Chapter Ten

ssMaritime.com

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

Memories of the JVO

MS Johan van Oldenbarnevelt

Chapter Ten

Conclusion

Netherland Line Post Card of the JVO in Amsterdam

Lakonia lies at the bottom of the sea, resting at a depth of one thousand two hundred fathoms. It is strange, but she sank near the place where her sister ship Marnix van St Aldegonde had been torpedoed and consequently sunk during the war. The burning and the sinking of Lakonia shocked the maritime world, and quickly prompted stringent regulations to be imposed on all passenger liners. This process of upgrading the "safety of life at sea" (SOLAS) has continued right up to the most recent changes at midnight on 30 September 1997. On that date, due to the introduction new and comprehensive SOLAS regulations, many older ships were taken out of service. One of these was another much loved and admired passenger liner, P&O's Canberra. This ship will be a future subject by this author.

The author about to depart on a cruise on the JVO - ex Wellington 20 February 1962

In 1963, a colourful Greek Line brochure promised a holiday on Lakonia that would be remembered and talked about "for the rest of your life." Her final cruise was indeed a voyage that will never be forgotten! She will be remembered for many reasons, first as the popular Dutch liner Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, the JVO, a welcome visitor to Australia and New Zealand so many occasions. Then in the UK as the Lakonia, a ship that gave many the best possible holidays during her first seventeen cruises. Be it the JVO or Lakonia, she will be remembered and spoken about for years to come, for this passenger liner of yesteryear has earned a significant place in modern maritime history. All that have sailed on JVO prior to becoming the Lakonia will always remember her as a fine ship that provided us with a lifetime of wonderful and happy memories. She was not only a beautiful ship, but also a happy ship. Without doubt, being the traditional Dutch passenger ship, gave her that special charm and warm hospitality. Due to this, the JVO, "Johan van Oldenbarnevelt" became like our very own, a little piece of The Netherlands in the Southern Hemisphere. The only way to travel the Dutch Way in the 20^th century, is to cruise on one of the "Holland America Line" fine ships cruising the world, including, in and out of New Zealand and Australia or take to the skies with KLM.

Thousands, including the author, continue to have wonderful Memories of the JVO. She lives in our hearts forever!

Reuben Goossens

Dedication

This work is dedicated to the memory of 98 passengers and 30 crew, 128 precious lives that were sadly lost, on that fateful day, 22 and 23 December 1963.

Also, to all who have sailed on the JVO (Johan van Oldenbarnevelt) and the TSMS Lakonia.

Two of the author’s JVO Mementos

Above: a Souvenir Pendant was included with the menu at the 1961 New Years eve Captains Diner party.

Left: Brass Letter opener housed in a round solid timber housing. The medallion reads m.s. Johan van Oldenbarnevelt. The Netherlands Line House flag is in the center.

Read the Tom Boelen Story

The night the JVO almost went down

Return to JVO Index

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Mr Goossens started in Passenger Shipping in May 1960

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