ssMaritime.com
With Reuben Goossens
Maritime
Historian
Memories of the
JVO
MS Johan van Oldenbarnevelt
Chapter Six
Goodbye
JVO

The final voyage of the JVO from Wellington New Zealand - 30 January 1963
Sadly,
by mid 1962, due to the fall of passenger numbers and the companies ever
increasing cargo interests, it was decided that her services would be
terminated. She sailed her final round the world voyage departing Amsterdam Saturday 30 June
1962. Then, on Saturday 29 September, she departed her homeport of Amsterdam for the last
time. She arrived in Wellington New Zealand on
Friday November 9,
1962. The next day, JVO's master, Captain Klingen presented the
ships bell to a local school, the Upper
Hutt College
signalling the upcoming end of the JVO,
before she headed back to Europe to become a Greek Cruise ship. One of the schools
pupils sang a song composed
for this special occasion, entitled "The JVO Bell." A group of pupils
were invited to visit the ship and before leaving, they sang "The JVO
Bell" song once more in honour of this fine vessel.
Sadly, on the author’s last investigation, the ships bell was removed and
has since been lost. Someone in New
Zealand must have it. If you its whereabouts,
please contact the author at maritimeworld@optusnet.com.au
Above: The Bell is Handed over
Many
have asked, “Why was the bell given to Wellington and not any other port?” Over
the years the JVO had become a Wellington
icon and the crew felt very much at home in this beautiful harbour city.
Well-known ships band, the Mimmo Bruno
Orchestra, even recorded their
album here. Wellington
had become the ships 2nd homeport.
Whilst
in Wellington, she was contracted to serve as a as means of transport and
floating hotel for New Zealanders attending the 7th Commonwealth
Games to be held in Perth. She departed Wellington
on the 10th and sailed via Sydney and Melbourne, arriving in Fremanthe
Perth on November 21. Astern of the JVO was another Dutch ship, the
"Groote Beer."

JVO arrives in Fremantle

Above: JVO in Fremantle for the 1962
7th Commonwealth Games
She
departed Fremantle and sailed via Melbourne to Sydney, arriving on
December 9. On that day she commenced her final series of four Trans Tasman
cruises.
Then
on Wednesday, 30 January 1963 came the moment when Johan van Oldenbarnevelt
departed Wellington
for the last time. It was bright warm, slightly overcast afternoon as thousands
lined the shore to watch this fine lady depart. Obviously, the author was among
the multitudes taking photographs of this poignant event. A deep sense of
emotion swept over the crowd as a dear friend, our JVO, sailed out of sight.
She crossed the Tasman packed with past passengers, all having booked to have
the privilege of being able to sail on this grand old lady for the very last
time as the JVO.

30
January 1963 - the JVO departs Wellington NZ for the last time

Photographs by the author

The
author's last photograph of the Johan van Oldenbarnevelt
On
her final voyage from Wellington direct to Sydney saw passengers
sharing their experiences on JVO with each other. There were many joyful events
on board as she crossed the Tasman, but at the same time, many felt a deep
sadness inside. The crew did all in their power to make the voyage memorable
and according to all accounts, it was! Johan van Oldenbarnevelt arrived in Sydney on Sunday the 3rd
of February 1963 ending her thirty three-year career. As she docked many
Sydney-siders had come to witness her arrival. Later that day she was
decommissioned by the Netherland Line and departed late in the afternoon with a
crew, but without passengers. Like in Wellington,
many stood quietly, watching her final departure. All sought the best vantage
points along the shores of Sydney
Harbour, including Sydney
Heads. As she passed Sydney Heads, she headed north to a secret destination.
We now know that she sailed via Singapore,
Aden, Suez, Port Said, to Genoa,
where she arrived on 7 March 1963.

The
motor ship Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, our JVO, had touched all who sailed on her
as well as those that had come to know her by sight as she visited our shores
for twelve and a half years.
Chapter 7 - Cruise Ship TSMS Lakonia
Return
to JVO Index
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