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With Reuben Goossens
Maritime
Historian,
Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer & Author
“Memories of the JVO”
MS Johan van Oldenbarnevelt
Chapter
Five
JVO
the Cruise Ship
Flag of the Netherland Line - Royal Dutch mails
The
author, living in Wellington New Zealand
during the early sixties, had been employed with. Russell and Sommers, being
the General Sales Agents of the Netherland Line and Royal Rotterdam Lloyd as an
office boy. During this time, many happy hours were spent on the JVO, as well as the Oranje and Willem Ruys
and many other ships, whenever they were in port. In December 1961, then
employed with the Union Steamship Co of New Zealand, as a junior supply
officer; I had the opportunity to enjoy a Christmas and New Year Cruise on the JVO. Only New Zealander’s
enjoyed both celebrations on this one cruise, as from Australia, the
Christmas, and the New Years cruise, were two separate
cruises. Those commencing their cruise in New Zealand enjoyed both events on
the one cruise.
JVO
in Wellington
ready to depart for her cruise
Photo
by Reuben Goossens
Upon
arrival at Queens
Wharf on 20 December
1961, the JVO looked in a
holiday mood, with flags strung out from bow to stern and a Christmas tree
placed high on the forward mast. Being the traditional days of shipping, the
band played out on promenade deck, adding to the excitement and festivities.
Thousands of colourful streamers linked the ship to those down on the wharf.
Then suddenly, three long blasts on the ship whistle, as we departed Wellington commencing two
wonderful weeks aboard JVO.
We
sailed north to New Zealand’s
largest city, Auckland.
There, berthed at the next pier, was the Huddart Parker Trans Tasman liner Wanganella. This two-funnelled ship
with the traditional black hull looked so old. Yet, this ship was several years
younger than the more modern looking JVO.
After a delightful day in Auckland, we crossed
the Tasman for a day in a very hot Melbourne. Finally to Sydney for my first visit to
the big smoke. All were up early to witness the ships arrival into the
harbour. The Sydney Opera House was still a concrete building site, but we
could see the sails going up. The ship docked at Wooloomooloo.
All Kiwis enjoyed the city and most took the lift to the top of Sydney's
highest building, AMP building at Circular quay. The author moved to live in Sydney
December 1994 for five years.
A very Dutch welcome
onboard!
Life
on the JVO was full of excitement
as many were experiencing their first cruise ever. Some had travelled on ships
in the past, mainly as migrants to Australia
and New Zealand,
but cruising was certainly a new experience. Both the service and cuisine was
of much higher standard than most had experienced on their migrant voyages.
Meals were a daily highlight with a variety of culinary events. The cruise
staff would add delightful touches, like having souvenir flags of the ship
printed with the evening’s menu on one side. These were a gift, one for
every passenger. Each day presented itself with a new surprise.
Boat
Deck Port
looking aft
Photo
by Reuben Goossens
Ocean
Bar on Lounge deck – starboard/forward
All nine
hundred passengers enjoyed JVO’s many lounges and bars. Especially the Old World grandeur, of the fine timbered Smoking Room,
the Writing Room, and the Grand Social Music Room., also called the
Statesman Lounge.
For
a more casual time, and a drink, there was the bright and modern Ocean Bar
located on the forward (glass-enclosed)
promenade. This venue proved to be popular day and night.
Smoking
Room Forward Lounge deck
Reading
and Writing Room forward Port Side
The
Statesman Lounge - previously the Music Saloon
The
Author receiving his Christmas gift in the Statesman’s Lounge Dec 1961
A
colour image of the Statesman Lounge
Pilsander Lounge
Pilsander Bar
The Pilsander Lounge and bar was originally the second-class
main lounge, was also well frequented, although it was the more casual of the
interior lounges on promenade deck. Mid ships on Promenade deck was the Cinema
come Wintergarden and the third dance venue on board. The Christmas Eve Ball
was held here with passengers receiving a gift. These gifts consisted of Dutch
chocolates and a small Delft Blue clog or a wall tile. This room was decorated
with all the usual Christmas trinkets including a fully lit Christmas tree.
Cinema
/ Wintergarden
Christmas
Ball
Photo
by Reuben Goossens
Each
evening, the nightclub, Neptune’s
Tavern, on Upper Deck was a huge success. The pianist or band would play for
entertainment and dancing. New Years Eve was spent in this club, and together
with many revellers, we joyfully ushered in the New Year. On this warm and calm
night, the ship stopped just before midnight. Then at the end of the countdown
to midnight the ships whistles loudly announced to all and sundry that 1962 had
arrived.
The
very popular Neptune’s
Tavern nightclub
Neptune
Tavern aft Veranda
The
popular Mimmo Bruno Orchestra provided music. Mimmo a
pianist and vocalist was well supported by his wife Speranza a songster of note, and a trio
consisting
of bass player, violinist and drummer. Another vocalist and pianist on board
completed the musical entertainment. Mimmo Bruno
became so popular with Kiwis and Australians they recorded an album at the HMV
Studios whilst in Wellington
in 1962. It became a top seller on board and throughout New Zealand.
Mimmo
Bruno was a
huge hit not only on board but also in New Zealand
The LP
cover featured a large colour photograph of the fabulous JVO. The author has retained his copy
to this day. Certainly modern ships provide a superior variety of
entertainments, but JVO for her
day was a happy ship, providing all the usual on board activities, and was
enjoyed by all.
My record of Mimmo Bruno
purchased on board and fully signed by the band on the back
From
my personal memorabilia collection
Folding
window were held up on the ceiling, or folded down
Decks:
The forward Promenade/Lounge Deck had the option to be open to the air, or be
glass enclosed pending on the weather. Whereas the aft section of the Cinema
Lounge, the decks were open as the image below
shows.
Promenade
Deck aft starboard located next to the Pilsander
Lounge and Bar
Photo
by Reuben Goossens
A
pool was placed into the aft Hold. Forward of the pool was the Soda Fountain
Photo
by Reuben Goossens
Above
and below: The Soda Fountain
Looking
forward on the Pool/Lido Deck aft on Boat Deck
Photo
by Reuben Goossens
A
typical two-berth cabin without a private bathroom
Private
facilities were only available in the suites
The
Shop on Main Deck with a Lounge area
The
Forward Restaurant Entrance on B Deck
Bandstand
and surrounding Terrace is located above on A Deck above Restaurant
The
Author (first right) Xmas Eve 1961 starboard side the
forward Restaurant
The
two timber and chrome panels slide over to cover the portholes at night
The
Aft Restaurant on B Deck with surrounding balustrade one deck up on A Deck
Sun
Deck
Photo
by Reuben Goossens
Arriving
in Sydney
(Wooloomooloo
Wharf) 29 December 1961
Chapter
6 - Goodbye JVO
JVO Index
Chapters
with an * were recently updated
Introduction Remembering the JVO
Chapter 1 The New Pride of the Netherlands
Chapter 2 JVO the Trooper
Chapter 3 A New Service
Chapter 4 New Lease of Life
*
Chapter 5 JVO the Cruise Ship *
Chapter 6 Goodbye JVO *
Chapter 7 Cruise Ship TSMS Lakonia
Chapter 8 Lakonia's Final Voyage *This Chapter
has 17 new photographs and stories – Dec 2009
Chapter 9 The End is Near
Chapter 10 Conclusion
*
Passenger
stories
Page One Boelen Family – The
night the JVO almost went down
Page Two - NEW Pieter
Goldhoorn –1947 – a soldier’s
voyage to the East Indies (Indonesia)
Page Three William Hamlyn –
1945 Royal Signalman’s voyage home from wartime duties
Page Four
- NEW Laszlo
Pal – A Voyage to Canada
Page Five – NEW Harold Heasman – His service on the JVO from March 1942 to August 1943
***********************************
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Who is the
Author of ssMaritime?
Commenced in the passenger Shipping Industry
in May 1960
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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. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make
them-selves known to me (my email address may be found on www.ssmaritime.com only), in order that due credit
may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own
photographs on other sites, yet these individuals either refuse to provide
credit or remove them when asked, knowing full well that there is no legal
comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show these charlatans up and
do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due!
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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