60 years ago the sea going tug Elbe came into service. Together with the Clyde she was the most powerful tug of L. Smit en Co’s Internationale Sleepdienst in 1959. On Saturday April 6 she visited the ss Rotterdam, that is celebrating her 60th birthday too. Both ships share a spectacular preservation history. All pictures were made by Jan-Willem Koene, unless stated.
Picture by Casper van Hooren
Picture by Casper van Hooren
A previous vist of the Elbe was on September 7, 2012.
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.
