M.S. Bloemfontein (2) 1934 to 1959 & M.S. Jagersfontein (2) 1934 to 1942

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Please Note: All ssMaritime and other related maritime sites are 100% non-commercial and privately owned, thus ssmaritime is NOT associated with any shipping company or any other organisation! Although the author has worked and been involved in the passenger shipping industry for well over 60 years, but due to his old age and poor health, he was forced to retire. Yet, he has completed well over 1,435 Classic Liners, Passenger-Cargo Liners as well as humble converted C3 converted Migrant Liners, which has transported countless thousands folk to the new world, as well on vacations’. I trust the features online will continue to provide Classic Liner and Ship enthusiasts both the information they are seeking, but more so provide a great deal of pleasure and relive many happy memories!

The painting above shows the M.S. Bloemfontein after her WW2 refit

Please Note: Postcards, photographs & other images are either from the author’s private collection or from my supporters.

Thus a very special thank you to five very special ssmaritime supporters for sending me their wonderful

Photographs & images for I could not have completed this feature to this point.

I am sorry but some of the images shown may not be of the highest quality, but they are the best that are available.

The “V.N.S.” Logo

Also known as: “Holland Afrika Lijn” or “Holland Africa Line”

PAGE TWO

The Pearl Harbor Report, Brochures & Schedules

& Souvenirs and Memorabilia

The Pearl Harbor Report:

As we discovered on Page One, on Sunday, December 7, 1941, the “Jagersfontein” which was under the command of Captain Brouwer had just arrived from San Francisco at 0900 hours at Honolulu, but as they arrived bombs started to fall all around the ship from Japanese planes flying all over the place and sprays of water was spewing up high around the “Jagersfontein” but thankfully she was not hit. A local Pilot that had boarded an hour earlier at sea, recounted that the Dutch crew immediately opened fire with their 105 millimetre gun mounted on her stern and the ships gunners got busy on their anti-aircraft guns and pounded those Japanese planes.

Thus, the Netherlands became the very first allied nation to get involved in the USA Vs the Japanese battle. Once they managed to berth in Honolulu, and managed to get their passengers to hotels safely, all the crew and passengers donated blood by the request of captain Brouwer as blood was in great need by the American’s there!

The consul in Honolulu, Mr. C.A. Mackintosh, would report to the Dutch government when he was able, and that was on December 21, 1941, and let them know what the captain and the ship had done.

Below is a copy of the consul’s three page document;

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The refitted M.S. Bloemfontein is seen post war

VNS Brochures/Schedules:

A “Bloemfontein” & “Jagersfontein” provisional 1935 Sailing schedule

Above & below: Part of an extensive “Holland Africa Line” Cruise Brochure for 1935 & 1936

You will note that that the Boschfontein was also sailing along with these ships at that time

A 1936 Sailing schedule

A 1936 Fares and Information folder

A 1938 - 1939 Sailing Schedule

 The delightful “Jagersfontein” is heading out to sea

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Memorabilia & Souvenirs:

A Silver VNS Ashtray obtained on board

A VNS Silver Lighter also purchased on board

Another fine item, a VNS Bottle Stop & Pourer

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This bring me to an end of the “Bloemfontein” (2) and “Jagersfontein” (2) feature, and I trust that you have enjoyed these two rather simple, yet fine passenger-cargo liners, for they did serve well during the war and the “Jagersfontein” sadly suffered the tragedy of war and became one of its casualty on June 26 1942, having been in operation for just 6½ years. The “Bloemfontein” was more fortunate as she sailed on through to 1959 and was sold to be broken up late in that year.

An artist impression of the “Jagersfontein”

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Holland Afrika Lijn Index:

Page One …                       M.S. Bloemfontein (2) and the M.S. Jagersfontein (2) of 1934.

Page Two …                       The extensive report to the Dutch Government of the heroism of the Captain and his crew at Pearl Harbor. Also Brochures & Memorabilia, etc (this page).

Also visit:                          M.S. Klipfontein (2) 1939 - 1953, Jagersfontein (3) 1940 - 1967, and the M.S. Oranjefontein 1940 - 1967, and also the M.S. Randfontein (2) 1958 - 1971.

Three Fontein Ships …    History of the M.S. Klipfontein and her sister ships.

Visser Family Voyage … To South Africa on the “Jagersfontein” (3) in 1965.

M.S. Randfontein (2) …   Of 1958 page.

Fontein Photo Page …     And memorabilia and brochures, etc.

Also Read:                         V.N.S. Freighters from 4 to 12 passengers.

SS Abbekerk …                 The delightful V.N.S. 8,336-ton passenger-cargo ships.

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Remembering the Memorable …

M.S. Bloemfontein & Jagersfontein of 1934

A delightful artist version of the M.S. Bloemfontein after her post war refit

This excellent panting was done by a Fred but I cannot read the surname

If anyone can assist with this fine artists name I would greatly appreciate it

The image was sent to me by a supporter, but without details

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“Blue Water Liners sailing to the distant shores.
I watched them come, I watched them go and I watched them die.”

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For interest: Sadly an email service to ssMaritime is no longer available, due to the author’s old age and chronic illness as well as being disabled, etc. In the past ssMaritime received well over 120 emails per day, but Mr. Goossens can no longer handle the same. He sincerely regrets this!

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ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

Where the ships of the past make history & the 1914 built M.S. Doulos Story.

The Author has been in Passenger Shipping & the Cruise Industry for well over 60 years

In addition he was the founder of “Save the Classic Liners Campaign” in 1990.

Please Note: ssmaritime and associated sites are 100% non-commercial and the author seeks no funding or favours of any shape or form, never have and never will!

Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are by; the author or from the author’s private collection. In addition there are some images that have been provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs provided to me without details regarding the photographer/owner concerned.

This notice covers all pages; although, and I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!

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