65 years ago the keel was laid
65 years go, on December 14 1956, the keel of the ss Rotterdam was laid at the Rotterdam Drydock Company. In fact the first two sections of the ship, then known as yard number 300, were placed on the slope.
The Christmas star is shining on the ss Rotterdam
Following the tradition our volunteers mounted the Christmas star between the smokestacks of the ss Rotterdam.
Picture by Henk Salij
Pictures by Jan Egberts
Volunteers at work on the ss Rotterdam
Our volunteers are up and coming on the ss Rotterdam. After working on the restoration of the wooden artwork in the Queens lounge they continued to arrange the original drawings of the ship and preparing the traditional Christmas star between the smoke stacks. An authentic toolbox of a ships carpenter has been donated to us. We have given it a place in the museum on C deck in the former laundry. Our electricien mounted a spotlight above it.
Pictures made by Klaas Krijnen
50 years ago last departure from Rotterdam
On October 6 1971 the ss Rotterdam left the harbour of Rotterdam for the last time with her original name. After drydocking she went on a transatlantic voyage to New York. It lasted till October 26,1998, when she returned to Rotterdam as ss Rembrandt.
Picture taken by Henk van Veen on October 6 1971 (collection Klaas Krijnen)
Restauration artwork Queens Lounge
Our volunteers have reached a very satisfying result in restoring the mural artwork in the Queens Lounge. The Queens Lounge of 1959 has been designed by H.P. Mutters Jr. The wooden artwork was made of aspen, with an inlay of several species of wood depicting Fishermen’s Nets. During the renovation in 2009 a fire slackening layer derogated the appearance of the artwork. Our foundation took the initiative to restore the artwork, with the professional advice of the restorators Miko Vasques Dias and Elise Andersson.
The artwork Fishermen’s Nets during restoration showing the first results (picture Koos Sanderse)
The professional restorators Miko Vasques Dias and Elise Andersson showing the result of their experimental restoration (picture Klaas Krijnen)
Our team: Koos Sanderse, Henk Salij, Jan Tjassens Keiser and Ton Lenselink (picture Klaas Krijnen)
Our volunteer Jan Tjassens Keiser removes the old fire slackening layer (foto Koos Sanderse)
Our volunteers at work (picture Henk Salij)
The restoration between whiles (picture Henk Salij)
At anchor
Especially during cruises the ss Rotterdam had to anchor off the harbour. Because of that the anchor gear was a very important provision on board. Our volunteer Jan van Pijkeren produced a documentary film of the manufactoring and use of the anchor gear. Pleas visit our webpage At anchor
At anchor on the roads of Grand Cayman, December 31, 1994 (picture made by Klaas Krijnen)