MV Doulos Chapter 3

ssMaritime.net

A Vintage Liner Sails into the 21^st Century

Reuben Goossens

MV Doulos

Ex SS Medina, SS Roma, MV Franca C

Chapter Three

--MV Franca C--

“A New Beginning”

Franca C the liner, before the deck extensions

*Photographer unknown

*Photographic credits are usually shown under each image, however if a photograph is marked

“Photographer unknown” please see the bottom of the page

A photograph of the liner Franca C taken in the early 50’s whilst in the West Indies

From the Joanne Boot family collection

The Liner

The Roma was put up for auction in April 1952 and she was sold to the only bidder; Giacomo Costa Fu Andrea, or Linea C, a company we still know today as the famed “Costa Cruises.” The final contract of sale for 570 million Lira was signed on May 28.

Linea C obviously thought there was still some good life left in the old girl and registered her in Genoa under the name Franca C. Later she was taken to La Spezia and the Ansaldo S.A. Shipyards at Muggiano where she would be refurbished for her future South American/Caribbean liner service. In addition they removed her worn out much troubled oil fired steam engines and replaced them with a double acting six cylinder diesel, which was built by Fiat Grandi Motori Turin in 1949. The new Fiat Diesel engine was able to develop 4,200 HP and would give the ship a respectable speed of 15 knots. Remarkably this engine was originally intended for the Italian Navy but Costa purchased it for another ship, the Maria C but decided to place it in their newly acquired vessel. In January 1953 Franca C was completed and was registered as being 6,549 GRT. Soon she made her sea trails with great susses.

The 1949 & 1953 builder’s plate was still on the Doulos in 1999

but was nowhere to be found in 2008

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 South America.

Seen during her early days as a liner

*Photographer unknown

On January 31, 1953 Franca C departed Genoa for her maiden voyage to La Guaira, sailing via Naples, Barcelona, Funchal, Las Palmas, Curacao, Fort de France and Pointe a Pitre. As she continued her services she soon became a popular ship on both sides of the Atlantic. However, Linea C began to notice the changes in shipping and decided in 1957 to make further alterations, including to her funnel making it more modern and aiding to her smoke dispersion by adding a narrow pipe atop, also erecting a quarter deck aft of the promenade deck.

Tourist Class Menu October 4, 1958 – on show on “Main Street” on MV Doulos today

Same Menu, but translated into English

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 decided that the Franca C would be better fitted for another service, one that seemed to be proving popular around the world. Thus In 1959 Linea C withdrew her from the Atlantic trade and she was about to be transformed into a full time cruise ship in Genoa.

Go to Chapter 4 – MS Franca C the Cruise Ship via the Index below.

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MV Doulos Index

Chapters

Introduction A Vintage Liner Sails into the 21^st 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!

Give a Gift of Fuel – Help to fuel the Doulos or provide in other ways!

Return to the The Doulos Title Page

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By Kosta Specis & Hun-Eng Tan

Reuben Goossens commenced in Passenger Shipping industry in May 1960

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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!

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