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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

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

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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!

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

The great QE2 is now registered in Port Vila Vanuatu

MV Queen Elizabeth 2 seen laid up in Dubai UAE September 21, 2009

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.

The QE2 seen in better days

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!

What will be her future?

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.

The stern of the QE2 - How sad is thos photo?

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.

Farewell old Girl - This was indeed a great Italian liner, just badly looked after by her last owner a madman!

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

Let's try and save this fine ship before it is too late!

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

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!

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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!

MV Doulos saved from the breakers by "Save the Classic Liners Campaign"

The Doulos is seen berthed in Singapore on February 25, 2010 – A ship now saved!

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

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

Enter the SS Bore / MS Kristina Regina feature

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