ssMaritime.com

Enter a world of Classic Passenger Liners, Passengers-Cargo Ships as well as humble Migrant Liners from around the world

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With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian, Author, Lecturer & Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer

Commenced in the Passenger Shipping & Cruise Industry in 1960

Please Note: All ssMaritime and other related maritime/cruise sites are 100% non-commercial and privately owned. Be assured that ssmaritime is NOT associated with any shipping or cruise companies or travel/cruise agencies or any other organisation! Although the author has been in the passenger shipping industry for well over 60 years, but due to his age and poor health, he was forced to retire. Yet, he has completed well over 1,350 Classic Liners, Passenger-Cargo Liners as well as humble converted C3 converted Migrant Liners, which brought countless thousands of Europeans to the new world. I trust these features will continue to provide Classic Ship enthusiasts both the information they are seeking, but more so provide a great deal of pleasure and memories! Features online are 1 web-page to a huge 25 web-pages covering the life of a single ship.

Site Index

Please Note: Email service to ssMaritime, is sadly no longer available, to the author’s old age and severe illness as well as being disabled, etc. So Sorry about this!

Many new ships have been added over the recent years, thus I trust that you will enjoy the many maritime riches that are to be found on ssMaritime.com, and that you will return frequently! However, I as I have now retired and will not be adding anything new! Amazingly, I have on now written on well over 1,355 Classic Passenger Liners, Passenger-Cargo Liners, including a good number of humble Migrant ships, many of these being converted War-Time Victory Class ships, such as the type C3 & C4 Class Vessels. Some of these ships were rebuilt into rather humble Migrant Liners, whilst others became far more modern and even glamorous Migrant Liners, such as Flotta Lauro’s TSS Roma and Sydney, as well as Sitmar Lines TSS Fairsky, and these ships made significant inroads into maritime history. And it is my sincere hope, that through the pages of ssMaritime you may rediscover some wonderful memories, be it for past passengers and their relatives who may have sailed on these amazing ships, from days of old until their demise in the late 1970s to the 1990s. And not to forget the Classic Cruise Ships some of which are still sailing. But to the COVID-19 in 2020 some of the may now be due to be sold to the breakers, unless buyers can be found for them. Sadly some good much newer ships have been scrapped already.

Ships listed below hail from countless countries from around the world, Britain, the Netherlands, France, USA, Germany, Scandinavia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand and South America and so many other countries!

I trust that you will enjoy reading and discovering the countless ships that I have online, for it has been a great joy bringing them all to you!

Best wishes.

Reuben Goossens.

Maritime Historian, Author, Lecturer & Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer.

Over sixty years in the Passenger Shipping & Cruise Industry.

Site Index

Please Note: In a number of cases a ship may well have had various names during its lifetime and I may have, or in some cases - not have placed all these names on this index. Although I had been attempting to correct this, but sadly due to my illness, this has now halted and I will have missed some. Thus, should you happen to note a ship that has a missing link due to having another name and it is not listed, it may well be under its original name as built or under its most famous name, which may not be the one as built.

Links of special interest!

SOLAS 2010 …                             Safety Of Life At Sea - Many have enquired regarding the new regulations that come in force in 2008 / 2010, will mean the decline of so many fine classic ships that are still with us today. This page contains the details of some of the new regulations but obviously not everything.

BLUE RIBAND …                           A complete listing of all Blue Riband record holders, Commencing with the 1937 built steel hulled steamship SS Sirus in 1938, to the great SS United States achieved her great feat in July 1952 and she is still afloat today and has recently been obtained by the SS United States Conservancy.

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ssMaritime INDEX

Please Note: Ships on this INDEX are listed in alphabetical order; also many ships may have multiple pages, be it from a single WebPage up to 25 WebPages!

ALSO: Some ships are operated under different names and may be listed under these names, but not all will be listed in this way, thus please double check!

SS Abbekerk …                                One of the many delightful Dutch C3-DS-A5 type cargo-passenger liners, owned by VNS offering comfortable accommodations for 12 guests over three decks that contain a delightfully comfortable Lounge and Bar, a Dining Room, a Verandah, ample Sports Decks, as well as a Pool. In addition, these ships offered their guests the kind of service that the Dutch are so famed for!

SS Acapulco …                                 Discover the amazing history of the 1922 P&O Liner RMS Mongolia and her next four incarnations as follows. She was on charted to the New Zealand Shipping Company as a humble migrant liner from the UK to New Zealand, named SS Rimutaka from 1938. Sold to Incres Shipping Company to operate liner duties renamed SS Europa in 1950. She was sold in-house to Incres Line in 1951 renamed SS Nassau and she was completely renovated as well as partially rebuilt into a deluxe all first class cruise ship. She was based in New York full time and operated cruises to the Bahamas and the West Indies, etc. She was the first cruise ship ever to do so from New York. She was sold in 1960 to a Mexican Company and she received a completed rebuilding and renamed SS Acapulco in 1960, but she was a complete failure, had mechanical problems and ended up as a hotel ship in Canada at the World Fair. She was laid up and sold to the breakers in 1964.

MV Achille Lauro …                          Built as the Royal Rotterdam Lloyd Liner Willem Ruys that became the much loved but ill-fated Flotta Lauro’s Achille Lauro.

SS Admiral von Tirpitz …                 Built prior WWI as the Admiral von Tirpitz, but was quickly renamed SS Tirpitz, but was and laid up during the war. She was taken as a prize of war by the British and used as a troopship, but soon thereafter, she was obtained by Canadian Pacific and she became an amazing liner and luxury cruise ship the RMS Empress of Australia, and she continued until 1952.

MV Africa ...                                    One of a series of Lloyd Triestino yacht like liners. She and her sister Europa operated the Italy / Africa service from 1952 to 1976.

MV Akdeniz …                                  This is the very last classic Turkish passenger liner afloat and still in use, but as a University accommodation ship and conference centre. Read her amazing history as well of that of her sister and similar, but smaller ships built around the same time in the mid 1950’s. Also ready about another Turkish vessel built in Italy in 1952 and she also will soon be in need of saving - MS Pasabahce.

HMAS/HMS Albatross …                  Built in Sydney in 1928 as Australia’s first seaplane carrier and during WW2 served in the Royal Navy in many campaigns, including at Normandy. She was later converted into a humble migrant passenger ship in 1948 and operated to Australia and New Zealand

SS Alferdoss …                                This feature covers this remarkable ship in all her guises, but most notably her days as the SS America and SS Australis.

MS Aleksandr Pushkin …                 She was the second of the five Soviet Ivan Franco or “Poet” Class liners to be built and they were the most remarkable ships indeed, sailing the Atlantic for a while, but ended cruising for most of their days with CTC Lines.

MV Albireo 3 …                                The passenger-cargo ships of the van Nievelt Company, Goudriaan & Co’s Steamship Company NV, also known as the “Rotterdam Zuid Amerika Lijn”, which accommodated from 12 to 54 passengers in the ultimate of style and comfort. These were genuine First Class ships offering five decks, but three of these had a range of excellent Public Rooms, Cabins, and an elegant restaurant with the kind of cuisine and service that one would expect on board a major Trans-Atlantic Liner! The 14 passenger M.V. Albireo may well have been the ugly duckling of the fleet, but her interiors were simply superb, and she was a much loved ship!

MV Aldabi 2 ...                                The 45 passenger M.V. Aldabi was a fine ship and she like her two sisters had a host of followers.

MV Alhena 2 ...                               The 45 passenger M.V. Alhena was a fine ship and she like her two sisters had a host of followers.

MV Alioth 3 ...                                 The 12 passenger M.V. Alioth, like her sister the Altair were very popular ships indeed, as they had most glamorous facilities.

MV Alnati 1 ...                                 The 54 passenger Flagship of the RZAL fleet, the M.V. Alnati was a magnificent ship, and she like her two very similar sisters had countless followers.

MV Altair 2 ...                                  The 12 passenger M.V. Altair, like her sister the Alioth were very popular ships indeed, as they had most glamorous facilities.

SS Amarapoora …                            One of the famed P. Henderson & Company cargo-passenger liners from 1920, which operated on the UK to Burma service. She also served during WW2 as a hospital ship as well as a troopship, after the war she served for just over twelve months as a migrant ship to Australia. Thereafter, she became the Captain Hobson, a New Zealand migrant ship sailing via the Panama Canal to Wellington. Also briefly covering SS Amarapoora’s sister the SS Pegu.

SS America …                                  This is a brand new feature covering the remarkable S.S America that was designed by William Francis Gibb, and she was the forerunner to the S.S. United States! She was eventually sold to become the Chandris liner SS Australis, which can be found under another link at this time, but this feature will be in due course be updated to be all inclusive!

SS American Star …                         This feature covers this remarkable ship in all her guises, but most notably her days as the SS America and SS Australis.

MS Ancerville …                               This revolutionary designed ship was launched by the French president Mr. Charles de Gaulle, who even used her as his private yacht. She operated between France and West Africa, as well as cruise duties. Later she was sold to become the popular Chinese cruise ship MS Minghua, and she was based in Australia for a number of years, today she is a popular land locked hotel in China.

MS Angelina Lauro …                       MS Oranje was the last Netherland Line liner to be built. She was sold, together with the Willem Ruys, to Achille Lauro Lines. She was rebuilt and renamed Angelina Lauro.

MS Anking …                                   One of two 1950 built China Navigation Company’s 6,000 GRT passenger/cargo liners that had a varied career, be it on the Australian, Asia or pilgrim services. Her sister MS Anshun is listed below.

MS Anna Salen …                            M.S Anna Salen had a very humble start, having been built in the USA as a humble C-3 ship for Moore-McCormack Lines, and she was named the ‘Mormacland’ at her launching on December 14, 1939. Completed in April, 1940 and she briefly operated on the South American service, before being commissioned for the War effort. Like so many ships of her kind she was rebuilt to become an escort aircraft carrier and having been transferred to the Royal Navy who renamed her H.M.S. Archer. She had an eventful career during the war and all this is well described in my 3 page feature. However in 1949 she was sold to Scandinavians and became the migrant ship M.S. Anna Salen operating to North America and Australia, which she is best known for! In 1955 she became the Greek owned M.S. Tasmania operating to Australia as well to some other destinations, etc. I am sure there are many who are looking forward to reading about her, as so many sailed on her!

MV Anselm …                                  Built as the Belgium passenger cargo liner Baudouinville, which was sold to Booth Line to become the Anselm; she was transferred to Blue Star Line to become the Iberia Star. However, within two years she became the popular MV Australasia sailing Down under between Fremantle Western Australia and Singapore between 1965 and 1972.

MS Anshun …                                  One of two 1950 built China Navigation Company’s 6,000 GRT passenger/cargo liners that had a varied career, be it on the Australian, Asia or pilgrim services. Her sister MS Anking is listed above.

RMS Aorangi …                                This is one of the great Union Steam Ship Company liners built in 1925, built especially for the Trans-Pacific service to operate between Sydney, Auckland and Vancouver. She was the first all-quadruple screw motor ship to be built for the Pacific as well being the largest motor ship in the world 1t 17,491 tons. Interior wise she offered some of the most luxurious accommodations in all three classes and the most stunning public venues!

SS Argentina …                               The Moore-McCormack liner and sister to the SS Brasil. She had a varied career, including time as a Holland America cruise ship the Veendam.

SS Argentina Star …                        One of the last four Blue Star Combination-Passenger Liners.

MS Argonaut …                                This is one of the famed Epirotiki Lines luxurious cruise ships. However besides being a popular and a much loved ship with an amazing career, her history is worth looking at! She began life in 1929 as the world’s larges and the most expensive ever a super luxury private yacht the MY Orion, later she became a wartime Gunboat and the Atlantic flagship for four Admirals’. She returned to be a private yacht for a short time, and was sold to operate as a cruise ship in the Caribbean. However in 1964 she was obtained by Epirotiki Lines to be rebuilt into an all First Class luxury cruise ship. Her amazing story continues on the Epirotiki feature, for there is so much more to be told!

SS Ariadne …                                   Built as the delightful 7,700-ton Swedish passenger ship SS Patricia in 1951, which had an amazing and a varied life of 47 years. This feature covers her history with ample photographs and another page containing a Deck Plan and an overview of the ship revealing her layout. When she was sold she became the Eastern Steamship SS Ariadne, then renamed Freeport II (whilst under charter), Chandris’ Bon Vivant, later the Ariane, and the Asian Empress Katerina.

SS Ariane …                                                                ---’’---

SS Artza …                                      Zim Israel Navigation’s fourth liner.

MS Atalante …                                 Built as the French liner Tahitian, she cruised until November 1, 2004 and was laid up and was sold to be broken up.

SS Athenic I …                                One of three fine White Star / Shaw Savill liners built in 1902/03.

SS Athenic …                                   The second of the Shaw Savill & Albion Passengers-Cargo Liners.

SS Atlantic …                                  Built as Matson Lines Malolo, later renamed Matsonia and sold to Home Lines who renamed her Atlantic and later Queen Frederica before being sold to Chandris Lines.

SS Atlantic …                                  Built as the 9,214 GRT C4 type cargo ship SS Badger Mariner to be rebuilt as the Atlantic for American Banner Lines, later operating for American Export Lines. In due course she became the SS Universe Campus then SS Universe. This is her story. This ship is not to be confused with the ship above.

SS Atlantis …                                  Atlantis was built in 1944 as a P2 “General” class transport named, USS General W.P. Richardson. In 1956, the famed American President Lines President Roosevelt after she had a massive US$ 10 million reconstruction in Seattle. Thereafter she had a varied career as a liner and a cruise ship and ended her days as the Ocean Explorer I.

SS Atreus …                                    This 1914 built Danish coastal ship that was originally named SS Aalborghus, after 44 years of faithful service and in perfect condition was sold to the famed Epirotiki Lines who took her to Piraeus where she was converted into a fine and popular cruise ship named the SS Atreus. She continued to cruise until 1968

MS Augustus …                                Launched in November 1950, she was the second of two distinctive liners to be built for Italia Lines who needed to rebuild their fleet after losing a number of ships during WWII. Her sister Giulio Cesare preceded her by six months. This feature has been completely rewritten in October 2011, due to the Augustus having been sold to Indian breakers in September 2011. There are new pages and many new photographs!

MS Aurelia …                                   Built as a passenger freighter, Huascaran, she was rebuilt to became a popular migrant and later a Chandris cruise ship

MV Aureol …                                    This was the final passenger liner ever built for the Elder Dempster Lines of Liverpool operating on the West African Service from 1951 to 1974. This delightful much loved Lady of the Sea, became soon known as the “White Swan.” From 1974 to 2001 she was owned by Mr John Latsis and she operated for 14 years as a prestigious accommodation ship as well as accommodating workers, and also spent 12 years laid up at Eleusis Bay in Greece, until she was sold to Indian ship breakers. She has a fine story to tell and is worth reading!

 SS Ausonia …                                 One of the few ships to have had a number of owners yet having retained her original name until 2005 when it was changed to “Ivory.” Then in 2006 sailing for Golden Sun Cruises out of Piraeus she was renamed “Aegean two” and continues to cruise the Mediterranean/Adriatica as she has done since the day she was been built 50 years ago.

MS Australia …                                The Australia was the first of the three fine Lloyd Triestino Passenger Cargo liners, which were the very first new built for the company after WWII. As History proved, these three ships enjoyed great success for a decade. This feature covers all three ships history, as well as their refit and partial rebuild in 1958. Then came a big change of direction for them in 1963 until the end of their days in 1977. There is a separate page containing an original 1951 cabin plan, as well as sections of plans that are relevant to the 1958 changes.

MV Australasia …                            Built as the Belgium passenger cargo liner Baudouinville, which was sold and transferred with name changes a number of times. She became a popular liner Down under sailing between Fremantle Western Australia and Singapore between 1965 and 1972.

SS Australis …                                 This feature covers this remarkable ship in all her guises, but most notably her days as the SS America and SS Australis

TSS Awatea …                                 This is the story of New Zealand’s, and what would become the greatest and finest ever Trans-Tasman Express Liners ever to be built The Union Steam Ship Company TSS Awatea! She was a super fast ship and a record breaker between the UK and New Zealand and across the Tasman Sea, as well as being a superbly designed ship externally and internally she was befitting more as a luxury Trans Atlantic liner. This was the ultimate ship indeed! However, she would only operate a short few years in commercial service as World War II would bring a tragic end to this supremely beautiful liner, which will never be forgotten by countless Australian’s, New Zealander’s, Canadian’s and soldiers from many parts of the world!

SS Azure Seas …                             Built as the Shaw Savill Liner SS Southern Cross she revolutionised ship design forever! Follow her history, from a Shaw Savill Albion Liner to her three incarnations as a Cruise Ship, SS Calypso, Azure Seas and OceanBreeze. This is a 20-page feature, containing almost one hundred photographs

MV Baltic Star …                              For details see SS Birger Jarl below!

MV Baudouinville …                         Built in Belgium in 1950 as a passenger cargo liner and later became a Booth Line ship, then transferred to Blue Star Line and ended her days as the popular MV Australasia.

S.S. Benrinnes …                             Scottish “Ben Line Steamers” of Leith had built the last of a series of ships, being a twelve passenger-cargo ship which was completed in July 1914. She had a magnificent clipper bow and cruiser stern, with a low partial two deck amidships superstructure, a tall thin vertical yellow funnel and open timber bridge located above, which gave her a stunning classic profile, which is now part of classic maritime history, and something I am delighted to feature as it is from a long bygone era.

SS Big Red Boat II …                       Once one of the great Linea C Italian Liners. She was sold to become SS Big Red Boat II. She was renamed Big Red for her final voyage to Alang

SS Birger Jarl …                               SS Birger Jarl was owned by Rederi-AB-Svea from 1953 to 1973. She was then renamed SS Bore Nord by Jacob Lines 1773 to 1977, and then SS Baltic Star a name she retained through to 2002. Although in 1982 and again in 1989 she was given new B&W MAN diesel engines, thus she was prefixed MV Baltic Star. However in 2002 she returned to her original name MV Birger Jarl and she retains this name until today!

M/S Blenheim (2) …                        The first of an amazing pair of 5.000 ton ships that were revolutionary, considering they were constructed early in the 1950's. The Blenheim was completed in 1951, and her sister the Braemar in 1953. They may not be grand Atlantic Liners, but it was their streamlined beauty, which had me love them all of my life! Therefore they are online!

RMS Bloemfontein Castle …             Built in 1950 for the Union Castle Line; she was the first one class liner for the company. She was sold to become the Chandris Liner RHMS Patris.

MS Boissevain …                              The first of a trio of popular and luxurious 14,150 GRT Cargo-passenger liners built for a well-known Dutch Company, wholly based in Asia. She accommodated just 82 passengers in First Class, and 72 in Second Class, as well as some in Third Class or Steerage, for migrants. These  popular ships operated extended voyages from Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Indian Ocean Island to various ports in Africa as well as South Africa and would return via a range of ports. Passengers were mostly wealthy business people or tourists who would generally take the full round voyage.

SS Bon Vivant …                              Built as the delightful 7,700-ton Swedish passenger ship SS Patricia in 1951, which had an amazing and a varied life of 47 years. This feature covers her history with ample photographs and another page containing a Deck Plan and an overview of the ship revealing her layout. When she was sold she became the Eastern Steamship SS Ariadne, then renamed Freeport II (whilst under charter), Chandris Cruises Bon Vivant, later the Ariane, and the Asian Empress Katerina.

SS Bore/Borea …                             The fine small two funnelled ship, the SS Bore was built in 1960 and became famed for being the very last steam passenger ship to be built in Scandinavia. Today she sails on as the gleaming white cruise ship the MS Kristina Regina.

M/S Braemar-(I) …                          She is the second of an amazing pair of 5.000 ton ships that were revolutionary, considering they were constructed early in the 1950's. The first of the pair was the M/S Blenheim, which was completed in 1951, and the Braemar was completed in 1953. They may not be grand Atlantic Liners, but it was their streamlined beauty, which had me love them all of my life! Therefore they are online!

SS Brasil …                                      The 1958 liner built for the Moore-McCormack SS Brasil, one of the last ever American steamships to be built. She went on to sail under many owners and concluded her days as the much loved Universe Explorer and ended her career in 2004 when she was broken up in India.

SS Brasil Star …                              One of the last four Blue Star Combination-Passenger Liners

RHMS Britanis …                              Built as the Matson Line SS Monterey in 1931, then renamed Matsonia, then Lurline, finally purchased and rebuilt by Chandris for their round the World service to New Zealand and Australia as the RHMS Britanis. She had a long and fruitful life of 69 long years, and she ended her career 50 miles off the coast from Cape Town named Belofin-1 registered in Panama.

RMS Britannic …                              From the three great White Star Line Olympic Class Liners built, it was only the RMS Olympic that ended up to have a long and a successful life, even having serving as a trooper during WWI. Yet, she and the Britannic tend to be the forgotten ships, which is due to the great tragedy that sadly befell the Titanic on April 14, 1912 that overshadowed both these two liners. However, sadly the HMHS Britannic never served as a passenger liner, only as a hospital ship during the war and she sadly became a casualty of war within a year. This feature contains some excellent images that reveals a great deal about the great RMS Olympic, from her conception, the maiden voyage as a hospital ship in 1915, to her final voyage less than a year later. RMS Titanic has just been added!

TSMV Bulolo …                                A fine Burns Philp all first class passenger cargo liner trading between Australia and Papua New Guinea. This ship had a remarkable World War II record and prior to D-Day, HRH King George VI stood on her Bridge and took the salute from the passing invasion ships.

MS Cabo San Roque …                     These are two of the very last Ybarra passengers liners that plied the Atlantic between Europe and South America. These amazing Spanish liners were outstanding when it came to their external design, and their interiors they were far ahead of their time, offering great style, elegance and comfort on both classes! Their “Midnight Sun Cruises” to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands in the 1970s, being close to their final days with Ybarra, were also outstanding! But, soon they were both sold. Head and read the full details and enjoy the many photographs!

MS Cabo San Vicente …                   Dito.

RMS Caledonia …                             The third built of an identical trio of liners, built to operate from Liverpool to India. This ship was built in 1948, being a good 10 years after her first sister, meaning she never had to serve in the war. But she MS Calédonien was the first of the two sisters, she was a fine 12,712 GRT passenger-cargo liner, constructed by at Dunkirk in 1952, whilst her identical sister the MS Tahitien was built at Brest in 1953.

SS California …                                This is a 3 page feature on the Panama Pacific Line “Big 3” Liners, the SS California, Virginia & Pennsylvania saling from New York to Cuba, through the Panama Canal, to San Francisco, from 1928 to 1938. They were sold to enter the “American Republic Line “Good Neighbor” Fleet and were renamed SS Uruguay, Brazil & Argentina in the fleet from 1938 to 1964, including WW2 services! These three ships from 1938 were operated by the famed Moore-McCormack Lines and they were replaced by the modern SS Argentina and Brasil in 1958.

SS Calypso …                                   Built as the Shaw Savill Liner SS Southern Cross she revolutionised ship design forever! Follow her history, from a Shaw Savill Albion Liner to her three incarnations as a Cruise Ship, SS Calypso, Azure Seas and OceanBreeze. This is a 20-page feature, containing almost one hundred photographs.

TSS Camito …                                  One of the two Elder & Fyffes Passenger Banana Ships that plied to the Caribbean and back to the UK with happ passengers and filled with banana on her homeward run. She was completed in 1956, and this is her story. Also see the TSS Golfito.

SS Campana …                                The French passenger liner, SS Campana was constructed by Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK for Société Générale de Transport Maritimes (SGTM) in 1929. This well built liner has a long career with SGTM for a good 25½ years, sailing mostly from Marseille to South America and return. In 1955 she was sold to become the beautiful Italian liner and cruise ship T/v Irpinia and she continued to sail on for a further successful 21 years.

SS Canada Star …                            The ship with many names, such as, SS Universe Explorer, Enchanted Seas, Queen of Bermuda, Island Sun, Liberte, Volendam, Monarch Sun, Volendam, built as the Moore-McCormack liner SS Brasil.

TSS Canberra …                               This is the fine 1913 - 7,710 GRT “Canberra”, built in Scotland for the Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Townsville to Cairns service. She was managed by the much loved Howard Smith Limited, and this ship was greatly loved by the travelling public! She served in two world wars, and finally after WW2 she was sold to the Greek Line to become a migrant ship and she even made a voyage back to Australia in 1949, still named “Canberra”. In 1954 she was sold to a Dominican Republic company who operated her until 1959 when she was sold locally to be scrapped.

SS Canberra …                                 1997 Voyage Report - Looking back at P&O’s one of the author’s favourites, known as the “Great White Whale”

RMS Canton …                                 Follow the story of the three lives of the 1938 RMS Canton, the very last P&O ship to be given a black hull as well as other lasts! She operated before the war to the Far East, then as an Armed Merchant Cruiser and a Troopship during WW2, after the war she was rebuilt and came out all white with the traditional buff funnel and resumed her service. Her days ended in 1962.

MV Cape Don …                               I am well aware that this ship may not fit the criteria as a “classic liner”, however, I believe with all my heart that this superb small ship is a unique all Australian ship that should and must be retained at all costs!

SS Captain Hobson …                      This ship was the ex SS Amarapoora, being one of the P. Henderson & Company cargo-passenger liners from 1920, which operated on the UK to Burma service. But after WW2 serving as a hospital ship, and then as a migrant ship to Australia, in 1951 she became a New Zealand migrant liner sailing via the Panama Canal to Wellington, New Zealand, until she was sold to the breakers in 1958.

MS Cap San Diego …                        This ship was the very last of a series of six super luxury Hamburg Sud passenger cargo ships. She was constructed and completed in 1961 by the Deutsche Werft AG in Hamburg for the German company Hamburg South America Line and operated for just over 20 years on the Germany – South America service. Whilst all her sisters have now long gone, she remains with us to this day; this feature will reveal her amazing story in detail! Also online are the other - Five “Cap San” White Swan Sisters.

RMS Carinthia II …                          The second of three Cunard ships name Carinthia. The first was a freighter from the late 1800’s and the third is listed below this ship. She has a fine record as a trans-Atlantic liner as well as a luxury cruise ship. Sadly she only served in WWII for around a year as she was sunk by a German U-Boat.

RMS Carinthia III …                        The third of Cunard’s “Saxonia Class Liners” – RMS Saxonia, Ivernia, Carinthia and Sylvania

SS Caronia & Olympic …                  These two notable liners are on another site operated by Brian Hawley. It features a fine history of both ships, combined with many excellent images.

SS Caronia Time-Line …                  Charting the Career of Cunard’s “Green Goddess” - RMS Caronia. This item is also located on another site

SS Carvalho Araujo …                      The Portuguese shipping company “Empresa Insulana de Navegacao” ordered a delightful 4,568 GRT (Gross Registered Tons) ship to be constructed in Italy, and this fine liner the S.S. Carvalho Araújo" was completed in 1930. She operated for an amazing 41 long years operating basically on the same service. This greatly loved small liner was one of the ships that served the Madeira and the Islands of the Azores the longest of any ships in history, and she certainly proved to be one of the best and certainly the most reliable ships on this service. Only during WW2 did she miss a voyage, when she boarded 140 Jewish Holocaust survivors who had come south to Portugal in order to escape the horrors in northern Europe. She sailed from Lisbon to Baltimore in the United States, where she remains remembered to this day, in The “United States Holocaust Memorial Museum”. She may have been a small ship, but she had not only a big heart, but also she was a very strong and a well built ship! Sadly many do not realise that Portugal has had an amazing history in the passenger maritime history with some of the finest liners, many of which I have already covered, and links are on this feature!

SS Cathay …                                    Built as the Belgium Congo-Liner SS Baudouinville but sold to P&O in 1960 to operate on the UK to the Far East service with her sister the Chitral, which was the SS Jadotville.

SS Castle Bianco …                          Three of the early Sitmar migrant ships

TV Castle Felice …                           Sitmar Line

SS Castle Verde …                           Sitmar Line

MS Centaur …                                  This fine combination operated the popular Blue Funnel Line Fremantle to Singapore service from 1964 to 1982.

SS Ceramic …                                  The third of the Shaw Savill & Albion Passengers-Cargo Liners

MS Changsha …                               The first of two first class cargo-passenger liners operating between Australia, Hong Kong and Japan from the early 1950’s. Both had an interesting career and were greatly loved ships with a massive following. Their unique and quaint style and exterior traditional design was much loved by ship lovers, and still is to this day!

MS Charlesville …                            The MS Charlesville was the last of five sister ships built, being the “CMB Albertville Class” ships, obviously named after the vey first of five delightful 10,901 GRT delightful Cargo-passenger Liners, the M.S. Albertville built in 1948, with the last of the series, being the Charlesville was completed in 1951. All of these beautifully built Belgium liners were especially built for the Belgium / Congo service. In 1967 she was sold to East Germany to become the MS Georg Büchner

*RMS Cilicia …                                The Cilicia was the second of the identical trio of liners built to operate between Liverpool and Bombay. She was completed in 1938 and did operate some passenger services, but was soon commissioned into the war effort, in which she served well! Thereafter she returned to her regular duties, having had a comprehensive refit!

RMS Circassia …                              This was the first of the identical trio of liners built, which operated between Liverpool and Bombay. She was completed in 1937 and did operate passenger services before WW2, but she was soon commissioned into the war effort, in which she served well! Thereafter she returned to her regular duties, having had a comprehensive refit!

SS Chitral …                                    Built as the Belgium Congo-Liner SS Jadotville but sold to P&O in 1960 to operate on the UK to the Far East service with her sister the Cathay, which was the SS Baudouinville.

MS City of Andros …                        See MS San Giorgio or Royal Star

MS City of Exeter …                         Ellerman Lines Cargo-Passenger Liner

MS City of York …                            Ellerman Lines Cargo-Passenger Liner

SS Conte di Savoia …                      She was built for the well-established Italian line, Lloyd Sabaudo in 1932 and later transferred into the Italian Line fleet. She is often contused as being the sister ship to the SS Rex, but she is a very different ship having a different design and specifications. But like the Rex she did have a short life, for the war ended her superb seven and a half years of service, which she did with honours! She was famous for her grandiose Colonna Hall, that had to be seen to believed, it as a copy of the great hall in the actual palace in Rome!

SS Constitution …                           One of two great liners built for the American Export Lines, sailing from the USA to Italy. Later they became much loved cruise ships, sailing under American Hawaii Cruises.

SS Corinthic I …                              One of three first White Star / Shaw Savill liners built in 1902/03

SS Corinthic …                                 The first of the Corinthic Class series for Shaw Savill & Albion Line

SS Corrientes …                               Compania Argentina De Navegacion Dodero S.A., obtained two World War II US built C-3-A1 Class British escort aircraft carriers and had them rebuilt at Newport News and renamed them SS Corrientes and her sister was the SS Salta. They operated the humble migrant service from Italy to Argentina and their interiors were all third class and their facilities were simple to say the least!

SS Corsair IV …                               This is one of the more unusual ships on ssmaritime.com, a ship that was built as a private super luxury yacht that also served for the US Navy in WW1 and then became the world’s first super luxurious all first class cruise ship. This is not a story of a liner, but a remarkable and a very different ship!

SS Costa Rica Victory …                   This Victory Class Ship later became the Dutch SS Groote Beer, but this feature covers the remarkable story of WW2 soldier Frank Lovell, who finally returned home, having fought many battles during the war throughout Europe, on the SS Costa Rica Victory, (later the Groote Beer) in September 1945.

SS Cottica …                                    The delightful S.S. Cottica of the “Royal Netherlands Steam Ship Company” was completed in 1927 and she has a career for a good 31 years. She also served during WW2, but other wise she was mostly operating on a long round voyage to the Suriname and Curaçao and many other ports as well as New York she First Class was very stylish indeed and many would also take the round voyage making it an amazing cruise! The only time she was sold was in 1958 was to the breakers.

MS Covadonga …                             The second of a pair of the “Spanish Line” Cargo-passenger Liners from 1953. They had an excellent career on the Spain, the United States, Cuba, and Mexico service. These were remarkable ships indeed, with luxurious accommodations.

MS Cunard Adventurer …                 She was the first of two ships that were completed for Cunard in 1971 to be fulltime cruise ships in the America’s, therefore being a first of their kind. They were 14,000 GRT and all One (First) Class, yet they did not prove to be very popular and the adventurer was sold after only a short time in operation to become the NCL Sunward II, then the Epirotiki Lines MTS Triton and finally the Louis Cruises MV Coral. She was sold to be broken up only whilst the author was writing this seven page feature! Page three is very special indeed, with very rare images never seen before!

MS Cunard Ambassador …               The Ambassador was the second of the pair to be built in 1972, but her time with Cunard was even shorter due to her catching fire and being to total loss. A Scandinavian company felt that they could use her and they rebuilt her into a sheep/livestock carrier between the Middle East and Australia, she has several owners in a short space of time, but her life ended with another fire!

TSS Cyrenia …                                 A ship operated by Hellenic Mediterranean Lines and placed on the displaced persons and migrant service between Italy and Australia between 1949 and 1957. She was built for the Union Steamship Co in 1911 as the then glamorous SS Maunganui.

MS Dalmacija …                               Two delightful Yugoslavian ships, the MS Dalmacija and her sister the Istra were built in 1965 for Jadrolinija Cruises. The Dalmacija continued cruising until 1997 for Adriatic Cruises which went broke in 2009, when she was sold to the breakers.

MV Dalerdijk …                                The first of a trio Holland America Line (HAL) First Class Passenger Cargo Liners built in 1929 to 1930 and they were famed HAL excellence in service and their superior cuisine created by the best of chefs!

MV Delftdijk …                                The second of the above HAL trio of Passenger Cargo Liners.

SS Del Mar …                                   Three luxuriously appointed American passenger cargo ships, which introduced a brand new fashion in maritime design. They had tall twin smoke uptakes placed just behind their huge squat style dummy funnel. They operated for twenty five years for Delta Line on the South America service.

SS Del Norte …                                As per SS Del Mar.

SS Del Sud …                                   As per SS Del Mar.

MS Dempo …                                   Rotterdam Lloyd’s M.S. Dempo was completed in 1931 for the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) service. She was an luxurious liner with the finest lounges in her three main classes, in fact her Second Class was by far superior to First Class on most Trans-Atlantic liners in those days! Her older sister is the slightly smaller M.S. Sibajak, the ship I sailed on from Holland to New Zealand on May 17, 1958, and my memories on her are simply sublime! She is listed down the page under “S”.

MS Devonshire …                             She was the last of a quartet of troop and education cruise ships, to be built between 1936 to 1938 and she was operated by the Bibby Line. Later she was sold to British India Line and was renamed Devonia.

SS Diemerdyk …                              The first or two fine Holland America Trans-Atlantic passenger Cargo liners.

MS Dilwara …                                  British India’s MS Dilwara was the first of a quartet of troop, and education cruise ships, to be built between 1936 to 1938. Eventually she was sold to become the popular MS Kuala Lumpur, both a first class cruise ship and a part time Pilgrim liner from Malaysia.

SS Dinteldyk …                                The second of the Holland America Trans-Atlantic passenger Cargo liners.

SS Duivendijk …                              The third of a trio Holland America Line (HAL) First Class Passenger Cargo Liners built in 1929 to 1930 and they were famed HAL excellence in service and their superior cuisine created by the best of chefs! This is the only ship of the trio that was a steam ship!

MS City of Durban …                        The following three ships are part of the famous Ellerman Lines Cargo-Passenger Liners

QSMV Dominion Monarch …             This gracious Shaw Savill Liner that is the largest Liner of its kind ever to be built

SS Doric …                                       The Homes Lines SS Doric was built as Zim Lines largest ever liner SS Shalom and she was sold to the German Atlantic Line late in 1967 to become the SS Hanseatic. In 1973 she was sold again to Home lines to become the much loved SS Doric. However, she was sold in 1981 to become the Royal Odyssey with Royal Cruise Line. Just seven years later she was purchased by Regency Cruises and she was renamed once more to become the Regent Sun.

MV Doulos …                                   MV Doulos the world’s most remarkable passenger ship, which was built in 1914, yet she continued in active duties sailing the world until 2010. Today she has been transformed into a Hotel and a Tourist Centre and is landlocked on Bintan Island Indonesia. Please Note: This feature is located on my other site ssmaritime.net.

TSS Dover …                                    The Dover was the very last British Rail steamship passenger/car ferry to be built and she has had a good and long life and is currently awaiting restoration in the UK, which ssMaritime fully supports!

MS Dunera …                                   She was the second of a quartet of troop and education cruise ships, to be built between 1936 to 1938.

MS Dunnottar Castle …                    Built in 1936 for Union Castle Line’s Dunnottar Castle. This graceful liner has a remarkable history. After her Union Castle days, she was rebuilt to become a magnificent luxury cruise ship MS Victoria for Incres Lines. Later the Chandris The Victoria, and finally Louis Cruises Princesa Victoria. She was broken up as Victoria I, having had 68 successful years of service

MS Eastern Queen …                       The first of two ships ordered by Cie de Nav Fraissinet et Cyprien Fabre, Marseilles, sailing from Marseilles to the Congo, later transferred to Nouvelle Cie de Paquebots and eventually sold to the Philippine President Lines to become the President. Later she was named Eastern Queen serving between Fremantle Australia and Indonesia and Singapore and completed her days in Bangladesh as a passenger ship, troop ship, and finally a stationary military barracks. She was a fine ship with an interesting thirty three year history

SS Ellinis …                                     ex Matson Line Lurline, became a Chandris Lines favourite

SS Emerald …                                  An American built luxury liner for Grace Lines, named SS Santa Rosa in 1958. She offered all first class accommodations for the privileged few and operated between New York and South America as well as the Caribbean. Sold in and rebuilt in 1990/91 she was transformed into a new style of ship that looked nothing like her old self, but a new modern cruise ship, first named the Regent Rainbow then the Emerald until laid up due to SOLAS 2010. This is her and her sisters, Santa Paula’s story and is most interesting reading! There is a special Photo Page also containing a Cabin Plan of the Emerald online.

SS Emerald Seas …                          Emerald Seas was built in 1944 as a P2 “General” class transport named, USS General W.P. Richardson. In 1956, the famed American President Lines President Roosevelt after she had a massive US$ 10 million reconstruction in Seattle. Thereafter she had a varied career as a liner and a cruise ship and ended her days as the Ocean Explorer I.

RMS Empress of Australia …            Built prior WWI as the Admiral von Tirpitz, but was quickly renamed SS Tirpitz, but was and laid up during the war. She was taken as a prize of war by the British and used as a troopship, but soon thereafter, she was obtained by Canadian Pacific and she became an amazing liner and luxury cruise ship the RMS Empress of Australia, and she continued until 1952.

TSMV Empress of Australia …          This revolutionary Australian built ship was at one time she was the largest ship of her kind in the world. Eventually she was rebuilt into a luxury cruise ship but had an unhappy demise.

RMS Empress of Britain …                This fine Canadian Pacific Liner and an elegant Survivor from the Fifties … by Barry Evetts. She sailed on for many years as the Topaz, but was eventually broken up.

RMS Empress of Canada …               The last Canadian Pacific Liner that was sold to become Carnival’s first cruise ship the SS Mardi Gras, later to become the Apollo & Apollon.

RMS Empress of England …              This Canadian Pacific Liner was built between the two ships above she served with the company from 1957 to 1970 and was sold to Shaw Savill who required a cruise ship. See SS Ocean Monarch!

RMS Empress of Ireland …               A tragic story of a fine 1906 Canadian Pacific Liner that had all the features and luxuries in First and Second Class and good comforts in Third Class, but when commencing on her 96th.voyage a coal collier with an ice strengthened hull sliced into her amidships and sank her in 14 minutes! She is the forgotten tragedy, as sadly the Empress lost more passengers than the Titanic did or the Lusitania for that matter, but everyone has forgotten this great and tragic story! Page One contains her history 1906 to 1914, Page Two covers her final hours and those final 14 minutes!

SS Empress Katerina …                   Built as the delightful 7,700-ton Swedish passenger ship SS Patricia in 1951, which had an amazing and a varied life of 47 years. This feature covers her history with ample photographs and another page containing a Deck Plan and an overview of the ship revealing her layout. When she was sold she became the Eastern Steamship SS Ariadne, then renamed Freeport II (whilst under charter), Chandris’ Bon Vivant, later the Ariane, and the Asian barracks and accommodation ship the SS Empress Katerina.

SS Enchanted Seas …                      The ship with many names such as, SS Universe Explorer, Queen of Bermuda, Canada Star, Island Sun, Liberte, Volendam, Monarch Sun, Volendam, built as the Moore-McCormack liner SS Brasil.

MTS Eros …                                      Built as the MTS Eros in 1964 she was the second of the trio of Greek Island cruising car ferries. Later she became the much loved MTS Jason of Epirotiki Lines eventually merged with Sun Lines to become Royal Olympic Cruises. She was sold to become MS Ocean Odyssey and operated for several years in the Indian Ocean, but was finally broken up at Alang India.

MS Ettrick …                                    She was the third of a quartet of troop, education and cruise ships, to be built between 1936 to 1938. She served for P&O Lines, but sadly she did have a tragic end during World War II.

SS Eugenio C …                               She was once one of the great Linea C Italian Liners. She was sold to become SS Big Red Boat II. She was renamed Big Red for her final voyage to Alang

MV Europa …                                   One of a series of Lloyd Triestino yacht like liners. She and her sister Africa operated the Italy / Africa service from 1952 to 1976.

SS Europa …                                    Discover the amazing history of the 1922 P&O Liner RMS Mongolia and her next four incarnations as follows. She was on charted to the New Zealand Shipping Company as a humble migrant liner from the UK to New Zealand, named SS Rimutaka from 1938. Sold to Incres Shipping Company to operate liner duties renamed SS Europa in 1950. She was sold in-house to Incres Line in 1951 renamed SS Nassau and she was completely renovated as well as partially rebuilt into a deluxe all first class cruise ship. She was based in New York full time and operated cruises to the Bahamas and the West Indies, etc. She was the first cruise ship ever to do so from New York. She was sold in 1960 to a Mexican Company and she received a completed rebuilding and renamed SS Acapulco in 1960, but she was a complete failure, had mechanical problems and ended up as a hotel ship in Canada at the World Fair. She was laid up and sold to the breakers in 1964.

SS Excalibur 1 …                             The American Export Lines I the early thirties commenced to build a series of ships that became lovingly known as “The Four Aces.” These ships, although externally they may have looked relatively ordinary, but internally they were the ultimate of First Class luxury with Lounges and a Dining Room that was fit for any grand Trans Atlantic Liner! The first to be completed was the SS Excalibur.

SS Excambion 1 …                           The SS Excambion was the second ship of the “The Four Aces.” fleet.

SS Exeterr1 …                                 The SS Exeter was the forth and last of the “The Four Aces.”

SS Exochorda 1 …                            The SS Exochorda was the third ship of the “The Four Aces.” fleet.

TSS Fair Princess …                         This feature covers all four of the “Saxonia Class Liners.” But highlights the ex Sitmar/Princess Cruises/P&O, Fair Princess. Also see her Photo Album. Fair Princess was sold in 2001 to become

TSS China Sea Discovery …             An Asian casino cruise ship a venture that failed miserably, she was laid-up in Taiwan until 2005 when sold for breaking up.. There is a remarkable story relating to her final days, including a strange incident, as told by the ships captain

TSS Fairstar …                                 The Bibby Line Troopship TSS Oxfordshire, became the popular Sitmar liner TSS Fairstar. Fairstar was to be the last ship to serve as a migrant liner on the Australia New Zealand run, after which she became a popular cruise ship, for Sitmar and later P&O. This features covers both the Oxfordshire and Fairstar

MS Fairsea (I) …                              Another of the early Sitmar ships

TSS Fairsea …                                  One of the ex Cunard Liners rebuilt to become the Fairland, but renamed Fairsea and became a popular cruise ship for Sitmar in 1971. Taken over by P&O in 1988, she became the Fair Princess.

SS Fairsky (2) …                              Fairsky was the second last Sitmar migrant Liner, Fairstar being the last

TSS Fairwind …                               The second of the ex Cunard Liners to be rebuilt to become the Fairwind and also became a popular cruise ship for Sitmar in 1972. Taken over by P&O in 1988, she became the Dawn Princess and later the Albatros.

TSS Fedor Shalyapin …                    One of the four Saxonia Class Liners. She was built as the Ivernia, and was later renamed Franconia. Later she became a popular Russian (FESCO) Cruise Ship.

MS Flaminia …                                 An early Cogedar Lines Migrant ship

SS Flavia …                                     The Cunard Liner that received the most remarkable rebuild in maritime history to become a sleek Cogedar Liner.

MS Franca C ...                                The luxury Italian cruise ship MS Franca C was built in 1914 in the USA as a steam ship and a freighter the SS Medina. Later converted as a basic migrant ship SS Roma, which also made a single voyage to Australia, although be it a disastrous one for her then owners. However, she continues in full time active duties sailing the world as the Christian Bookship MV Doulos. Please Note: This feature is now located on my NEW site ssmaritime.net. A link on the bottom of the page will bring you back to this index.

SS France …                                    The great SS France/Norway, currently named Blue Lady has had a long and good career. Her future has been decided by the Indian courts and she is being broken up.

SS Francis Drake …                         A delightful all first class passenger/cargo liner that operated 63 day voyages between Australia and Japan.

SS Freeport II …                              Built as the delightful 7,700-ton Swedish passenger ship SS Patricia in 1951, which had an amazing and a varied life of 47 years. This feature covers her history with ample photographs and another page containing a Deck Plan and an overview of the ship revealing her layout. When she was sold she became the Eastern Steamship SS Ariadne, then renamed Freeport II (whilst under charter “Bahama Cruise Line”), Chandris’ Bon Vivant, later the Ariane, and the Asian Empress Katerina.

SS/MS Funchal ...                           This fine 1961 built Portuguese passenger liner was rebuilt as a superb cruise ship and she remains in much of her original form and continues to sail the world. On ssMaritime you will find that there are a good number of other excellent Portuguese liners featured such as the sisters ships Santa Maria and Vera Cruz and the largest and most glamorous Portuguese liner ever the TS Infante Dom Henrique and the delightful TS Principe Perfeito, which is also featured on the Infante page. Check the index! Please Note: The Funchal feature was completely updated on May 17, 2011, with additional copy and photographs.

SS Galilah …                                    Zim Israel Navigation’s third liner

SS Galileo …                                    One of the two Lloyd Triestino Passenger Liners, which were the last to be built for the company

MS General Mangin …                      The first of two ships ordered by Cie de Nav Fraissinet et Cyprien Fabre, Marseilles, sailing from Marseilles to the Congo, later transferred to Nouvelle Cie de Paquebots and eventually sold to the Philippine President Lines to become the President. Later she was named Eastern Queen serving between Fremantle Australia and Indonesia and Singapore and completed her days in Bangladesh as a passenger ship, troop ship, and finally a stationary military barracks. She was a fine ship with an interesting thirty three year history!

SS George Anson …                         An all first class passenger/cargo liner that operated 63 day voyages between Australia and Japan.

MS Georg Buchner …                       This is the superb and beautifully built ex Belgium cargo-passenger Liner the MS Charlesville. AS a German ship she became a cargo ship, as well as a mariner’s training school, until later when she became berthed in Rostock Germany and eventually a youth hostel and hotel, etc.

MS Giulio Cesare …                          Launched in May 1950, she was the first of two Italia Lines liners to be built to build after WWII. Her sister Augustus followed six months later. The link shown starts with the MS Augustus, but these pages have been completely rewritten with many new photos. This is a direct link to MS Giulio Cesare.

TSS Golfito …                                  One of the two Elder & Fyffes Passenger Banana Ships that plied to the Caribbean and back to the UK with happy passengers and filled with banana on her homeward run. She was completed in 1949, and this is her story. Also see the TSS Camito.

SS Gothic …                                     The last (forth) of the Shaw Savill & Albion Passengers-Cargo Liners – Royal Yacht in 1952/53

SS Groote Beer …                            One of three US Victory freighters converted by the Dutch Government as troopers then rebuilt them as emigrant ships, operating to North America, Australia and New Zealand

MS Guadalupe …                              The first of a pair of the “Spanish Line” Cargo-passenger Liners from 1953. They had an excellent career on the Spain, the United States, Cuba, and Mexico service. These were remarkable ships indeed, with luxurious accommodations

TN Hamburg …                                TS Hamburg was a ship that had one of the most unusual funnels ever seen on any ship! It sort of looked like if there was a flying saucer hovering just over top of it, and that (as well as her spacious interiors) why she was called “The Space Ship.”

SS Hanseatic …                               The SS Hanseatic was built as Zim Lines largest ever liner SS Shalom. She was sold to the German Atlantic Line late in 1967 to become the SS Hanseatic. In 1973 she became the Home SS Doric but was sold in 1981 to be renamed Royal Odyssey with Royal Cruise Line. Just seven years later she was purchased by Regency Cruises and she was renamed once more to become the Regent Sun.

SS Haven …                                     Originally built as the Burns, Philp passenger-cargo liner S.S. Montoro of 1911, but she was sold to a Singaporean shipping company who renamed her “HAVEN.” As you will discover, she has a heroic story to tell as she rescued White Russians during very dangerous times in Shanghai China in 1956.

SS Hellenic Prince …                       Built as a naval vessel in Sydney Australia, named the HMAS Albatross in 1928 and served with the Royal Navy in WW2 in many campaigns. She was later converted into a humble migrant passenger ship in 1948 and operated to Australia and New Zealand.

SS Hermes …                                   This ship was built at the Lindholmens Shipyard in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1915. She was 2,511 GRT (Gross Registered Tons) and named SS Jupiter (II) and when completed she operated on the Bergen to Newcastle service. 1955 that Epirotiki Lines purchased her and duly renamed her “Hermes and refitted her into a fine cruise ship!”

MV Hikawa Maru …                          Completed in 1930, Hikawa Maru is the last of the Japanese NYK Lines trans-Pacific liners. She is permanently berthed at Yokohama as a tourist attraction. Read her story.

MS Hizbul Bahr …                            The first of two ships ordered by Cie de Nav Fraissinet et Cyprien Fabre, Marseilles, sailing from Marseilles to the Congo, later transferred to Nouvelle Cie de Paquebots and eventually sold to the Philippine President Lines to become the President. Later she was named Eastern Queen serving between Fremantle Australia and Indonesia and Singapore and completed her days in Bangladesh as a passenger ship the Hizbul Bahr, troop ship, and finally a stationary military barracks named the Shaheed Salahuddin. She was a fine ship with an interesting thirty three year history!

SS Homeric (2) …                            She was built as the SS Mariposa, the first of a trio of Matson liners known as the “White Fleet.” She was Launched in 1931, and delivered in 1932. She was a successful ship indeed as well as being the fastest ship on the Pacific! She was sold to become the Home Lines Homeric (2) in 1954 and was completely rebuilt in Trieste Italy into a luxurious liner and cruise ship. Americans adored her and she sailed as the Darling of the United States until 1973!

SS Hubert …                                    Built for Booth Line as the passenger cargo liner Hubert for the Lisbon Amazon service. She was charted to an in-house company and operated by Austasia Line between Australia and Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia named SS Malaysia.

SS Hwa Lien …                                This small passenger ship was built as the excellent Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, Inter-Island ferry SS Maori, operating between Wellington and Lyttelton and was built in 1907. She had an excellent career in New Zealand, and was sold to a Chinese company in 1946, and an amazing story commenced of a refugee voyage.

SS Iberia …                                     The forth new built ship after WWII, first Himalaya, second Chusan, third, Arcadia and fourth the Iberia. She was also known as the much troubled ship having had accidents and engine troubles, but, yet she was greatly loved by her passengers, including the author!

MV Iberia Star …                             Built as the Belgium passenger cargo liner Baudouinville, which was sold to Booth Line and transferred to Blue Star Line to become the Iberia Star. However, within two years she became the popular MV Australasia sailing Downunder between Fremantle Western Australia and Singapore between 1965 and 1972.

SS Independence …                         One of two great liners built for the American Export Lines, sailing from the USA to Italy. Later they became much loved cruise ships, sailing under American Hawaii Cruises. She is now lost.

TS Infante Dom Henrique …            TS Infante Dom Henrique being Portugal’s largest liner and certainly the biggest of her type to be built. She was ordered by Cia Colonial, Lisbon in December 1957 and was built in Belgium. Follow the career of this superb ultra modern liner of her day, for sadly not many remember the great days of the Portuguese passenger fleet and the fine ships they had including the superb 19,393-ton TS Principe Perfeito. On this site there are a good number of other Portuguese liners featured such as the sisters ships Santa Maria and Vera Cruz and the delightful SS, now the MV Funchal that is still sailing in 2014, just to mention a few. Check the index!

SS Ionic II …                                   One of three fine White Star / Shaw Savill liners built in 1902/03.

MS Irish Coast …                             The M.S. Irish Coast was owned by “Coast Lines Ltd” and was chartered “Burns & Laird Lines” to operate on the Belfast – Liverpool service., when their ships were being refitted. She would also sail on the Glasgow to Dublin service, as well as being chartered out operating on a variety of other services. She also-operated the popular daylight Ardrossan to Belfast cruises. In 1968 she 1968 she was sold to the a very old and famous Greek Shipping Company “Epirotiki Steamship Navigation Co”, or “Epirotiki Lines” who rebuilt her into a luxury Cruise Ship, and renamed her “Orpheus”. The she was renamed a number lf times; “Semirais II” “Achilleus” and finally her most popular name, “Apollon II”. In 1968 she was sold and was renamed Regency, and was finally broken up aged 44 years in 1996.

T/v Irpinia …                                   She commenced her days as the French passenger liner SS Campana which was built for Société Générale de Transport Maritimes (SGTM) in 1929. This well built liner has an excellent career with SGTM for 25½ years, sailing mostly from Marseille to South America and return. Then in 1955 she was sold to become Grimaldi-Siosa Line’s, who refitted her to become an elegant liner and cruise ship, renamed the Irpinia, and she continued to sail on until 1962 when she was given a dramatic rebuild and refit, turning her into a modern ship! In all she sailed with Grimaldi-Siosa Line for a total of 26 years.

SS Island Sun …                              The ship with many names, such as, SS Universe Explorer, Enchanted Seas, Queen of Bermuda, Canada Star, Liberte, Volendam, Monarch Sun, Volendam, built as the Moore-McCormack liner SS Brasil.

SS Israel …                                      A Zim Israel Navigation liner.

MS Istra …                                       Two delightful Yugoslavian ships, MS Istra and her sister the Dalmacija were built in 1965 for Jadrolinija Cruises. The Istra continued cruising until 1993, then under other names including her current name since 2000 the MV Arion for Classic International Cruises.

MS Italia …                                      This is the complete story of a delightful ultramodern looking ship completed in August 1967, the 12,219-Ton MS Italia, a ship with a long and a good life. She had a number of names, such as the Ocean Princess, Sea Prince, Princesa Oceanica, Sapphire and finally the Aspire.

SS Italis …                                      This feature covers this remarkable ship in all her guises, but most notably her days as the SS America and SS Australis.

MS Ivan Franco …                            This superb ship was the very first of the five Soviet Ivan Franco or “Poet” Class liners to be built and they were the most remarkable ships indeed. She sailed the Atlantic for a while, but ended cruising for most of their days with CTC Lines.

MS Jadran ...                                   The Jadran is one of the much loved “J” Trio of ships operated by the Jadrolinija Line, being the MS Jugoslavija, MS Jadran and the MS Jedinstvo, all built in Yugoslavia between 1956 and 1958.

MS Jagersfontein …                         One of the VNS - Holland Africa Lines trio of Combination-Passenger Liners.

MTS Jason …                                   Built as the MTS Eros in 1964 she was the second of the trio of Greek Island cruising car ferries. Later she became the much loved MTS Jason of Epirotiki Lines eventually merged with Sun Lines to become Royal Olympic Cruises. She was sold to become MS Ocean Odyssey and operated for several years in the Indian Ocean, but was finally broken up at Alang India.

MS Jedinstvo …                               The Jedinstvo is one of the much loved “J” Trio of ships operated by the Jadrolinija Line, being the MS Jugoslavija, MS Jadran and the MS Jedinstvo, all built in Yugoslavia between 1956 and 1958.

MV Jean Mermoz …                          The 1957 built Jean Mermoz had an interesting career as a liner until she commenced full time cruise duties in 1970 as the Mermoz and later the Louis Cruises MV Serenade

SS Jerusalem 1 …                            Zim Israel Navigation’s first Trans Atlantic liner

SS Jerusalem (2) …                         Zim Israel Navigation’s first passenger liner

MS Johan van Oldenbarnevelt …     A fine Dutch Ship that had what we may call the impossible name. Netherland Lines Johan van Oldenbarnevelt became lovingly known as “JVO.” Sold to become a Greek cruise ship the Lakonia

MS Jugoaslavija …                           The Jugoslavija is one of the much loved “J” Trio of ships operated by the Jadrolinija Line, being the MS Jugoslavija, MS Jadran and the MS Jedinstvo, all built in Yugoslavia between 1956 and 1958.

RMS Kaisar-i-Hind …                       The Kaisar-i-Hind – a P&O liner that was built in 1914 especially for the London to India service.

TSMV Kanimbla …                           Australia’s largest and finest coastal liner and became famed for a notable Naval career between 1939 and 1949 having been in some amazing invasions and situations, but came out unscathed. Returned to coastal duties but was sold to become the cruise ship Oriental Queen in 1961.

SS Keewatin …                                This is a magnificent 1907 built Canadian Pacific Railway Great Lakes Steamer that that sailed through to 1968, yet it remains with us to this day. This mighty centenarian, S.S. Keewatin is berthed at her homeport at Port McNicoll, Canada and she is becoming a great success with TV, Movie and the general Media as she is being featured in all mediums! But she has an interesting history and her interiors are amazing to say the least!

SS Kedma …                                    Zim Israel Navigation’s first passenger liner.

KNSM-Passenger-Freighters …        KNSM, or the “Royal Netherlands Steamship Company” operated 35 Trans-Atlantic freighters built between 1954 and 1963 offered luxurious accommodations for 12 passengers, whilst still providing the finest services and cuisine possible. Their public venues were all designed by some of the finest interior decorators who ensured the finest materials and furnishings were used, and all cabins were spacious as well as having two windows and had private facilities. There was no doubt, but the Dutch were famous for operating the finest passenger-freighters all over the world!

MS Klipfontein …                             One of the VNS - Holland Africa Lines trio of Combination-Passenger Liners, sister of the MS Jagersfontein & Oranjefontein.

MV Kota Singapura & Bali …            The ex Royal Interocean Lines MV Tjiwangi was sold to a Singaporean Company in January 1972. She operated cruises from Fremantle to Asia. Her identical sister MV Tjiluwah joined her later in the year and she was renamed MV Kota Bali.

MS Kristina Regina …                      The fine small two funnelled built as the SS Bore in 1960 became famed for being the very last steamship to be built in Scandinavia. Today she sails on as a fine and gleaming white cruise ship sailing many exotic ports.

MS Kuala Lumpur …                        The China Navigation Co first class cruise ship and Pilgrim ship, the MS Kuala Lumpur, which was built as the British India Lines MS Dilwara. She is a much loved ship and has a long and a respectable history!

MS Kungsholm III …                       The 1952 built Swedish-America liner and much loved cruise ship. Later she became the Norddeutscher/Hapag-Lloyd to become the famed Europa. After 25 successful years she was sold to become Costa’s ill-fated Columbus C.

MS Kungsholm IV …                        The last Swedish-America Line ship built in 1966, sold to become the P&O/Princess Sea Princess, Victoria, later the Mona Lisa, Oceanic II, and 2010 as the Mona Lisa again. She is now in danger of being broken up unless she is saved from doom!

SS La Gaurdia …                              La Gaurdia was built in 1944 as a P2 “General” class transport named, USS General W.P. Richardson. In 1956, the famed American President Lines President Roosevelt after she had a massive US$ 10 million reconstruction in Seattle. Thereafter she had a varied career as a liner and a cruise ship and ended her days as the Ocean Explorer I.

MS Lakonia …                                  Built as the great and popular Dutch liner MS Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was sold to become the infamous Greek cruise ship “Lakonia”, which suffered a tragic end, and was greatly responsible for the very stringent “SOLAS” - “Safety Of Life At Sea” regulations.

SS Leilani …                                    Leilani was built in 1944 as a P2 “General” class transport named, USS General W.P. Richardson. In 1956, the famed American President Lines President Roosevelt after she had a massive US$ 10 million reconstruction in Seattle. Thereafter she had a varied career as a liner and a cruise ship and ended her days as the Ocean Explorer I.

SS Liberte …                                    The ship with many names, such as, SS Universe Explorer, Enchanted Seas, Queen of Bermuda, Canada Star, Island Sun, Volendam, Monarch Sun, Volendam, built as the Moore-McCormack liner SS Brasil.

RMS Llanstephan Castle …              Union Castle Mail Steamship Company built two new liners in 1914. Llanstephan served in both WW1 & WW2, and operated the round Africa route during her commercial service

RMS Llandovery Castle …                Llandovery came to an infamous and tragic end in WW1.     

TS Loongana …                                “The Loongana is not a mere ship. In every essential she is a yacht, in fact while she was being testes the popular remark always was - ‘What a beautiful yacht.’ The beauty of her design and the grace of her every movement produced always the impression that she was the property of a Royal.” Wrote a reported in 1904! Nor read my feature on this remarkable very fast Union Steamship Company turbine steamer!

SS Lurline …                                    This fine Matson Liner that sailed to and from the USA to New Zealand and Australia and later the Hawaii service was eventually sold to become a Chandris Lines favourite - the RHMS Ellinis.

SS Lurline-2 …                                Built as Matson’s SS Monterey in 1931, but she was later renamed Matsonia (not the Malolo), then after the Lurline was sold to become the Greek Ellinis she was renamed Lurline. Finally she was purchased and rebuilt by Chandris for their round the World service to New Zealand and Australia as the RHMS Britanis. She had a long and fruitful life of 69 long years, and she ended her career 50 miles off the coast from Cape Town named Belofin-1 registered in Panama.

TSS Maasdam …                              One of Holland America’s famed “Economy Twins.” Sold in 1968 to become the Polish Liner Stefan Batory.

MV Madagascar …                            Built as a German ferry she was rebuilt in 1966 as Sun Lines small luxury cruise ship Stella Maris. Later she became MV Viking Bordeaux and MV Madagascar. She was broken up in 2008.

SS Maheno …                                  This triple screw Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand liners built in 1905 sailed a total of 35 years and served both the Trans Tasman and Trans Pacific services, but she also played a significant role during WWI as a Hospital ship for 5 years and did an amazing job, especially as she arrived at Gallipoli under heavy fire! Amazingly you can come to Australia and see this ship today! Read this feature and discover how and why?

SS Malaita I …                                 Included on the MS Bulolo page, this is the story of the 1893 steamer that was purchased by Burns Philip in 1905 for service between Papua New Guinea and Australia.

MS Malaita II …                               The second Malaita also saw war service and was torpedoed, but survived and managed to crawl back to Australia. She continued in commercial service with Burns Philp on the Papua New Guinea service until 1965, but thereafter she sailed on for another six years.

SS Malaysia …                                 She was operated by Austasia Line between Australia and Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. But was built for Booth Line as the passenger cargo liner SS Hubert for the Lisbon Amazon service.

SS Malolo …                                    One of Matson Lines luxurious Liners, sailing from San Francisco to Hawaii.

TSMV Manoora …                             The Adelaide Steamship Companies famed coastal liner. She also had a notable Naval career during World War II and thankfully came out unscathed. She returned to coastal duties but was sold to become an Indonesian pilgrim ship in 1961.

SS Manuka …                                  She was the second of a pair of almost identical ships to be built for the Union Steam Steamship Company (USSC0) in the early 1900s. The first to be built was the 4,300 GRT SS Moeraki in 1902 and the 4,500 GRT SS Manuka in 1903. There was no doubt about it, but these were the most innovative ships yet built for the USSCo as they offered a whole new level of comfort in both First and Second class! In addition she had speed and many other comforts that the earlier USSCo ships simply did not have! These two new ships was the beginning of a whole new era for the New Zealand shipping Industry!

TSMV Manunda …                            This is Manoora’s older running mate, and her civil and wartime details have been included on the Manoora feature.

SS Maori II …                                  This is the delightful and beautifully appointed SS Maori, the Union Steamship Company’s reliable and fast Inter-Island overnight ferry between Wellington and Lyttelton (Christchurch). She operated from 1907 until 1944 and was sold to a Chinese company in 1946, and was renamed “Hwa Lien.”

SS Marama …                                  One of the older Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand liners from 1907 that operated both the Trans Tasman and Trans Pacific services, as well as New Zealand coastal and South Pacific Cruises in her later days. She played a significant role during WWI as a Hospital ship for 5 years and did a remarkable job!

SS Marathon …                                The superb Aberdeen Line SS Marathon and her sister the SS Miltiades were the very last kind of ships built of their kind in 1903 & 1904! They were something unique and these are the true classic liners that sailed between England to Australia and back pampering their First Class passengers in sheer luxury, and their Third Class passengers in excellent comforts!

SS Marconi …                                  One of the two Lloyd Triestino Passenger Liners, which were the last to be built for the company.

TSS-Marella ...                                A delightful luxury Burns Philp passenger-Cargo Liner, built in Germany in 1914, but taken over by Britain after the war, was renamed Wahehe under the management of Shaw Savill & Albion, and she was then sold to Burns Philp and renamed Marella. An extreamly popular ship, with some world famous stars travelling on her, such as the grand Ballerina Anna Pavlova. She served during WW2, after which she returned to duties but after several years she was sold for a rather tragic final few years sailing for an Italian Line under three names, the ‘Captain Marcos’, “Liquria and Corsica.

SS Matsonia I …                              This ship was built as the SS Maloli

SS Mariposa (2) …                           She was the first of a trio of Matson liners to be known as the “White Fleet.” She was Launched in 1931, and delivered in 1932. She was a successful ship indeed as well as being the fastest ship on the Pacific! She was sold to become the Home Lines Homeric (2) in 1954.

SS Mariposa (3) …                           One of two fine 1956 Matson Lines ships that plied the South Pacific from 1957 to 1978. Mariposa was sold to China after a long lay up to become the Jin Jiung.

GMV Maui Pomare …                        This little 1,211 GRT Pacific Island passenger-freighter built in Ireland in 1927. This 30 passenger vessel operated out of Auckland sailing between Norfolk Island, Niue, the Cook Islands and Samoa for a good 33 years, after which she operated for a Western Australian company for another 7 years.

SS Matsonia …                                 SS Malolo was renamed Matsonia in 1937.

SS Matsonia …                                 Built as Matson’s SS Monterey in 1932, but she was later renamed Matsonia (not the Malolo), then Lurline, finally purchased and rebuilt by Chandris for their round the World service to New Zealand and Australia as the RHMS Britanis. She had a long and fruitful life of 69 long years, and she ended her career 50 miles off the coast from Cape Town named Belofin-1 registered in Panama.

MV Matua …                                    I worked for the Union Steamship Company in the early sixties and obviously spent a great deal of time on both the MV Matua and the newer MV Tofua. However, there was something about this little “homely” ship that attracted so many annual passengers for a round voyage to the Pacific Islands on the famed “Banana Boat.” Many New Zealander’s and Australian’s will fondly remember this little gem of a ship!

SS Maunganui …                             When built in 1911, this then glamorous liner the Union Line of New Zealand, SS Maunganui was placed on the Trans-Tasman service, and she also operated on the Trans-Pacific service the USA and Canada. She served in two World Wars and was a profitable and a successful ship. She was sold to a Greek company in 1947 to become a Migrant ship operated by Hellenic Mediterranean Lines operating between Italy and Australia until 1957.

RMS Mauretania …                          The Mauretania was first and the largest ever Cunard White Star Line Trans-Atlantic Liner to be built in England. She was launched in 1938 and made her maiden voyage on June 17, 1939. In 1950 she returned to be operated by Cunard Line and in 1962 she was given her second refit during her career. However, during this refit, she was painted cruising green and accommodated slightly less passengers. She operated popular winter Caribbean cruises, as well as her regular Trans-Atlantic voyages during the summer months. This fine ship had a fine WW2 record and she has a great story to tell!

TN Maxim Gorkiy …                         Built as the TN Hamburg, she was a ship that had one of the most unusual funnels ever seen on any ship! It sort of looked like if there was a flying saucer hovering just over top of it, and that (as well as her spacious interiors) why she was called “The Space Ship.” Sold to the Soviets she became a popular cruise ship and sailed on countless world voyages.

RMS Media …                                   RMS Media was delivered to Cunard in August 1947 and being the very first new Trans Atlantic liner to be built after the World War II to operate on the Liverpool to New York service. In 1961 she was sold and received the most comprehensive rebuilding of any ship ever to become the TS Flavia for the Italian Cogedar Line.

SS Medina …                                   Built in 1914 in the USA as a freighter then sold to be converted as a basic migrant/passenger ship the SS Roma, and was used for the Roman Catholic Holy Year to ferry Pilgrims to Rome. In 1950 she also made a single voyage to Australia, although it was a disastrous one for her then owners. She then became the famed luxury Italian cruise ship MS Franca C and continues to this day in active duties sailing the world as the Christian Book ship, the MV Doulos. Please Note: This feature is located on my NEW site ssmaritime.net. A link on the bottom of each page can bring you back to this index.

Mercy Ships …                                 Mercy Ships an amazing 100% volunteer medical organisation that sails the world and provides free medicine and surgeries wherever it is needed. Their very first and best known ship was the ex Lloyd Triestino Liner, the MV Victoria that was renamed the MV Anastasis, however their current ship in operation is the 16,5672-ton MV Africa Mercy and the ship currently in construction is the 37,000-ton MV Atlantic Mercy. In addition there are other smaller ships which will prove interesting reading.

T/n Michelangelo …                        With her sister Raffaello, these twins were the ultimate of Italian shipbuilding. Yet, although much loved by passengers, movie star and Royalty, they only served for 10 years and ended up as sad military barracks in Persia/Iran.

MS Mikhail Lermontov …                 This was the very fifth and last of the five Soviet Ivan Franco or “Poet” Class liners to be built and although she operated on cruises for most of her days. Later CTC Lines had her under charter a great deal. However, this magnificent ship ended her days with a tragedy in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand during a cruise in 1986 and she sank after hitting a rock. All passengers and all but one crew members were saved.

SS Miltiades …                                 The superb Aberdeen Line SS Miltiades and her sister the SS Marathon were the very last kind of ships built of their kind in 1903 & 1904! They were something unique and these are the true classic liners that sailed between England to Australia and back pampering their First Class passengers in sheer luxury, and their Third Class passengers in excellent comforts!

MS Minghua ...                                The revolutionary designed MS Minghua was originally built as the French liner and cruise ship MS Ancerville, which was launched by the French president Charles de Gaulle, who even used her as his private yacht. She operated between France and West Africa, as well as a cruising. But she was sold to become the popular Chinese cruise ship MS Minghua, and she spent a number of years cruising out of Australia. Today she is a popular land locked hotel in China.

GMV Moana Roa …                           This is a little known, yet a delightful green-hulled Pacific Island passenger-freighter built in Scotland for the “New Zealand Department of Island Territories,” but this 40 passenger ship was managed by the famed “Union Steam Ship Company.” Later in her career she was converted to be come a New Zealand Naval ship, the HMNZS Monowai A06, operating as a survey vessel.

SS Moeraki …                                  She was the first of a pair two sister ships to be built for the Union Steam Steamship Company (USSCo) in the early 1900s. She was the largest for the company to date at 4,392 GRT in 1902, but she was soon followed by the lightly larger 4,505 GRT SS Manuka in 1903. There was no doubt about it, but these were the most innovative ships yet built for the USSCo as they offered a whole new level of comfort in both First and Second class! In addition she had speed and many other comforts that the earlier USSCo ships simply did not have! These two new ships was the beginning of a whole new era for the New Zealand shipping Industry!

MS Moledet …                                  Zim Israel Navigation’s last liner.

MV Mona Lisa …                              The last Swedish-America Line ship built in 1966, sold to become the P&O/Princess Sea Princess, Victoria, later the Mona Lisa, Oceanic II, and 2010 as the Mona Lisa again. She is now in danger of being broken up unless she is saved from doom!

SS Monarch Sun …                          The ship with many names, such as, SS Universe Explorer, Enchanted Seas, Queen of Bermuda, Canada Star, Island Sun, Liberte, Volendam, built as the Moore-McCormack liner SS Brasil.

MS Mongabarra …                            This is a delightful, but little known 12 Cargo-passenger freighter owned by the Swedish Company “Rederi AB Transatlantic” used mostly on the Trans-Atlantic service, however she also visited Australia and New Zealand in the early 1950s.

RMS Mongolia …                              Discover the amazing history of the 1922 P&O Liner RMS Mongolia and her next four incarnations as follows. She was on charted to the New Zealand Shipping Company as a humble migrant liner from the UK to New Zealand, named SS Rimutaka from 1938. Sold to Incres Shipping Company to operate liner duties renamed SS Europa in 1950. She was sold in-house to Incres Line in 1951 renamed SS Nassau and she was completely renovated as well as partially rebuilt into a deluxe all first class cruise ship. She was based in New York full time and operated cruises to the Bahamas and the West Indies, etc. She was the first cruise ship ever to do so from New York. She was sold in 1960 to a Mexican Company and she received a completed rebuilding and renamed SS Acapulco in 1960, but she was a complete failure, had mechanical problems and ended up as a hotel ship in Canada at the World Fair. She was laid up and sold to the breakers in 1964.

TSS Monowai …                               Union Steam Ship Co’s was built as the P&O liner SS Razmak and in due course became the long serving New Zealand Trans Tasman liner.

HMNZS Monowai …                          ex GMV Moana Roa above.

MV Moonta …                                  The popular Adelaide Steamship Company passenger and cargo ship, that sailed along the coast of South Australia. Later she became a Greek cruise ship, however she is the only Australia passenger ship that remains to this day in France as a land locked tourist attraction and casino!

SS Monterey …                                Built as Matson’s SS Monterey in 1931, but she was later renamed Matsonia, then Lurline, finally purchased and rebuilt by Chandris for their round the World service to New Zealand and Australia as the RHMS Britanis. She had a long and fruitful life of 69 long years, and she ended her career 50 miles off the coast from Cape Town named Belofin-1 registered in Panama.

SS Monterey …                                Sister to the Mariposa (3). She plied the South Pacific from 1957 to 1978. After a long lay up she was purchased by Starlauro which eventually became the popular MSC Cruises. Monterey, the last Matson Liner, had a good long life. She was beached at Alang India in November 2006 to be broken up.

MS Monte Ulia …                             A delightfully sleek Spanish cargo-passenger (Combination) liner from 1952 owned and operated by Aznar Line. It is just one of a series of Monte Class ships, but she was the ultimate of the “Monte” series. Sadly Spanish ships are very much neglected by so many maritime historians written, I am delighted to have covered a good number of Spanish liners to date, just check the ssMaritime INDEX.

SS Montoro …                                  The 1911 built Burns, Philp passenger-cargo liner, constructed especially for the Australia to Singapore service, and later the Papua New Guinea service. But in 1948 she was sold to an Asian Shipping Company and she was renamed “Haven,” and she has a remarkable career, with a heroic tale to tell!

SS Nassau …                                   Discover the amazing history of the 1922 P&O Liner RMS Mongolia and her next four incarnations as follows. She was on charted to the New Zealand Shipping Company as a humble migrant liner from the UK to New Zealand, named SS Rimutaka from 1938. Sold to Incres Shipping Company to operate liner duties renamed SS Europa in 1950. She was sold in-house to Incres Line in 1951 renamed SS Nassau and she was completely renovated as well as partially rebuilt into a deluxe all first class cruise ship. She was based in New York full time and operated cruises to the Bahamas and the West Indies, etc. She was the first cruise ship ever to do so from New York. She was sold in 1960 to a Mexican Company and she received a completed rebuilding and renamed SS Acapulco in 1960, but she was a complete failure, had mechanical problems and ended up as a hotel ship in Canada at the World Fair. She was laid up and sold to the breakers in 1964.

SS Negbah …                                   Zim Israel Navigation’s second liner.

MS Nelly …                                      A migrant ship to Canada, Australia & New Zealand was built as a C3 class freighter - includes a photo album.

MS Neptunia …                                The Neptunia was the last of the three fine Lloyd Triestino Passenger Cargo liners being first new built after WWII. As History proved, she enjoyed great success for many years. This feature covers all the three ships history, as well as their rebuild in 1958, and a change of direction in 1963 until the end of their days in 1977. An original 1951 cabin plan is included, as well as sections of plans that are relevant to the 1958 changes. The cabin plan is on a separate page.

SS Nieuw Amsterdam …                  SS Nieuw Amsterdam, with her long sleek lines, is regarded to this day as one of the most beautiful liners ever built. Her stunning silhouette attests she was a perfectly balanced passenger liner. Her elegant lines were highlighted by her black hull (later painted grey), as well as her two perfectly proportioned funnels and two tall masts.

SS Nieuw Holland …                        One of the two 1928 KPM sisters sailing between Malaya and Australia.

MS Nieuw Holland …                       As the Randfontein, she was the last of the Holland Africa Line Passenger Cargo Liners. She was later sold to Royal Interocean Lines and renamed Nieuw Holland.

SS Nieuw Zeeland …                       One of the two 1928 KPM sisters, sunk during the war by a submarine.

SS Noga …                                       This feature covers this remarkable ship in all her guises, but most notably her days as the SS America and SS Australis.

MS Noordam …                                Another all First Class Holland America Passenger Cargo Liner with 125 privileged passengers who sailed the Atlantic in sublime luxury! She was completed in 1938 and she had a sister the MS Westerdam.

SS Norway …                                   The great SS France/Norway, at the end she was named Blue Lady, but she had had a long and good career. Although we tried to save her, had a buyer, but due to the intervention of Star Cruises & NCL she was sold to the breakers, but a halt was placed on her being broken up, by an Indian organisation and took the ship and the breakers to court. Her future was eventually decided by the Indian courts and she was eventually broken up.

SS Ocean Breeze …                          Built as the Shaw Savill Liner SS Southern Cross she revolutionised ship design forever! Follow her history, from a Shaw Savill Albion Liner to her three incarnations as a Cruise Ship, SS Calypso, Azure Seas and OceanBreeze. This is a 20-page feature, containing almost one hundred photographs. OceanBreeze Cabin Plan and Deck by deck description.

SS Ocean Explorer I …                     Ocean Explorer I was built in 1944 as a P2 “General” class transport named, USS General W.P. Richardson. In 1956, the famed American President Lines President Roosevelt after she had a massive US$ 10 million reconstruction in Seattle. Thereafter she had a varied career as a liner and a cruise ship.

MS Ocean Islander ...                      Built in 1956 as the Adriatica Line’s San Giorgio, she later became the City of Andros, Ocean Islander, and became the delightful MS Royal Star operated by the Swiss-owned “African Safari Club,” cruising the Indian Ocean to the “Paradise Islands” of the Indian Ocean. She was sold to become the PV Ocean Mist.

PV Ocean Mist …                             In 1956 as the Adriatica Line’s San Giorgio, she later became the City of Andros, Ocean Islander, and is currently the delightful MS Royal Star operated by the Swiss-owned “African Safari Club,” cruising the Indian Ocean to the “Paradise Islands” of the Indian Ocean. She was sold to become the PV Ocean Mist, but sadly she did not last with them and she was sold for scrap.

SS Ocean Monarch …                       Shaw Savill Line obtained the Empress of England in 1970 for the use as a cruise ship and occasional line voyager. She served with them for just five years, but she made a massive imprint Down Under as she was much loved by both the Australian and New Zealand passengers, but the British had little to no time for her. She was a greatly troubled and a very costly ship for the company, so much so that she brought down Shaw Savill’s Passenger shipping division!

MS Ocean Odyssey …                       Built as the MTS Eros in 1964 she was the second of the trio of Greek Island cruising car ferries. Later she became the much loved MTS Jason of Epirotiki Lines eventually merged with Sun Lines to become Royal Olympic Cruises. She was sold to become MS Ocean Odyssey and operated for several years in the Indian Ocean, but was finally broken up at Alang India.

MV Ocean Princess …                      This is the complete story of a delightful ultramodern looking ship completed in August 1967, the 12,219-Ton MS Italia, a ship with a long and a good life. She had a number of names, such as the Ocean Princess, Sea Prince, Princesa Oceanica, Sapphire and finally the Aspire.

MS Oceania …                                  The Oceania was the second of the three fine Lloyd Triestino Passenger Cargo liners being first new built after WWII. As History proved, all three ships enjoyed great success for many years. This feature covers these ships history, as well as their rebuild in 1958, and a change of direction in 1963 until the end of their days in 1977. An original 1951 cabin plan is included, as well as sections of plans that are relevant to the 1958 changes. The cabin plan is on a separate page.

SS Oceanic …                                  Cruising: The Grand Home Lines SS Oceanic continues cruising to this day. Enjoy her story, from a liner to a Star Ship and a Big Red Boat. Today she is operated by the Spanish Cruise Line, Pullmantur Cruises. She will be placed on the market until 2005.

MV Oceanic II …                              The last Swedish-America Line ship built in 1966, sold to become the P&O/Princess Sea Princess, Victoria, later the Mona Lisa, Oceanic II, and 2010 as the Mona Lisa again. She is now in danger of being broken up unless she is saved from doom!

MTS Odysseus …                              Built as a superb Brazilian liner completed in 1962, but later sold to become a famed cruise ship based in Australia the Marco Polo and cruised the South Pacific and to Asian ports. Later she had a memorable career as the Epirotiki Lines MTS Odysseus, but due to the merging of Epirotiki, and Sun Line, forming a new company, Royal Olympic Cruises, in due course it folded due to bad management and she was sold and broken up!

TSS Olympia …                                As the Olympia, she was the first new build for the Greek Line. This magnificent ship is still in active service as the Imperial Majesty Cruise Line MS Regal Empress.

RMS Olympic …                                From the three great White Star Line Olympic Class Liners built, it was only the RMS Olympic that ended up to have a long and a successful life, even having serving  as a trooper during WWI. Yet, she tends to be the forgotten ship, which is due to the great tragedy that sadly befell the Titanic on April 14, 1912 that overshadowed both the Olympic and even her younger sister the HMHS Britannic, which never served as a passenger liner, only as a hospital ship during the war and she sadly became a casualty of war within a year. This two page feature contains countless images that reveals a great deal about the great RMS Olympic, from her conception, the maiden voyage in 1911, to her final breaking up in 1937. There is also a feature on the HMHS Britannic and now the RMS Titanic online!

MS Ondina …                                   Here is an amazing story, but amazingly not about a passenger ship, which is most unusual for this site, but a Dutch tanker owned by Royal Dutch Shell. This ship became famous during WWII when it had to battle two Japanese Armed Merchant Cruisers off the Western Australian Coast. These ships were the Aikoku Maru and Hokoku Maru and what happened is amazing reading! The author now own one of the Ondina’s ships bells, and it is shown on the page, together with some interesting photographs!

RMS Ophir …                                   This is the remarkable 1891 completed Orient Line R.M.S. Ophir, the ship so lovingly known as “The Opulent Ophir” as she was one of the most luxurious liners of her day. She was a remarkable ship in so many ways, for she was a fast ship capable of 18.8 knots, and also was the very first ship to operate as a twin screw Royal Mail Ship on the Britain to Australia service. In 1901 she was chosen due to her opulence as to operate as the Royal Yacht on an eight month world tour. Later she served well as an Armed Merchant Cruiser during WWI.

SS Op Ten Noort …                          This remarkable Dutch ship was built in Holland and based in the East Indies (Indonesia). It certainly was a popular and a most successful passenger Cargo Liner, well that was until WW2 broke out. She was commissioned by the Dutch Navy to be transformed In Surabaya into a Hospital Ship. However her story is astonishing if not outrageous. You will be surprised what happened to her the moment she departed Surabaya for the very first time for obviously the Japanese must have been blind for this bright white ship, with thick red bands, big red crosses on her hull and funnel could never have looked like a ship of war, yet they bombed her killing innocents and injuring many, which was against “the Hague Convention”, which the Japanese had signed! But it was going to get much worse after she had been repaired, for you will read a story of great wickedness and even the murder of their own Japanese crew on board this then captured ship on the very last day!

MS Oranje …                                    MS Oranje was the last Netherland Line liner to be built. She was sold, together with the Willem Ruys, to Achille Lauro Lines. She was rebuilt and renamed, Angelina Lauro.

MS Oranjefontein …                        One of the VNS - Holland Africa Lines trio of Combination-Passenger Liners.

MS Oranje Nassau …                       The 7.214 GRT MS Oranje Nassau was one of two KNSM’s very last Cargo-passenger liners ever to be built and were completed in 1957. They were a One Class luxury style of ship and operated between Amsterdam, Southampton to the Caribbean and return.

RMS Orcades …                                Orient Lines first new liner built after World War Two. This feature also has a separate photo page.

RMS Orion …                                   One of Australia’s most loved Orient Line ships.

SS Oriana Part One …                      “The Birth of a Liner.” (Five WebPages) Part One - Join me on a never seen before photographic journey of the Oriana’s designers at work creating this great new liner in the early to mid 1960’s, then see the laying of her keel, her construction, launching by Princess Alexandra, her fitting out, then her sea trials, as well as her maiden voyage to Australia and New Zealand. This is a very rare and an exclusive feature, with plans, illustrations and photographs never seen before. Much of this feature was provided to e by one of the Orient Line’s Naval Architect’s who designed much of the Oriana!

SS Oriana Part Two …                     “Oriana’s Historical pages.” (Nine WebPages) - Part Two covers the ship for her inception to, her maiden voyage the when she was sold to Japan in 1986, she was later located in the resort city of Dalian China. These pages also include details and photographs the damage caused to the Oriana during a massive typhoon on July, 17, 2004, as well as photographs taken during her demolition later in China.

MS Oriental Queen …                      She was built as Australia’s largest and finest coastal liner and became famed for a notable Naval career between 1939 and 1949 having been in some amazing invasions and situations, but came out unscathed. Returned to coastal duties but was sold to become the Japanese cruise ship Oriental Queen in 1961.

RMS Ormonde …                              Orient Line decided to build a larger ship to join their current fleet and placed an order for an un-named liner to be built by the John Brown & Co Ltd, shipyards at Clydebank. However, with her keel laid in 1913, during construction work was halted in 1914, and only restarted when it was decided that she would be completed as a troopship for the war effort. This fine ship operated as a troopship in 2 world wars and she was a fine passenger liner on the Australian service until late 1952!

RMS Ormuz (I) …                             Built in 1886 by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. Ltd., Glasgow for the Orient Steam Navigation Company, London, this ship was considered innovative and one of the first official ships to transport emigrant to Australia, under a signed agreement between the Government of New South Wales and the Orient Line! But she was more than this, for she was reported to be “The Fastest Ship in the World”! And there is so much more to this fine ship, which no Australia maritime historian has ever bothered to make mention of?

RMS Ormuz (2) …                            This passenger liner was originally built for the Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL) named the Zeppelin and upon completion she was handed to her owners on January 21, 1915 but due to due to the war having commenced, NDL decided to keep the ship laid up throughout the war and NDL was going to bring her out of retirement after the war. But she was surrendered as part of the war reparations to the British Government on March 28, 1919 and was handed to the Americans to be used for a number of voyages as a troop ship. In 1920 she was sold to the Orient Line who used her for their Australian service, renamed RMS Ormuz (2) and she sailed until 1927. There is an interesting & powerful story to the end of her days!

SS Oronsay …                                  Oronsay completed in 1951 was the second Orient Line ship built after World War II, her earlier sister Orcades was built in 1948.

TSS Oxfordshire …                           The fine 1957 completed Bibby Line Troopship and passenger ship the TSS Oxfordshire, however due to changes in trooping operations, her career was relatively short and she was sold to the Vlasov or the Sitmar Line in 1963 and she was rebuilt to become the very popular Sitmar liner, the TSS Fairstar, and later in hr career an Australian based cruise ship until 1997 as she headed to Alang, India to be broken up. However this fine ship gave an amazing 40 years of faithful service!

MS Pacific …                                    Enjoy Eckhard Herrnsdorf’s MS Pacific cruise in June 2008 complete with a short cruise review and many excellent photographs of this wonderful ship not long before she was arrested. Thus Eckhard was very close to being one of her last cruises and she was a sag loss indeed!

MV Pacific Princess …                      This fine ship was built in 1971 as the Norwegian cruise ship, MV Sea Venture then she became the P&O, Princess Cruises Pacific Princess and became the famed due to the TV series “The Love Boat.” Eventually, having been a great success, she was sold to the Spanish Pullmantur Cruises and operated her as the MV Pacific for themselves as well as a Brazilian and another Spanish company under charter. But when sold to her last owner, but sadly all went wrong and this company went broke and she was sold and taken to the breakers late in 2013.

SS Paraguay Star …                         One of four Ellerman Lines fine Cargo-Passenger Liners

RMS Parthia …                                 Parthia was completed and delivered in April 1948 and departed on her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York on April 10. She and her sister RMS Media were built to operate on the Liverpool to New York service. In 1962 she was obtained by the New Zealand Shipping Company and renamed SS Remuera, and later she became the SS  Aramac.

SS Paris …                                       After a long delay in completing the ‘Paris” due to WW1, the largest ever luxury liner to be built in France for the French Line was finally completed in 1921. She was the ultimate of luxury at sea and she was designed mostly for the wealthy tourist market, and not the migrant trade, as that had greatly diminished as the US has put a halt to much of it. Business people, Movie stars and other famous people sailed on her in her sublime Palatial First Class, however her other two classes were also superbly furnished, in fact Second Class would be equal to first class on any other liner, and Third Class was also of an excellent standard!

MS Pasabahce …                              This is a remarkable 1955 Italian built Turkish all steel ferry and it is now in need of saving! She is the oldest, largest and fastest Turkish ferry still sailing and is in need of an assured future! Read her story here. This is the second Turkish ship on ssmaritime as the other is the last passenger liner still afloat the 1955 built classic MV Akdeniz.

SS Patricia …                                   A delightful 7,700-ton Swedish passenger ship built in 1951, which has an amazing and a varied life of 47 years. This feature covers her history with ample photographs and another page containing a Deck Plan and an overview of the ship revealing her layout. Her other names were SS Ariadne, Freeport II (whilst under charter), Bon Vivant, Ariane, Empress Katerina & Empress 65.

RHMS Patris …                                 Built as Union Castles RMS Bloemfontein Castle, she became the first Chandris liner to operate the migrant service between Greece and Australia, under the banner of the Greek Australia Line.

SS Pegasus & Hermes II …              These two sister ships were built as two fine “Canadian Pacific Railway Company” passenger-car ferries, named the SS Princess Elizabeth and SS Princess Joan being passenger car ferries, which were completed in 1930. Both ships looked majestic with their three funnels. However, both ships were sold in 1960 to Epirotiki Lines and they were given an extensive refit and partial rebuild to become passenger more luxurious car-ferries, come cruise ships. SS Princess Elizabeth was renamed the “Pegasus” and SS Princess Joan became the “Hermes II.”

SS Pegu …                                       Another P. Henderson & Company cargo-passenger liner from 1921, a sister of the Amarapoora, both operating on the UK to Burma service. Sadly this ship came to a tragic end in 1939.

RMS Pendennis Castle …                 Remembering another fine Union-Castle liner.

SS Penguin …                                  This small Passenger ship was built for a Scottish Company in 1964, but sold in 1978 to the Union Steamship Company, Napier, New Zealand. She was given a complete refit and rebuilding in 1882 as well as a new engine and was placed on the Inter island service, from Nelson, Picton to Wellington and return. But she made the headlines worldwide in February 1909 when tragedy struck this fine small ship. The full story and more can be found on this feature!

MS Polynesie …                               This little ship was much loved by Australians. Messageries Maritimes operated the 36 passenger Polynesie between Sydney and Noumea, with calls at Port Vila and Espiritu Santo.

MS Port Elizabeth …                        One of four Ellerman Lines fine Cargo-Passenger Liners.

MS Port Melbourne …                      See MS Port Sydney below …

MS Port Sydney …                           Port Lines Port Sydney and her sister Port Melbourne were 10,000 GRT refrigerated freighters built in 1955 for the UK, New Zealand Australia mainly to transport meat. They also accommodated 12 passengers in relative style. 15 years later they were rebuilt into major cruise ships and both operate to this day. This is the story of just one of these remarkable ships!

MS President …                               The first of two ships ordered by Cie de Nav Fraissinet et Cyprien Fabre, Marseilles, sailing from Marseilles to the Congo, later transferred to Nouvelle Cie de Paquebots and eventually sold to the Philippine President Lines to become the President. Later she was named Eastern Queen serving between Fremantle Australia and Indonesia and Singapore and completed her days in Bangladesh as a passenger ship, troop ship, and finally a stationary military barracks. She was a fine ship with an interesting thirty three year history.

President Adams …                          Here are the famous Four American President Lines Luxury Passenger Cargo Liners that were able to take just 12 pampered passengers, not just in some of the finest Suites and Staterooms that would put many modern 21st.century cruise ships to shame, but these ships had innovations in their Lounges and Dining Rooms that were simply beyond any passenger cargo liner in history!

President Coolidge …                       See above.

President Hayes …                           See above.

President Jackson …                        See above.

MTS Princesa Isabel …                    A superb Brazilian liner completed in 1962. Later she was sold to become the famed cruise ship the Marco Polo based in Australia cruising the South Pacific and to Asian ports. Later she had her memorable days as the Epirotiki Lines MTS Odysseus.

Princesa Leopoldina …                     This is the identical sister ship to the Princesa Isabel just above, a liner that later became the popular Asian cruise ship the Coral Princess that sailed for twenty years. Then until 2000 she was a gambling ship until she was broken up. A superb story and history of fine two sister ships!!

MV Princesa Oceanica …                  This is the complete story of a delightful ultramodern looking ship completed in August 1967, the 12,219-Ton MS Italia, a ship with a long and a good life. She had a number of names, such as the Ocean Princess, Sea Prince, Princesa Oceanica, Sapphire and finally the Aspire.

MS Princesa Victoria …                    Built in 1936 for Union Castle Line’s Dunnottar castle. This graceful liner has a remarkable history.

MS Prins Der Nederlanden …           The 7.220 GRT M.S. Prins Der Nederlanden was one of two KNSM’s very last Cargo-passenger liners ever to be built and were completed in 1957. They were a One Class luxury style of ship and operated between Amsterdam, Southampton to the Caribbean and return.

SS Prinses Juliana …                       “Stoomvaart Maatschappij Nederland,” or the “Netherlands Steamship Company” commissioned to build a new more modern 8,000 GRT steamship for their regular East Indies service in 1908, she was laid down on July 7, 1909. This attractive ship with clean lines would offer superior accommodations and facilities for 349 passengers. She was completed on October 1, 1910 and she sailed successfully for the next twenty years. In 1930 she was transferred to the “Koninklijke Nederlandsche Stoomboot-Maatschappij N.V.,” (KNSM) and she was refurbished and partially rebuilt, with a new dummy aft funnel fitted, in addition she was renamed Costa Rica. She operated in two World Wars. But sadly the Second World War took her toll as she was bombed by German aircraft, which destroyed this fine ship, whilst she was serving as a troopship in 1941.

MV Prinses Margriet …                     This is a luxurious all First Class cargo-passenger liner built for the Dutch, Oranje Line in 1961 for the Northern Europe to Canada and the St Lawrence River service. In 1964 she was chartered by Holland America Line for their secondary service from Rotterdam to New York, but they soon purchased her outright. This ship was acclaimed by the most famous maritime experts around the world for her superb lounges and overall facilities, but she had a tragic end when she was sold to a Pacific Island nation who renamed her Enna G and the ship was an continual failure and poorly maintained and managed! A must read and view feature as it contains a multitude of photographs and a Deck Plan!

TEV Princess Patricia II …               The Turbo Electric Vessel Princess Patricia completed in 1949, being a small “Canadian Pacific Rail” Passenger-Car Ferry. In 1963 she was given an extensive refit to become an Alaskan Cruise Ship. But in 1965 after yet another refit she became the very first ship to operate for a new operator, who named his company after the Princess part of her name, and Princess Cruises was born! As we all know, thereafter “Princess Cruises” became a major, and one of the largest Cruise Companies in the world. Therefore this already delightfully luxury daytime Passenger-Car Ferry would in due course become a magnificent small Cruise Ship and she was entirely responsible for the beginnings of what became one of the great Cruise Companies in the world! Also included is her sister the Princess Marguerite II.

SS Principessa Giovanna …              Two identical cargo-passenger liners built in 1923 to operate on the Italy to Australia service, but in 1925 transferred to the South American route. These ships were built for Lloyd Sabaudo Line, but were soon transferred to Italia Line. The Principessa Giovanna was later renamed San Giorgio and made three further voyages to Australia at the very end of her career! Her sister the SS Principessa Maria is also covered!

SS Principessa Maria …                   See above.

RMS Queen Elizabeth …                   This is the Grand Dame Queen Elizabeth of 1939, which commenced her illustrious career as a troopship and served her country valiantly for six years, and then finally in October 1946 departed on her official Maiden Voyage for Cunard White Star Line. This multi page covers more than just her history, but also many photographs of her exteriors and interiors covering her from the building stages to the very end. Also her interiors from the early days to after the refurbishments and so much more including her days as the SS Seawise University!

RHMS Queen Frederica …                Built as Matson Lines Malolo, later renamed Matsonia, sold to become Homes Lines Atlantic, renamed Queen Frederica before Chandris purchased her.

RMS Queen Mary …                         The true Queen of the sea. Fortunately she will remain with us for many years to come as the Hotel Queen Mary at Long Beach California.

SS Queen of Bermuda …                  The ship with many names, such as, SS Universe Explorer, Enchanted Seas, Canada Star, Island Sun, Liberte, Volendam, Monarch Sun, Volendam, built as the Moore-McCormack liner SS Brasil.

T/n Raffaello …                               With her sister Michelangelo, these twins were the ultimate of Italian shipbuilding. Yet, although much loved by passengers, movie star and Royalty, they only served for 10 years and ended up as sad military barracks in Persia/Iran.

MS Randfontein …                           One of the Holland Africa Combination-Passenger Liners.

MS Rangitane (1) …                        The following seven ships belong to the New Zealand Shipping Company – New pages added.

MS Rangitane (2) …                        A New Zealand Shipping Company Liner.

MS Rangitata (2) …                         A New Zealand Shipping Company Liner.

MS Rangitiki …                                A New Zealand Shipping Company Liner.

TEV Rangatira …                              This is one of most beautiful ships ever built ships for the “Inter-Island Express Steamer Service” for New Zealand’s famed Union Steam Ship Company. Delivered in 1931 she served for well over 35 years, then having had a wonderful career in New Zealand, at the end of her days she was sold to the Asian breakers in 1968.

MS Rangitoto …                               A New Zealand Shipping Company Liner.

SS Razmak …                                  The P&O liner that became the famed and long serving - Union Steam Ship Co’s of New Zealand - Trans Tasman liner Monowai.

SS Regal Sun …                               Regency Cruises SS Regent Sun was built as Zim Lines largest ever liner SS Shalom and she was sold to the German Atlantic Line late in 1967 to become the SS Hanseatic. In 1973 she was sold again to Home lines to become the SS Doric. However, she was sold in 1981 to become the Royal Odyssey with Royal Cruise Line. Just seven years later in 1988 she was purchased by Regency Cruises and she was renamed once more to become the Regent Sun, but was laid up in Freeport in 1999.

Regent Rainbow …                          An American built luxury liner for Grace Lines, named SS Santa Rosa in 1958. She offered all first class accommodations for the privileged few and operated between New York and South America as well as the Caribbean. Sold in and rebuilt in 1990/91 she was transformed into a new style of ship that looked nothing like her old self, but a new modern cruise ship, first named the Regent Rainbow then the Emerald until laid up due to SOLAS 2010. This is her and her sisters, Santa Paula’s story and is most interesting reading! There is a special Photo Page also containing a Cabin Plan of the Emerald online.

SS Reina Del Mar …                         The 1956 built liner for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company that operated from Liverpool via an amazing number of ports to Peru in South America, a service that had commenced back in 1840. Yet the beautiful Reina Del Mar would be the very last liner of the line in 1964, when she was partly rebuilt and refitted and she soon after a charter she became a full time Union-Castle cruise ship!

SS Rembrandt …                              Sold to the now defunct Premier Cruise Line; she was built as the Holland America Liner SS Rotterdam which is currently undergoing a complete refit in order for her to return to her home port of Rotterdam to become a hotel and a tourist attraction.

SS Remuera (2) …                           New Zealand Shipping Company.

SS Rimutaka …                                Discover the amazing history of the 1922 P&O Liner RMS Mongolia and her next four incarnations as follows. She was on charted to the New Zealand Shipping Company as a humble migrant liner from the UK to New Zealand, named SS Rimutaka from 1938. Sold to Incres Shipping Company to operate liner duties renamed SS Europa in 1950. She was sold in-house to Incres Line in 1951 renamed SS Nassau and she was completely renovated as well as partially rebuilt into a deluxe all first class cruise ship. She was based in New York full time and operated cruises to the Bahamas and the West Indies, etc. She was the first cruise ship ever to do so from New York. She was sold in 1960 to a Mexican Company and she received a completed rebuilding and renamed SS Acapulco in 1960, but she was a complete failure, had mechanical problems and ended up as a hotel ship in Canada at the World Fair. She was laid up and sold to the breakers in 1964.

SS Rio de la Plata …                        This is the Italian ship, the 1923 built SS Principessa Maria, which in 1940 found herself in Buenos Aires and was soon sold to the Argentine Government and renamed the Rio de la Plata. She operated on the Buenos Aires, Mexico to Los Angeles service, but later she came to an tragic end.

MS Ruahine (3) …                           A New Zealand Shipping Company Liner..

RMS Ruapehu (2)  …                       This is one of the older New Zealand Shipping Company liners that was built in 1901 and you will discover that it is an interesting ship with an great story!

SS Roma (1914)…                            SS Roma was originally built in 1914 in the USA as a steam ship and a freighter the SS Medina. When sold she was converted as a basic migrant ship SS Roma, and was used for the Roman Catholic Holy Year to ferry Pilgrims to Rome. In 1950 SS Roma made a single voyage to Australia from Bremerhaven to Newcastle, although it was a disastrous one for her then owners. Later she became the famed luxury Italian cruise ship MS Franca C and she continues to this day in active duties sailing the world as the Christian Book ship named the MV Doulos. Please Note: This feature is now located on my NEW site ssmaritime.net. A link on the bottom of the page will bring you back to this index on ssmaritime.com.

SS Roma (1951)…                            One of two popular Flotta Lauro liners on the Genoa/Naples, Australian service.

SS Rotterdam V …                           Holland America Lines Rotterdam V has been saved from the breakers, and is now permanently moored in her homeport.

SS Royal Odyssey …                        Royal Cruise Lines Royal Odyssey was built as Zim Lines largest ever liner SS Shalom and she was sold to the German Atlantic Line late in 1967 to become the SS Hanseatic. In 1973 she was sold again to Home lines to become the SS Doric. However, she was sold in 1981 to become the Royal Odyssey with Royal Cruise Line. Just seven years later in 1988 she was purchased by Regency Cruises and she was renamed once more to become the Regent Sun.

MV Royal Pacific …                          Built as the revolutionary Australian TSMV Empress of Australia a passenger car ferry between the mainland and Tasmania and was at one time the largest ship of her kind in the world. Eventually she was rebuilt into a luxury Greek cruise ship but tragically had an unhappy demise as the Royal Pacific.

MV Royal Star …                              This modern looking ship was built in 1956 as the Adriatica Line’s MS San Giorgio, she later became the City of Andros, Ocean Islander, and is currently the delightful MS Royal Star operated by the Swiss-owned “African Safari Club,” cruising the Indian Ocean to the “Paradise Islands” of the Indian Ocean. She was sold to become the PV Ocean Mist, but soon sold to the breakers.

MS Ruys …                                       The last of a trio of popular and luxurious 14,150 GRT Cargo-passenger liners built for a well-known Dutch Company, wholly based in Asia. She accommodated just 82 passengers in First Class, and 72 in Second Class, as well as some in Third Class or Steerage, for migrants. These  popular ships operated extended voyages from Japan as far as Africa.

TSS Ryndam …                                One of Holland America’s famed “Economy Twins.” Sold in 1972 to become the Atlas. Thereafter: Pride of Mississippi, Pride of Galveston and Copa Casino.

SS Saarbrucken …                           The Norddeutscher Lloyd liner SS Saarbrucken was built in 1923, but in 1935 she became the Italian liner SS Toscania and became a regular visitor to Egypt, Africa and Australia.

SS Salta …                                       Compania Argentina De Navegacion Dodero S.A., obtained two World War II US built C-3-A1 Class British escort aircraft carriers and had them rebuilt at Newport News and renamed them SS Salta and her sister was the Corrientes. The Salta like her sister operated as simple migrant ships, but Salta received notability in December 1963 due to being the first ship on the scene of a large cruise ship the MS Lakonia, that only months earlier had been obtained from the Dutch, as she had been the luxury liner the MS Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and had a notable service!

SS San Giorgio …                             Built as the Lloyd Sabaudo Line cargo-passenger liner SS Principessa Giovanna in 1923 to operate on the Italy to Australia service, but in 1925 she was transferred to the South American route. She was transferred to Italia Line 1932. In 1947 she was renamed San Giorgio and made three further voyages to Australia at the very end of her career!

MS San Giorgio …                            Built in 1956 as the Adriatica Line’s San Giorgio, she later became the City of Andros, Ocean Islander, and is currently the delightful MS Royal Star operated by the Swiss-owned “African Safari Club,” cruising the Indian Ocean to the “Paradise Islands” of the Indian Ocean. She was sold to become the PV Ocean Mist.

MS Sangola …                                  She was the first of the British India Line famed “S” Class Trio.

MS Santa Barbara …                        See MS Santa Maria below.

MS Santa Ines & Teresa …               German luxury passenger cargo sister ships built in 1952 and 1953, which were revolutionary and offered the ultimate in luxury fist class accommodation and facilities for their guests! These were the forerunners to the famous six “Can San” series of ships, which are also featured on this site!

MS San Marco …                              Sister ship to the MS San Giorgio, and she like her sister was vastly modernised to become a cruise ship and sailed into the 1990’s having been renamed twice.

MS Santa Maria …                           Grace Line built two fine luxury liners, the Santa Maria & the Santa Barbara in 1928. They operated services from New York via the Panama Canal to the West Coast of South America, until 1940 when they were seconded into the marine to be converted into Attack Troop ships named the USS Barnett and USS McCawley. The McCawley was torpedoed and sunk, whilst the Barnett survived and was sold in 1948 to Flotta Lauro lines to become the MS Surriento.

TS Santa Maria - Vera Cruz …          Two superb luxury Portuguese 20,000-ton passenger liners built in 1953 and 1953. Both had remarkable careers and Santa Maria is famed for her infamous hijack. However, the Portuguese did have a superb passenger record and it is worth remembering!

SS Santa Paula …                            These 1958 built Hamburg Sud liners, the Santa Paula and Santa Rosa were the 3rd and the last to carry these great names. One of these two is still sailing today. Do you know her current name? This article will reveal all.

SS Santa Rosa …                             See Above.

MS Santa Ursala …                          She is the first of four 1951 built Hamburg Sud passenger cargo liners offering luxury accommodations for 28 passengers o the Germany South American service. Her sisters are the … Santa Catarina, Santa Elena & Santa Isabel and all are featured.

MS Santhia …                                  This ship was the third of the British India Line famed “S” Class Trio.

MV Sapphire …                                This is the complete story of a delightful ultramodern looking ship completed in August 1967, the 12,219-Ton MS Italia, a ship with a long and a good life. She had a number of names, such as the Ocean Princess, Sea Prince, Princesa Oceanica, Sapphire and finally the Aspire.

SS Sapphire Seas …                         Sapphire Seas was built in 1944 as a P2 “General” class transport named, USS General W.P. Richardson. In 1956, the famed American President Lines President Roosevelt after she had a massive US$ 10 million reconstruction in Seattle. Thereafter she had a varied career as a liner and a cruise ship and ended her days as the Ocean Explorer I.

N.S. Savannah …                             The nuclear-powered passenger cargo ship that carried 60 passengers in all first class luxury accommodations, but did so for less than three years. Then operating as a tragic cargo ship she was out of service just under ten years after her maiden voyage in 1962 and was laid up by 1971. A magnificent ship to look at but a financial failure in every respect and she was plagued by countless design faults!

MV Sea Princess …                          The last Swedish-America Line ship built in 1966, sold to become the P&O/Princess Sea Princess, Victoria, later the Mona Lisa, Oceanic II, and 2010 as the Mona Lisa again. She is now in danger of being broken up unless she is saved from doom!

SS Seawise University …                 Read about the tragedy that was the Seawise University. There is no doubt that the great Chinese Ship Owner Mr. C.Y. Tung, who over the years obtained many fine liners and operated them all successfully, would have operated the ex RMS Queen Elizabeth with equal success! But, it was not to be. The Queen Elizabeth feature covers this story extensively!

MV Sea Venture …                           This fine ship was built in 1971 as a Norwegian cruise ship, but then she was sold to P&O, Princess Cruises Pacific Princess in 1974 and became the famed due to the TV series “The Love Boat.” Eventually, having been a great success, she was sold to the Spanish Pullmantur Cruises and operated her as the MV Pacific for themselves as well as a Brazilian and another Spanish company under charter. But when sold to her last owner, all went wring and this company went broke and she was sold and taken to the breakers in 2013

MV Semiramis …                              A small maritime treasure, commenced life with Elder Dempster as a very simple passenger cargo ship with accommodations for 52 passengers, until obtained by the famed Epirotiki Lines who turned her into a cruise ship and she sailed until 1979 and ended her days when she was 46 years old!

MV Serenade …                               The 1957 built French liner Jean Mermoz had an interesting career as a liner until she commenced full time cruise duties in 1970 as the as the Mermoz and later the Louis Cruises MV Serenade.

MS Seven Seas …                            A migrant ship to Canada, Australia & New Zealand was built as a C3 class freighter - includes a photo album.

SS Shalom …                                   Zim Israel Navigation largest Trans Atlantic liner. Sold to become: SS Hanseatic, Doric, Royal Odyssey, Regent Sun.

MS Shota Rustaveli …                      This very popular ship was the fourth of the five Soviet Ivan Franco or “Poet” Class liners to be built and they were the most remarkable ships indeed. Her life was spent as a full time cruise ship as well with CTC Lines sailing to New Zealand and Australia.

MS Sibajak …                                  The Royal Rotterdam Lloyd’s one time Flagship, was a luxury liner especially built for the lucrative Dutch East Indies (Indonesian) service, However, after WW2 in which she served bravely as a troopship, she became a One-Class migrant/passenger liner, first sailing to Canada and New York, but over her final eight years she operated to Australia & New Zealand and the author sailed on her in 1958, one year before her being broken up. This is a most comprehensive feature with a total of Seven Pages!

MS Sirdhana …                                This ship was the second of the British India Line famed “S” Class Trio.

MS Skaubryn …                               A unique little Norwegian emigrant ship that mostly sailed on the Australian migrant run.

SS Southern Cross …                       The ship that revolutionised ship design forever! Follow her history, from a Shaw Savill Albion Liner to her final incarnation as the Cruise Ship, ss OceanBreeze. This is a 20-page feature, containing almost one hundred photographs. OceanBreeze Cabin Plan and Deck by deck description.

SS Statendam …                              In 1957 Holland America Line had completed its revolutionary passenger liner the 24,294-ton SS Statendam that offered Tourist Class passengers the full length of the ship that was by far more glamorous and luxurious than ever before and with just 84 passengers in the ultra luxurious First class, located on Boat Deck. She became one of the most popular cruise ships and Holland America’s very first world cruiser!

MS State of Haryana …                    ex British India Line “Santhia” the third of the “S” Class Trio ships sold to an Indiian shipping company in 1966, and she sailed on until late 1976.

SS Stella Maris I …                          Built as a warship and later converted into a luxury Greek cruise ship that started what became one of the greatest and most popular cruise lines - Sun Line, which offered the ultimate in luxury for many years until its demise due to a merger in 1997 when several Greek cruise companies merged to become Royal Olympia Cruises, which spelt the end for all lines concerned!

MV Stella Maris II …                        Built as a German ferry she was rebuilt in 1966 as Sun Lines small luxury cruise ship Stella Maris. Later she became MV Viking Bordeaux and MV Madagascar. This ship was broken up in 2008.

MS Stockholm IV …                         The mini Swedish America 1948 built Trans-Atlantic Liner, that is more famed for sinking the Andrea Doria than for her own career, which was not a great success to say the least. She did well as a East German Trade Union cruise ship, then as a refugee accommodation ship. Only when rebuilt into a cruise ship in 1994 did she become greatly loved by both her owners and passengers and today (2008) at 60 years of age, she happily sails on as the MV Athena.

MS Straat Banka …                          Two identical beautifully designed Passenger Cargo Liners were built in 1951 and 1952, the first was this ship the Straat Banka and the second the Tjinegara. Both accommodated 50 passengers in sheer comfort, and this is their story!

RMS Strathaird …                            Second of the famous “Straths” sisters. Strathaird became known to be the first P&O ship to enter the Australian cruise market on December 23, 1932.

MS Surriento …                               The Surriento was built in 1928 as  built the Grace Lines MS Santa Maria and operated a luxury all first class service from New York via the Panama Canal to the West Coast of South America, until 1940 when she was seconded into the marine and was converted into Attack Troop ship named the USS Barnett. Thankfully she survived WW2 and she was sold in 1948 to Flotta Lauro lines who rebuilt her to become the delightful Passenger and Migrant Liner, the MS Surriento.

SS Sydney …                                   One of two popular Flotta Lauro liners on the Genoa/Naples, Australian service.

MS Tahitien …                                 MS Tahitien was the second was of the two sisters, and they were fine 12,712 ton passenger-cargo liners. The Tahitien was constructed at Brest in 1953 at Brest, whilst her earlier sister the MS Calédonien was built at Dunkirk in 1952.                 

MS Taiyuan …                                  The second of a pair of first class cargo-passenger liners operating between Australia, Hong Kong and Japan from the early 1950’s. Both had an interesting career and were greatly loved ships with a massive following. Their unique and quaint style and exterior traditional design was much loved by ship lovers, and still is to this day!

MS Taras Shevchenko …                  She was the third of the five Soviet Ivan Franco or “Poet” Class liners to be built and they were the most remarkable ships indeed. Like the Shota Rustaveli, her days were also spent as a full time cruise ship, and was operated by CTC Lines sailing to New Zealand and Australia.

MS Tasmania …                               M.S Tasmania was originally built in the USA as a C-3 class ship for Moore-McCormack Lines, and was named the ‘Mormacland’ at her launching on December 14, 1939. Completed in April, 1940 and she briefly operated on the South American service, before being commissioned for the War effort. Like so many ships of her kind she was rebuilt to become an escort aircraft carrier and having been transferred to the Royal Navy who renamed her H.M.S. Archer. She had an eventful career during the war and all this is well described in my 3 page feature. However in 1949 she was sold to Scandinavians and became the migrant ship M.S. Anna Salen operating to North America and Australia, which she is best known for! In 1955 she became the Greek owned M.S. Tasmania operating to Australia as well to some other destinations, etc. I am sure there are many who are looking forward to reading about her, as so many sailed on her!

MS Tegelberg …                               The second of a trio of popular and luxurious 14,150 GRT Cargo-passenger liners built for a well-known Dutch Company, wholly based in Asia. She accommodated just 82 passengers in First Class, and 72 in Second Class, as well as some in Third Class or Steerage, for migrants. These  popular ships operated extended voyages from Japan as far as Africa.

SS Theodor Herzl …                         A Zim Israel Navigation liner.

MS The Victoria …                           Built in 1936 for Union Castle Line’s Dunnottar Castle. This graceful liner has a remarkable history. After her Union Castle days, she was rebuilt to become a magnificent luxury cruise ship MS Victoria for Incres Lines. Later the Chandris The Victoria, and finally Louis Cruises Princesa Victoria. Recently Updated - 12 pages + 1 page of her at Alang all with new photographs and copy!