The Friends of steamship Rotterdam reconstructed the artwork in the Tropic bar. Our volunteer Jan Fahner is a real craftsman and has rebuilt the complete artwork. PPG Industries supported him free by analyzing the colors and by coating the doors of the closets. We are very grateful to PPG Industries for their support.
Jan Fahner with his masterpiece (picture Maarten Krijnen)Fortunately the framework of the artwork was still in place (picture Klaas Krijnen)The back of the rebuilt artwork in the original framework (picture Koos Sanderse)One of the two ‘eyes’ at the back of the artwork (picture Maarten Krijnen)One of the two ‘eyes’ on the front (picture Maarten Krijnen)The two ‘eyes’ are mounted (picture Koos Sanderse)The front of the artwork, still without doors (picture Koos Sandere)Volunteers at work (picture Maarten Krijnen)The wonderful result (picture Maarten Krijnen)View from the bar (picture Maarten Krijnen)
The Tropic bar has been designed by the architect Carel Wirtz and was constructed by Eckhart’s Meubelfabriek. Long ago Holland America Line replaced the artwork by a bottle-rack. We are proud to contribute to the authenticity of the ss Rotterdam by reconstructing the artwork.
2019 started with rough weather. Tuesday January 8 the tide was very high. Visitors had to climb the gangways. Wednesday January 9 the ss Rotterdam lay peacefully in the sun.
Pictures by Maarten KrijnenPictures by Klaas Krijnen
Jeroen Struijs is an enthusiastic builder of LEGO-models. He created wonderful models of the ss Nieuw Amsterdam and the ss Rotterdam. It took about 4.000 pieces and 25 hours to create each model. Last Wednesday he gave them on loan to our foundation. They can be seen at the end of the engine room tour till March 2019.
Today 20 years ago the ss Rotterdam visited Rotterdam with the name ss Rembrandt. It was for the first time since she left Rotterdam on October 6 1971.
On September 13 festivities took place on the ssRotterdam to celebrate that the ship was launched 60 years ago by Queen Juliana. Mrs. Agaath Reuchlin repeated the explanation her father, director of Holland America Line in those days, gave about the design of the ss Rotterdam. Former employee of the Rotterdam Drydock Company Evert van der Schee told us about the enormous works that were done to built the ss Rotterdam. Photographer Daniel van de Ven shared his remembrance of the christening and launch by Queen Juliana.
Former employees of the Rotterdam Drydock Company arrive with the Dockyard V. Pictures by Maarten and Klaas Krijnen
Mrs Agaath Reuchlin repeated the speech her father gave during the building of the ship. Picture Jan-Willem Koene
Evert van der Schee told us about his experiences at the Rotterdam Drydock Company. Picture Jan-Willem Koene
Photographer Daniel van de Ven shared his secrets about taking the ultimate pictures. Picture Jan-Willem Koene
The exact moment of the launch, 4.40 PM, was celebrated with a long blast on the horns of the ss Rotterdam and the Dockyard V. One of the ships of Port of Rotterdam provided for a water ballet. Pictures Jan-Willem Koene
The Dockyard V offered the opportunity to make short trips around the Maashaven with magnificent views of the ss Rotterdam. Pictures Klaas Krijnen
Pictures Jan-Willem Koene
During the evening of September 13 2018 the ss Rotterdam lay shining in her homeport. Pictures Hans Hoffmann
