MV Doulos in Sydney Australia - 21 August

ssMaritime.net

MV Doulos

“A Ship Like no Other”

By Reuben Goossens

An American 1914 built ship that sailed 95 Years into History

SS Medina (1914-1948) was sold and renamed: SS Roma (1948-1952)

MS Franca C (1952-1977) - MV Doulos - (1977-2010)

Doulos Phos – (2010 - ) now located permanently in Singapore

Part Eight

--MV Doulos--

Doulos in Sydney and Geelong

MV Doulos Sydney bound

My days at sea were about to end this morning Thursday the 21^st of August Sydney Heads would soon come into sight and the pilot would board Doulos on the port side. Then, she would gently sail up Harbour past the Opera House, under the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Darling Harbour berth 5. Although a bright and sunny day, we will all remember it to be an extremely wintery chilly and a typically windy day, catching a few unaware, myself included. But as always, our arrival into Sydney was simply magnificent as ferries made their way up and down the harbour and choppers circling the Doulos covering our arrival for tonight’s TV news. As always crew and staff off duty come out on deck and fly a flag depending the nation they originate from, but the Australian flag was always dominant up front and the largest one at that!

After our arrival and the gangplanks secured and the ship cleared, it takes all day for the ship to be set up. Soon trucks arrived with boxes of fruit and vegetables that were donated by a wonderful faithful farmer and it was gratefully received by the Doulos! The next day, the 22^nd of August at 10am was the official opening in the Main Lounge, as it had been in Brisbane which would be followed by the cutting of the Birthday Cake as it was Doulos’ official 94^th birthday, for she was launched as the SS Medina on 22 August 1914. Details and descriptions are below. This would be followed by the ribbon cutting at the Book Exhibition/Shop, which I did not photograph as we already have that on the Brisbane pages.

You will find that each photograph will continue to tell the story, but I will return further down the page.

The pilot boards on the port side - 21 August 2008

The Author forward of the Bridge on Boat Deck – with staff proudly flying the Australian flag

Am I showing it, yes it was very cold and I did end up catching much more than a chill!

This is the Director of the Doulos, Dr. Daniel Chae PhD, a wonderful man and I spend a tremendous time with him

More on that on the “Interviews” page

Having tied up in Sydney, I ventured aft on Promenade Deck and it is one of my favourite places

As we can see, everything is well kept

A spare rat catcher hangs on the wall

We are securely tied up!

These stairs lead up to the enclosed Children’s Play area

Stephen took this photograph of the Doulos on the 21^st just prior to meeting me ahore

The Doulos lit up at night on the 21st

How beautifully does that Counter Stern show up at night?

Another photo of the stern

The author and “Partner Ministries” Manager Mr. Sven Benseler participate in the Birthday ceremony

The Doulos’ official opening in Sydney 22 August 2008, being the ships’ 94th.Birthday

Left to Right: Captain Ashley McDonald, Mr. Joe Tripodi, Minister for Ports and Waterways,

Mr. Phil Costa, Member of NSW Parliament, Dr. Daniel Chae PhD, Doulos’ Director

“Parade of Nations” during the opening

The Korean Fan Dance

The 22^nd being Doulos’ 94^th Birthday, the official opening ceremony party also cut of the cake

There was a blue “94” on the cake – see the “group” image below

A group photograph at the conclusion of the ceremonies – Note the “94” on the cake

Sadly today was to be my last day onboard the Doulos and I went about to take my farewell shots of the ship. However, I will take with me memories that will last forever and I pray that the photographs provided on these pages will provide readers great joy and enthusiasm for maritime history, as obviously the Doulos, being the oldest ocean going passenger ship in the world is a unique ship indeed!

A special note added in 2010. This fine ship was finally decommissioned in December 2010, as the on board cosmetic repairs (rust problems) that were required would have cost up to $US10 million, and OM ships decided to sell her.

The author, being the founder and president of the “Save the Classic Liner Campaign” I commenced to work in order to ensure that the Doulos would NOT be sold to Indian breakers, which she almost was. Thankfully I had three Christian organisations, with some wonderful people who wished to obtain the ship. These were: 1. Dr. David Reddy of Ships Ministry in South Africa, 2. Mr Eric Saw and family of BizNaz Resources International Pte Ltd of Singapore, who succeeded in obtaining her; and 3. My dear Korean friend, Dr. Daniel Chae PhD, who was the past Managing Director of MV Doulos. I sailed with Dr. Chae in 2008 and we have a wonderful relationship.

However, I can say with all honesty that I am overjoyed with the outcome, and now this historic ship will be retained and restored as a hotel, with several restaurants, a maritime museum that will feature all the ships phases from 1914 to 2010 SS Medina, SS Roma, MS Franca C and MV Doulos), as well as having a Christian facility on board. She will be permanently berthed in Singapore and her new owners have renamed Doulos Phos, meaning “Servant Light.”

In conclusion.

Enjoy these final few shots of mine. Thankfully MV Doulos continued to sail on until September 2010 and in November 2008 she went into dry-dock in Singapore for further maintenance. If there ever was a ship as well looked after as this one, you are looking at it! Remember what the Chief Engineer said that technically “She can sail on for another 20 years easily!”

Overlooking the Foc’sle

A beautifully riveted hull and a shapely bow

A fine view of her mid section

Another great view of her Counter stern

An aft view of the MV Doulos

My final photograph of the Doulos on a freezing cold day in Sydney

The following photographs were taken by my good friend Stephen Moore, who provided most of the photographs on the “1993 Electrical Project” page. I briefly met Steve whilst ashore whilst taking a few evening photographs in Sydney on the 21^st and he returned to the ship at later date and took some further shots, as well as meeting up with past SS Roma passenger Mr Paul Christmann, who’s story is part of this feature.

Another cold Sydney day, but a delightful stern view of the Doulos

By now I had gone home to Brisbane and finally there were blue skies shining over the Dolous

Another fine study of the “Grand Old Dame” as seen from across the harbour on September 2, 2008

Photograph by & © Glenn Towler

Doulos says Farewell to Sydney for the last time!

I found Doulos’ visit to Sydney was rather disappointing, for whilst she was in Brisbane well over 23,000 people came to visit the ship, however whilst she was in Sydney for the same length of time, only 12,000 came! Thus, as an Australian, I was disappointed with Sydney’s turnout for obviously the local’s and the media did not understand, nor realise that one of the most important pieces of Maritime History was visiting their city and berthed in their harbour for three weeks, and now she will never return. This was certaily a great opportunity lost. However, the crew of the Doulos does put a good spin on everything, for they are just the most wonderful people you will ever find, and they are so appreciative of the all those who did come to visit the ship whilst she was in Sydney and they thank them for coming and trust that they gained something special from their visit! Many told me that they did make quite a few new friends!

The Doulos then sailed to Geelong Victoria and the crowds there were very good, in addition the Victorians were very friendly, “They are just like the Queenslanders!” The next port of call was Albany and then Doulos headed for her final port in Australia, Fremantle (Perth). And everyone knows that the Western Australians are always great hosts!

Below are two fine photographs of the Doulos’ departing Sydney on September 9, taken by good friend Phillip Massaad.

September 9, 2008 - MV Doulos departs Sydney for the very last time ever!

MV Doulos receives a grand send off from a Sydney fire tug!

Thank You Dr Daniel Chae, Sven Benseler & Captain McDonald (MV Doulos) & all the Douloid’s

There are some very special people I wish to thank the following on board the Doulos. The ship’s Director, Dr. Daniel Chae who was always so helpful and he has a great desire to see the ship survive! We had I fine time together discussing the ship and the Scriptures during my time on board! However, how can I ever forget my delightful host and now good friend on board, Sven Benseler and his lovely wife Mirjam and their delightful children, Joshua & Samuel. They made my stay on board very special and I soon became part of the Doulos family! Also, there was the delightful ship’s journalist Marl Terilli, who took great care of me whilst I was on board and thank you for the delightful times we had chatting during mealtime with your husband at supper time. Not to forget, two very special people, Dominic Bothello the Chief Engineer who always made me smile and I always want more time with this wonderful man and his delightful family! And the ever effervescent Filipe the Project Coordinator, who was a delightful young man with a heart desire to learn more and more and to take in all that, is good! May the LORD bless you and thank you for all that you have given me! I also wish to thank Captain Ashley McDonald who was most generous with his time, allowing me on the Bridge as we departed Brisbane and giving me an interview in his private quarters. I recall discussing the future of the Doulos relating my vision, now in 2010 this vision has come to a realisation as the ship has indeed been sold to an Asian country and will become a maritime museum, hotel, restaurant, tourist venue and a Christian Centre and Bible School in Singapore!

To all the crew and staff on board, thank you for your outstanding hospitality and cooperation, and for giving me the freedom of the ship whilst I was with you on the historic Doulos, a ship I have been personally associated with since 1971.

Go to Part Nine - Her Final Australian & Asian Ports - September 2009 to March 2010

Covering her voyage to Geelong, Albany, Fremantle, East Timor, Malaysia,

Philippines, Taiwan, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore (sold in Mar 2010!)

Return to the Author’s – MV Doulos “A Ship Like No Other” Main Index

PLEASE NOTE:

Doulos was decommissioned by OM Ships in December 2009 whilst she was in Singapore

Read my … “MV Doulos Preservation Campaign” page for details …

on how my campaign saved her for the future to become the Doulos Phos.

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If you have enjoyed this feature and you feel you might have something of interest to add, be it a story or some photographs, I would appreciate hearing from you!

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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are: 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are photographs provided to me without details provided regarding the photographer concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me, that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet they either refuse to give me credit and even refuse to remove them, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show the charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due! Note: I do not credit those who send me photos as they are not the owners of the photographs concerned, unless the image is part of their private collection.

Copyright: “MV Doulos - A Ship Like No Other” is owned, protected under the International © copyright laws and is the property of Reuben Goossens of ssmaritime.net. No part of this work including any of the images shown may be copied or reproduced by any means or reproduced by any format whatsoever, be it for private or commercial usage, without prior written permission from the author.

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