ssMaritime.net
A Vintage Liner Sails into the 21st
Century
Reuben
Goossens
MV Doulos
Ex SS Medina, SS Roma, MV Franca C
Chapter Two
--SS Roma--
“From Onions to Passengers”
SS Roma seen in New York full of
pilgrims the 1950 during “Holy year”
(Alex Duncan - Gravesend)
Having served for 34 years as a cargo ship and
seen duty in two world wars, the Medina was finally laid up to be sold and it
was most likely that she would be purchased by a ship breaker. However, she was
acquired in 1948 by an Italian company Genaviter,
but registered in Panama
as Cia Naviera San Miguel SA, in 1948. She was
to be converted in 1949 in La Spezia Italy to become
an austere emigrant ship. She like
many ships of the day flew the Panamanian (or Liberian) flag, being the country
of registration based on cost and of pure convenience.
SS Medina
seen as built
From the author’s private
collection
Her superstructure was
about to undertake a radical transformation. New decks were added and
lengthened, with her bridge removed and placed atop. Her lower decks extended
far forward and aft over the stern. Her tall slim black funnel was removed and
she was fitted with a new squat funnel. She also received a new raked bow and
her hull was painted green. Within her hull, several cargo holds and new decks
were added which had new cabins and many dormitories fitted with accommodations
for up to 981 persons. Upon completion she was registered at 6,549 GRT (Gross Registered Tons). With her new bow, her
new length was now 130m.
She was given the name SS Roma as she was to
be employed for the 1950 Roman Catholic “Holy Year” and from her
original state, she certainly looked very much the
passenger liner when completed. She was able to accommodate 287 passengers in
excellent first class cabins with several suitable lounges and dinning
facility. However, her 694 Tourist Class passengers were all berthed in rather
basic dormitory style accommodation and their public spaces were to say the
least very basic!
SS Roma see at anchor in Venice
From the author’s private
collection
PLEASE NOTE: This SS
Roma, built as the Medina,
is not to be confused with another Italian emigrant ship that had the same
name. This was the TS Roma which was built in the USA as a C3 Class ship in 1942 and
went into service as the H.M.S Atheling. She was sold and rebuilt into a
passenger ship and commenced sailing from Italy
as a more classy looking passenger ship in 1951 and
continued sailing to and from Australia
until 1966. She was owned by Flotta Lauro Line. See the photograph of that ship
below. She had an identical sister ship the SS Sydney. Visit: www.ssmaritime.com/roma-sydney.htm
for details of the Flotta Lauro SS Roma & Sydney.
Flotta Lauro's TS Roma
From the author’s private
collection
During the 1950 'Roman Catholic Holy Year', SS
Roma was chartered to the "International Roman Catholic Travel
Committee" and undertook a series of Pilgrimage voyages from America to Italy. Her first departure from New York for Cherbourg
was on June 19, 1950,
after which she undertook three further voyages.
Passengers heading for Holy Year in Rome
From the author’s private
collection
SS
Roma – 1950 Voyage to Australia
SS
Roma in Australia
– 18 December, 1950
From the author’s private
collection
Then her owners decided to try her out on the
Australian service which had proven to being a popular service with many other shipping
companies. Thus, in October 1950, SS Roma sailed to Germany where she would commence,
what would be her final voyage for Cia
Naviera San Miguel SA.
The “International Refugee
Organisation” in association with the “Australian Immigration
Department” had gathered some 949 “refugees” to board the SS
Roma, There were - 367 adult males and 302 Females. 133 - 3 to 12 year olds.
125 - 1 to 3 year olds and 21 - 1 to just born babies. The vast majority of
these passengers originated from Eastern Europe, such as Poland, Hungary,
Yugoslavia, Estonia, Lithuania,
Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Ukraine,
Latvia, Russia, as well
as small number of Germans and “stateless” persons. All passengers
were from various Christian denominations, except for four Muslims.
Part of a Telegram to advise that was now to go to Newcastle
instead of Melbourne
… and that there is one passenger
for NZ
©
Australian National Archives – used with
permission
www.naa.gov.au
With Captain A. Landini in command, at 5 PM on October 30 SS Roma departed Bremerhaven and as the
telegram above proves she was originally bound for Melbourne, being her
original destination, however was changed on November 31 and according the
paperwork I have in my possession, and she was due to arrive in Newcastle on
December 6. However, as we know from history that was not going to happen!
This document (the cover is shown
in part) contains the complete passenger list
©
Australian National Archives – used with permission
www.naa.gov.au
With the vast majority of the passengers
having gone through the horrors of World War II, they were looking forward to a
new peaceful life, which awaited them in Australia, the only exception was one
passenger, a Mr. Stefan Veress who was heading
further afield, as he was to be transferred to New Zealand. Arrangements had
been made for him to go on by the “International Refugee
Organisation.”
The Gulf
of Biscay was rough and many of her
passengers were seasick and Port said
and the Suez Canal came to them as a blessing,
calm waters! Prior to arrival in Aden a child caught pneumonia and was put in
hospital in Aden all the family was put ashore with arrangements having been
made for them to join the next migrant ship for Australia. But as Roma departed
further and far bigger problems awaited her
As they headed into the Indian
Ocean things started to go horribly wrong, for now the ship was suffering
from ongoing engine and other mechanical problems. In addition, many toilets
became blocked and became a sanitary problem onboard that had to be taken care
off. Having stopped at Colombo Ceylon for
repairs and provisions she continued on her voyage. Then after a long slow and
troubled voyage, she finally made arrived at Fremantle on December 9, and was
able to take on much needed stores and provisions.
As Roma departed Fremantle she headed directly
for her final destination Newcastle in New South Wales located just north of Sydney. This was yet another extremely rough
and a troubled voyage and Telegrams were sent stating that the Roma would
various different dates and times. Captain A. Landini
had sent a cable stating that the Roma would arrive in Newcastle at 6.30 am,
however for some reason this was misread by the authorities and it was
understood that the Roma would arrive in Newcastle 12 hours later at 6.30 pm,
and thus the trains to transport the passengers was arranged for the next
morning, the 19th. Thus, when the Roma arrived on December 18, 1950 at 6.30 am
as the Telegram clearly had said, all passengers had to stay onboard for
another 24 hours before being allowed to disembark in
their new homeland.
Obviously, having a migrant ship arrive in Newcastle, this made the
news, and below are just a few of the headlines of the Newcastle Herald and
Maitland Mercury. I wish to thank Mr. Paul Christmann, ex 1950 Roma passenger
for going to Newcastle
and obtaining these for us!
Teleprinter Message announcing the ships arrival and confirming details
©
Australian National Archives – used with
permission
www.naa.gov.au
Upon arrival in Newcastle,
one of the passengers a Berta Smits had to be transferred to the Newcastle hospital as she had taken ill with bronchitis
whilst onboard during the voyage between Fremantle and Newcastle and was kept for observation. She
was soon on the mend and back with her husband Janis.
Page 1 of the IRO passenger log
©
Australian National Archives – used with permission
www.naa.gov.au
With her passengers disembarked and
ready to commence a new life in Australia
it soon became obvious that the ships owners were in severe financial
difficulty and they were declared bankrupt. Sadly, this left the crew “high
and dry,” as they received no financial assistance for almost three
months. However, the Italian Consulate came to the rescue and arranged a
special charter for the SS Roma with the Italian shipping company, Lloyd
Triestino who would return her to Europe sailing via Indonesia where Dutch citizens
would boarded the Roma who desired to escape the ex-colony due to the
declaration of independence and the extreme violence that had commenced there.
She steamed for Rotterdam Holland were her passengers disembarked and she
returned to Genoa where she was arrested due to her debts to O.T.O
Shipyards who had not been fully paid for her original conversion from a
freighter into a passenger ship.
Looking towards a new chapter!
Now, at 36 years of age and her oil fired
steam engines well worn, SS Roma looked an old and a very tired old ship. She was once again laid up
and her future did indeed look very bleak, yet, unknown at the time, her future
was going to be bright and a very long one indeed!
A court order was issued that the SS Roma was
to be sold at auction on a particular day in April 1952.
****************************************
SS
Roma Passengers return to the ship in 2008
During the MV Doulos final visit to Australia from
August 1 to October
27, 2008 we have been looking for ex SS Roma passengers who sailed
on her in 1950. Brisbane
proved to be especially successful and we were fortunate to host a good number 1950 passengers on board the Doulos. To date
we have only found one gentleman in Sydney.
I have placed a special page online with photographs and details of these
remarkable people. You will find it on the INDEX at the bottom of the page -
“ex 1950 SS
Roma Passengers visit the Doulos in Australia.”
I received a number of postcards from a number
of the Brisbane SS Roma passengers; I will show the two sides from two sources.
Above and
below: Original postcard of the SS Roma provided by ex passenger Liane Horne. It was given to her
Mother Mrs. Annemarie Gurgacz who with the family came to Newcastle from Bremerhaven
in 1950.
This
postcard is owned by Annemarie Horne & family – used with permission
The
back of the card with the name of the ship s/s Roma clearly visible as well as
the company details
This
card was sent Chris Ralph on behalf his mother Gana Raplh
(Petronela Zygis) - used with permission
Go to Chapter 3 –
MS Franca C the liner via the Index below.
Also online two special SS Roma
features …
1 - Voyage to Australia in 1950 – by Paul Christmann – 2
- ex 1950 SS Roma Passengers visit
the Doulos in Australia – Aug 08
***************************************************
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MV Doulos Index
Chapters
Introduction A Vintage Liner Sails
into the 21st Century
Chapter One “Hull 176”
– SS Medina – SS Medina -1914 - 1949
Chapter Two From Onions to Passengers – SS Roma 1949 – 1953
Chapter Three A New Beginning – MS Franca C
the liner – 1953 - 1959
Chapter Four A New luxury Role – MS Franca C the cruise
ship - 1959, 1970
to 1977
Brochures – MS Franca C
the cruise ship –
brochures 1959 to 1977
Cabin Plan One - 1959 - 1970
Cabin Plan Two – 1970 – 1977
Chapter Five A New Role for a Grand Old Lady of the Sea
–
MV Doulos – 1977 …
Chapter
Six 1993
Electrical Project - “Heart
Transplant” in Cape Town
Chapter Seven SOLAS – NEW “Safety Of Life At Sea”
regulations to come in place mid 2010
Chapter Eight Onboard Impressions - My visit
to her in 1999
Chapter Nine Doulos’ Mission
- The work of OM International
Chapter Ten Doulos Goes High Tech -
2006
Ports Future Ports of Call
Photo Pages Photo Page One - 1999
Photo Page Two
– 1999
NEW - Doulos -
2008
Part One Doulos arrives in
Brisbane – July 31, 2008
Part
Two Doulos in Brisbane – Aug 1 to 19
Part Three ex
1950 SS Roma Passengers visit the Doulos in Australia – Aug 2008
NEW My voyage to Australia on the SS Roma in 1950 – by Paul Christmann – Aug 2008
Part
Four Doulos
at Sea – Page One - Aug 19 & 21 - Brisbane to Sydney
Part Five Doulos
at Sea - Page Two – Aug 19 & 21 - Brisbane to Sydney
Part Six Doulos Engine
Room - Also, November 2007 dry-dock & propeller & shaft
work
Part Seven Speaking
with Doulos’ Crew and Staff -
Interviews
Part Eight Doulos in
Sydney – Aug/Sept 2008 - Including the official opening
& 94th Birthday
Part Nine Doulos in Geelong, Albany & Fremantle – NOW
online
The Doulos
Campaign
–
We are planning her future after 2010!
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a Gift of Fuel –
Help to fuel the Doulos or provide in other ways!
Return to
the The
Doulos Title Page
***************************************************
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
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alternatively go to our ssMaritime.com INDEX
for a listing of some 200 ships
Who
is the Author of ssMaritime?
By Kosta Specis & Hun-Eng Tan
Reuben
Goossens commenced in Passenger Shipping industry in May 1960
Email
Me at
info@ssmaritime.com
PLEASE NOTE: I receive hundreds of
requests for Passenger/Crew Lists and
Sailing Schedules. I hereby wish to advise that I am unable to assist
due to time restrains and as most shipping companies have long gone these
lists/schedules are no longer available. I regret to advise that any request for these will no longer be answered
regardless of the circumstances presented!
ssMaritime.net
Also visit …
www.ssmaritime.com
Discover up to 200 Classic Passenger liners
By the same author
Please Note:
Photographs
on ssMaritime and ssmaritime.net 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.
This
notice covers all pages, although, 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!
ssMaritime.com
/ ssMaritime.net are © Copyright - 2008 Reuben Goossens - All Rights Reserved
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