ZIM Line; SS Israel, Zion, Jerusalem (II), Theodor Herzl & MS Moledet

ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

Page Two

SS Israel, Zion, Jerusalem (II), Theodor Herzl & Moledet

1… SS Israel & SS Zion

SS Zion

Previous ZIM ships consisted of older small ships (as described on page one of this feature), but now they had the opportunity to have two modern passenger-cargo liners built. SS Israel was the first ship to be completed for ZIM. She and her sister, SS Zion, were built in 1955 and 1956 respectively, by the Deutsche Werft in Hamburg, under the Reparation Payments Agreement.

SS Israel was the first to reach Haifa in October 1955, followed a year later by the Zion. Each ship had four holds with a capacity of about 4000 weight tons including refrigerated space. In addition they had a drive in garage for up to 30 cars.

They were built to operate the Trans-Atlantic service, sailing from Haifa, Piraeus, Naples, Gibraltar, Funchal to New York. The primary purpose was to bring Jews back to their ancient homeland.

SS Israel

Both had attractive Israeli style décor throughout, especially their lounges and other public rooms. All cabins converted into day sitting rooms, which was a popular feature and appreciate by their passengers. Although they accommodated 323 passengers, there were only 24 passengers in First Class. First Class cabins were located on Boat Deck, comprising of both two berth, some having upper Pullmans.

First Class lounges were located forward on Promenade deck, which were followed by Tourist class cabins Amidships with a Verandah café aft. Further Tourist Class cabins were located on Main Deck, the Synagogue was located amidships, with the Tourist Class Smoking Room and Pool aft. The dinning rooms were located on A Deck, as were the balance of the Tourist Class cabins, most with private facilities.

SS Israel & the SS Theodor Herzl is seen behind her

Specifications:

Built: Deutsche Werft in Hamburg

Tonnage: 9,855 GRT

Length: 501ft – 152m

Width: 65ft

Draft: 27.7ft

Engines: Steam DR Geared Turbines

Screw: Single

Service speed” 17.5 knots

Passengers: 323 (First and Tourist Class)

Fully Air-conditioned

Stabilized

2… SS Jerusalem (II) & SS Theodor Herzl

SS Theodor Herzl

ZIM took delivery of SS Jerusalem (II) and her sister SS Theodor Herzl in 1957. SS Jerusalem (II) was named after her popular forerunner, SS Jerusalem (I) which sailed with the company from 1952 to 1955, when she was renamed Aliya, but continued sailing with ZIM until 1959. SS Theodor Herzl was named in honour of the visionary of the Jewish State.

Zim Lines postcard of the SS Jerusalem

SS Jerusalem & SS Theodor Herzl were designed for the Mediterranean service, but they differed from their earlier sisters in having a shallower draught and twin screws. Again Décor was essentially Israeli in style. Special features included a Cinema, Art Gallery, one of the first on a liner, and a Synagogue. Main social rooms were located on Boat deck with the Pool aft. The Dinning Rooms were located on A Deck (two decks down). Main and A Deck contained mostly cabins, both First and Tourist Class. In 1964 both ships were converted into one class cruise ships, which saw all cabins converted to two bedded/two berth cabins, all having private facilities. They were fully air-conditioned and stabilized.

Both these ships were built to remain in the Mediterranean and European waters. SS Jerusalem operated the Haifa, Genoa, Marseilles, Naples, Haifa service, with occasional calls at Limassol. SS Theodore Herzl sailed from Haifa to Limassol, Piraeus, Venice, and back to Haifa. From 1965 both ships were used exclusively for cruise duties.

Specifications

Built: Deutsche Werft in Hamburg

Tonnage: 9,920 – 9,914 GRT

Length: 488ft

Width: 65ft

Draft: 21ft

Engines: Steam DR Geared Turbines

Screws: Twin

Service speed” 18.5 knots

Passengers: 570 (First and Tourist Class)

Fully Air-conditioned

Stabilized

Relaxing by the Pool

Above & below: The décor on SS Jerusalem and Theodor Herzl had that typical modern Israeli theme

SS Jerusalem

In 1966 SS Jerusalem (II) was chartered to Peninsular & Occidental Steamship Co., Miami and renamed SS Miamito operate Caribbean cruises. Then in 1969 Zim Lines sold her to Eastern Steamship Lines who rebuilt her to become their SS New Bahama Star.

Postcard of the Eastern Steamship Lines 1972 SS Bahama Star

In 1972 the simply named her simply Bahama Star. In 1975 she was sold to Venozolana de Cruceros del Caribe who renamed her SS Bonaire Star. Within four years (1979) she was sold to be broken up, however, whist under tow to the breakers she took on water and duly sunk.

SS Theodor Herzl

SS Theodor Herzl

SS Theodor Herzl completed her final voyage for ZIM on November, 27, 1969 and was sold to American International Service Travel Board (New Horizons Shipping Co) Monrovia renamed Carnivale. Ted Arison of Carnival was involved in this venture and it was planned for this vessel renamed SS Carnival to operate from Miami to the Caribbean, but she remained laid up and the venture never materialized. Mr. Arison of course went on to acquire the Empress of Canada and commenced his Carnival cruise empire after all!

SS Carnival seen laid up

Photographer unknown – See the photo credits at the bottom of the page for details

Then in 1971 the vessel was sold to Eastern Steamship Co who renamed her Freeport I.

Finally in 1975 she was extensively rebuilt into a fulltime cruise ship, however, but in 1976 she was renamed to become the Veracruz. In 1978 Veracruz was sold to Freeport Cruises Lines of Panama and was reregistered at 10,596 GRT.

The very modern looking SS Veracruz

Photograph by Philip Mayer

Then in 1985 she was sold to Bahama Cruises Inc., of Panama, and in 1987 she was sold to Bermuda Star Line Cruises of Panama and again reregistered at 6,193 GRT. Finally in 1990 she was sold to Festival Shipping & Tourist Enterprises who renamed her Sun Ambassador. However, in 1991 whilst being refitted at Piraeus sadly she caught fire and she sunk. Andrew del Valle who emailed the author recently stated … “She was cut up underwater and brought up in 7 pieces. I know this because my father was the president of this company and she was basically my childhood home.” Thank you Andrew for all your information, being the reason for my update of this feature!

Postcard of the SS Veracruz having had a dramatic rebuild!

3… MS Moledet

MS Moledet

The one class liner MS Moledet was launched on February 19, 1961 and was completed later that year. She was designed for the growing demand of tourist travel at that time. Accommodations were arranged over six decks. The higher graded cabins with private facilities were located on Promenade Deck, the remainder being spread on Lido, Main, Restaurant, Theatre and A Decks. Except for the upper graded accommodations, most cabins were four berth, with a small number of two berth inside cabins. In addition there were several six berth economy cabins.

She was a much loved Israeli ship

Two large public rooms were located aft one on Promenade Deck and he other on Lido deck, overlooking the Pool. The large Dinning Room was located amidships on Restaurant Deck, with the Cinema and Synagogue located forward on Theatre Deck. Her large garage was accessed via number 1 hatch forward.

Moledet operated 4½ day one way voyages, from Haifa to Limassol, Naples (or Genoa) to Marseilles. She would then return via the same ports. In addition she operated regular cruises.

Another shot of the delightful motor ship Moledet

In spite of frequent engine troubles, the vessel enjoyed a great deal of popularity amongst her passengers. ZIM Lines took her out of service in 1969.

Specifications

Built: A&C de Bretagne Nantes France

Tonnage: 7,811 GRT

Length: 415ft

Width: 65ft

Draft: 19.8ft

Engines: 2 S.E.M.T.-Pielstick Diesels

Screws: One

Service speed” 16 knots

Passengers: 590 (First and Tourist Class)

Fully Air-conditioned

Stabilized

Original Postcard of the Moledet

Provided by - www.simplonpc.co.uk

With the disposition of ZIM's last passenger vessel, the Moledet, the passenger branch of the company was placed into liquidation, but ZIM's passenger ships are still fondly remembered by many.

ZIM ships were sold to various companies, with several becoming well known cruise ships, such as the Moledet and Zion as shown below.

MS Moledet - Jupiter

Moledet was sold in 1970 having made 225 voyages, to the Greek Epirotiki Line (later to become Royal Olympia Cruises). Renamed Jupiter she became a popular cruise ship and had a large following. She received only a minor exterior alteration with her Main Deck extended forward.

Moledet seen as the Epirotiki’s MS Jupiter

SS Zion – Dolphin IV

SS Amélia de Mello

SS Zion was which later served as the Portuguese Amélia de Mello. She was then sold in 1966 to the Ulysses Line who renamed her SS Ithaca. In 1979 she was transferred to the Caribbean renamed again to become the popular Dolphin IV, operating 3- and 4-day cruises to the Bahamas from Miami. Initially she ran under joint management with Paquet. In 1984, she was taken over by a new company Dolphin Cruise Line and continued a successful cruise career. As the photograph shows, she obviously received major reconstruction in her latter years.

After her rebuild the ex SS Zion became an attractive cruise ship named Dolphin IV

Dolphin IV seen her last livery with distinctive striping

ZIM Lines INDEX

Page One: ZIM Lines early history & their 1^st five passenger liners

Page Two: SS Israel, Zion, Jerusalem (II), Theodor Herzl & MS Moledet

Page Three: SS Shalom, Hanseatic, Doric, Royal Odyssey, Regal Sun, Sun

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