Radio Direction Finder

19 Nov 2017 | News

On the bridge a Radio Direction Finder (RDF) is connected to an antenna on the wheelhouse top. The RDF was compulsory until the end of the nineties of the former century. It was introduced before Decca, Loran-C and GPS came into use. With the RDF one could find the position of the ship by hearing and combining several beacons. The RDF was not necessary anymore when the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) was introduced (courtesy of the PI4HAL transmitting society on board the ss Rotterdam). During the eighties the original circular antenna on the ss Rotterdam was replaced by a square one as shown on the following picture (Picture Koos Sanderse).

This summer Hilckmann Maritiem in Nijmegen offered a circular antenna, probably used on the ss Nieuw Amsterdam (scrapped in 1974). With funding of WestCord Hotels the antenna was bought and transported to Rotterdam. Thanks to Mammoet the antenna (100 kilo) was hoisted to the wheelhouse top (Picture Paul Kitsz).

Our volunteers mounted the antenna on its place (Picture Koos Sanderse)

Our volunteer Jan Tjassens Keiser made the following picture at the end of the day.

Compass has been restored

3 Nov 2017 | News

Our volunteers have restored the magnetic compass on the wheelhouse top. It needed maintenance since a long time. The compass was dismounted, cleaned and varnished back to the original state. We are very proud that the compass stands in all its glory on the wheelhouse top again.

The compass after restoration. Picture Henk Salij

The compass in 1994. The brassware has partly been painted white to avoid polishing. Picture Klaas Krijnen

The compass in 2007. Picture Klaas Krijnen

The console of the compass has been varnished. Picture Jan-Willem Koene

The two bulbs that reduce the ships magnetic field have been painted in the original colours red and green. Picture Jan-Willem Koene

Volunteers Ton Lenselink and Jan Tjassens Keiser prepare the console for hoisting it to the wheelhouse top. Picture Henk Salij

The console is back on the wheelhouse top. Picture Henk Salij

Jan Tjassens Keiser at work. Picture Henk Salij

The top of the compass. Picture Jan Tjassens Keiser

Special donation by Leo Knape

14 Oct 2017 | News

This summer our true contributor Leo Knape celebrated his fiftieth birthday. Overwhelmed by the many presents he received he decided to let us share in it. He handed over to the secretary-traesurer and chairman of the Friends of steamschip Rotterdam a cheque of 500 Euro. Picture by Paul van Ommeren