ssMaritime.net

A Vintage Liner Sails into the 21^st Century

Reuben Goossens

MV Doulos - 2008

Ex SS Medina, SS Roma, MV Franca C

Part Eight

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

Doulos’ official opening in Sydney 22 August 2008

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 official Birthday, an official cutting of the cake ceremony was held

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

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

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

It had come down to what 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 all readers great joy and enthusiasm for maritime history, for obviously the Doulos, the oldest ocean going passenger ship in the world is unique and she is worthy to be retained long in the future in one shape or another!

Enjoy these final few shots of mine. Thankfully MV Doulos will now continue to sail on until at least September 2010 and in November 2008 she will go 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, “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 local’s and the media did not understand, nor realise that one of the important pieces of Maritime History was visiting their city and located in their harbour for three weeks, and now she will never return. It was 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 some new friends!

Currently the Doulos is in Geelong Victoria and the crowds there have been very good from all reports I have heard, in addition Victorians have been very friendly, “They are just like the Queenslanders!” The next port of call will be Albany and then Doulos will head for the last port in Australia, Fremantle. And everyone knows that the Western Australians are always great hosts!

Below are two fine photographs of the Doulos’ departure from 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 Ken Miller (HQ) & Sven Benseler (MV Doulos) & the Douloid’s

Thank You! Mr. Ken Miller, based in HQ Germany, whom I have known since 1999, and we have kept in contact on and off over the years in regard the Doulos. Thank you Ken for arranging my stay on board my favourite ship in the world as well my voyage on her!

But a special thank you must go to Sven Benseler. Sven lives on the Doulos and is currently signed on for two years with his wife and children. He holds a senior position and has an office on starboard side on what is know as “Main Street” or Main Deck. During my stay he was my official host and I was without doubt in the best, and most capable of hands! Beside the ship, which we both love dearly, we had so much in common and simply had a wonderful time together. Sven arranged for me to provide a talk on the ships History to the ships tour guides, which also led to two other opportunities for me to speak, but on a different subject, more in fitting with the Doulos’ message.

Thank you Sven for everything, for you made what was already a superb event even better and I will never forget the wonderful time you allowed me to have on this, historic ship, as I managed to cover every nook and cranny of the ship from the interior of bow at the carpenters shop to the very end of the propeller shaft, from the heights of the bridge to the depths of the engine room and hold No 1. Also, thank you to Dr. Daniel Chae Director of the Doulos and Captain Ashley McDonald. A special thank you to the man that keeps this old girl young at heart and sailing the world, Chief Engineer Dominic Bothello who is the ultimate host and I enjoyed great companionship with him and his delightful family! In addition, what can we say about all the wonderful Douloid’s (crew) who did everything to make my journey special, you are the best, keep on as you are and keep on believing, for it will be done!

March 2009 Update: Please be aware that the MV Doulos will now sail on until at least 2014, but she will do so under certain restrictions. But, this historic ship has been saved!

Go to Part Nine - Doulos in Geelong, Albany & Fremantle - Sept 11 to Nov 29, incl: East Timor & Singapore

Or, return to the MV Doulos Main Index

PLEASE NOTE:

MV Doulos has been decommissioned in December 2009

Read the …

“MV Doulos Campaign”

Enter the “Save the MV Doulos Campaign” page

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Reuben Goossens commenced in Passenger Shipping industry in May 1960

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