MV
Doulos (1977-2010) - MS Franca C (1952-1977) - SS Roma (1948-1952) - SS Medina
(1914-1948)
A superbly built American built ship that sailed into History
and she remains with us to this very day!
With
Reuben Goossens
Maritime Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer &
Author
Commenced in the Passenger Shipping Industry in 1960
A superbly built American built ship that sailed into History
and she remains with us to this very day!
Please Note: All ssMaritime and my
other related ssMaritime sites are 100% non-commercial and privately owned
sites. Be assured that I am NOT associated with any cruise or shipping
companies or travel/cruise agencies or any other organisations! The author has
been in the passenger shipping industry since May 1960 and is now semi-retired,
but continues and I hope that the well over 675
Classic Liners and Cargo-Passengers ships I have written on will continue to
provide classic ship enthusiasts and continue a great deal of
information and pleasure!
SS Medina (1914-1948)
“A Ship Like no Other”
By Reuben Goossens
Maritime
Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer, Author & Maritime Lecturer
Postcard -
Author’s private collection
At the conclusion of the 1977 Mediterranean
cruise season, Costa Cruises had decided to lay up the Franca C. However,
certain passengers on Franca C’s very last cruise would soon have a
decisive effect on the ships future! Costa decided the time had come to sell
the old lady, which had served them faithfully for 25 years. Costa was quite
certain that her days would finally come to an end, and that she would be
purchased by one of the many breakers yards.
During her final cruise there were several
representatives from a Christian charity organisation onboard, as they were in
search for a second ship suitable for their operations. Realising the
possibilities of this ship, as she was in a splendid condition, and combined
with the reasonable price, they decided to purchase her. On November 4, 1977,
the formal agreement was signed, and this superb vintage liner had been rescued
once again from the breakers, for the third time. Following her purchase she
was dry docked at
Provided by MV Doulos
The world’s
largest floating book exhibition
MS Franca C was taken to
Finally, on June 3, 1978, after her refit in
Above and below: Book exhibition is located aft on Boat Deck
Provided MV Doulos
MV Doulos usually has a complement of 320/350
crew and staff. Amazingly, all crew and staff onboard are volunteers and come
from over 30 countries worldwide. This includes the captain, officers,
engineers, etc, etc.
How are they funded? As these ships are
entirely non-denominational, Churches, organisations, community groups or
individuals from around the world sponsor a volunteer for two months, or up to
two years.
Just forward of the book fair is the popular Café
Shop
Provided by MV Doulos
Provided by MV
Doulos
“1993 Electrical
Project”
The Doulos at
Photograph by & © 1993 Stephen Moore
At the ripe age of 79, it was realised that
the Doulos needed significant modifications and urgent repairs. Due to a series
of miracles, to say the least, the Doulos was saved once again from being
scrapped and was given a major "Heart Transplant." You can read about
this major event which took place in 1993 in
In 1994 the aft stairwell was
photographed when the delightful original Franco C Paulucci
painting was still there. It was located on the
middle level between Lounge
and Sun Deck, but it was removed and a smaller image placed there in stead
This is the Doulos image that
replaced the superb painting seen above
Photograph by & ©
2008 Reuben Goossens
Photo Gallery
Photograph by & ©
1999 Reuben Goossens
Photograph by & ©
Reuben Goossens
Photograph by & © Raoul Fiebig
Photograph by & © Raoul Fiebig
Photographs by & ©
1999 Reuben Goossens
Photographs by & ©
1999 Reuben Goossens
Photograph by & ©
1999 Reuben Goossens
Photograph by & © Raoul Fiebig
History and the future has finally
met up
Photograph © 2007 http://mrsanguine.com
MV
Doulos Specifications
MV Doulos: Her name is a Greek word for
"Servant"
IMO: 5119105
Call Sigh: 9HKF
Built:
Tonnage: 6,818 GRT (Gross Registered Tons)
Launched: 22 August 1914 as SS Medina a coastal
freighter (Mallory Shipping Co)
Length: 130.35m - 410ft
Width: 16.6m - 54ft
Draft: 5.5m - 18.2ft
Engines:
Steam triple expansion (1914)
Fiat Diesels - four stroke, V18-cyl
unit, 5,958kW-8,100bhp, Intermediate fuel (installed in 1970)
Service
speed: 12 to 15 knots
Propeller: 1 - fixed pitch propeller
Electric
Plant: 3 AC Gen Sets 380V 50Hz
2 Bergen KRG 6 (1125 kVA)
1 Bergen KRG 5 (750 kVA)
Crew/staff: 350 / 414 (variable)
Special
feature: Counter stern.
Deck
Arrangements 2008
Bridge Deck: Wheel house/chart
room.
Captain's Deck: Captain & officer quarters.
Boat Deck: Fwd: Library, officer
quarters, radio station. Aft: Snack Bar, Book Exhibition (Open in port &
open to the public).
Lounge Deck: Lounges, VIP Lounge,
Information Desk, offices, classrooms and a nursery. Covered promenade decks on
both sides, and a spacious aft covered
children’s deck/play area. Forward out on deck and Al Fresco
“International Café” (Open only in port and open to the public)
Promenade Deck: Dining room,
galleys, bakery, cabins, sickbay, family quarter’s workshops, laundry,
and side covered promenade decks.
Main Deck: (
A & B Deck: Cabins, book storeroom aft, baggage rooms
holds 1 & 2 and engine room.
It now
hangs in my office
The name “
In addition her Costa
Lines name “Franca C”
can be seen behind the name Doulos
Note the “F” just to the left of
the “D” of Doulos
Click HERE for an enlargement of this
photograph
Photograph by & ©
2008 Reuben Goossens
Go
to Chapter 6 - 1993
Electrical Project – MV Doulos received a
“Heart Transplant” in
Return
to the Author’s – MV Doulos “A Ship Like No Other” Main
Index
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“Blue Water Liners sailing to the distant shores.
I watched them come, I watched them go and I watched them
die.”
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