ssMaritime.net
A Vintage Liner Sails into the 21st Century
Reuben Goossens
MV Doulos
(MV Doulos - GBA/OM Ships - 1977-2010)
Ex
MV Franca C (1952-1977), SS Roma (1948-1952), SS Medina
(1914-1948)
Chapter Three
--MS Franca C--

Franca C the
liner, before the deck extensions
*Photographer
unknown
Please Note: This work is owned,
protected under International © copyright laws and is the property of Reuben
Goossens of ssmaritime.net. No part of this work including
any of the images shown therein may be copied, or neither reproduced by any
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without prior written permission from the author. Email info@ssmaritime.com
“A
New Beginning”
A photograph of the liner Franca C taken in the early 50’s whilst
in the
From the Joanne Boot family
collection
The Liner
The SS Roma was put up for auction in April 1952, and she was sold to the only bidder present, being the famed Giacomo Costa Fu Andrea, from the great Italian shipping Company “Linea C” or “Costa Lines,” a company we still know today as the famed “Costa Cruises.” The final contract of sale for 570 million Lira was signed and finalised on May 28.
Linea C obviously thought there was still good
life left in the old girl she was registered in

The 1949 & 1953 builder’s plate was still on the Doulos in 1999
but was nowhere to be found in 2008 - PS: It was found again in 2009
Photograph by & © copyright 1999 - Reuben Goossens
Exterior changes could be seen at the
extension of the forward enclosure and windows on promenade deck (lower open
deck), as well as a raised deck level over the stern, a new modern funnel, all white
super structure, blue Ribband around her hull, yellow funnel with a dark blue
cap and the famed Costa “C” logo on it, as well as a few other
minor alterations.
She had accommodations for 362 First and
Tourist class passengers who would be berthed in two, three and four berth
cabins, which were located on the upper decks, whereas the 458 Third class
passengers slept in dormitories in the lower decks aft and forward. Each class
had a dining room and a lounge with a bar. Both First and Tourist class facilities
were said to be quite attractive and typical of the modern Italian style of the
day. Third class was simple, yet sufficient and provided ample to satisfy the
revellers on their way to

Franca C seen in
On
In January 2008, I received an email from a Mr. Kurka who had sailed on Franca C as an eight year old boy whilst she was a liner on the South American service. I thought it was interesting reading! We thank him for his insight and his little adventure during some rough seas!
“In 1955 my family and I
migrated to
As she
continued her services, she soon became a popular ship on both sides of the

Tourist
Class Menu
Photograph by & © 2008 Reuben Goossens

Same
Menu, but translated into English
Photograph by & © 2008 Reuben Goossens

Franca-C is seen in the later days as a Trans Atlantic liner
Author’s private collection

The liner MV Franca C seen in port with the
Israeli Zim Lines SS Theodore Herzl
Author’s private collection
As services
and passengers numbers increased, it was soon realised that a larger ship was required
and Linea C – Costa Lines decided that the Franca C would be better
fitted for another service, one that was proving to be popular around the
world. Thus in 1959 Linea C withdrew her from the Atlantic trade and
transformed her into a full time all first class cruise ship in
A Request:
If you or a relative have sailed on the MS Franca C at any time and can share some information about the voyage and the ship, even a photographs or any memorabilia you may still have be it a menu, etc, I would be very happy to hear from you!
Email me at: info@ssmaritime.com
Go to
Chapter 4 – A New luxury Role – MS Franca C the cruise
ship – 1959
to 1969 & 1970 to 1977
Or, return to the MV Doulos
Main Index
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Reuben Goossens commenced in Passenger Shipping
industry in May 1960
Email the author – at
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!
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