[david smith]

Two shots of the Rotterdam arriving Hamilton, Bermuda

[tanker]

ROTTERDAM was buil in 1959 by Rotterdamsche Droog.At the end 2003 her
name was REMBRANDT (vessel for sale by auction) aquired in 2000.

[Jan Hendrik]

Now here is really some nostalgic stuff.
This is the launching of s.s. Rotterdam of the Holland Amerika Lijn (HAL), she was built at the Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij in Rotterdam (RDM) in 1958 and was delivered in 1959.

As a young lad I took these photos with my very first camera, Agfa Clack 60 x 90 mm negatives. Launching date: 13th Sept 1958.
She was the biggest passenger vessel ever built by RDM, 38645 GRT and just 2000 GRT bigger than the "Nieuw Amsterdam".

The next thread will show some pictures upon completion.

[Jan Hendrik]

One photo taken in Aug 1959 when the vessel berthed alongside Wilhelminakade in Rotterdam.

The other picture is the official postcard of HAL at the time.

The vessel was well known because of her very unusual funnels at the time.

[tanker]

Yes Yan the funnel are very strange but she was a good ship!!!.

[Jan Hendrik]

Zelda,
There are few launching pictures under "Aurora Australis", "Special Purpose Vessels" , also some tips of sites where you can find more.
Just in case you missed this.

[Fairfield]

Does anyone remember a very large model of ROTTERDAM which went the rounds of various exhibition halls when she was new.Seem to remember this at an industries exhibition in Glasgow.

[Jan Hendrik]

Don't know about this model.
Next time I visit the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam, I will check it out, as there is a model displayed over there.
Jan

[Jan Hendrik]

Just found another photo which I took around 1965.
She either arrives or just left the Wilhelminakade in Rotterdam, which is HAL's own quayside.

[John Rogers]

Do you have any pictures of the M.S. ZAANDAM?? I just booked a 11 day cruise on her.

[Jan Hendrik]

Hi Oldsalt,

I have no pictures of the Zaandam, but you can visit following informative sites:

http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/zaandam/
and
http://www.hollandamerica.com/fleet/...ome.do?ship=za
the latter also includes particulars of all ships of the HAL

There have been 2 "Zaandam" vessels prior to this one and all the vessels end in "dam" named after a city in The Netherlands.

Meanwhile enjoy the trip and as this vessel has a theme all about music, then you better don't forget your dancing shoes.
Jan

[ruud]

Ahoy,
From the same company's photographer[HAL]here a nice shot of her, taken in Alaska area.What will happen to her?That's still a mistery, ended up somewhere on a "crap yard" or will she be back in the city of Rotterdam?She 's still in Gibraltar and will undertake a removal for the asbestos.
http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/8...aska7br.th.jpg
Details:
In common with other ships of her age, many of the original construction materials were made of asbestos. Before a renovation could begin, an inventory of the asbestos risks was required. The objective of the asbestos risk inventory was to estimate the quantity of asbestos materials and the possible emissions of asbestos fibres into the atmosphere. It was at this point that RPS Advies BV became involved in the project. RPS operates one of the largest accredited asbestos laboratories in Europe and has a vast experience in asbestos management and risk inventories on ships from around the world.

In order to assess the extent of the asbestos problems, an RPS team visited the SS Rotterdam in the Bahamas in the autumn of 2003. The findings of RDM and RPS only increased their enthusiasm to keep the ship afloat. The SS Rotterdam was found to be almost in her original state with all her famous works of art, halls and lounges still in situ. However, the quantity of asbestos containing materials was enormous. It was concluded from the asbestos inventory that the asbestos in the ship must be removed as much as possible or otherwise coated so that no asbestos fibres could be released into the atmosphere during refurbishment.

It was decided to tow the SS Rotterdam to the port of Gibraltar where the renovation activities could take place. The huge and unique asbestos project is being carried out non-stop during a six month period from August 2004. The asbestos containing materials are being removed and treated by the Cuddy Group, the largest asbestos cleaning company in the UK. The project team “SS Rotterdam” and RPS are supervising the work.

The following techniques have been selected for the removal and coating of the asbestos:

- The asbestos containing insulation material of the pipelines is to be removed by an injection method. This involves inserting a needle into the insulation cladding at distances of 20 to 25 cm. The needle injects a liquid which dissolves the binder course within 24 hours. The cladding can then be easily removed and fibre emissions are prevented as much as possible.

- The sprayed asbestos which was applied to the ceilings is to be impregnated and coated in three coloured layers. The final white coat is about 6 mm thick and provides a completely smooth surface.

Both techniques are applied in an enclosure with a partial vacuum. This is in order to ensure that no asbestos fibres are emitted. Surface samples are taken before work begins and air samples are taken throughout the process.

Because all the asbestos removal takes place in a British territory, the whole operation is performed and supervised in accordance with British HSE directives.

[ruud]

Ahoy,

Here the Rotterdam painted by Henk van der Veer, as seen in the '70's.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8...veer0sv.th.jpg

[ruud]

Ahoy,

Here another Rotterdam, made by Henk, painted with moonlight in front of the HAL building.

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/3...rontofh.th.jpg

[Doxfordman]

Rotterdam, alongside at Gibraltar, Asbestos removal. Tried to get aboard but sadely couldn't.

[Jan Hendrik]

On the grapevine I heard that this vessel will go to an outfitting yard for preservation purposes and prior to that she will drydock most likely this month. I am still getting details and may even get back with photos during the drydocking.
Hereby a photo from 1958 whilst she was under construction at the Rotterdamse Droogdok Mij (RDM)

[Jan Hendrik]

The ss Rotterdam is going into drydock in Cadiz on Monday for a 6 weeks refit, after which she will go to Polen in order to finalise the asbestos removal prior to her last resting place.
They are currently looking for a suitable berth in Maashaven or Rijnhaven in the old port of Rotterdam.
This means that she will definitely be preserved and becomes a museum ship of some kind.
Through friends I hope to receive photos at regular intervals during the drydocking and can post these accordingly.

[R651400]

Best wishes to the Dutch on this magnificent preservation project.
The Germans I believe have similar ideas with a 50/60's cargo vessel.
The Italians also have something in mind with a vessel presently under the Philippino flag.
The French with typical Gallic nonchalance, let Norway slip through their fingers. Excuse.. asbestos removal too costly.
The Brits have lost Windsor Castle, so what's left?

[ruud]

Ahoy,

As Jan already explained, here some more news:

"ss Rotterdam will goes in dock (7-12-2005) coming weekend, the Rotterdam will be drydocked for the first time after 8 years. She has located since 25 November last in Cadiz at the Navantia yard. These have been among others chosen because of the climate conditions. Another important reason was that the ship went on to this yard,that the yard shortly was available. Painting the ship will confiscate a number of weeks. There is about 28,000 litres painting necessary be needed to cover the complete outside side. The gold-yellow colour and the naming with logo on the ship will be brought back from the the original working plans. The fuselage becomes grey. By the sophisticated painting system the skin of the ship will be conserved for at least 15 years. By the end of January ss Rotterdam is expected to be ready in its original colour and with its original name." See the press bulletin on www.derotterdam.com written in Dutch unfortunately.

[Jan Hendrik]

Thanks for the additional info Ruud, a very interesting site indeed.

And as you may already have guessed Ruud, I know all about the paints, just spoken with my colleague in Rotterdam.
Eventually I can give you the exact litreage used and you may be very close to 28.000 litres.
To put this in perspective: 28.000 li at say an average of 8 Euro per litre = 224,000 Euro, this is only the cost of the paints!!
Surface preparation and application is usually 4 times the cost of the paint, so you are looking at abt 1 million Euro just to freshen her up.......
This is a ballpark figure.
Jan

[Jan Hendrik]

Another photo of her launch 13th Sept. 1958

Photo: Gemeentearchief.

[Jan Hendrik]

Exciting developments as the vessel entered the drydock in Cadiz.

You can all follow the drydocking and subsequent paintwork below and above water by clicking on the following link which is to be updated daily/weekly as work progresses:
http://www.hempel.nl/internet/inenlc...9?OpenDocument
Click on: Stoomschip Rotterdam,
the bottom of the page you find "hier" (here), click for the progress of the drydocking.

Unfortunately it is only in Dutch, but plenty of photos and with somewhat reduced text you would be able to follow the input by my colleagues from Rotterdam Office.
Jan

photo: copyright Hempel Rotterdam

[Jan Hendrik]

ss Rotterdam in leadlight with stained glass.

Restricted production , size abt. 350 x 270 mm.

[Principe_Perfeito]

Hello

The Germans already have a preserved merchant ship, in the form of the CAP SAN DIEGO:
http://www.capsandiego.de/

Another interesting preserved merchant ship of the past is the GEORG BUCHNER in Rostock, the former combi-liner CHARLESVILLE of CMB:
http://liners.gmxhome.de/buechner/hi...ue.htm#enghist
http://liners.gmxhome.de/buechner/buechner.htm

She now is being used has a hotel, just like the QUEEN MARY.

Best regards from Lisbon,
Paulo Mestre

Originally Posted by R651400

Best wishes to the Dutch on this magnificent preservation project.
The Germans I believe have similar ideas with a 50/60's cargo vessel.
The Italians also have something in mind with a vessel presently under the Philippino flag.
The French with typical Gallic nonchalance, let Norway slip through their fingers. Excuse.. asbestos removal too costly.
The Brits have lost Windsor Castle, so what's left?

[ruud]

Ahoy,

Found an old negative of her, taken at St.Thomas[Caribbean].Not the best quality after all those years.