The M/S Augustus – Philippines
is featured down the page
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 over 300 classic liners from nations around the world! In due course
this site will feature many 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.
One such ship is the Italian liner Augustus, currently in Manila the Philippines
and is used as an overflow hotel named MS Philippines.
There are a good few other ships, but I will deal with them in due course.
Below my story on the MV Doulos and MV Royal Star,
The page commences with recent “Ships Saved”,
either by this, or other campaigns.
I will deal with the following ships in
crisis, thus, click the ships name and you will go directly to the ship of your
choice.
1. SS United States - NEW GREAT news update –
Saved!
2. MV Akdeniz – The last great
surviving Turkish Liner/cruise ship
3. MS Kungsholm (currently the MS Mona Lisa)
– Saved????
4. SS Platinum II ex SS Independence. New
Images & Videos.
5. MV Queen Elizabeth 2 what will become
of her?
6. MS Philippines ex MS Augustus
7. MV Baragoola a proud Australian. Built as a steamship in 1922.
Also online is my NEW
feature “Classic
Ocean Voyages”. This
feature covers some of the superb classic cruise ships still sailing having
been saved from SOLAS 2010, and believe me, they are in fine shape and will
sail on for some time yet!
Reuben Goossens.
What
Ships have been recently Saved by this Campaign, or others?
MV
Doulos
Currently
named “Doulos Phos”
Recently this Campaign has been involved and saved several ships from
the breakers, notably the 95 year old MV Doulos, built in 1914 as
the SS Medina, later the passenger liner SS Roma, Costa Line
liner and the luxury cruise ship MS Franca C, to be sold in 1977 to a
Christian group who used her as an outreach vessel and a book shop visiting
hundreds of countries around the world, specialising in Muslim lands!
The Doulos was officially decommissioned on December 31, 2009.
The ships
owners, OM Ships, based in Germany, was ready to sell her to the breakers in
Alang India, however in order to stop that I commenced a campaign and OM was
bombarded with emails from around the world with protests and thankfully they
changed their minds and eventually sold the ship to one of the buyers I have
been dealing with, being a Singaporean group who will now use her as a Maritime
Museum, Hotel, Restaurants and Cafes, as well as having a Christian facility in
one part of the ship, thus continuing her past longstanding role in some way!
They have
renamed her 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 Ken Miller who came over from Germany.
During the process of OM Ships attempting 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, and 3. My good friend, Dr. Daniel
Chae PhD, ex Managing Director of the Doulos of Korea, who I sailed with in
2008. I am overjoyed with the outcome and this
ship will continue long into the future!
The
Doulos is seen berthed in Singapore
on February 25, 2010
– Now saved!
Photographed
by and © copyright 2010 Stewart Mandy
I
believe this, the rescue of the Doulos from the breakers hands, to be one of my
finest victories, as this is the worlds oldest motor
ship that can still technically operate, 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 and have a vision for her!
Visit my MV Doulos feature
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)
dddddddddddddddd
MV
Royal Star
The
second ship saved is now named the PV
Ocean Mist, which was originally the ex Adriatica Line MS 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
Also
the PV Ocean
Mist cruise ship 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.
dddddddddddddddd
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 has been saved from the breakers.
She will head for Turku Finland
where she will be moored in the river Aura to be given her original name
“Bore”, and converted into a Hotel ship and a Museum. I have been
advised that the Bore will also be painted back 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
Official postcard
– author’s private collection
Below is the official news item
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
dddddddddddddddd
Save
the Classic Liners Campaign
SS
United States
SS
United States seen berthed at Philadelphia
looking a sad ship indeed mostly due to NCL Cruises neglect!
Photograph
by © Ryan Rea
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.
Sadly, today
she awaits her future in Philadelphia
where she is still laid up and her current owner Asian based Casino operator -
Star Cruises who control NCL Cruises have placed her on the market. However,
there is a superb campaign on the way to save this grandest of all ships, a
ship that has been placed on the American "National Register of Historic
Places" and we hope that this will give her some protection! However, we
all know that Star/NCL has the worst reputation when it comes to truthfulness
for all we have to do is look at what they said and did with the SS Norway and
SS Independence. They lied in both cased and secretly sold both ships to the
Indians!
Please
support the SS United States Conservancy and visit their website at: http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org.
--SS United States
- News Updates--
Great
News for the SS United States
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.
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!
Also Visit http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org
for further news and articles on the ship
June
20: On July 1, a major shipside event will be held
in Philadelphia
and an announcement will be made that evening regarding the ships future. I
assume that it will be related to my item I listed below dated “April
2010”, well at least I hope so, and should this prove to be correct we
will have much to celebrate.
The ship during this event will be floodlit
and there will be music and many special guests. Go to http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org
for further details.
In the meantime please become a “Plank Owner” by donating $25 for a
single plank. 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!
April 2010: Please note the
following advice is yet to be confirmed!
Although I
have been advised that a private investor has purchased SS United States for an
estimated US$3 million and that it is hoped that some of the preservation
groups will join forces, etc, and that after a massive refit she will become a
viable museum and tourist centre. Apparently the sale was arranged with
“an arm of NCL.” However, to date no further details have
been made available and there has been NO announcements made at this time. Yet
the source who advised me is most viable and reliable! I was told that the SS
United States will remain at her Philadelphia
berth until further notice and that she should be there for a considerable time
as yet. I hope to have some more concrete news soon, for let’s face it we
certainly cannot trust Star/NCL, for let’s face nobody does? They have
the worst record on earth to date when it comes to telling the truth! Right,
Colin Veitch?
Enter my SS
United States feature
Remember
who destroyed SS Norway, SS Independence
& now …
possibly the SS United States
with their lies and deceit!
NCL/NCL
America & Star Cruises
- owned by the Asian Genting Casino Corp
Please
Do NOT cruise with them!
dddddddddddddddd
Save
the MV Akdeniz
Working
together - Reuben Goossens founder - “SCLC” - “Save The
Classic Liners Campaign”
And
Dr. Ata Bilgili, Maritime Faculty, Istanbul
Technical
University
Tuzla, Istanbul
Classic
cruise ship - MV Akdeniz was and remains the Pride of Turkey!
With
her white lifeboats we see her here in her days as a full time cruise ship
Photographer
unknown – *See Photo notes at bottom of the page
Sent
in by a UK
supporter
The
author, being the founder of the original “Save The Classic Liners
Campaign” and Dr Ata Bilgili of Istanbul
have now commenced the “Save
the MV Akdeniz Campaign” and we hope that
this fine all original ship will receive your support and from all over the
world, for she is unique! I need genuine ship lovers to get behind her for this
is indeed a remarkable ship! How many ships do you know that has not been
modified or rebuilt in some way? MS Akdeniz is an original that has proudly
sailed under the Turkish flag for 42 years and she has served the academic
community since 1998.
Maritime
historian Peter Knego has visited the Akdeniz when he was in Turkey
on a cruise, and the author also visited her on September 8, 2009,
when in Turkey
and had an most enjoyable time with his wonderful host
Dr. Bilgili.
The
author on the Bridge
Photograph
taken by Dr, Ata Bilgili – © Reuben Goossens
Although
she is currently in fulltime use and there is certainly no indication that she
is about to be sold. However, as we have experienced with other ships, it is
preferable to be well prepared in advance. Without doubt, this ship is unique
to any other classic ship that may come on the market at this time for the
reason that she is an original and totally unspoilt! There are several
possibilities that we could consider for her future:
1...
Reclassification: This will mean that we could keep
Akdeniz operational but with a crew of around 36, and use her locally or even
internationally as an emergency accommodation and/or a hospital ship, should
there be a need. For the rest of the time she can continue as a floating
student Faculty in Turkey
as well in overseas ports. But this will take a considerable investment.
2... Hotel & Maritime
Museum: Akdeniz also has all the makings of a superb boutique Hotel and Maritime
Museum
in Turkey
her homeland! However, I also believe that this genuinely classic ship would do
Germany very proud considering that she is the ONLY and the LAST of the fine
German passenger ships built of the mid fifties and still very much afloat and
operational. In addition she is in an excellent interior condition. As a Classic
Boutique
Hotel & Maritime
Museum
in Bremen she would
certainly make a fine tourist attraction in Germany,
or Turkey
for that matter!
MV
Akdeniz seen at Tuzla
on September 8, 2009
She
is currently used as a University maritime training and student accommodation ship
Photograph
by © Reuben Goossens
Whilst
I was on board I noted that the ship is in great need of maintenance and she
does need to be dry-docked and have her hull taken care off, as well a great
deal of rust work needs to be done, there is also decking that needs reworking.
Obviously, there is a need to update and refit her in certain areas and this
can be accomplished with funding! Can you help?
Dr.
Ata Bilgili and the MV Akdeniz in Tuzla Turkey
Photograph
by © Peter Knego
If
there are any further ideas or special interest in this fine ship - please
Email me - info@ssmaritime.com
for details.
This is a superb looking classic ship and this is the way we want
her to stay!
Enter
my MV Akdeniz feature
dddddddddddddddd
MS Kungsholm IV
Later
to become: MV Sea Princess 1978—1995,
Victoria
1995—2002
Mona
Lisa 2002—2007, Oceanic II 2007—2008,
Mona Lisa 2008 – 2010
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. However with SOLAS 2010 regulation coming into effect in October her
future is now unsure.
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: These items are sourced from the wonderful Web Site by Mr. Lars Hemingstam and I am most grateful for the
superb wok done by him and Mr. Lars Hallgren
who has worked endlessly to save this fine ship!
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!
However, we
should congratulate and remain forever grateful to Mr. Lars Hallgren for his excellent efforts to save this superb
ship for who would have believed that the politicians in Gothenburg would not
welcome the great Kungsholm back into their harbour and show their future
generations of the greatness of the Swedish liners of yesteryear, especially
considering that all financing had already been secured.
As Mr. Lars Hemingstam wrote on www.salship.se/news.asp; “Everyone has to admire Mr
Hallgren's ambition, planning and perseverance
managing this four year project. However there were too many unforeseen
obstacles along the way, from unpredictable sources. Let us hope now that the
remaining works of art on board the ship somehow will be preserved in a
museum.”
As of today I
am adding the MS Kungsholm/Mona Lisa to this campaign page and simply hope and
pray that somehow, somewhere there is a buyer out there that has the money to
save and restore her and make her a viable product! Email me - info@ssmaritime.com.
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
dddddddddddddddd
SS
Platinum II – ex Independence
Sadly
she is now a doomed ship!
SS
Independence
is sadly a doomed ship!
June
2010: The tragedy is that the SS Platinum II
has been languishing close to the beach off Alang and time and the sea have
slowly taken their toll, although I feel that man may even have had a hand in
it as well as the damage is simply far too great, as the two photographs below
prove.
SS
Platinum II as she is today just off the Alang beach – NCL &
Indian’s have won again!
Photograph
sent in by James Hood, but the photographer is unknown – *See photo notes
at bottom
What a
tragic sight - SS Platinum II slowly breaking up before our eyes!
Photograph
sent in by James Hood, but the photographer is unknown – *See photo notes
at bottom
Six New SS Independence
Videos
Paul
Fehling has posted five videos on YouTube of the
fine American liner S.S. Independence and I suggest that you watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WpbVHTeuFA / http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTHS0WDdM-M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBHwOtQeaCQ
/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbd_yB9_SiA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q5f1le9VCE&feature=related
In
addition there is another, but far more tragic video entitled “SS Independence Alang Bound The Breakers Lament” by my good friend Peter
Knego. This video fully covers her story and the tragic journey she has
undertaken and where she is at today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FrsCC0l0xY&feature=related
--Her days have now
ended – But Let us Remember the great Ship she
was!--
SS
Independence seen in her glory days, departing New York
in the 1960’s
Photographer
unknown – *See Photo Notice at bottom of the page
February
2010: SS Platinum II, ex SS Independence, has
been anchored near Bhavnagar in Saurashtra in the region of Gujarat October 2009,
it was said some time ago that she had “almost run aground with the
bottom of the ship is almost touching the sand.” It is also been heard
that “dismantling may now well be a foregone conclusion.” According
to sources within the Gujarat Maritime Board, there may now be no option but to
permit the breaking up of the ship.
However,
I have been informed that is owned by the Leela ship
breakers and that she will soon be broken up, and regardless what we will try
and do nothing on earth will stop it for as we have learnt over the years, once
a ship has her bow on the sand she is gone!
Platinum-II is seen here anchored at the Bhavnagar
Anchorage Point off Alang India
in October 2009
Credit:
PTI for “The Hindu” - All rights reserved
January
2010: It is claimed, and I would say mostly by
those who have much to profit by breaking her up … that she has been
reduced to this sad state because of a tug of war between the government and
activists. Since the second week of October Platinum II has been awaiting
central sanction for dismantling even as voluntary organisations campaigned for
it to be turned back alleging that it was carrying over 200 tonnes of toxic
asbestos and polychloride biphenyl. The state
government said it had the facilities for dealing with such a problem if it
existed. However, everyone knows well that NOT one of the breakers have genuine
safety facilities, for the mere fact that ships can not be berthed at a wharf
and that their workers are not clothed in fully registered protective gear!
Many
are confused by some of the reporting in regard to the SS Platinum II, ex
Oceanic, Independence,
etc. Some news sources indicated that she had been beached, however, be assured
this is NOT the case. The following is what was written in one article:
“New Delhi: Condemned US Navy ship
‘Platinum-II’ continues to beach at Alang in Gujarat waiting to be
dismantled, despite the Centre ordering it on November 9 to return to its place
of origin. ‘Platinum-II’ was called 'SS Oceanic' and ‘SS
Independence’ before it was declared “dead” by the US
naval administration.”
In
Summary!
Remember it was the treacherous Genting/Star
Cruises/NCL that sold her to the so-called California Manufacturing Company, a
firm that had its offices in the NCL Head Office in Florida
and obviously one of NCL’s little subsidiaries. And this company renamed
her Oceanic and sold her to an Indian Mr. Anil Sharma who only buys ships for
Alang breakers. Myself, Corey Abelove and Erik James, all part of the Save the
Classic Liners Campaign (USA branch), contacted the EPA - Environmental
Protection Agency when the Oceanic illegally departed San Francisco as she
contained toxic waste and we know that she was bound for Alang. Her owners were
found and fined US$518,500 and they were advised that the ship could not be
sold for scrap and thus she was used in the Arabian Gulf as an
accommodation ship. But suddenly she appeared at Alang, for let’s face
it, you can not trust Indians! She has since languished there and now this once
fine ship is in dire straights and will be broken up as the photographs at the
top prove!
Enter my SS
Independence & SS Constitution feature
NCL/NCL
America & Star Cruises is owned by the Asian Genting Casino Corp
Please
Do NOT cruise with them!
dddddddddddddddd
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.
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.
QE2
in Dubai
on September 21 2009
– Note that she is registered in Port Vila
Southampton can still be seen beneath the overpainting
Photograph
© Reuben Goossens
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 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.
MV
Queen Elizabeth during her very last days cruising
Photograph
David Kellet
dddddddddddddddd
M/S
Philippines
Ex
Augustus
1952-76 / Great
Sea
1976-80 / Ocean King 1980-83
Philippines – 1983-85 / President – 1985-88 / Asian Princess
– 1988-2000
An Italia Line postcard of the superb liner MS
Augustus
This card was badly damaged, and has been photo-shopped
to make it look as good as it now is
From the author’s private
collection
Italia
Lines MS Augustus was launched on November 19, 1950
by the wife of the Italian Prime Minster, Md. Francesca De Gasperi. She was
completed in February 1952 and departed on her maiden voyage from Genoa to Buenos Aires
on March 4. However, in due course due to air traffic, like her twin sister the
MS Giulio Cesare and so many other liners around the world, Augustus also
suffered a rapid decline in passenger loadings and in due course she was laid
up in Naples
on January 15, 1976
precisely three years after her sister was laid up and sold. The Augustus was
placed on the market and happily this fine liner remains afloat to this day and
was used as a stand by hotel and restaurant, having had a series of uses and
names, although she is now in desperate need of a new owner.
The
M/S Philippines is looking in good shape here, but it is said that her
interiors are suffering
Photographer
unknown - *See photo notes at bottom of page
Although,
I have had a number of potential buyers in the past looking at the ship, it was
the owner who proved to be the most difficult and he was asking an extremely
high price for her, thus no one was prepared to pay the massive price. An
Italian consortium was one of these and they had excellent plans, but the price
was simply beyond reach. It is my hope that with the financial crisis the price
has come down and that an acceptable price will now be asked for her, one that
will fit her tonnage and actual worth! However, May she be obtained by someone
who will preserve this magnificent ship and not the breakers.
This is the time to obtain her as she is no
longer in use. Are you looking for the best of maritime design and
construction, well here it is in a nutshell! She will make a great hotel and maritime
museum and she could be like the SS Rotterdam and do an Italian or another city
very proud! Email me - info@ssmaritime.com for details.
Visit my M/S Augustus
feature
dddddddddddddddd
A
Special Vessel
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
dddddddddddddddd
Do
Yourself a Favour and Cruise on a Classic Ship
Click
the image above to enter “Classic
Ocean
Voyages”
Joyfully
there are still some fine ships sailing as classic cruise ships, or remain
afloat as hotels and museums, such as the SS Rotterdam and the Queen Mary, etc.
But, there is also a fleet of fine classic ships that continue to cruise and they
will go on for many years yet! I shall be featuring these ships and companies
and will be encouraging you to go and cruise on some of these superb classic
ships before they are gone!
I applaud one
company in particular who has done more than any other to operate and
constantly update their ships, including to the point that they will pass the
2010 SOLAS regulations. This company is “Classic International
Cruises” that operates a superb fleet of ships, including the MV Athena
built I as the MS Stockholm that was launched in 1946.
There is the delightful ex liners SS Funchal, now a motor ship and ex
Presidential Yacht, built in 1961. CIC also has the two greatly loved Port Line
sister Port Melbourne and Sydney
now named Princess Danae and Princess Daphne respectively. These excellent
ships were built in 1955 and then there is the superb smaller ship the Arion
and built as the delightful Yugoslavian ships MS Istra in 1965. All of these
ships have been constantly refitted and in the case of Athena, and the two
Princess ships, these three have received comprehensive reconstructions to
become excellent and modern cruise ships, yet, they continue to contain so many
classic features!
The
superbly built MS Port Sydney & rebuilt as a fine cruise ship MV Princess
Daphne
The
delightful Princess Daphne will be sailing out of Singapore & Hong Kong
During
the European winter in 2010/2011 & again in 2011/12
The
MS Stockholm was completely stripped to her strong bare hull to become the
elegant MV Athena
The
Athena is CIC’s flagship and although she sails
from many destinations, during the European winter
She
comes to Australia
where she has become greatly loved and she is based in Fremantle (Perth)
Enter …
“Classic
Ocean Voyages”
dddddddddddddddd
Who
is the Author of ssMaritime and Save the Classic Line Campaign?
Commenced in
the Passenger Shipping Industry in 1960
Email
me …
info@ssmaritime.com
ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net
Where
the ships of the past make history & the 1914 built MV Doulos
story
Photographs
on
savetheclassicliners.com and associated pages are: 1. By
the author. 2. From the author’s private
collection. 3. As provided by Shipping
Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all
contributors. However, there are photographs provided to the author without
details regarding the photographer. I therefore cordially invite if any owners of
these images would be so kind as to make them-selves known to me in order that
due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my
own photographs on other sites, yet they either refuse to give me credit and
some even refuse to remove them, knowing full well that there is no legal
comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show these charlatans up and
do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due! Please note: I do not credit those who
send me photographs when they are not the owners of these photographs
concerned, unless the image is part of their private collection.
This
notice covers all pages and I will do my best to ensure that all photographs
are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when
a page is updated!
R Goossens.
“Save
the Classic Liners” dot com is owned and © Copyright 2010 - by Reuben
Goossens
The
Name and all Rights are Reserved
under International Copyright laws