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the logo above to reach ssMaritime FrontPage & “Ship of the Month”

The SS United States is featured down
the page
Photograph
taken by Mrs. K, Wheeler
Provided
by www.timeanddate.com/clocks/free.html
Welcome
to the new “Save
the Classic Liners Campaign” site, I also suggest that you also visit ssMaritime.com and discover 420 classic liners from nations
around
the
world! This page currently features a number of ships that are in danger of
being sold and scrapped and one such ship is of course the mighty American
giant of the sea the SS United States, lovingly known as the “BIG
U.”
I
need to make it clear that not all classic/vintage ships can or should be
saved, but there are ships that are particularly noteworthy, such as the SS
United States and other ships that are unique and cannot be replaced and these
ships have a history that needs to be maintained for our future generations.
Thankfully I have been responsible of saving a good number of ship since the
mid ninties and my all time favourite is the 1914
built MV Doulos and other
more major passenger liners as mentioned on this page..
I will mention the following ships that are in
crisis, although by the time you view these some may have already been sold and
even lost.
0. SS Oceanic. January 2012 - NEWS!
1. SS United
States - will she become a Hotel & CASINO?
2. MV Queen Elizabeth 2. Her “Timeline.”
3. MS Philippines ex MS Augustus – NEW - Photo beached at
Alang India
Dec 2011!
4. SS Emerald built as the famed Grace
Lines
SS
Santa Rosa
in 1958.
5. MV
Baragoola a proud Australian.
Built as a steamship in 1922.
6. MV Cape Don another fine Australian, built
in 1963.
7. TSS Dover this is the very last
British Rail steamship ever ordered & delivered in 1965.
8. “Ships Saved”
By either this, or other campaigns.
Including the ship built as the MV Spirit of London, later New
Flamenco, saved from the breakers to become the Ocean Dream in 2012. Then my beloved: SS
Rotterdam / MS Veronica, ex Mona
Lisa,
Victoria,
Kungsholm. 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. There is also the
MV Royal Star, ex MS San
Giorgio and the MS
Kristina Regina, ex SS Bore.
9. Remembering
the SS Independence.
Also online is my SPECIAL feature “Classic Ocean Voyages.”
This feature covers some of
the superb classic cruise ships that are still sailing having been saved from SOLAS
2010, and believe me, they are in fine shape
and will sail on for long time yet! The ships featured over three pages are: MV
Athena ex MS Stockholm, MV Funchal, MV Princess Daphne ex MS
Port Sydney, the delightfully intimate MV
Arion
ex MS Istra and the two superb Norwegian coastal ships the MS
Nordstjernen and MS Lofoten!
Thus in 2012 and 2013 go classic cruising on superbly maintained cruise ships!
In 2011 I sailed on the MV Athena for 40 days from Australia to England
and it was so good that I am doing it again in 2012! I can tell you that these
ships are in better shape than many of the modern ships I have sailed on and
they are certainly so much cleaner, and I have discovered that on Classic
International Cruises ships (MV
Athena) rust simply does not
exist anywhere on board their ships and their hulls are the best maintained I
have ever seen. Carnival and others can take a leaf out of this fine Portuguese
company book!
Reuben Goossens.
AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.
August
28, 2011: Although this
page will remain online as is, please note that myself as the author will no
longer be involved in actually saving ships and as from this day, I have just
completed writing my very last feature on ssMaritime.com being my 420th.ship I have now written on. This ship is the
Holland America Line 1957 built SS
Statendam IV and she joins
a good number of other HAL liners and cruise ships. But it is time that I
retire from writing due to health and other good reasons. I have tried it
before, but this time the pressures have become far too great.
There fore I wish to thank you and all my
wonderful readers for so many years of support and believe me you are all
greatly appreciated and together we have made a huge difference. There are
others who claim to do much the same, but they are all talk but simply no
action. Some have even claimed to have saved this or that ship, when in fact it
was in direct result of this effort. Rather sad really when individuals could
not do a good enough job and try to weevil into another person’s hard
work. But that’s life I have learned! I am happy with what has been
achieved, but I give you, the readers and supporters a great deal of the glory,
because it is your emailing and frequent writing to the right sources whenever
it was needed that changed minds! However, I will be updating this page with
the latest news items!
Thank you and may the seas continue to be kind
to you and God bless you all!
Reuben Goossens.
The latest News Updates are always at the top of the page
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News Updates re
Ships Sold or Broken Up
SS Oceanic could
be sold very soon!

The magnificently designed SS Oceanic has never lost
her beauty
And she still looks as modern as tomorrow!
Photograph
by R.
Pelletier - From the Rich Turnwald
Collection
The Home Lines SS Oceanic commenced her
maiden voyage on
April 3, 1965, and she was without doubt one of the most beautiful looking
ships as well as the most revolutionary of the day! She has served a few
companies over the years, the last two being the Spanish Pullmantur Cruises and
the Japanese PeaceBoat organisation and she has always been as most successful
ship.

SS Oceanic, the
“PeaceBoat seen in 2011
However, being a steamship PeaceBoat has just
obtained and ex Carnival typical winged funnelled cruise ship built as the MV Tropicale built
being their very first newly built Carnival ship in 1981. Later she became the
Costa Tropicale, then in 2005 she became the Pacific
Star for P&O Australia Cruises. She was sold after ongoing mechanical
problems to Pullmantur in 2008 and she was renamed Ocean Dream. Currently the
Pacific Dream is operating under charter to the South American-based
“Viagens CVC” until April and as far as I know, she is
due to join PeaceBoat soon thereafter!

Pullmantur’s
MV Ocean Dream
The question is; what will happen to the SS Oceanic?
The most likely option could well be that she will be offer for sale, and as
there are so fewe buyers oiut
there in these financially tight days, the options are not too good of saving
this superb ship that is in a wonderful condition and would be perfect as a
luxury hotel and museum. All we can do is hope and pray.
If SERIOSLY interested email me (Reuben Goossens)
– Please no
time wasters!
info@ssmaritime.com
Visit my SS Oceanic Feature
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SS United States

SS
United States seen at her best in Southampton
Photograph
© Mrs K. Wheeler
The
SS United States is the largest American designed and built
Trans-Atlantic liner, as well as being the world’s fastest! She was
awarded the much desired Blue Riband on her maiden voyage in July 1952 for both
her east and west bound voyages. She reached a maximum declared speed of 36.8
knots and an average of 35.59 knots on the eastward voyage. This greatest of
all American liners was unique in every possible way, for she was built in all
metal and aluminium alloy, as there was no timber to be found on board, except
for butchers blocks and pianos. Her funnels and superstructure were completely
constructed of aluminium alloy. SS United States became a star in her own right
and many stars and famous individuals sailed on her.

The great United States is seen here
berthed at Philadelphia
Photographed by & © Yakob Davidsen
Sadly, today she continues to
await her future in Philadelphia
where she is still laid up although she has now been taken over by the
“SS United States Conservancy” and she is awaiting restoration.
They have been operating a superb campaign to save this grandest of all ships,
which was placed on the American “National Register of Historic
Places” and we hope that this will give her long term protection! But I
am sure that the conservancy is still waiting for some major investors to come
aboard. However there are some grand plans laid down and some details are seen
in the item below.
You can visit the SS United States Conservancy
website at: http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org.
Please assist the United States Conservancy to turn the SS United States into a fine waterfront maritime
museum, hotel, tourist centre and convention centre, or whatever they decide
she is best suited for. The have a superb board of people and I am assured that
they will make all the right decisions!
Reuben Goossens.
Become
a SS United States
Plank Owner

A
reduced version of the Plank Owners certificate - shown framed by myself
Please
do NOT copy – it is under Copyright © 2010 -
S.S. United States Conservancy
Remember,
I am an Australian and I believe that the S.S. United States is not just a ship
for American’s, but she is a Ship for all Nations to enjoy – I hope
to see her one day in New York City
looking her beautiful old self!

Click
the LOGO above to become a “Plank Owner”
Please
become a “Plank Owner” by donating
$25 for a single plank, but buy more than one! Visit: www.ssusplankowner.org
and there you can donate! I am a multiple “Plank Owner”, thus PLEASE join me and support this great American ship
and help to save her and ensure that she will have a great future
--SS United States
- News Updates--
BIG
News for the SS United States
November
23, 2010
(Australian time): Yesterday (Monday, November 22) the
Conservancy held a press conference in Philadelphia at 1:00 pm to unveil the
results of a detailed feasibility study, as well as scale renderings and a
model, that revealed how the great SS United
States could be the catalyst for a new innovative urban
redevelopment initiative along Philadelphia’s Delaware River. The
architect of the project Mr. Stephen Varenhorst said
a great deal about the rebuilding of the currently dilapidated Delaware
Waterfront Area where the ship would be relocated, and that after the land
areas would be established with hotels, apartments, marinas, and a large
casino, etc, the ship would then be rebuilt and feature “a casino, plus restaurants, bars, ship museum areas, public viewing areas
and a boutique hotel can all be accommodated on board the permanently moored
vessel.” Thus it is obvious that the casino is the main
source of the ships future income, which is rather sad fir this great dame!
However, the SS United States Conservancy makes mention of the word
“casino” just once, whereas Stephen
Varenhorst
rather highlights the casino aspect and goes as far as to say that it will be a
“full category 2 casino.” However, if this will keep this great ship
from going to the breakers and be completely refitted to much, or some of her
original beauty, so be it!

The
architect’s impression of the SS United States location in the rebuilt Delaware
district
©
Stephen
Varenhorst Architects
**************************
July
2: As I already stated back in April 2010, that an agreement to buy the
historic SS United States for $3 million by the “United States
Conservancy” has now become a reality, although back on April 20, I had
no details and it was not official, but thankfully, it has proved to be true!
Now this fine American liner will not be heading the breakers, although I was
advised that Indian breakers had offered several million dollars more for her
than NCL accepted for her. Obviously NCL is attempting to win back their lost
American support from the massive loss of passenger numbers due the sale of the
fine American ship SS Independence, first sold to an in-house company the
California Manufacturing Co, based in the NCL head office in Florida, who
renamed her Oceanic, who in turn sold her to an Indian who ONLY buys for Indian
breakers, They renamed her Platinum II and she is currently just off the coast
of Alang and will soon be broken up. In addition there was the long NCL/Star
Cruises tragedy of the SS Norway, ex SS France also sold to Alang and broken up
after a long fight by this campaign and a long court case! However, we can be
joyful that at least this fine ship is being saved and that she will survive
like the SS Rotterdam, and I pray that the United States
will receive the kind of support and financial backing as that tiny nation.
Apparently a substantial amount of the funding for the ship is being provided
because of the generosity of Mr. Gerry Lenfest a Philadelphia
philanthropist.
The next step is that the sale still has to
pass the EPA – being the American “Environmental Protection
Agency” concerns related to any toxin’s that may still remain on
the ship, especially in her paint on her hull, etc.
Captain Dan McSweeney the Executive
Director of the “United States Conservancy” stated that for the
Conservancy becoming the potential owner is “an eye-opening experience
for us.” said Dan
McSweeney,
the conservancy's executive director. As
part of the package the United States Conservancy will have to pay the $60,000
a month fee for upkeep of the ship in Philadelphia,
where it is berthed.
WE do need to remember is this, even if all
should go well, it will be a long time before we will see this great liner back
at a berth and open to the public, for she is mostly an empty shell and all her
luxury fittings have now long gone. Whilst she was in Turkey
to have al the asbestos removed in 1999 her interiors were gutted down to
mostly the bare metal, and therefore in order to go and explore the ship today
you will need a torch (flashlight) to manage your way around. Her
accommodations can only ne seen form markings on the floor that show where the
walls once were.
However, at this time she is safe and now it
is up to all those who have a desire to see her saved and restored that can
play a part in having her saved for the future on a long term basis!
We need to understand that the
conservancy’s exclusive agreement with NCL to buy the ship expires in
February. Under the agreement with Mr. Lenfest the philanthropist, the
group has 20 months of financial support to develop a long-term plan that would
eventually make the ship financially self-supporting, but we need your financial
support NOW and you can do that in a number of ways, like becoming a plank
owner. I have and have certainly purchased more than one, so please follow my
lead and start by doing this. They will email you a beautiful certificate that
you can print and frame, I have them all framed and they look great!
Please assist the United States Conservancy to turn the SS United States into a fine waterfront maritime
museum, hotel, tourist centre and convention centre, or whatever they decide
she is best suited for. The have a superb board of people and I am assured that
they will make all the right decisions!
Reuben Goossens.
Also
Visit http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org for further news and
articles on the ship
Enter my SS
United States feature

SS
United States seen berthed at Philadelphia
looking a sad ship indeed mostly due to NCL’s
sheer neglect
Photograph
by ©
Ryan
Rea
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MV Queen Elizabeth 2

MV Queen Elizabeth 2 seen laid up in Dubai UAE September 21, 2009
Photograph
Copyright © Reuben Goossens
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.

MV Queen Elizabeth seen in Brisbane Australia
during her final days of cruising
Photograph
David Kellet
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 BMW’s 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 money’s 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 QE2’s 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!
Read a recent report on the “Daily Mail” dated March 2010.
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
story 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.

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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MS
Augustus ~ M/S Philippines has now been
Beached at Alang!

The elegant MS
Augustus seen in her glory days
Farewell to a superb ex
liner, a ship that will not soon be forgotten!
An Italia Line postcard – from the
author’s private collection
1 … Dec 2011: I have just
received the photograph seen below of the once great Italian liner, the MS Augustus that became the Hotel ship
the M/S Philippines. She is seen looking rather sad having been beached at Alang India.
Although she was actually beached towards the end of October, this photograph
was taken, early in December by my Indian supporter who sent it to me. From his
observations, no real work has as yet commenced!

She is now a tragic looking ship and she will
soon to be broken up!
Actual
photographer is unknown - *Please see photo notes at bottom of page!
2 … Oct 2011: The M/S Philippines arrived at Alang on Friday October 14, 2011, and it is estimated
that she will be beached sometimes between 23 and 29 October. Sadly this is the
end of a great ship, that will live on in the memory
of many!
3
… Sept 18, 2011: It is with great sadness that I announce that the M/S Philippines, ex MS Augustus has been sold for scrap and last week she departed Manila for Alang
India, even though there was a party at the ready to buy her?
4 … Update
Sept 29: I have been advised that the
tug that was towing the M/S
Philippines on behalf of a cash buyer, a in
between company obviously and not an Indian breaker as yet, broke down and she
is currently awaiting another tug to tow her to Alang. Only when she arrives at
Alang will the breakers bid for her. However, we do have several interested
parties at hand, but like always, unless they have a solid and a viable
preservation plan as well as a big bank account and guaranteed financial
backing, but more importantly a berth, for withy the poor condition of her
engines and her general poor state of heath, she will most likely never sail
again, without a berth, there is no hope! Thus, any last minute reprieves must
have a very strong case for us to do something and achieve her salvation, but
you know how tough it is at this stage, it usually ends up in disaster, for I
have to be honest here! My greatest regret is that the
“Italian Group” has been writing me for years and they have been
procrastinating on and off, even though they did have a good plan nothing has
come from it. Today I again received yet another email and I replied rather
strongly, for they should have acted long ago as this ship should be in her
home country as I have always believed, but they just mess around and all I get
is talk and no action! Now she is all too close to being broken up! For me
it sounds very much like one of Verdi’s
Italian Operas slowly playing itself out!
5 …
September 30: Apparently she
has just passed Colombo
and is about eight days away from Alang India.
Her current owner is happy to sell her and is asking around US$10 million for
her. This is our last chance. However, we need to understand that her ex owner in Manila
has greatly stripped the ship of her art and furnishings, according to what I
have heard from certain reliable source, and this should be kept in mind.

The M/S
Philippines, the once great Italian liner … MS Augustus is seen looking
so good!
Her
Pilipino owner was impossible to work with and demanded more than US20 million
for her last year and we could
have preserved her, had this man been more reasonable!
Yet he sold her for a pittance to the breakers – Shame on HIM!
Visit my
…
Brand NEW … MS Augustus -
Philippines Feature
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Ships Awaiting Saving!
SS
Emerald
Ex
SS Santa Rosa

The
SS Santa Rosa is seen here departing New York
on her maiden voyage on June 12, 1957
SS Santa Rosa
was launched on August 28, 1957 she was completed and departed on her maiden
voyage from New York on June 12,
1958. She and her slightly newer sister Santa
Paula were built as luxury liners and were all first
class only ships, operating between New
York and Central America as well as operating Caribbean cruises.

The
Emerald is seen here in 2009 in port in her current livery
In 1990/91 she
had been sold and had was completely rebuilt in Greece
into an impressive looking cruise ship that saw her external appearance
dramatically change from a traditional looking liner into a very modern cruise
ship. She was renamed Regent Rainbow and was placed under the management
of Regency Cruises, 1995 Regency was declared bankrupt and she was sold to
Louis Cruises and renamed The Emerald. Under both names
she had become the darling of countless cruise lovers, especially by the
British public and she sailed successfully for many years!
However, with SOLAS 2010 on the horizon her
end was near and she was eventually laid up at Eleusis in Greece.
As the president of the “Save The Classic Liners
Campaign” it is my hope that she will be obtained and turned into a
superb boutique hotel somewhere!

The
Sapphire and The Emerald seen laid up together at Eleusis Greece
Photograph
is believed to be taken by Peter
Knego
- http://www.midshipcentury.com
Visit the following pages:
SS Santa Paula & Santa Rosa – History Page
TSS
The Emerald - ex Santa Rosa
rebuilt as a luxury cruise ship
– see her interiors!
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Two Very Special Vessel’s
1.
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 vessel, which I have
supported online for quite some time needs to be restored and retained for the
future!
Enter
the MV Baragoola multiple page feature
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2.
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!
Enter my NEW MV Cape Don feature
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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 Chairman’s News letter, which
will shock you at first with what seems to be really bad news, but. Within it
there is also good news! Enter: Dover
Steamship Company - Newsletter One – May 2011.
A NEW
TSS Dover feature
will be online soon
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Ships Saved by this
& other Campaigns
MV
Spirit of London
to New Flamenco
Now the Chinese Cruise Ship
MV Ocean Dream

The MV Ocean Dream is seen here being made ready for
her maiden departure from Haikou, China on
January 9, 2012.
The Club Cruise ship MV New
Flamenco I believed had been sold to a breaker, although she has been laid up
for just over a year off Singapore.
Then suddenly a miracle came along apparently late last year and a Chinese
company obtained her and she received a refit and a new livery featuring a
Dragon of her bow and she was placed on cruise duties from Haikou, China to Vietnam
and return.
Personally, I sailed on her when she was the
MV Southern Cross on a number of occasion’s whist she was with CTC Lines
and operating in Australia
and I certainly greatly enjoyed my time on her, but we all know that this
amazing and quite revolutionary ship had quite a history!

CTC Lines, MV Southern Cross seen in Sydney
in 1976
She was originally ordered in 1970 by
Norwegian Caribbean Line to become the Seaward; however her builders, Cantieri Navali del Tirreno
& Riuniti, encountered financial problems and they were taken over by the
IRI Group, who cancelled the building contract of the ship. NCL protested and the IRI Group then agreed to
partially complete the Seaward. However, during the building Norwegian
Caribbean sold the hull to P&O Line who ended up completing the ship as revolutionary MV Spirit of London
commencing cruising in 1972.

Spirit of London seen at her launching in 1972
Princess Cruises became part of P&O she
was renamed Sun Princess in 1974. She was sold in 1988 to Premier Cruises who
renamed her Majestic first, but soon, in the same year, Starship
Majestic. In 1994 she was purchased by CTC and renamed Southern Cross, but
purchased by Festival Cruises in 1998 renamed Flamenco. However Festival
collapsed in 2004 and she was sold at auction for a mere US$12.25 million to
Cruise Elysia who named her New Flamenco. In 2007 the
Dutch Club Cruise obtained her and the New Flamenco served as a hotel in New Caledonia;
however the company that had a number of operating cruise ships failed in 2008
even though they had been operating for a good number of years. It was at this
stage the ship was sold for scrap.
The operators of the MV Ocean Dream are listed
as “Runfeng Ocean Deluxe Cruises Ltd” (a
Hong Kong based company) stated that she will be operating regular two night
cruises from Haikou,
China
to Halong Bay Vietnam, thus
having the day there.
A high ranking government delegation held
talks on board, and then viewed a colourful presentation out on deck with
musicians and dances. Decorations included colourful balloons and paper
garlands that flowed from her decks and over her bow stern. The MV Ocean Dream
departed on her maiden cruise at the January 9, 2012 to Vietnam with 500 passengers
on board for her two night cruise to Halong Bay, Vietnam.
“Runfeng Ocean
Deluxe Cruises Ltd,” ends to purchase at least three further ships in the
future in order that they can offer longer cruise options and head further into
south east Asia.
All we can do is wish her luck!
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Hotel
SS Rotterdam
She
is berthed at her
original Holland America Line wharf 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 Rembrandt’s
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!

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.
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
Visit the English version of the … SS ROTTERDAM WebSite
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MS Kungsholm IV
– SOLD
to become a HOTEL
Later
to become: MV Sea Princess 1978—1995,
Victoria
1995—2002
Mona Lisa 2002—2007, Oceanic II 2007—2008,
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: Some of the earlier items were sourced from the
wonderful Web Site by Mr.
Lars
Hemingstam and I am most
grateful for the superb wok done by him as well as Mr. Lars Hallgren
who have both worked endlessly to save this fine ship!
MS Kungsholm/Mona Lisa now Hotel
“Veronica.”
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
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, let’s hope that something will come from it and that
Mona Lisa’s 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 is today
From
the author’s collection
Visit
my NEW MS
Kungsholm IV Feature
Also
visit: www.salship.se/kung.asp
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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
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 (1960’s), MV
Doulos (1990’s) 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/Doulos Phos 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 Director’s 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 Lord’s 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 world’s 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!
For information and donations please email Mr. Eric Saw at: eric@riverboat.com.sg.
Visit the Doulos Phos website in
Singapore
(Read
about their Riverboat and then click on the Doulos
Phos
image at the top of the page)
Read
my extensive “MV Doulos - A Ship Like No Other”
Online Book
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MV
Royal Star
The
second ship saved is now named the PV
Ocean Mist, which was originally the ex Adriatica
Line MS San Giorgio built in 1956, which later became better known as
modern cruise ship MV Royal Star.
Late last year she was sold by
auction to a well known businessman in Mombasa
who had her repaired and refitted at his own shipyard and she has now returned
to cruise duties. She has been named PV Ocean Mist and is operated by a
new company simply named “PV
Ocean Mist Cruises” based in Mombasa.

PV
Ocean Mist retuning to Mombasa
from her shake down cruise in March 2010
Provided
by PV Ocean Mist Cruises
Enter
my MS San Giorgio feature
However,
sadly the vast majority of the great and lesser known classic ships have been
sold to be broken up, such as the great SS Norway, ex SS France,
the MS Regal Empress, ex TSS Olympia, with the most recent being
the delightful ex MS Ausonia which arrived at Alang only on March 3,
2010.
Please Note: Details of all the other classic ships in crisis are located below
the following feature.
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MS
Kristina Regina has been Saved!
Previously
the SS Bore

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 – author’s 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, 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.
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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Remembering