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)
Part Four -2008
Sailing
As the
P&O Cruises MV Pacific Sun had come in, the Doulos had to move to make way
for the 47,000
But the Cruise Terminal gave a superb vantage point for this fine photograph the day prior departure, August 18
On a perfect Brisbane winters morning, at
My joy was the smooth sounds of her beautifully maintained engines and all you had to do is look at the exhaust stack and what came out of it, which was as clean as you could possibly see on anything at afloat at sea. The P&O cruise ship Pacific Sun departed the day before us and her smoke was just pitch black. To think that Doulos’ Fiat Diesel engines were installed back in 1970 and they are still running as smooth as silk. When I interviewed the Chief Engineer, Mr. Dominic Bothello, he told me that “she would run for another 20 years without any problems whatsoever!”
As we sailed north there was great excitement onboard as we encountered Humpback whales. We met Humpbacks again on several occasions the next day and the Bridge made announcements each time and once the ship made a large circle around the area where the whales were, in order that everyone onboard could see them. However, the ship stayed well clear from them according the distance regulations.
During the voyage I spent a great deal of time interviewing various members of the crew and staff, but also managed to take many photographs. This and the next page contain some of these and I trust that you will enjoy the delights of the world’s most remarkable ship.
A steady wind and ready to sail
Captain Ashley McDonald on the Bridge
I was fortunate to be able to spend time on the Bridge with the Captain and his other guests, whilst we departed Brisbane and sailed down the Brisbane River, which provided a fine opportunity for some excellent photography of the ship and the scenery which you will find on this and the next page.
Doulos
is slowly turning in the
Note the timber ladder directly below the funnel, it hails from the days of the SS Media in 1914
Looking aft, and already the Book Shop is being packed up with books taken down to the aft hold
Only to be brought
back up again in
Now we have
passed under the
A
superb view of the
Humpback Whales perform for us
And here is another one sometime later
I was asked to give a talk on the history of the MV Doulos, ex MS Franca C, SS Roma, SS Medina to the ships official tour guides. The reason being, they realised that a lot of the information they had was partially wrong. Thus, I gave them a clear picture of each incarnation on the ship and they will make sure that all future guides will study www.ssmaritime.net, the official MV Doulos site and obtains factual details. I even discovered that the Tour Passports that was given to the tour participants had incorrect information, as it said that the Roma received new diesel engines, which it did not, she kept the original much troubled SS Medina steam engines. It was Linea C (Costa Lines) that installed the new Fiat Diesels in 1952, and yet another engine in 1970.
A happy group photo after the meeting
This photo was taken from ashore in
superstructure, you must use the door located just around the corner on the left, there is no internal means.
These are the doors to the forward part of the ship, one port (behind me) and amidships on the left is the door to the Library, to the right there is a short passage to an office and stairs up to Captains Deck and his quarters and which then leads up to the Bridge.
Here we see the Library door, so let’s enter it!
As you will see from the photographs the Library is quite large and it has a massive collection of books as well as a variety of other facilities, including an internet café. I was quite impressed and found it more than adequate for a crew of just 350. Having sailed on many large passenger ships with up to 2,000 passengers, such as Oriana, the Doulos certainly put’s P&O to shame with the number and variety of books available! I will not give subtitles to each library photo, as most tell their own story!
Looking aft
Internet Café – looking to starboard
Looking to port
Cosy Lounge area, a good place to read the paper – looking aft to port
Looking starboard
Stairs up to Captains Deck & his quarters and the Bridge – looking to port
The stairs will bring you into the Chart Room. See the door on the left behind the officer
Looking to port
Navigation is per Satellite and computer systems and the officer tells the Helmsman the headings
The ship does not have auto pilot systems – looking to starboard
Chart room – looking into the Bridge
Bridge office
Helmsman on duty – note the wheel is gone and only a small lever steers the ship
The bridge is mostly a 1914 original with much fine timber – the compass is even older than 1914
as it was meant for another ship, but it never reached it and it was fitted on the SS Medina instead
Doulos’ Bridge is a rare piece of maritime history and art that should never be lost!
Note the Telegraph is located at “Full” speed ahead!
Simply beautiful – They do not make them like that anymore!
Here is another view
As we can see here the maintenance is simply excellent, and all done by volunteers!
Radar masts
Overlooking the bow
Again, this speaks volumes about the ships maintenance!
Calm seas and sunny weather
Office aft of the Bridge – looking to port
The Book
shop area was once the play ground for the rich as this was
Superb sculptured pool and many sun lounges – See the Franca C pages for how it looked in her grand days!
MV Doulos proudly flies the Maltese flag
Velletta the main
Boat Deck aft Lobby – It once had the famed Blue Mural, which was removed long ago
Now this fine image of the Doulos hangs there, which is made up of thousands of images of people
Lounge Deck - aft Lobby - Information Desk -starboard
Lounge Deck – aft Lobby
(Taken
just prior departure from
(Taken
just prior departure from
Lounge Deck – forward Lobby – Photo of the Logos the first ship – looking forward
A ceramic 1970 Mosaic from the Franca C days hands at the entrance – looking forward
Dinning
Room – starboard looking aft
Please note: These red carpets were laid on the all first class MS Franca C in 1970
Dinning Room - port – looking aft
The self serve buffet is aft in the middle
On the wall far forward is an original 1970 Franca C mural – looking forward to starboard
A closer view of the mural
Memorabilia
It is amazing what is still found onboard from the old Franca C days. Above we have seen the blue circular mosaic decoration at the entrance of the Dining Room, and the amber village mural on the forward wall of the room. However the Chief Steward also discovered a number of original Linea Costa, or Costa Line knives and I feature these below. Now they have been photographed as found, rather than all polished up. A small triangular company flag is featured on each with the traditional Costa “C„ in the middle as the “C„ was on the funnel.
Each handle has the “C„ flag on the handle, although on the
knife on the left it is hard to see
Photograph
© by Sven Benseler of
Obviously there has been some damage to the silver plating
as can be seen on the knife on the left, but there is also corrosion
Photograph
© by Sven Benseler of
As close-up of the Costa Logo
Photograph
© by Sven Benseler of
The coat hanger above is one of just a few found onboard the Doulos. My host Mr. Sven Benseler Manager of the ships media communications department was kind enough to give me this as a special gift and add it to my collection of memorabilia. I am so appreciative to him and I thank him for his thoughtfulness!
Please Note: The brochure behind the coat hanger is part
of my own private collection, as I have many Franca C brochures as well as
cabin plans and menus, etc. Some of these can be seen via this Brochure link.
Go to - Part Four - Doulos
at Sea - Page Two - Aug 19 & 21 -
PLEASE NOTE:
Doulos was
decommissioned by OM Ships in December 2009
Read my … “MV Doulos Preservation
Campaign” page for details
on how my campaign saved
her for the future to become the Doulos Phos.
***************************************************
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!
Use the Back button on
your browser or Close the Page to return to the previous page
alternatively go to our ssMaritime.com INDEX for a
listing of some 330 ships
Who is the Author of ssMaritime?
Commenced in Passenger Shipping
industry in May 1960
Email the author …
Please name the ship you are writing about
Also visit my …
“Save The Classic Liners Campaign” & “Classic
Ocean Voyages”
Counter
since April 2005