Photo Page SS Independence / Constitution

SS Independence 1951-2001 and SS Constitution 1951-1995

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With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer & Author

SS Independence & SS Constitution

Page Two

Photo Album

Part One: American Export Lines / Isbrandtsen days

SS Independence as built

An American Export Lines brochure issued before the 1959 rebuilding of both ships

(Provided by Björn Larsson - http://www.timetableimages.com/maritime/images/list.htm)

Circular Lounge

Main Lounge and Ballroom

Restaurant

Above: Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant during filming onboard

Around the Pool

Deck Bar

Above and Below: Two very different suites

Brochure produced after the rebuilding. Note the forward changes on Promenade deck.

(Provided by Björn Larsson - http://www.timetableimages.com/maritime/images/list.htm)

Part Two: American Hawaii Cruises

Oceanic Independence cruising the Hawaiian Islands in 1981

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We thank ex Crew member, Steve Bingman, who kindly provided us with a collection of photographs as seen hereunder

Steve Bingman - just "above" the bridge of Steve’s beloved Constitution

Pool Deck looking forward

Aloha Tower photographed from the deck of the Constitution.

The Independence is seen on the right

At tender off the coast of Kona, HI (March 1985)

Looking aft, overlooking one of the ships Pools

Due to a passenger suffering with severe chest pains a helicopter came to evacuate him

All passengers were requested to leave the aft deck

The evacuation is close to complete

However, the passenger returned to ship in fine shape the next day at port in Maui

Seen at tender off the coast of Kona, HI

SS Constitution, sailing into the sunset

This photograph was taken from Aloha Tower, the last time Steve saw his beloved Constitution

We sincerely thank Steve Bingman for his contribution to these pages

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Part Three: The final years of the Independence

The Next two photographs show SS Independence receiving her (apparently last) maintenance and refit

After the SS Constitution was retired in 1996, SS Independence

became the last US built ship to sail under the American flag

Above and Below: The charming Hawaiian influenced décor of the Independence

SS Independence seen during her last days

A suite located in the forward part of the original Promenade Deck

Then called the Kama’aina Deck

The upper Pool

Another American built and flagged ship says goodbye

Seen here docked at Pier 70

(Supplied by Peter Knego)

Index

Page One: History of SS Independence and her sister the SS Constitution

Page Two: Photo Page – From beginning to End

Page Three: Deck Plans - American Export Lines

Page Four: Deck Plan – American Hawaii Cruises

Page Five: Photo Page of Independence/Oceanic at Pier 70 San Francisco

Photographs by Patrick Race & Jonathan Haeber

Page Six: The amazing story of SS Independence’s transformation to become the

Fugasi - “Go-Go Cruises” FunShip. A story by the designer Bill Chefalas.

SS Atlantic: This delightful ship sailed with the SS Independence & Constitution from 1960 to 1967.

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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are by the author or from the author’s private collection. In addition there are some images that have been provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs provided to me without details regarding the photographer/owner concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me (my email address may be found on www.ssmaritime.com only), in order that due credit may be given.

This notice covers all pages, although, and I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!