BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Thought you might enjoy this list of "cruise reviews" by our favorite maritime author, Mr. Theodore W. Scull.........

https://www.shermanstravel.com/author/theodore-w-scull

[traildriver]

NYO--

Yeah...that's one of the things I miss since moving down to Florida...
The monthly meetings and programs put on by the Port of NY Branch of the World Ship Society. Not to mention the cruise ship luncheon's and tours...

Ted is a past Chairman, and frequent presenter of outstanding programs.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Had I been able to travel, I would have loved nothing better to attend those meetings and to meet Mr. Scull himself; it is obvious that he has the sea (and all things maritime!) flowing through his veins!

This rare fellow KNOWS his stuff, for certain!

"NYO"

BTW:

This evening, earlier, I saw the news clip I had viewed yesterday, showing "RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS" loading evacuees from the war zone.

Flight-wise, I know there are many "refugee" flights (utilizing "Dreamliners") going to Athens, where connections to both Newark and New York are being made.........

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhapsody_Of_The_Seas

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Just came across this page, featuring a wonderfully nostalgic (and detailed!) story by our friend Mr. Scull*, taking place in 1958, and of the crossing on the graceful, majestic "LIBERTE".

Great reading, recalling a long-lost era in ocean travel!

"NYO"

www.oceanliner.org/liberte.htm

["FRENCH LINE"]

*I've just ordered a copy of Mr. Scull's "OCEAN LINER ODYSSEY"; am VERY eagerly awaiting its arrival here in "home port"!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Enjoy this OUTSTANDING page of the majestic "SS LIBERTE" (excellent collection of vintage photos, here!)

https://www.cruiselinehistory.com/the-french-line-ss-liberte-1950s

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an excellent page on the stately and graceful "FRANCE"* (Mom and I took the bus into New York to see her when she was docked on the West Side, after her maiden voyage....an IMPRESSIVE sight indeed, NEVER to be forgotten, to be sure!)

www.ssmaritime.com/SS-France.htm

["FRANCE"]

*The "FRANCE" was even featured in an early 1960's "LITTLE LULU" comic book, "LITTLE LULU IN PARIS"!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Recalling the glorious and luxurious French liner with a tragic end, the illustrious "NORMANDIE" (regarding the photo of her steaming into NY Harbor for the first time in 1935, note the SI ferry in the midst of all the hoopla.

The wide-spaced stacks would indicate that this was either one of the 1905 "FIVE BOROUGHS"-class, or the "PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT" of 1922...........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Normandie

["SHIP OF LIGHT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is an excellent, in-depth page (chock-full of vintage photos* and diagrams) on the beautiful and stately "FRANCE" (later the "NORWAY")

Interestingly, the "FRANCE" was the very last "superliner" designed for full-year use on the North Atlantic........

www.classicliners.net/SSNORWAY.html

["FULL AHEAD"]

*Be sure to check out the photos taken in New York!

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

You are right on the mark.

The "classic"-era transatlantic liners were built for a very different service life than the cruise ships; ships sailing across the North Atlantic in all seasons needed fully-enclosed promenades (and other public areas) which would be redundant on a cruise ship which largely spends its time in warmer, tropical climates.

Recall, now, the modern ITALIAN LINE ships which entered service in 1965, the "MICHAELANGELO" and the "RAFFAELLO"; these beautiful ships, sadly, the wrong ships for the wrong time.

By 1965, more and more traffic was being siphoned away by the then-new transatlantic jets.

Both of the aforementioned ships, I've read, were considered costly "white elephants" right from the start.

Each ship cost $60 million; it was hoped that these sleek, modern liners could "turn the tide" (pun intended) and turn a profit.

They never did.

They were both retired inside of a decade, and ended their days as floating barracks for the Iranian army.

Like thousands of other ships, the two modern Italian liners eventually were scrapped at Gadani Beach in Pakistan in the early 1990's.

Historic vessels, from super tankers, liners, tramps, and even Soviet subs, have rusted away here at this bleak strech of sand, before finally being dissected for scrap.

"NYO"

["ALL STOP"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Check out these links (w/photos)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadani_Ship_Breaking_Yard

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chittagong_Ship_Breaking_Yard

https://www.zameen.com/blog/gadani-ship-breaking-yard.html

["FINISHED WITH ENGINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an excellent, detailed, in-depth page on the "QM2", the very last of the "traditional" liners (interesting photos!)..........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Mary_2

["CUNARD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

An interesting and fascinating "facts" page on the "QM2".............

https://www.chriscunard.com/qm2/qm2-facts/

["ZCEF-6"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting page on ship scrapping; see my previous links on "ship breaking" in India, where many once-proud "classic era" vessels met their demise..........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_breaking