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.
On July 12 1959 the ss Rotterdam returned to the shipbuilding yard after short sea trials (picture collection Friends of steamship Rotterdam)
Join the Ocean Liner Conference in October on the ss Rotterdam Please check Ocean Liner Conference
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.
The ss Rotterdam at her present berth in the Maashaven in Rotterdam, visited by the restored seagoing tug Elbe (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.
Thanks to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, owners of the Borealis (former Rotterdam VI) the original painting of Schouman has been brought back to the captain’s dayroom after restoration.
We have conservated the artworks Cock and Fish of Dick ten Hoedt, donated by captain Hans Mateboer. They are being exibited in our new museum in the former linen room on C deck.
(pictures by Klaas Krijnen)
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News
ss Nieuw Amsterdam in the Library
In three showcases in the Library on Upper-Promenadedeck a small exhibition has been placed about the ss Nieuw Amsterdam. 80 years ago the ship was launched and in 1938 she was introduced as the new flagship of Holland America Line. She was very popular as a liner and...
Chronometer
At the bridge the chronometer is essential for navigation. Without a chronometer it is impossible to define the exact position of the ship when using the sextant. Unfortunately tot original chronometer has been removed from the ss Rotterdam. Observator Watersport in...
De Schelde
A copy of the original builders' plate of "De Schelde" has been mounted on the port low pressure turbine. The turbines of the ss Rotterdam have been built by Royal "De Schelde" at Flushing, with a license of the Parsons Marine Turbine Company at Wallsend. When the ss...