ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net
With Reuben Goossens
Maritime Historian
Three Dutch “Victory” Ships
SS Zuiderkruis
Please
Note: All photographs, except for the two
noted, are © Copyright. They were taken by Theo Kroon, Jan Kinkelaar,and the ship departing
The Theo Kroon Story
SS Zuiderkruis is
ready for departure
Theo and Jan give their last wave goodbye
Above and below: SS Zuiderkruis departing
Taken by Theo’s relatives
Although the
ship was only supposed to be able to accommodate 830 passengers according to
the literature, on our voyage we discovered that we had over 1,000 passengers
onboard.
Forward of the
galley there were two dormitories and each had (from
memory) around 60
passengers in them. I actually slept in one of these. The problem with the dorm
was that there was no wardrobe or any desk space whatsoever. Also, the bunks
where just two feet wide, and then there was just two
feet in between the rows of bunks. I slept in the top bunk, whilst my friend
Jan slept in the bottom one. Our suitcases were stored underneath the bottom
bunk.
To get to our
dormitory we had to pass the Galley and that is were the Javanese stewards
would often sit and relax and entertain themselves. There is a photo of them
singing and often we would join in and have a great time!
Javanese crew play and sing near the Galley,
close to Theo & Jan’s dormitory
During the
voyage I frequently played the piano as did another passenger. I played mostly
the popular songs and the other chap played classical music. The Captain gave
me a large photograph of the ship with a hand written note on the back thanking
me for my help with the entertainment whilst I was onboard.
Theo (in the foreground) and a friend entertain passengers in the lounge
Theo’s friend on the piano
The back of the Zuiderkruis postcard; written by the Captain thanking
Theo for his efforts on board playing the piano, etc.
During the
voyage there were 3 sittings each for Breakfast, lunch and dinner and
normally the dining room was packed except during the second, third and fourth
days of the voyage, when there were only up to a dozen or so people
around. Why? The rest were simply too seasick as we sailing the
The
We had a very
enjoyable voyage although the ship was somewhat crowded, but when you are 19
years old, life is an adventure and you don't mind it being a bit primitive.
Dancing out on deck
Theo and Jan enjoying a dance
Considering
the large number of passengers onboard, and the long voyage between Tahiti and
Up on the aft Sun deck
Enjoying the sun in the
We arrived in
Suddenly the end of the voyage draws near as
Having settled
happily in New Zealand Theo and his dear wife Shirley has created a successful
and an award winning business, “Crown Embroidery,” a Worldwide
Custom Digitizing Service for Embroiderers.
A very happy settled Theo is seen here with his
wife Shirley (2009)
Photo provided by Theo and
Shirley Kroon
Theo and Shirley and grandchildren, Isabelle, Cory, Shannen
and Ashley
Photo provided by Theo and
Shirley Kroon
The framed dimensions are 500 x 470 mm (unframed 310
x 280 mm)
Photo by
& © 2009 Theo
Kroon
The good news
is that there may still be a very limited number of this very special award
winning embroidery available. Email Theo for details: crownembroidery@ihug.co.nz.
Also visit his website at: www.crownembroidery.co.nz.
Theo posts worldwide.
Although Theo
currently does not have a Passenger List from that voyage, he would very much
like to hear from others that might have been on the same trip, we ask that you
please email him.
Late Note: April 2009. I believe that someone
has been in contact with Theo and they will be providing a copy of a passenger
list in due course.
June
2009: I have
received the passenger list, but as the author will be on a around the world
cruise between 5 July and 16 October, it will not come online until November.
SS Zuiderkruis seen towards the end of her career
From the Author’s collection
Page One
The history of these three
ships
Page
Five Here
is another passenger list, but this time for the SS Zuiderkruis sailing from
Page
Six Hugo Schouten’s voyage on the Groote Beer including, Groote Beer passenger lists from
various voyages. This link takes you to Hugo’s own website.
Other
passenger lists currently available online
http://www.frontiernet.net/~hdebruyn/waterman/passengerlist1.HTM
Also SS Waterman departed from
http://www.frontiernet.net/~hdebruyn/waterman/passengerlist.HTM
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Who is the Author of ssMaritime?
Commenced
in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
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