Welcome to the website of the Friends of steamship Rotterdam
In 2001 we started striving for a new life for the ss Rotterdam in the Rotterdam harbour. The ss Rotterdam came into service for Holland-America Line as their flagship in 1959. Built by the Rotterdam Drydock Company, she is the largest passenger liner ever built in the Netherlands, numbered among the most successful liners ever sailing the seven seas. The ship has largely kept her original character and remains in good condition. Housing company Woonbron has given her a profound refurbishment by which she can service as a static liner for many years. Please explore our website for more information about the history of the ss Rotterdam. Steamship Rotterdam Foundation, alias Friends of steamship Rotterdam, continues her activities including securing a lasting preservation and use in a culturally and historically responsible manner. We are not the owners or operators of the ship. WestCord Hotels are the owners since June 2013.
Explore the ship in a 3D tour, made by Jaap Pameyer (www.fotorondleiding.nl): 3D tour ss Rotterdam
Please visit the website of the operators www.ssrotterdam.nl for information about possibilities on board.
Picture Jan-Willem Koene
Art-restoration fund for the ss Rotterdam
The ss Rotterdam has many artworks. Some of them have to be restorated in cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Agency and the training Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage of the University of Amsterdam. We are raising funds for the restoration. Donations are very welcome on: INGB NL28 0000 0195 95; BIC: INGBNL2A. on behalf of Stichting behoud stoomschip Rotterdam. Please mention: Donation to Art restoration fund. When using Paypal please mention: info@stoomschiprotterdam.nl
The mural Aegean Sea in the Grand Ballroom, former Ritz Carlton, by Cuno van den Steene has partly been restorated (picture Klaas Krijnen).
Restorators Marjan de Visser and Noa Kollaard restorated the painting of Martinus Schouman that has been brought back to the captain’s dayroom.
We are investigating the posibilities to conservate and expose the artworks Cock and Fish of Dick ten Hoedt.
Become Friend of Steamship Rotterdam!
News
Royal trials
During the official trials on August 20 1959 Queen Juliana hoisted the flag of the Holland America Line on the ss Rotterdam. With this symbolic act the ss Rotterdam was handed over by the Rotterdam Drydock Company to Holland America Line. With courtesy of Holland...
10 years ago the ss Rotterdam came home
On August 4 it is 10 years ago that the ss Rotterdam came back to her birthplace. She came from Wilhelmshaven where the ship was renovated during two years. Even so it took 18 months before the renovation was finished in Rotterdam. Picture: Klaas Krijnen
# 300 in July 1958
At the end of July 1958 the superstructure was ready up to the level of the Sundeck. The anchor machinery is being placed and the breakwater is ready. Work is being done on the top of the shafts to the two forward holds. The second picture shows the temporarily roof...