On September 11 1959 the ss Rotterdam finished her maiden voyage from Rotterdam to New York. Princess Beatrix used the maiden voyage to attend the Hudson festivities. 350 years ago Henry Hudson sailed on the river that afterwards was named after him. At 8 AM Princess Beatrix had been transfered to HMS Gelderland, that brought her ashore in Manhattan for the reception by the City of New York. At 10 AM the ss Rotterdam moored at the pier in Hoboken (New Jersey) to disembark the passengers. During the day the ss Rotterdam was brought to Pier 40 (under construction) in Manhattan to be shown to the press and travel agencies. On September 14 Prinses Beatrix attended a gala-diner on board the ss Rotterdam on behalf of the Hudson-committee. Shortly afterwards she flew back to Holand bij KLM. On September 18 the ss Rotterdam was brought back to Hoboken. Passengers boarded the ship for the return voyage to Rotterdam that started on September 22. On September 30 the ss Rotterdam returned in her homeport.
Picture taken from the maritime magazine De Blauwe Wimpel, October 1959
The ss Rotterdam at Pier 40 (under construction) in September 1959. Pictures taken by Harry Scheffer