This ship is one of
a kind and she was built just two years after the ill-fated
Titanic!
I certainly trust that the Doulos Phos
will have a long and prosperous life in Singapore as her new
owners are very special people indeed and they have a true and a
solid vision for her!
A
Special Request:
I hereby request that all my readers support
the Saw family of BizNaz Resources in order that the historic
Doulos Phos, the Servant LIGHT may be
fully restored to her former glory and open as a delightful
Hotel, and a Maritime Museum that will feature all the ships
various incarnations, from the days of the SS Medina, SS
Roma, MS Franca C, MV Doulos and Doulos Phos!
Read
my extensive MV Doulos - A Ship Like No Other
Online Book
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MS Kristina Regina
Built
as the SS Bore
She
has been Saved and renamed Bore again!

MS
Kristina Regina, ex SS Bore, was photographed by the author in Gibraltar
on August 29, 2009
Photograph
by & copyright © 2009 Reuben Goossens
The classic cruise ship the MS Kristina Regina
was saved from the breakers and having been refitted she is now
located in Turku Finland where she is permanently moored in the
river Aura and her original name Bore has been
restored to her. She has been converted into a Hotel ship and a
Museum. Thankfully the Bore has been painted once again in her
original buff hull, including the yellow funnel green and white
bands (see image below), etc, which is great news!

She
is seen here as the Bore as built
Official
postcard authors private collection

Here
we see the Bore at Turku in February 2011 fully restored to her
beautiful self!
Photo
from an unknown source - * See photo notes at the bottom of page
Although the item below is now out of date, but
it is still interesting!
Below is the original official news
item that was sent to me from Finland, which was kindly
translated from the Web on www.ts.fi/online/kotimaa/149501.html
into English by past SS Bore passenger and ship lover, Simo Vihjanen.
Thank you, it is greatly appreciated! This is obviously big news
in Scandinavia, especially in Finland where this ship is great
loved!
M/S
Regina becoming a museum ship in Turku is certain. The Kotka
based shipping company who owns the ship has signed the sales
agreement on Thursday. The buyer is the Turku Company whose
Chairman of the Board is Johnny Sid who also tried to rescue the
to-be-scrapped Finnjet. The parties have agreed not to disclose
the price of the ship.
The
ship was originally built for the route between Turku and Stockholm,
and its original name was S/S Bore. People in Turku remember her
as "Bore Zero". The new owner will moor the ship on the
river Aura.
The
plan at the moment is to place her between Suomen Joutsen and Sigyn,
in the place where M/S Estelle is moored now. The ship will
get back the original colours and the original name s/s Bore. The
museum hotel will have accommodation for 250 visitors, and most
of the cabins will be for two persons.
The
ship will be handed over to the new owner in the beginning of
September. The hotel will open in September, too. There will be a
restaurant on board.
The
ship is in good shape. Its has made a number of voyages to
different parts of Europe, the Arctic region, and the African
coast. It is taken out of active service due to the fact that the
new maritime security regulations do not allow such a great
amount of wood used in the ship interior as there is in Kristina
Regina.
At
this moment, the Kristina Regina is in Greenland, and it will
arrive via Iceland to Finland in August. PS: she has now long
arrived!
The
ship served Kristina Cruises Company for over 20 years. According
to the company she has visited 216 harbours in 40 different
countries.
Another fine ship has been saved for the future
for the younger generations to value and enjoy the great
shipbuilding days of yesteryear!

The
Kristina Regina seen from the decks of the Dawn Princess, whilst
the author was on his
106
night world cruise Sydney/Sydney/Brisbane seen at Gibraltar
August 29, 2009
In
this image the addition of her aft extension is clearly visible
Photograph
by & copyright © 2009 Reuben Goossens
Enter
the SS Bore / MS Kristina Regina feature
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ssMaritime.com
& ssMaritime.net
Where
the ships of the past make history & the 1914 built MV Doulos
story
Also
visit my
www.cruise-australia.com
Photographs
on savetheclassicliners.com and associated pages are: 1. By the
author. 2. From the authors private collection. 3.
As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or
collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there
are photographs provided to the author without details regarding
the photographer. I therefore cordially invite if any owners of
these images would be so kind as to make them-selves known to me
in order that due credit may be given.
This
notice covers all pages and I will do my best to ensure that all
photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced
on each page, that is, when a page is updated!
Save
the Classic Liners dot com is owned and © Copyright by Reuben
Goossens
The
Name and all Rights are Reserved under International Copyright
laws