TSS Rijndam II 1951 – 1972 / TSS Maasdam IV 1952 - 1968
Please Note: At this time, this feature is
incomplete and unedited.
Early 1949, NASM - Holland America Line (HAL), ordered two freighters, the Dinteldijk and
Diemerdijk. On December
17, 1959 Dinteldijk was laid down at Schiedam as Yard #733. Whilst construction
was underway, Holland America Line’s Director Mr. Willem H. de Monchy decided to redesign both ships into medium sized
passenger liners. Dinteldijk was launched as the Rijndam one year later, on December 19, 1950,
whereas Maasdam was launched on April 5, 1952.
The Launching of the Rijndam
Holland America Line had announced that these new
sisters would introduce company’s new livery, with the hull painted dove
grey and a white superstructure. Her fitting-out was well ahead of schedule and
in May 1951 it was decided to put forward her maiden voyage to July 16, instead
of August 16. After her trials in the English Channel,
TSS Rijndam was officially handed
over to Holland America Line on July 10, 1951. Six days latter she departed Rotterdam bound for New York,
sailing via Le Havre and Southampton.
Rijndam arrives in New York City on her Maiden voyage
TSS
Maasdam was handed over to HAL on August 10, 1952.
Like her sister she was delivered early and departed for her maiden voyage more
than a month earlier than planned. She departed on her maiden voyage from Rotterdam on August 11, to New York,
sailing via Le Havre and Southampton calling at Montreal on the 20th. She
continued to New York via the Cape Cod Canal; being one of the largest ships to transit
the waterway. Maasdam arrived in New
York on August 27th.
Maasdam and Rijndam at the HollandAmerica
Pier in New York
Designed as freighter’s the machinery planned
for them remained, these comprised of two cross-compound General Electric steam
turbines, which we built in 1945. They developed 8,500shp double-reduction
geared to a single screw. Service speed was slow compared with other ships
sailing at jus 16.5 knots, the crossing from Britain
to New York
took eight days, however the daily fuel consumption
was just 53 tons, making these ships exceptionally economic to operate.
Maasdam, one of the successful “Economy Twins”
Although built with a two-class layout, Rijndam and
Maasdam were revolutionary ships for their day, as they were essentially built
as Tourist class liners. Tourist Class passengers basically had the run of the
ship, except Boat Deck, what was known as the “Exclusive First Class
Penthouse section” of the ship.
First Class Bar
Maasdam - First Class Bar (added in 1961)
First Class offered fifteen twin bedded cabins,
some with an upper Pullman,
accommodating a maximum 39 passengers. All cabins had had private facilities,
and a large window. Located forward on Boat Deck was the Main Lounge. On both
sides of the Lounge was a partial glass enclosed promenade deck, followed by
spacious open decks on both sides of the ship. Located aft was the opulent
Verandah Café. Two decks up, on Sun Deck, just aft of the unique
“slim-line” funnel was the spacious First Class Sports Deck.
Sun Deck - First Class Sports Deck –
Note the slim-line funnel
All Tourist Class public rooms were located on
Promenade Deck. The delightful Palm
Court was located forward. This large room was
decorated in light woods, masses of bamboo and greenery. Directly aft was the
main lobby and stairwell, which led to the Card Room and Library, and the
delightful American Bar. The Smoking Room located aft. The Dining Room was
located amidships on 'A' Deck. Although the decor was attractive, the
innovation of the décor was it gave this room a spacious feel.
Tourist Class Rooms
Rijndam - Palm Court
Maasdam - Left: Palm Court – Right: Main Lounge
Maasdam – Dinning Room
854 Tourist passengers were accommodated in smart single-berth,
two-berth triples, and four-berth cabins. Many British and American passengers
commented, “Everything is so Dutch; neat, pleasant and practical.”
893 passengers were taken care of by 228 stewards.
The successful “Economy Twins,”
operated between Rotterdam, Le
Havre, Southampton (with occasional calls to Cobh), en route to New York, as well as occasional cruises in the Caribbean. Over the first years they managed 85%
occupancy on Atlantic voyages, and an incredible 98% on cruises.
Maasdam, all flagged up whilst on a Cruise
Rijndam and Maasdam developed a 'Friendly Ship'
reputation, making them appealing to students, emigrants, and cultural groups.
First Class attracted the elite, who enjoyed sitting high above Tourist Class,
in their Penthouse style accommodations. We may call this the “snob
effect.” The appeal of these ships was emulated by the 24,300 GRT, 1957 built Statendam, which also carried a
small number of First Class passengers.
TSS Statendam
Maasdam had a number of altercations with other
ships, such as, on December
10, 1952, just four months after her maiden voyage, Maasdam
collided with and sank the 268-ton German tanker Ellen, whilst sailing in fog
in the canal that links Rotterdam to Hook of Holland. Six of tanker's crew were lost, although
the Maasdam was undamaged. Two years later, whilst sailing eastbound on October 3, 1954,
she struck the freighter Tofevo in thick fog off Rhode Island. Maasdam's bow was damaged, and both ships returned to New York. In the
mid-fifties a ship hit the Holland America wharf, damaging Maasdam’s
bow above the waterline.
Seen during one of Maasdam’s
mishaps
One of the main problems with both ships was the
freighter hull design, which meant that in a little, or rough weather, they
would pitch and roll, causing some discomfort to say
the least. Thus, in 1955 the Maasdam was fitted with Denny Brown stabilizer
fins, with the Rijndam following one year later.
In 1961 both ships had a number of amidships twenty
four Tourist Class cabins on Main Deck rebuilt and were fitted with private
facilities, reducing Tourist capacity to 822 berths. In addition the First
Class Lounge was extended, adding a delightful Bar located in an alcove on the
starboard side.
By 1964, passenger numbers declined, thus HollandAmerica
embarked on a series of changes for 'The Economy Twins'. At that time the Round
the World service to Australia and New Zealand, operated by the Dutch Mail
ships (Royal Rotterdam Lloyd –
Nederland Line), Willem Ruys and Oranje was withdrawn. HollandAmerica
decided to operate a one-class service during the European winter months. The
Rijndam was the first to undertake this voyage, departing from Rotterdam
on November 7, 1964,
sailing via Southampton, Suez, Fremantle, Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, returning to Rotterdam
on January 30, 1965,
having sailed via the Pacific coast and the Panama Canal.
This extended voyage visiting many ports in both directions was met with some
success, thus, the next year, on October 20, 1965, Maasdam departed Rotterdam,
sailing via Southampton, Port Said, Colombo, Fremantle –Melbourne,
Sydney, Wellington, Papeete, Los Angeles, Acapulco, Balboa, Cristobal,
Kingston, New York, Cobh, Southampton to Rotterdam.
Rijndam and Maasdam were suitable small liners
for the around the world service
With the success of these voyages, HollandAmerica decided to refit the
Rijndam at Norddeutschen Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven, arriving
there on December
3, 1965, for a two month refit. A 280 seat cinema-theatre added on
D Deck in what was originally the forward hold, a launderette. Public rooms
received some refurbishments, including a new bar in the Lounge. On February 6, 1966,
she departed Rotterdam
on which sadly became her last world voyage. However, Maasdam continued the
service for another two more years.
Early 1966 HollandAmerica decided to transfer the Rijndam to their
German flag subsidiary the “Europa-KanadaLinie,” for the Canada service. However, Rijndam
operated her last voyage to Montreal
was on August 20,
1966.
Rijndam is seen here with the Europa-Canada Line funnel
She was re-registered in Bremen and her yellow funnel was given a
green band with large white diamonds. Her new role was to be a low cost student
voyages. The crew was replaced by the lower salaried German crew. Rijndam
departed on her first student voyage from Bremerhaven
to New York
on 8th October. On October 20, she sailed on her first round-the-world student
cruise, which was under charter by the Chapman College of Orange, California.
She operated a one-class service with buffet style, self-service in the dining
room. Between her extended 'floating university' cruises, she made Atlantic
crossings for various student organisations. The Maasdam was also transferred
to this service in October, 1966.
Ryndam’s
career under the German flag was short-lived as HollandAmerica
was not satisfied with the new management situation, as well as some damage
incurred to a boiler, and low profits. On August 28, 1967 she was transferred to
another affiliated company, the Dutch flag “ Trans-Ocean.”
Like Europa-Canada, Trans-Ocean specialised in student and migrant traffic with
three austere Dutch migrant ships Zuiderkruis, Waterman and Groote Beer. She
departed Bremerhaven on September 29, 1967, arriving
in New York
on October 9. She now was given the Trans-Ocean's narrow red-white-blue funnel
bands and was manned by Dutch officers and crew once again. She continued undetook another ChapmanCollege world cruise on
October 11.
Waterman seen with the Trans-Oceaan funnel
On 24th May 1968, fitting in with the previous
ships operating for Trans-Ocean she was renamed Waterman, departing New York the next day on the first of seven voyages to
Southampton and Rotterdam.
However, HollandAmerica once again took control of
Rijndam on October 10, and reverted to her original name and livery, but she
continued her student cruises.
Maasdam
Maasdam's
final world voyage was from January 7 to April 3, 1968. Upon her return to Rotterdam she was placed on the Canada service. On May 15 a shock
announcement was made that Maasdam had been sold to “Polish Ocean
Lines,” and she would be handed over at the completion of her Canada service.
On September 20 MAASDAM departed Montreal on her
last Atlantic crossing under HollandAmerica’s Dutch colours, and she was
paid-off at Rotterdam
on September 29,
1968. Renamed Stefan Batory, she
headed for Gdansk in Poland for a refit and a new and
successful career.
Maasdam seen here in her new guise as the Polish
liner, Stefan Batory
The Rijndam
& Stefan Batory story will to be completed in the
near future
For the latest Classic Liner News, visit one of the
following pages
PLEASE NOTE: I receive hundreds of requests for Passenger 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.
Photographs on ssMaritime and associated cruise sites are 1. By the author. 2. From the
author’s private collection.3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private
photographers. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some
photographs sent to us without details of the photographer/owners concerned. We
would therefore appreciate if owners of these photographs would make themselves
known to me, that due credit may be given.
