ssmaritime
With Reuben Goossens
Maritime
Historian
Shaw
Savill Line
Provided by Ian Shiffman of …
http://home.worldonline.co.za/~snai/launch
- Email Ian at ShiffmanI@sundaytimes.co.za
At the time of her building, the QSMV (Quadruple Screw Motor Vessel) Dominion Monarch was the most powerful motor liner in the world and the largest ship operating full time on the Australasian trade. Shaw Savill already had a great deal of experience in operating all first class only passenger services and was able to assure their guests a unique luxury voyage. Dominion Monarch with 525 passengers, combined with her crew passenger ratio, offered a service that is unequalled to this day.
She was an unusual ship
as her design was that of a large passenger-cargo liner, with a relatively
small passenger complement considering her size. To this day, Dominion Monarch
remains the largest (all first class) cargo passenger liner ever to be built.
Many larger, faster passenger liners would later serve on the Australasian
service, however, with the eventual demise of the Dominion Monarch, the era of
deluxe traditional sea travel ended. She departed from Australasian and
A popular postcard of the “Dom”
Author’s private collection
Specifications
Builder Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson,
Built for Shaw Savill
Launched 27 July 1938 (by Lady Essendon)
Completed January 1939
Length 207.8 m / 682 ft
Width 25.9 m / 84 ft, 6 inches
Draught 34 feet
Propulsion 4 Doxford 5 cylinder opposed-piston Diesel engines
Screws Quadruple
Service speed 21.5 knots
Passengers 525 passengers (508 in 1947), all first class
Passenger decks 6
Crew 385
Port of registry
Livery Black hull, white superstructure, buff and black funnels
red boot topping
Holds 6, carrying around 3,600 tons of general cargo, and 12,800 tons
of frozen meat or dairy produce
The “Dom”
finally hits the water!
Author’s private collection
Dominion Monarch was launched at 3.30 p.m. on
Author’s
private collection
Maiden voyage
Completed late in January 1939, she completed her
sea trials off St Abbs Head, after which she was
delivered to Shaw Savill.
Then on February 17, in
the command of Captain W. G. Summers (however, another source states that it
was Captain W. H. Hartman who was in command??), she commenced her seven week
maiden voyage from the King George V Dock,
Dominion Monarch seen
off Tenerife on February 21 during her maiden voyage
Photograph by the
Her voyage continued via
The grand lady is seen here at sea
From the author’s private
collection
Public facilities and accommodations
Accommodation was
provided on a lavish scale for 525 first class passengers (after her refit in
1947 – 508 passengers). 160 single berth cabins, as well as 182 multiple
berth cabins, including two deluxe suites, having a double bedroom, sitting
room, bathroom, and a lobby. A good number of cabins had private
facilities. Passengers had the use of six decks - Games deck –
Lounge deck – Promenade deck & A - B & C decks.
PS: All images are from the author’s private collection.
The spacious Main Lounge --
The public rooms
consisted of a Lounge, Drawing Room, Writing Room, Smoke Room,
Aft again was the Writing Room on the starboard side, whilst the Drawing Room was on the port side. Aft again was the classic Smoke Room, which had a dramatic period design, with a large fireplace. Aft on Lounge deck was the delightful Verandah, which doubled as the cinema.
The classic Smoke Room
Forward on Promenade deck
was the popular
The Restaurant on C deck was fully air-conditioned, with seating for 300 passengers.
Writing Room
Dine in style in the fully air-conditioned Restaurant
Ships Pool
This is what makes the ship tick!
World War II
A sad looking ship, during even sadder days
During her second voyage,
Dominion Monarch bellboy, John Carver is seen
on the right
Provided by John Calver
She was despatched to
Seen toward the end of her war service
Author’s private collection
Back in Service
Dominion Monarch looking her grand self, departing
Provided by Ian Shiffman of …
http://home.worldonline.co.za/~snai/launch
- Email Ian at ShiffmanI@sundaytimes.co.za
A superb study of a
great liner
Photographer unknown
Dominion Monarch was
returned to Shaw Savill in 1948, after a refit she recommenced her regular
duties. On many occasions, whilst Dominion Monarch was in Wellington New
Zealand during the early sixties, the youthful author, employed in the shipping
industry as an office boy, spent a great deal of time on this fine liner,
enjoying the beauty of her classic appointments. I recall the joyful departures
with the brass band playing and colourful streamers thrown by passengers
leaning over the rails saying goodbye to their loved ones on the quay.
A rare encounter, Dominion Monarch and the Southern Cross
berthed side by side in Wellington New
Author’s private collection
John Kelk remembers his time as a Bell Boy on the Dominion
Monarch with great fondness. He boarded her on 26
Sadly, during the mid sixties the Australasian luxury passenger market was rapidly declining. All too often, she would depart with just a small complement of passengers, therefore the time came when Shaw Savill had to decide that this grand liner had simply become uneconomic and was to be sold.
Arriving at Circular Quay
Author’s private collection
Dominion Monarch Memorabilia
The
following four images hereunder are of a double pack of cards. These were
kindly provided by Mr Ken Goles. Playing cards were
given to all passengers and were these were beautifully presented in a brass
like tin containing the two decks of cards.
Lid of the card container
Outer pack is blue on white and are still
sealed
The cards show the Dominion Monarch at
Bottom view of both packs show Shaw Savill’s world map
Second set of playing cards shows the Shaw
Savill flag travelling around the globe
We thank Mr. Coles for allowing
us to use the 4 images above!
On
The front cover!
Can I have an Éclair
please?
Thank Lynne Hector for so
kindly sending the actual menu!
Author’s private collection
Here we se the black
and white version of an artist impression of what was a colour version
I took this from a
Shaw Savill postcard that had the ships derails at the bottom
Author’s private collection
Goodbye
On
Photographer unknown
I was dockside as she
departed
The final departure of the Dominion Monarch from
was a sad moment for so many!
Photographer unknown
The End of a great liner
She was leased from June
to November 1962 as a hotel ship for the Seattle World Fair. She was moored at
Pier 51,
With her name changed to Dominion Monarch
Maru
see is seen here in
Author’s private collection
Heading for the
breakers
Author’s private collection
A Lasting Memory
Dominion Monarch had a
dignified 24-year career, even though it being a short life compared to most
other liners, she remains one of the most impressive and luxurious of all first
class passenger cargo liner ever to be built! She was a one of a kind, the kind
of grand and graceful liner that will never grace our seas again!
Reuben Goossens
The magnificent Dominion Monarch preparing for
departure –
Author’s private collection
“The Big Blue Water Liners
sailing to the distant shores.
I watched then come, I watched them go, and I watched them die.”
Read details of the long and hard fought campaign to
save her
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PLEASE NOTE: I receive
hundreds of requests for Passenger/Crew Lists and
Sailing Schedules. I hereby wish to advise
that I am unable to assist due to time restrains and as most shipping companies
have long gone these lists/schedules are no longer available. I regret to advise that any request for these will no longer be
answered regardless of the circumstances presented!
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