MV Doulos Chapter 3

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) was sold and renamed: SS Roma (1948-1952)

MS Franca C (1952-1977) - MV Doulos - (1977-2010)

Doulos Phos – (2010 - ) now located permanently in Singapore

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 means nor reproduced in any format, be it for private or commercial usage without prior written permission from the author. Email info@ssmaritime.com.

*Photographic credits are usually shown under each image, however if a photograph is marked “Photographer unknown” please see the bottom of the page

“A New Beginning”

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 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 Genoa and according to the Costa family tradition all Linea C ships would carry the Christian name of a family member and in this case she would be named Franca C. Later, she was taken to La Spezia and the Ansaldo S.A. shipyards at Muggiano where she was converted 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 that gave the ship a respectable speed of 15 knots. Remarkably, this engine was originally purchased from the Italian Navy and Costa was going to use it in another ship, the Maria C, but decided to place it in their newly acquired Franca C. In January 1953 the gleaming all white MS Franca C was completed and was registered as being 6,549 GRT. Soon after she made her sea trials with great susses.

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

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.

Franca C seen in Willemstad, Curacao in the early 60’s whilst still operating as a liner

Caribbean Photo Studios - Rich Turnwald Collection

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.

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 Venezuela on the Franca “C” in tourist class, of course. I enjoyed the trip thoroughly. I don't think my family did though. For me, an eight year old boy, it was an adventure. I was the only one who did not get seasick. One of my most vivid memories is weathering a rather severe storm during which I went on deck, hanging on to an air shaft and of a desperate crew member snatched me way to safety. I thought it was lark. F. Kurka.”

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

An original Linea “C” ashtray from the Franca C – 1959 whilst she was on the South American liner service

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 Genoa.

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

Return to the Author’s – MV Doulos “A Ship Like No Other” Main Index

PLEASE NOTE:

Doulos was decommissioned by OM Ships in December 2009 whilst she was in Singapore

Read my … “MV Doulos Preservation Campaign” page for details …

on how my campaign saved her for the future to become the Doulos Phos.

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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!

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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages 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.

Copyright: “MV Doulos - A Ship Like No Other” is owned, protected under the International © copyright laws and is the property of Reuben Goossens of ssmaritime.net. No part of this work including any of the images shown may be copied or reproduced by any means or reproduced by any format whatsoever, be it for private or commercial usage, without prior written permission from the author.

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