Rolling Down Rio

A Slide Lecture
Presented by Anthony Cooke

Blue Star Line's Paraguay Star in London's ROYAL DOCKS - June 1964.
(Photograph by Theodore W. Scull)

Tony Cooke, publisher of Carmania Press in the United Kingdom, presented his annual lecture.
This time on the very interesting subject of ships carrying passengers and cargo,
that traded between Europe and South America as well as United States ports and South America.
Some of the featured lines were Blue Star, Royal Mail, Hamburg Sud, Italia and Moore-McCormack.

OCEAN LINER BAZAAR
Saturday, December 4, 2004

Thursday, November 18, 2004

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE OF QUEEN MARY 2

A Slide Illustrated Talk By

Second Officer Benjamin S. B. Lyons

Ben Lyons, who last spoke to us about his cadet year at sea, is now sailing as Second Officer for Cunard Line. His illustrated talk began with a December 2002 visit to Chantiers de l'Atlantique where the Queen Mary 2 was under construction and then jumped ahead a year when he joined the ship prior to its completion, the arrival in its homeport of Southampton, and the maiden voyage in January, 2004. Since then Ben has voyaged to South America, to Piraeus before the Olympic Games, Norwegian fjords and transatlantic numerous times. He spoke to us, having just disembarked from Queen Mary 2 in New York for a month's leave.

Friday October 29^th 2004

WORLD JOURNEY VIEWED ON POSTCARDS BY MARINE ARTISTS

Peter Fleming

The postcard journey started in Liverpool, England and traveled eastward around the world terminating in New York City. 69 ports in 46 countries, including former colonies and protectorates, were viewed on artist rendering postcards. 86 ships from the 1890s to 1950s and belonging to 41 companies from ten countries were represented.

Peter Fleming, is a major collector of art postcards depicting ocean liners. He was making his third appearance and showed some beautiful examples from his archives. His audience enjoyed this evening of travel via maritime art.

Friday, October 1, 2004

~ Steamboats on the Hudson ~
From Active Service to Tangible Remains

Tom Rinaldi

Tom Rinaldi, one of our youngest members, completed a major research project to locate the remnants of Hudson River steamboats such as the Alexander Hamilton, Mary Powell, Albany and a replica of Robert Fulton's Clermont, cross-Hudson ferryboats Beacon, Brinkerhoff and Garrison and more.

He showed us slides of the boats in service and told us what happened to them and where he located their 'bones' many decades after they ceased operating. All enjoyed this fine program and enthusiastic lecture by Tom.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2004

LUNCHEON AND TOUR - MV NORWEGIAN DAWN
This event was open to both Members and Non-members.

Saturday, September 11, 2004

A MEMBERS-ONLY CELEBRATION

A WALK THROUGH TOUR OF SS TOPAZ

Approxiamtely 60 PONY Branch members enjoyed a visit to this ship, one of the last classic steamships in passenger service. TOPAZ has had a storied career that includes service as a transatlantic liner, part-time cruise ship, full-time cruise ship, and missionary ship. She entered transatlantic service in 1956 as Canadian Pacific's EMPRESS OF BRITAIN and later sailed as Greek Line's QUEEN ANNA MARIA, Carnival's CARNIVALE and FIESTA MARINA, and Epirotiki's OLYMPIC. Now TOPAZ, she sails for the Japan-based PeaceBoat, an organization committed to peace, human rights, sustainable development and the environment. While much of her has been redecorated over the years, her layout is quite original and traces of her Canadian Pacific paneled, brass, and etched glass interiors abound. TOPAZ was at New York as PeaceBoat's representative to the 9/11 third anniversary commemoration. We were honored they have included us by inviting us aboard.

Friday, June 25, 2004

STEAMING TO ADVENTURE - MEMORABLE SEA JOURNEYS

BY THEODORE W. SCULL

(Above center) Swan Hellenic's ORPHEUS, Sharm el Sheik, Sinai, November 11, 1991.
(Lower left) Alaska Marine Highway's MATANUSKA January 9, 1980.
(lower right)East Africa Railway & Harbour's USOGA Lake Victoria, Bukoba, Tanganyika, August 1962.

Ted Scull, intrepid traveler with over four years at sea, took us on nearby and far-flung adventures by ocean liner, cruise ship, migrant carrier, lake steamer and ferry. Ships and destinations were P&0-Orient Lines' ORSOVA trans-Pacific to Australia, Alaska Marine Highway's MATANUSKA North to Alaska in January, HAL's ROTTERDAM to a year in London, E.A.R.&H's USOGA on Lake Victoria, North of Scotland's ST. CLAIR and ST. ROGNVALD to the Shetlands and Orkneys, Swan Hellenic's ORPHEUS to the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, and British India's DWARKA through the Persian Gulf into the Indian Ocean.

Friday, May 21, 2004

MARITIME FILMS
AND PHOTOGRAPHS IN VIDEO FORMAT

A program presented by John McFarlane

R. M. S. Sylvania the last of the four sisters.

Two videos were introduced and narrated; The program began with the showing of a video outling the construction and history of four Cunard Line sisterships built in the mid-1950's. Often referred to as the "Saxonia Sisters", they served in several trades and with several different lines including services to and from the Port of New York. The former Saxonia was scrapped in 1999 and earlier this year two more of these vessels ended their careers at the shipbreakers at Alang, India.

The second video, created and finished a few days before the program, began with the April 22 maiden arrival of QUEEN MARY 2 in New York harbor. This video also included scenes from the tandem sailing from New York of QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 and QUEEN MARY 2 on April 25 as well as views of the liners sailing across the Atlantic together.

The images were viewed using a video projector and included titles as well as music.

Friday, April 30, 2004
OUR MAN ABOARD QUEEN MARY 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Maritime historian John Maxtone-Graham attended the christening on January 8th and then sailed four days later on the maiden voyage of QM2. John shared his impressions and pictures about both Marys--the beloved 1930's namesake as well as the giant new liner--for his friends at the World Ship Society. He had with him a (limited) supply of the final trade-book edition of his Queen Mary 2 book for sale, inscribed and autographed. Additionally, some copies of his unique Cavalcade of Cunarders poster.
(Above photographs Theodore W. Scull collection.)

Friday, March 26, 2004

A TRIBUTE TO CHARTER MEMBER AND WORLD TRAVELER
VINCENT MESSINA

We celebrated the life of PONY Branch member Vincent Messina, who died in January 2003, with a slide illustrated show of some of his best ship photography, a live auction and sale of his collection of ship brochures, photographs, books and souvenirs, and tributes from long-time friends. Members of his family were in attendance.

Click This Link For Photos of the Occasion.

The photographs were taken by Ellen Meshnick, PONY Branch Membership Secrteary.

Friday, February 27, 2004
Cruising Louisiana's Waterways Aboard the RIVER EXPLORER
Presented by Marjorie Dovman

The RIVER EXPLORER is a 730-foot, two-unit, three-deck hotel barge propelled by MISS NARI, a towboat lashed to the stern. The New Orleans-based cruises will explore Louisiana's Cajun and Creole County in the Atchafalaya Basin and the mighty Mississippi River as far downstream as Pilot Town and Mile O just in from the Gulf of Mexico.

Friday January 30, 2004
VOYAGING ON THE SEAS

A slide presentation by J. Fred Rodriguez.
The slide illustrated program covered the rise of the port of Miami as the world's number cruise ship terminal and the development of Royal Caribbean's ships into the innovative Voyage class. We then had a complete tour of this pace setting ship and heard about plans for the Ultra Voyager unit that will measure approximately 160,000 tons, or over 20,000 tons larger than the present class.

HOLIDAY PARTY
Saturday, December 13, 2003
Our Annual Holiday Party, for members and invited guests, was held at the Seaman's Church Institute, Lower Manhattan
near the South Street Seaport. Buffet was served at 3:30pm followed by the showing of the members' slide program at 4:30pm.

OCEAN LINER BAZAAR

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2003

The World Ship Society (Port of New York Branch) held an Ocean Liner Bazaar
on Saturday, December 6, 2003 between 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M.
The Bazaar was located at the Abigail Adams Smith Auditorium
at 421 East 61st Street between First and York Avenues, Manhattan.
The Bazaar was held even though the U.S. east coast was experiencing one of the biggest early season snowstorms ever. The snow cut into the participation of several vendors as well as effecting the general attendance. Those vendors who were able to exhibit stated that business was brisk. Participating vendors offered maritime memorabilia. Among the items for sale were ocean liner brochures, deck plans, paintings, prints, china, glassware, silverware, pins, books ,souvenirs and more.

Friday, November 21, 2003

"Liners in Motion - NYC"

(Photograph "Funnels" by Finn Tornquist)

PONY Branch member Finn Tornquist narrated and showed us New York City video footage of ships arriving and departing during the last 15 years. Some of the ships that were included in this program were: REGAL EMPRESS, SONG OF AMERICA, QUEEN OF BERMUDA (ex-BRASIL), DREAMWARD, HORIZON, NORDIC EMPRESS;
as well as some classics - OCEAN BREEZE, MERIDIAN, ISLAND BREEZE, PACIFIC PRINCESS,
REMBRANDT and NORWAY. We witnessed many early morning arrivals and afternoon sailings at the port including authentic maritime sounds as well as steam whistles and air horns.

Friday October 31, 2003

"Voyages, Part III"
A slide illustrated talk presented by Bill Miller
In November of last year, Bill Miller took us along on some of his cruises and other voyages in the 1980s and beyond.
In this program, Bill continued recalling his world travels. Some of the ships that he covered this time were: ASTOR, OCEAN ISLANDER, DELTA & MISSISSIPPI QUEEN, ROTTERDAM, VISTAFJORD, QE2 and PRINCESS MAHSURI.

Schermerhorn Row
(Photograph "Seaport" Magazine)

Friday, September 19, 2003

MEETING HELD AT THE SOUTH STREET SEAPORT MUSEUM

The program consisted of several parts:
1) Introduction to the South Street Seaport Museum by President Peter Neill who will also host our visit, he was introduced by Ted Scull,
2) Fulton Street in the days of the sailing packets and as the heart of the Port of New York,
3) An excellent sunset tour of the Seaport Museum's ship and boat collection on the East River,
4) An advance look at the new galleries under construction in the Schermerhorn Row Buildings that will house new exhibits beginning in October.

Friday, June 27, 2003

ARCHIVAL MARITIME FILMS
AND PHOTOGRAPHS IN VIDEO FORMAT

A program presented by John McFarlane

Two videos were shown; the first was a tribute to S.S. UNITED STATES
and the second was a video prepared for the 150th Anniversary of Cunard Line in 1990.

SS UNITED STATES sails on her maiden voyage.

PONY Branch member John McFarlane, who is also our webmaster, began photographing ships in the port in the early 1950's. He showed and narrated two videos that included both archival photographs, color films and video images that he captured beginning in the 1950's and additional images continuing into recent years.

RMS QUEEN MARY sails from New York for the last time.

The images were viewed using a video projector and included titles as well as music. Among the subjects that were covered was the maiden voyage of SS UNITED STATES, her current status in Philadelphia and vintage films of Cunard liners including the famous RMS QUEEN MARY and RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH.

Friday, May 30, 2003

Emigrant Liners - A Slide Illustrated Lecture by Anthony Cooke

CASTEL FELICE at Southampton.

Tony Cooke, publisher of Carmania Press and a London resident, returned for his annual talk, this time on emigrant ships. He included such liners as Italian Line's VULCANIA, P&O's HIMALAYA, Lloyd Triestino's
GALILEO GALILEI and Sitmar's CASTLE FELICE.
Our fellow enthusiasts from the Long Island Chapter of Steamship Historical Society joined us to welcome Tony and to allow him to enlighten and entertain us.

Sunday, May 25, 2003

M/V NORWEGIAN DAWN

Luncheon and Tour

The World Ship Society (Port of New York Branch) sponsored a luncheon and tour of the newest Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ship at the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal. NORWEGIAN DAWN is the first year round passenger ship to be based at the Port of New York in many years. At 92,000 gross tons and capable of a speed of 25 knots, she is one of the largest and fastest ships in the world. About 150 members and guests enjoyed the day on this fine new cruise ship.

QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 "Farewell Cruise to Bermuda"
May 4 to 10, 2003 called at Bermuda and Newport,RI.
An article will be posted on this cruise in the near future.

Friday, April 25, 2003

Ocean Liner Interiors Depicted in Art Postcards
A program presented by Peter Fleming

Steamship lines commissioned famous artists to paint ocean liner interiors, and these works of art resulted in full-size paintings and were often reduced in scale for use in company promotional materials such as brochures, deck plans, menus and post cards.

NYK Line - Trans-Pacific Verandah Cafe .

Peter Fleming, a well-reputed collector of art post cards, talked about the artists, the ships and the interiors, in his second slide illustrated lecture to the branch. An enjoyable program and an opportunity to view and hear about these rare images of ocean liner interiors of the past.

Friday, March 28, 2003

PASSENGER SHIPS ARRIVING AND DEPARTING
THE PORT OF NEW YORK - 1960s - 1990s

A program presenting the slide collection of the late Branch Member John Gillespie.
Narrated by Bill Miller with a Remembrance by John Gillespie's wife Alice Gillespie.

The late John Gillespie was an avid photographer and photographed liners
arriving and departing at the Port of New York starting in the 1960's up to the 1990's.
He was also a passenger on the final voyage of QUEEN ELIZABETH in October, 1968.
Prior to the slide presentation Bill Miller outlined details of his recent visit
to the shipyard in France where the QUEEN MARY 2, among other cruiseships, is being built.

Friday, February 28, 2003
MARITIME PHOTOGRAPHY
A program presented by J. Fred Rodriguez

Fred Rodriguez - charter PONY Branch member,
former chairman and present branch historian - is one of our prime photographers.
He discussed maritime photography and showed slides of many classic liners as examples.
Fred has just begun to try out digital photography as well and included that subject in his talk.
He also answered many audience questions.

Friday, January 31, 2003
CRUISING UNDER THE AMERICAN FLAG IN THE 21ST CENTURY

MS PATRIOT docked in Hawaii.

Ted Scull took us on eight celebratory and bitter sweet voyages
starting with the ocean-going SS INDEPENDENCE and MS PATRIOT in Hawaii;
then coastal cruising aboard the AMERICAN EAGLE in New England,
the GRANDE MARINER plying the Intracoastal Waterway, and the graceful SPIRIT OF '98 North to Alaska;
and finally inland river journeys with the CAPE MAY LIGHT along the St. Lawrence River and Seaway,
the riverboat COLUMBIA QUEEN in the Pacific Northwest, and the
national landmark DELTA QUEEN on the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

HOLIDAY PARTY
The December 7, 2002 meeting was our Annual Holiday Party at the Seaman's Church Institute, Lower Manhattan
near the South Street Seaport. Buffet was at 3:30pm followed by members' slide program at 4:30pm.
Our Slidemaster was once again former Branch Chairman Landon Brown and a good time was had by all.

Friday, November 22, 2002

"Voyages, Part II"
A slide illustrated talk by Bill Miller
In October of last year, Bill Miller took us along on some of his cruises and other voyages in the 1960s and '70s.
We left off with the maiden cruise to New York of P&O's ORIANA in August '79.
This time, we continued on, sharing in Bill's trips in the 1980s and beyond.
We "traveled" on such ships as the NORWAY, CANBERRA, QE2, ROTTERDAM, FAIRSTAR, AUSONIA and ACHILLE LAURO.
We visited China and the Baltic, Alaska and the South Pacific, and ports such as Sydney and Southampton, Shanghai and Santorini.

Friday, October 25, 2002

"ARANUI -The 'Great Road' to the Marquesas"
A slide illustrated talk by Vincent Messina, the PONY Branch's Great Wanderer.
The remote Marquesas, the islands that inspired Paul Gauguin and Herman Melville, lie well beyond the better known parts of French Polynesia - Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora. Until the 1960's they were a true colonial backwater. Then in 1984, a regular passenger-cargo liner service was established, and today the ARANUI II continues the tradition of bringing supplies and intrepid, adventurous passengers.
Our speaker described a recent cruise that he took to these islands and mentioned some of the other ships that have traded there.

Friday, September 27, 2002

THE FOUR STACKERS (1897-1950) - KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE TO AQUITANIA

Richard Morse, our long-serving branch treasurer, talked about the history of these magnificent four-funnel ships, and gave us a look at their interiors and provided his own anecdotes, including a personal visit to Cunard's AQUITANIA in 1939.

More than 20 PONY Branch members gathered for the
ship watching afternoon at Port Imperial, Weehawken, NJ

On Saturday afternoon September 14, 2002 the Branch held an informal gathering:
"An Afternoon of Ship Watching" - when five ships were docked at the NYC Passenger Ship Terminal.
The ships at the terminal on September 14 were CARNIVAL TRIUMPH, GOLDEN PRINCESS, HORIZON, and ZENITH. The classic ALBATROS (ex-SYLVANIA/FAIRWIND/DAWN PRINCESS) was in port overnight and readily viewable from Port Imperial. She had arrived at 3pm just as we were assembling. Three of the cruise ships sailed between 4:30 and 5:15pm. A special photographic permit was obtained for this group and Ted Scull was on hand to give a short talk on the future plans for the ferry service and the development of the West Shore.
The sun stayed with us and a fine time was had by all.

Friday June 28, 2002

PROGRAM

STEAMBOATS ON EUROPE'S INLAND WATERS
Presented by Karl Zimmermann

Europe's canals and lakes still host a surprising array of steamboats, former steamboats, and -- on Switzerland's Lac Leman -- once and future steamboats. We joined Karl Zimmermann first for a four-day journey on the trim Wilhelm Tham built in 1912, across Sweden's "Blue Ribbon", the Gota Canal, which since 1832 has linked Stockholm with Goteborg, the country's major seaport. Then, after a glimpse of the fleet of historic steamboats that still serve Stockholm, we moved on to Switzerland and the graceful paddle steamers that ply the Zurichsee, the Thunersee, the Brienzersee, the Vierwaldstattersee, and Lac Leman. These swanlike vessels, some a century old, are fully functional, workaday survivors from a more leisurely age. Those attending this presentation surely enjoyed this look at a different aspect of matters maritime.

SATURDAY JUNE 1, 2002
NEW YORK HARBOR CRUISE

The cruise included a visit to the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler where a wine and cheese reception was held. The itinerary took us down the Hudson River and then up the East River through Hell Gate to Fort Schuyler. Along the way we visited Erie Basin, Buttermilk Channel, and Newtown Creek. We sailed alongside the historic fireboat JOHN J HARVEY engaged in a water display. Near the end of the harbor cruise we sailed passed the departing cruie ships ZENITH, HORIZON and the new PRINSENDAM.
All of this was narrated by Ted Scull.

Friday May 31, 2002
PROGRAM
"THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY"

Branch historian J.Fred Rodriquez presented a program on the Staten Island Ferry.

Friday April 26, 2002

PROGRAM
CRUISING TO BERMUDA ABOARD PACIFIC PRINCESS
Presented by Roxanne Almond

Roxanne took us on her latest ship adventure, a cruise to Bermuda on the PACIFIC PRINCESS from Boston in October 2001. Her talk was as comprehensive as it could possibly be on the ship, her cruise and especially on Bermuda's history and sights. In Roxanne's view, the only way to go to Bermuda is by ship, and the only ship to go on is the PACIFIC PRINCESS, which is "just right" for the purpose. Showing us photographically around the ship, Roxanne felt that everything on board whetted the appetite for Bermuda, and that the beauty of the islands and the sea had been brought aboard. The next PONY Branch group cruise is on this ship in August 2002.

Friday, March 22, 2002

PROGRAM

A BLACK SEA TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE CRUISE ABOARD THE M.V. MARCO POLO
A slide illustrated talk by Nelson Arnstein.

Nelson Arnstein, who brought us the sensational two-projector program on "The Making of the Titanic", a terrific talk about the feature film and its set, returned with an entirely new subject. His talk began with a brief background on the ship as the Soviet liner ALEXANDR PUSHKIN, then onto his Eastern Mediterranean-Black sea cruise, with calls at Piraeus (Athens), ports in the Peloponnesus, then Mykonos, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Yalta, Odessa, and Istanbul. We also saw this made-over ship's interiors - public spaces and engine room, and lastly viewed his professional shots of the total eclipse itself.

February 22, 2002

PROGRAM
Ted Scull - "Voyaging No More:
Not -Too-Distant Ocean Liner and cruise Ship Sailings"
Past PONY Chairman, author and travel writer, Ted Scull, took us, via his slide presentation, on several memorable liner voyages as well as cruises aboard liners and cruiseships of the not too distant past. Some of the well known vessels included were ORIANA (1960), SEA PRINCESS (KUNGSHOLM 1965), STEFAN BATORY (MAASDAM 1952) and the much loved BRITANIS (MONTEREY 1932).

January 25, 2002

PROGRAM
Anthony Cooke - "Vanished Fleets".
Our annual speaker from London and Publisher/Owner of Carmania Press, Tony talked about some of the passenger lines and ships which have disappeared in recent years. We had a nostalgic look at the AUSTRALIS(ex- SS AMERICA) to the INDEPENDENCE, by way of CANBERRA, COSTA RIVIERA, LEONID SOBINOV and ACHILLE LAURO, among others.

HOLIDAY PARTY
The December 8, 2001 meeting was our Annual Christmas Party at the Seaman's Church Institute, Lower Manhattan
near the South Street Seaport. Buffet was at 3:30pm followed by members' slide program at 4:30pm. A good time was had by all.

The November 16, 2001 meeting featured W. Bradford Hatry whose topic was:

CRUISING TO CUBA ... 2001 STYLE

Brad Hatry, former Chairman of the PONY Branch, presented a very interesting slide program and talked about his week's cruise aboard VALTUR PRIMA, the former Swedish American liner STOCKHOLM (1948). The ports of call included two days at Havana, Cuba as well as western Caribbean ports. The ship had also sailed under the name of VOLKERFREUNDSCHAFT, which means 'International Friendship', when she was part of the fleet of the former East German-flag Deutsche Seereeeri. The presentation included aspects of the history of the ship as well as her current service and interior layout. The audience was also intrigued by the rare glimpses of contemporary Havana.

The October 26, 2001 meeting featured William H. Miller who's topic was:

"VOYAGES: SOME SHIPBOARD RECOLLECTIONS"

October brought us one of our best-known and most accomplished members, Bill Miller, discussing his early cruise experiences, a talk delivered with his usual enthusiasm and accompanied by his always superb photography. Bill took us from his first cruise, up the Hudson to Albany on the ALEXANDER HAMILTON, through the short cruises he enjoyed during the 60's, and then on into the 70's as he branched out into longer and more exotic cruises, including a couple of forays by freighter.

The September 28, 2001 meeting featured J.Fred Rodriguez who's topic was:

"TURNING A SHIP AROUND IN THE PORT OF NEW YORK"

September provided us with something a little different from the usual slide show. Branch historian Fred Rodriguez devised an audience-participation quiz of sorts that both entertained us and demonstrated the numerous people and the amazing amount of detail involved in getting a ship from here to there and back again. Each audience member was given a couple of index cards identifying their holder as some person relevant to that procedure. As Fred went through his presentation, he tossed out questions to each officer, baggage handler or whoever, who was expected to answer. Some actually did, others were overcome by shyness. And a good time was had by all.

The June 29, 2001 meeting featured former PONY Branch Chairman David Powers who's topic was:

"THE FLAGSHIPS OF FREEPORT"

David Powers visited Freeport this past spring and had the chance to photograph some of the laid up liners - REMBRANDT (ex-ROTTERDAM), the BIG RED BOAT (ex-OCEANIC), BIG RED BOAT II (ex-EUGENIO C/EUGENIO COSTA/EDINBURGH CASTLE) and BIG RED BOAT III (ex-TRANSVAAL CASTLE/S.A.VAAL/FESTIVALE/ISLAND BREEZE). David was able to go aboard REMBRANDT and he gave us a fascinating interior tour, emphasizing how well she looks, how well everything is looked after, but also how dust from the outside has filtered in to coat all the furnishings. In addition he talked about DOLPHIN IV (ex-ZION) and the now departed REGENT SUN (ex-SHALOM), and as the branch is cruising aboard REGAL EMPRESS this summer, to Freeport no less, some of this ships' background as OLYMPIA and CARIBE I.

The May 18, 2001 meeting featured PONY Brancher Finn Tornquist who's topic was:

"THE STEAMSHIPS OF NORWAY'S SOUTHERN COAST"

Finn Tornquist grew up in the southern Norwegian port city of Kristiansand in the era before a well developed road system and significant private car ownership. The south coast services linked towns along the deeply indented coast between Oslo in the east and Bergen in the west. The ships were quite small but full of character, and our speaker related tales of the then big events of seeing friends and family arrive and sail as well as making a few of his own trips as a youngster. By the 1960s the ships were gone, though a few lingered on elsewhere or in a preserved static state, while the west coast service known as the Hurtigruten, still thrives.

The April 27, 2001 meeting featured our guest Allan Jordan who's topic was:

"GOING CRUISING"

Allan Jordan, using excellent color reproductions from shipping brochures, showed us what cruising was like in the past, well before it became a mass market pastime. We saw illustrations of cabins and suites, public rooms, dining rooms, promenades and deck spaces. Some of the examples showed how grand it all was and some how primitive the accommodations were by todays standards. Air conditioning and stabilizers were not yet the norm, so one was left with the impression that cruising was indeed different, reserved mostly for those with high incomes, stylish and a bit of an adventure. To complete the story, we saw the development of the modern cruise ship from the late 1960s onward.

The March 30, 2001 meeting had J. Fred Rodriguez present us with:

"THE VERA CRUZ GOES NORTH"

In 1980 a relatively new company, Bahama Cruise Lines, went into the cruise business with seven-day cruises between New York and Montreal, using the former Zim Lines ship THEODOR HERZL, renamed VERA CRUZ. Not quite 500 feet in length, and under a rather young captain, Jens Thorn, she called at such ports as New Bedford, Sydney, Quebec and Montreal as well as visiting the Gaspe Peninsula and Saguenay River.

Charter member, past chairman and current historian J. Fred Rodriguez lectured on board during seven cruises between 1980 and 1983. At the March meeting he brought a show of slides and sounds from one of the smallest passenger ships to sail during the 1980's.

The February 23, 2001 meeting brought us Edward Dunbaugh giving a presentation:

AMERICAN PASSENGER STEAMSHIPS
On The Atlantic Coast in 1931

We all know that the period between 1907 and 1939 was the great era of ocean liners. This period was also the great era of American coastal steamships. There were large overnight steamers from Boston to various ports in Maine or Nova Scotia. Overnight steamers also ran out of New York to Albany and various other landings along the Hudson. Several large liners sailed regularly out of New York for ports farther south: the Porto Rico Line ran to San Juan, the Ward Line to Havana and the Panama Line to Cristobal.

This talk was limited to vessels serving ports on the East Coast of the United States no farther south than Miami. The concentration was on the onernight lines of the Long Island Sound and the Chesapeake Bay.

Our speaker, a historian with a personal interest in coastal steamers, focused on the year 1931. This was the last year that new vessels were built for the coastal lines. All but a few of these vessels still in service as late as 1941 were taken for war service. After the war, virtually none returned.

The January 26, 2001 meeting featured Anthony Cooke lecturing on:

PASSENGER SHIPS OLD AND NEW:
From Long Beach to St. Nazaire

Anthony Cooke, British ship buff and writer, publisher and seller of ocean liner books, crossed the pond once again to address us on our favorite topic. And again our fellow ship lovers from the Steamship Historical Society's Long Island Chapter joined us for the occasion.

Inspired by visits to QUEEN MARY and the French shipyard where many of today's cruise ships are mass-produced, Anthony Cooke's talk ranged over the changes that have taken place in passenger ships over the past 70 years. Many favorite ships were mentioned.....and, of course, some not-so-well-known ones.

December 9, 2000...... MEMBERS' SLIDE AFTERNOON AND HOLIDAY PARTY held at the Seamen's Church Institute. This annual, well attended event was again a great success with a number of members presenting slide presentations. Click here for some views of the event.......photos by William Lulack.

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