Last winter the model of the ss Rotterdam in Madurodam has been renovated. Since the sixties the model has been an eye catcher in this miniature city in The Hague. In 2006 the model was renovated in corporation with the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation. Pictures by Maarten Krijnen.
At the end of April 1958 the building of the hull of the ss Rotterdam was far advanced. On the forward deck the bollards are being placed. Behind the sign RDM 300 the shafts of the two forward holds can be seen. In the background the Upper-Promenadedeck is under construction.
At the stern the tub of the outside swimming pool can be seen. Behind it the shafts to the third hold and to the engine room are visible.
On April 15 the Citroen ID/DS Club Nederland organized a meeting of Pike cars at the quay of the ss Rotterdam. The model dates from 1955. Pictures made by Jan-Willem Koene.
The ss Rotterdam departs from New York in April 1993 (picture Klaas Krijnen)
After the keel was laid on December 1956 the building of the new flagship of Holland America Line, then known as # 300, went prosperous. On March 28 1958 the front of the Promenadedeck was almost ready, as can be seen on the first picture. Next to the tent the two forward shafts can be seen. On the second picture the aft end of the Lower-Promenadedeck is still open. The booths on the deck are the future bathrooms. Between them the aft shaft to the laundry and refrigerating hold can be seen. In front of the letters PR-D the shaft to the enige room is visible. Behind the letters PR-D and the pile of wood the not-rectangular hole is the future aft staircase.
60 years ago the ss Rotterdam was launched by the Rotterdam Drydock Company. Half a year before a lot of work still had to be done to complete the hull. March 15 1958 the level of the Promenadedeck had been reached. On the first picture can be seen that the bow was still under construction. Below the Lower-Promenadedeck and the Maindeck can be seen. The second picture shows the aft end of the ship with the Lower-Promenadedeck and Maindeck still unfinished. The bollards are being placed on the Maindeck. Pictures RDM / collection Friends of steamship Rotterdam
