On September 3 1959 the ss Rotterdam started her maiden voyage from Rotterdam to New York. During this liner voyage Princess Beatrix was special guest on her way to New York to celebrate 350 years connection between the Netherlands and the United States.
Today 65 years ago the ss Rotterdam became flagship of Holland America Line (HAL). In the evening of August 20 1959 Queen Juliana hoisted the flag of HAL while at sea. Shortly before the flag of Rotterdam Drydock Company had been lowered. The builders delivered the ship a month before the settled date. On September 3 1959 she started her maiden voyage from Rotterdam to New York. The Rotterdam was HAL’s flagship until September 30 1997.
On May 4 in Rotterdam the three ships with the (former) name Rotterdam were together in Rotterdam. The ss Rotterdam V was on her permanent berth in the Maashaven, while the former Rotterdam VI, now Borealis, was on the Wilhelminapier, together with the Rotterdam VII.
The Rotterdam VII with the Borealis, former Rotterdam VI at the Wilhelminapier (picture by Wessel Brinkman)
The 3 ships in one picture while the Rotterdam VII left the harbour (picture by Henk Salij)
Two pictures of the Rotterdam V, taken from the Rotterdam VII by Wessel Brinkman
On January 30 Ton Wesselink, general-manager of the ss Rotterdam, opened the new museum in the former linen room. The museum has been designed and built by the volunteers of Friends of steamship Rotterdam. The museum is part of the engineroom tour that can be done daily on the ss Rotterdam.
Pictures by Jan-Willem Koene
Pictures by Klaas Krijnen
Picture Jan Egberts
In the Grand Ballroom new carpet has been laid by WestCord Hotels. After 13 years of intensive use the carpet had to be renewed. Recently the carpet in the Ambassador Room has been renewed.
Picture by Ryan Derks
Picture by Reinier Paping