OCTOBER, 2019 VOLUME XXXVI, # IX

Friday, OCTOBER 25, 2019 – 6:30 PM

THE ‘R’ SHIPS - A CLASS OF THEIR OWN By Pat Dacey and Bob Allen

The National Opera Center, 330 7th Avenue at 29th Street, 7th Floor, Manhattan

Renaissance Cruises was founded in 1989, rapidly building a fleet of eight small 100-passenger ships. Operating profitably and quickly outgrowing these ships, Renaissance ordered eight identical new cruise ships, the “R-Class,” which were delivered between 1998 and 2001. In 2001 Renaissance collapsed under increasing financial issues and debt, and ceased operations. Shortly thereafter the eight ships were either sold or chartered. All eight ships are still in active service, with seven currently sailing as the foundation for both Oceania and Azamara Cruises. In addition to their history with Renaissance, we will explore how the ships shaped the cruise industry by quickly becoming passenger favorites for their boutique atmosphere and classical styling. We will then focus on the first of the class, R ONE, now sailing as Oceania’s INSIGNIA. We will take a deck-by-deck photo tour of INSIGNIA in her current configuration, followed by a photo essay as seen through the eyes of the World Ship Society – Port of New York Branch members on our recent cruise to Bermuda.

Pat Dacey is the current Chairman and Bob Allen is the current Vice Chairman of the World Ship Society – Port of New York Branch.

Oceania’s INSIGNIA at St. George’s, Bermuda. (Mario DeStefano)

NEXT EVENTS: Membership meeting: Friday, November 22 – “Seven Ships for Seven Continents” by Ted Scull; Harbor Cruise on the LUCILLE, Saturday, November 2; Holiday Party, Sunday, December 8

ADDRESS: PO Box 384, New York, NY 10185-0384 E-MAIL: wsspony@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.worldshipny.com

THE PORTHOLE, published by the Port of New York Branch, World Ship Society, welcomes original material for publication. Address to the editor, Bob Allen, at oceanvoyag@aol.com or via the PONY mailing address.

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MEMBER PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Fred Olsen Cruises’ BLACK WATCH at Hamburg, Germany on September 20, 2017. (Bob Allen)

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

SHIP FROM TO VOYAGE PASSENGER(S) DATE ROTTERDAM Rotterdam Amsterdam Northern Europe Cruise Mario DeStefano & Carol Miles 06/19

PROGRAM PREVIEW, NOVEMBER 22: SEVEN SHIPS FOR SEVEN CONTINENTS, BY TED SCULL

Ted Scull will choose seven favorite ships for visiting seven continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. For North America, it’s the long-serving SS INDEPENDENCE on two Hawaiian interisland cruises. Within Europe, P&O’s SEA PRINCESS (ex-KUNGSHOLM) cruises Scandinavia, and Ted jumped ship twice to travel by train and ferry to meet the P&O liner in the next port. A third is Hapag Lloyd’s HANSEATIC on an expedition voyage to Antarctica and the Falklands. The remaining four ships will be revealed in early November.

Two of the ships that will be featured in Ted Scull’s upcoming program are SEA PRINCESS (above left) and INDEPENDENCE (above right). (Ted Scull)

SHIP’S LOG

Ship’s Log will return in the November issue of The Porthole.

FALL HARBOR CRUISE DEPARTS NOVEMBER 2

Join the World Ship Society – Port of New York Branch and the USMMA Alumni Association of Central New Jersey Chapter on a three-hour harbor cruise on Saturday, November 2. The cruise will include an Italian buffet dinner and an open bar, not to mention prime Saturday afternoon ship watching in New York Harbor. Flyers have already been sent for this event; please make reservations by October 22. If you have questions, contact Pat Dacey at 732-579-7665 or wsspony@gmail.com.

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Empire Cruises’ LUCILLE will take World Ship Society – Port of New York Branch members on a fall harbor cruise. (Empire Cruises)

SHIPS IN PORT: GOING DUTCH – THE FREIGHTERS OF HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

By Bill Miller

"While their liners were known as the Spotless Fleet so too were Holland America's cargo ships, including wartime-built Victory Class freighters," added Captain James McNamara. "Their ships always had that clean, soapy smell. They were always well maintained. I remember Holland America also carried lots of heavy-lift cargos." By 1946, Holland America was reassembling and rebuilding its liner as well as freighter fleet. Devastated by Nazi wartime occupation, Holland needed supplies, foodstuffs, and materials to rebuild. Several pre-war freighters were promptly restored while, under American restoration programs including the Marshall Plan, the Company was given surplus freighters, big ships such as the C-3 Class as well as Victory, and even Liberty ships. These ships were soon more than busy – and profitable.

The North Atlantic freighter service was run between Rotterdam and Antwerp to New York, but also several other US East Coast ports: Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Norfolk. In August, 1949, this was extended to include Germany, to Bremen and Hamburg. These sailings marked Holland America's first German calls since September, 1939. A second freighter service operated to ports in the Gulf of Mexico. From Hamburg, Bremen, Rotterdam and Antwerp, Company freighters crossed to Havana, Cuba, Corpus Christi, Houston, Galveston, and New Orleans and, in Mexico, to Vera Cruz and Tampico. In later years, by the 1960s, this had changed to Savannah, Miami, Tampa, Mobile, New Orleans, Vera Cruz and Tampico. "Westbound to the States, we carried tulips, caraway seeds, agricultural products, cheeses and lots of Heineken beer," remembered the late Captain Cornelius van Herk, who served aboard about a dozen Holland America freighters in the late 1940s and '50s. "Going back to Holland, we carried American manufactured goods, machinery, tin plate and lots of grain that was loaded by floating elevators." These freighters had their own histories of storms, small fires in their cargo holds, mechanical breakdowns and frequently going aground especially in the River Scheldt near Antwerp. Some of the ships, especially when light with cargo, were rather notorious "sea boats." "They would roll badly -- and also rattle like mad," remembered one captain.

Among the many US-built freighters, Holland America had several ships of its own. Most notably were the 9,227-grt sisters SOMMELSDYK and SLOTERDYK. Built in Denmark in 1940, both ships survived the War. Intended for an affiliate Holland America service, the Java-New York Line, they had been initially intended for long-haul service between New York and the Dutch East Indies, but instead after the War spent much of their time on the North Atlantic. Another pair was the 9,592-grt SOESTDYK and SCHIEDYK, built at Belfast in 1948. They too were intended for the Dutch East Indies run, but spent most of their days trading to New York and other US East Coast ports. These freighters had as many as six holds for freight, but also very comfortable quarters for up to 12 passengers. "We often carried passengers who did not want the passenger liners, but the very quiet life of a freighter. A crossing might take as long as 10-12 days and some travelers preferred this," added Captain van Herk.

From the end of the Second World War until the early 1960s, Holland America Line was also part of a freighter cooperative with several other Dutch shipowners, the Nederland Line and Royal Rotterdam Lloyd, which was called the Java-New York Line and later restyled as the Java-Pacific Line. "The SOESTDYK was assigned in the 1950s to their Java-New York Line," recalled Chief Engineer J. Lievisse-Adriaanse. "We had seven-month-long round trip sailing from New York – from the Bush Terminal piers in Brooklyn actually – and other US East Coast ports [Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Norfolk] across to the Mediterranean, to Alexandria, Port Said and then the Suez Canal. We'd then sail onward to Port Sudan, Jeddah, Colombo, Penang, Makassar and finally Djakarta. We took lots of American made machinery going out and returned with lots of rubber as well as spices, tin, copper and liquid latex. Among the twelve or so passengers, we often had missionaries going out for

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assignments in the East. They would study and pray during the long, usually very hot voyages."

Another Holland America offshoot was the Holland Interamerica Line, which was partnered with another Dutch shipowner, Van Nievelt Goudriaan, which also traded under the name of Rotterdam-South America Line. Holland America provided freighters, usually the 7,600-ton Victory class, for regular sailings from New York/Brooklyn and other East Coast ports to Trinidad, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Montevideo and finally Buenos Aires. Engineer Adriaanse added, "We took general goods out but returned with lots of coffee, iron ore and rose wood. Coffee was the most important and there were many grades, but I remember Santos coffee as being considered the very best in those days. We also loaded asphalt at Trinidad." On occasion, Holland America also chartered out its freighters. These included use by still another Dutch shipowner, the Holland-Africa Line. Ships crossed the south Atlantic to South & East African ports and then usually returned via the Suez and Mediterranean.

Between 1956 and 1961, Holland America added six new freighters of the so-called "K-Class". At 7,600 tons and 459 feet in length and with quarters for the traditional 12 passengers, they were named KINDERDYK, KLOOSTERDYK, KERKEDYK, KAMPERDYK KORENDYK and KATSEDYK. These were followed by the Company's final set of conventional freighters, four ships of the "G Class," built between 1960 and 1963. These 7,200-ton, engines-aft sister ships were named GAASTERDYK, GROTEDYK, GREBBEDYK and GORREDYK. Change, actually great change, was on the horizon for the Sixties. Containerized shipping was the future. The wartime-built ships were gradually sold off.

Shipping consortiums were also part of the future. By the mid '60s, Holland America joined a partnership – one that included Cunard, French Line and Swedish American – in the Atlantic Container Lines or ACL as it was dubbed. Holland America contributed two ships: the 11,800-grt ATLANTIC STAR, built in 1967, and then the 15,400-ton ATLANTIC CROWN, added in 1969. ATLANTIC CROWN could handle 104 large containers, 858 smaller ones and 834 cars of the Opel-Kadet size. She had a crew of 41. These ships were small by today's standards – the largest containerships now carry more than 20,000 containers.

In 1972, there was further expansion when the Company joined the so-called Combi Line, in a partnership that included the Hamburg America Line. Holland America contributed its largest cargo vessel ever, the 36,900-ton BILDERDYK. She was rather unique – a "Lash" ship, a long, barge-carrying vessel. 1973 was pivotal. Marine fuel oil rates soared in a single sweep from $35 to nearly $100 per ton. Company accountants were beside themselves. The economics of ship operations had changed – and changed dramatically. Directors and management decided to concentrate only on passenger ships, particularly on largely American-based cruising. Holland America sold off its last cargo-carrying ships – the ATLANTIC STAR, ATLANTIC CROWN and BILDERDYK – in 1974-75 to Sweden's Brostrom Group. The Company's last conventional cargo ships, the 3,551-grt POELDYK and the 11,100-grt MOERDYK, were sold to Nigerian and Portuguese buyers respectively.

Apart from the general cargo trades, Holland America was also involved in the heavy-lift business. By 1975, the Line had diverse marine holdings in steel cables, tarpaulins, navigational instruments and ship chandlery.

On the south side of Pier 40 in 1963: The freighter KATSEDYK with the liner MAASDAM behind. (Bill Miller Collection)

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A SEASON OF SHIP VISITS

World Ship Society – Port of New York Branch members had a busy fall season of ship visits. On September 22, 62 members met for lunch on the newly renovated CARNIVAL SUNRISE (ex-CARNIVAL TRIUMPH). In a twist for Carnival, the ship was docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook. On October 4, 78 members ventured back to Brooklyn for a “Royal Tea” on the QUEEN MARY 2, docked in her usual berth. A full review of both events will appear in the November issue of The Porthole; below are some highlights of these two memorable maritime outings.

CARNIVAL SUNRISE (ex-CARNIVAL TRIUMPH) makes an unusual call to Brooklyn on September 22, shortly before welcoming 62 WSS-PONY Branch luncheon guests (top). The serpentine internal promenade opens onto a series of lounges, bars and other entertainment areas (above left). What would a Carnival luncheon be without the traditional dance of the waiters on podiums scattered throughout the dining room? (above right). (Bob Allen)

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Cunard’s QUEEN MARY 2 at her Brooklyn dock on October 4, shortly before hosting 78 WSS-PONY Branch members (top). The embarkation hall features a new starburst-pattern carpet (above left); the Queens Room was the regal venue for the “Royal Tea.” (above right). (Bob Allen)

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SHIP NEWS

By Bob Allen

WONDERFUL CHINA: Royal Caribbean International has announced that its fifth OASIS-Class vessel, to be named WONDER OF THE SEAS, will be based in China. Her maiden voyage from Shanghai will be in the summer of 2021. At approximately 230,000-gross tons, she will be slightly larger than her four sister ships. The rendering supplied by the line shows some interesting modifications to this latest ship of the class. A huge, curving glass bulkhead appears at the vessel’s stern, just aft of the outdoor Aqua Theatre. Another glass structure flanks the upper deck forward of the funnel; both support giant illuminated RCCL “Crown and Anchor” logos. The funnel is wider and more streamlined than those on the earlier vessels, and the forward solarium seems to have a more solid glass roof. No doubt RCCL will preview all of the new features and architectural changes to the latest OASIS-Class vessel as we get closer to her in-service date. A sixth OASIS-Class vessel is due in fall 2023. Her deployment has not been finalized.

Royal Caribbean Cruises’ WONDER OF THE SEAS will be the world’s largest passenger ship when she debuts in China in 2021. (RCCL) MERAVIGLIA MEASURES UP IN MANHATTAN: When MSC Cruises’ MERAVIGLIA arrived in New York on October 8, she became the largest passenger vessel ever to dock at a Manhattan pier. The 171,598-ton vessel, completed in 2017 as the lead ship of its class, repositioned from Europe for a series of fall cruises from New York and winter cruises from Miami. MERAVIGLIA can carry up to 5,700 passengers, and features a 300-foot long central shopping and entertainment promenade, lit by a vast LED glass ceiling. Part of MSC’s ambitious growth plan, MERAVIGLIA-Class consists of four vessels announced to date, the latest two planned to be slightly larger.

MERAVIGLIA meets Manhattan – and the Statue of Liberty – as the record-breaker arrives in New York Harbor. (MSC Cruises)

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CAUTIOUS CORINTH CANAL CRUISE: Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ 24,344-ton BRAEMAR (ex-CROWN DYNASTY) became the largest vessel to transit Greece’s Corinth Canal during a 25-day September cruise from Southampton to the Mediterranean and Greek Islands. Delivered as CROWN DYNASTY for Commodore Cruise Line in 1993, she was acquired by Fred Olsen in 2001, then lengthened and rebuilt in 2008. Despite the enlargement, BRAEMAR remains the smallest ship in the Fred Olsen fleet by gross tonnage, and carries 929 passengers. BRAEMAR passed through the canal with less than two feet to spare on each side, a feat that required the most precise maneuvering and seamanship by Captain Jozo Glavic. The highly anticipated voyage was a great success, and Fred Olsen has announced a similar Corinth Canal cruise for the spring of 2021.

Fred Olsen’s BRAEMAR became the largest ship to transit the Corinth Canal, during a recent Mediterranean cruise. (Fred Olsen Cruise Lines) A NEW QUEEN IS COMING: The first steel was cut in early October for a new Cunard Queen, which will be the line’s 249th vessel commissioned during its 180-year history. Fincantieri of Italy, who built the QUEEN VICTORIA (2007) and QUEEN ELIZABETH (2010), is building the as yet unnamed vessel. She will accommodate 3,000 passengers, and at 113,000 gross tons will be Cunard’s second largest ship; QUEEN MARY 2 retains the title of Cunard’s largest. Her design details are still limited, but renderings indicate that she is quite similar to Holland America’s KONINGSDAM (or Pinnacle) - Class, which is a variant of the Vista platform. This platform, first seen as Holland America’s ZUIDERDAM (2002) has been used by multiple Carnival Corporation lines. The new Cunarder is due to begin service in 2022, which will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Vista platform. In other Cunard news, QUEEN MARY 2 has been scheduled for a three-week refurbishment in the fall of 2020, although details of the planned work have not been announced.

VIKING EXPEDITION: Viking Cruises is slowly releasing details about their planned fleet of expedition vessels, which will be an entirely new design, distinct from the 17 existing or projected 930-passenger VIKING STAR-Class cruise ships. The first two vessels, VIKING OCTANTIS and VIKING POLARIS, will be 672-foot, 30,150-gross-ton luxury vessels accommodating 378 passengers. They will have a Polar Class 6 ice rating, allowing them to undertake Arctic and Antarctic voyages. Viking has indicated that more details will become available as bookings open for the new expedition product in January 2020.

GRAND BAHAMA RETURN: Carnival Cruises announced that they have resumed calling at Freeport, Grand Bahama. CARNIVAL PRIDE called on October 11, followed by CARNIVAL ELATION on October 13 and CARNIVAL FREEDOM on October 15. This is excellent news for Freeport and Grand Bahama Island, whose people and economy were devastated by Hurricane Dorian in September. Thirty-nine additional calls by Carnival ships are planned for the remainder of 2019, bringing over 100,000 tourists to the island. Fifteen shore excursions will be offered to passengers, supplying much needed revenue to local businesses. Carnival reports that approximately 400,000 of their cruise passengers will have visited Freeport in 2019.

OFFICERS EXECUTIVE BOARD COMMITTEE HEADS

Chairman: Pat Dacey Bob Allen David Hume* Finance: Marjorieann Matuszek* Vice Chairman: Bob Allen Pat Dacey Marjorieann Matuszek* Membership: Stuart Gewirtzman Branch Secretary: Doug Newman Mario De Stefano Carol Miles* Newsletter: Bob Allen Membership Secretary: Stuart Gewirtzman Doug Newman Ted Scull* Special Events: Pat Dacey Treasurer: Marjorieann Matuszek* Stuart Gewirtzman Richard Wagner Website: Stuart Gewirtzman

• Past Chairman