SS Independence & SS Constitution

ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

The start of a new Trans-Atlantic era

SS Independence, 23,719 GRT, and the 23,754 GRT, SS Constitution where built for the American Export Lines to operate on the US Mediterranean service. She was constructed in yard 1618 of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Quincy Mass USA. She was launched on June 3, 1950 and completed January 1951.

Author’s collection

1 - SS Independence.

SS Independence departed on her maiden voyage, being a cruise to the Mediterranean, on February 11. On April 12 she departed her first liner voyage from New York to Genoa, later the route was changed to New York to Naples.

SS Independence is seen here departing New York on her maiden voyage

Authors’ private collection

The envelope above and below was sent to Joe Farr who was the Chief Engineer for American Export Lines for many years 1951. It was mailed at sea from the maiden voyage of the SS Independence. The signature, Hugh Switzer, is that of the first captain of the Independence, a close friend of my parents. Joe Farr eventually became Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Marine Officers, the officers' union of American Export Lines. This item and images were kindly provided by his daughter, Margo Farr.

2 – SS Constitution.

Launched on September 16, 1950, SS Constitution was built in yard 1619 next to her sister. She was completed in June 1951 and departed one her maiden voyage on June 25. Passenger accommodations consisted of 295 First Class, 375 Cabin Class, and 330 Tourist Class passengers.

SS Constitution seen at Tenerife around 1956/7

Photo: Tenerife Port Authorities

SS Constitution looking simply stunning,

From the author’s collection

Dimensions: Length: 208m – 682ft. Width: 27.2m – 89.2ft. Draught: 30.2ft. Propulsion: Two sets of DR Geared Steam Turbines. Twin Screw. Service Speed 22.5 knots.

Above: SS Independence – Below” SS Constitution, seen in the mid fifties prior the rebuild

From the author’s collection

The rebuilding

SS Constitution seen after the rebuild of 1959

From the author’s collection

In 1959, both ships were sent to Newport New, where their forward superstructure was moved 22 feet forward and lifted up by one deck, in order to increase First Class passenger capacity by more than 100 berths. Sadly, the reconstruction changed the previously well balanced, graceful look, especially with the loss of half of the glass enclosed promenade deck and the added height forward. Accommodations were now listed as 484 First Class, 350 Cabin Class, and 254 Tourist Class passengers.

SS Independence is seen here after the Isbrandtsen Company acquired both ships in 1960

From the author’s collection

In 1960 the controlling interest was acquired by Isbrandtsen Co. Inc New York. During their Hey-Day’s they movies were made onboard, with such stars as Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, and many others for that matter. They also carried high profile passengers such as President Harry Truman, Alfred Hitchcock, Walt Disney, even King Saud. Both ships continued on the Mediterranean run, however, like most Trans-Atlantic liners of the day, passenger numbers dropped and the service was suspended in 1967.

Two fine photographs by Robert (Bob) Griffin

Robert (Bob) was the Athletics & Sports Director on the SS Independence on one cruise in 1962 and again later on the SS Atlantic in 1965/66

SS Independence at anchor off Madeira as tenders takes passengers ashore

Photo by & © Bob Griffin

SS Independence – No this man does not walk on water, he is standing on a tender heading for Madeira

Photo by & © Bob Griffin

Itinerary of the SS Independence cruise ex New York - September 14 to October 5, 1962

Provided by by & © Bob Griffin

The SS Independence seen departing New York in 1964 or 1965

Photographer unknown – *See Photo Notice at bottom of the page

On March 12, 2009 I received an interesting email from Tracey Oliver from Orlando, Fl, in regard to her voyage on the SS Independence and I though it was interesting enough to place online!

“I was online trying to get some information about the SS Independence when I found your website. I have enjoyed reading all of it. I wanted to share with you a story that happened to me when I sailed on the ship in 1965. I was a little girl (8 yrs. old) traveling with my parents and three younger sisters in the summer of 1965. My father was an Army Captain in the US Army and had been transferred to Athens, Greece and we sailed on the SS Independence for his transfer to Greece. I remember our voyage fondly and really enjoyed most of our trip. We caught the tail end of a hurricane that made a few days of our cruise very rough. I remember trying to walk down hallways while keeping my arms out so I wouldn’t slam into the walls. Also at our dinner table the chairs would be sliding to and fro as the ship rocked back and forth. My Mom and I were seasick for a few days until the seas quieted down.

There was one particular memorable occasion that happened to me whilst on the cruise when mother allowed me to take two of my sisters to see a movie while on the ship. Before the movie started there was a Disney cartoon shown. When the cartoon was first starting they showed a little round picture of Mr. Walt Disney. We watched the cartoon and then the movie. When it was over the lights came back on and everyone stood up to exit the theater. In the row in front of us was a man and a lady and I was so surprised when I recognized him as Mr. Walt Disney since I had just seen his picture in the cartoon. I was too shy to say anything to him and I whispered to my little sisters to “look that is Mr. Walt Disney.” They just laughed at me and didn’t believe me. I later told my mother and I think she thought I was confused or crazy. To my delight my mother found out before our cruise ended that indeed Mr. Walt Disney and his wife were on our cruise taking a vacation to Italy. I then happily told my sisters “I told you it was him.”

I read in your information about him being one of the famous people to have traveled on the SS Independence. I gladly verify that he was on that ship. Ironically, for the last 8 years I have lived in Orlando, Florida and have told lots of people my story about seeing Mr. Disney in person.

I believe he died of lung cancer within 1-2 years of my seeing him. That time on the SS Independence was very exciting and the start of my love of travel and of a life of travel for the next 40+ years. Thanks for your info about such a great ship.”

SS Independence is seen at St Thomas in 1965 together with another ship of the fleet - SS Atlantic

Photo by & © Robert (Bob) Griffin

In 1968, both ships were placed on full time cruise duties.

Here comes the Sun

SS Independence was chartered to the American Travel Agency, Diner’s Club/Fugazi who was going to operate her under the name of “Go-Go Cruises” describing her as a one class FunShip. She was repainted white with a massive sun burst, with movie star eyes in the centre, and the massive sunbursts, along the hull, as well as pointing up to the funnels. This look was hardly attractive, in fact it was hideous. This venture soon failed and she was laid up in Baltimore on March 13, 1969.

SS Constitution cruised just for a few months, and she was laid up on September 9, 1968 at Jacksonville. Isbrandtsen placed both ships on the market.

SS Independence seen during her Fugazi “Funship” months in 1968

Photographer unknown – *See Photo Notice at bottom of the page

Atlantic Far East Line

In January 1974, both the Independence and Constitution were sold to the Atlantic Far East Line Inc., Monrovia, being part of the massive C.Y. Tung group. The Independence was renamed Oceanic Independence and after a refit she commenced cruising, with a new passenger capacity of 950 passengers. However, the Constitution, renamed Oceanic Constitution, was laid up at Hong Kong on August 4, 1974. Oceanic Independence continued to cruise until she was also laid up at Hong Kong on January 17, 1976. In November that year there were rumours that she was to be sold to Shannon SA, of Panama, but, this did not eventuate. Oceanic Independence remained laid up and was renamed Sea Luck I.

American Hawaii Cruises

As they were no longer American flagged ships, C.Y. Tung was not able to operate them within American waters. However, in 1979 both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives approved their return to the States. In 1980, C.Y. Tung transferred the Oceanic Independence to their newly established; US based American Hawaii Cruises Inc. After extensive repairs and a refit at the Kawasaki Dockyard Co. Ltd, Kobe Japan, Oceanic Independence now accommodated 750 one class passengers, and she was listed as being 20,220 GRT.

CY Tung’s American Hawaii Cruises SS Oceanic Independence seen in 1981

Photographer unknown – *See Photo Notice at bottom of the page

Oceanic Independence departed on her maiden cruise in June, 1980, operating 7-Day cruises around the Hawaiian Islands of Honolulu. On September 24, 1981, she sustained minor damage off the coast of Nawiliwili, however passengers were safely taken from the ship and flown home. In October she was taken to San Francisco for repairs and soon returned to service. In 1982, American Hawaii Cruises Inc became part of the American Global Line, Inc, and to the joy of American’s she became the SS Independence once again.

In 1983 this postcard was released after her name was changed back to SS Independence

Author’s private collection

With Oceanic Independence having been successful in 1980, SS Oceanic Constitution was refitted in Taiwan and departed for Honolulu with a passenger capacity of 1,088, and was listed at 20,199 GRT.

SS Independence and Constitution seen berthed together in Honolulu

From the author’s collection

Oceanic Constitution was transferred to the American Global Line, Inc, and was re-christened by Princess Grace of Monaco under her original name. SS Constitution commenced cruising out of Honolulu in June 1982. In 1984, her passenger numbers was reduced to 800. Both ships were officially reregistered in Honolulu in 1987.

SS Constitution in Honolulu

Photograph by Steven Bingman

SS Constitution at anchor

Photograph by Steven Bingman

In 1994 Independence was withdrawn from service and she headed to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry dock Company for an extensive refit. However, in April 1996 American Hawaii Cruises decided to retire the forty six year old SS Constitution, which they said was due to her high running costs and renovations required. She was finally laid up due the company’s financial problems. During her lay-up many of her parts were taken and were used on Independence.

SS Constitution seen laid up at Portland in 1996

Photographer unknown – *See Photo Notice at bottom of the page

On November 5, 1997, Constitution departed Portland where she had been laid up, under tow by the Chinese Ocean going tug De Da. Twelve days after departure, Whilst under tow heading for an Asian breakers yard, located about 700 miles north of Hawaii, Constitution started to take on water, and due to he imminent sinking the tug cut her loose. On November 17, 1997, the once magnificent Constitution slipped beneath the waves and into history. I personally feel that seemed a better end for this fine ship than hundreds of blowtorches cutting her up!

SS Independence seen after her last refit

From the author’s collection

SS Independence Sails on

After her demise of the SS Constitution, her older sister SS Independence became the last US built ocean liner to sail under the American flag. Celebrations were held on board during Independence's 1,000th voyage in August 1999. A section of her mahogany handrail was especially removed and sliced into sections as a “commemorative souvenir.” This unique relic from one of America's great ships measures 2 +" by 7" and was fitted with a brass plaque which reads, “Voyage 1000, S.S. INDEPENDENCE, August 14, 1999” and the author is the proud owner of one of these rare items.

A piece of SS Independence mahogany handrail removed on August 14, 1999

Owned by author

Bankruptcy - The end of an era & What of the Ship?

On October 19, 2001, American Global Line, owners of the American Hawaii Line declared bankruptcy. On October 30, 2001 the grand lady SS Independence departed Honolulu at 1300 hrs sailing for San Francisco. On November 8, she sailed past San Francisco’s Pier 39 at 10:30 am. American Maritime Historian Peter Knego noted; that “the fireboat Phoenix greeted and accompanied Independence from the Golden Gate Bridge to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.” The SS Independence was now the property of the US Maritime Administration, docked was at the former Alameda Naval Station. On January 25, 2002: she was moved to San Francisco’s pier 50.

On March 5, 2002, SS Independence departed assisted by two tugs heading for Suisun Bay, where the US reserve fleet is located. However, she was returned to her San Francisco berth due to her mast was damaged whilst going under the Carquinez Bridge. The top of the mast snapped off just above the radar. Finally on April 12, the Independence was finally laid up in Suisuin Bay together with other US mothballed vessels of the reserve fleet.

Asian (Malaysian Genting) Casino Lords, owners of Star Cruises & NCL

Slow destruction of the SS Independence & the SS United States!

In February 2003, came the announcement that the Independence had been sold at auction for US$4 million to Norwegian Cruise Line NCL, owned by the Malaysian casino/shipping giant, Genting/Star Cruises.

Then came the great promise that the SS Independence would be refitted, and the mighty SS United States rebuilt after which both ships would then sail for the Asian owned Norwegian Cruise Line's new American company, to be known as NCL America IF the US Senate and Government would permit NCL an American Cruise Company, well they did and the built and soon operated a fleet of four German built ships in Hawaii, but both American ships were neglected and rusting away!

NCL’s Press release at the time also stated: “NCL purchased the vessel (SS Independence) at federal auction from the US Maritime Administration saving her from almost certain scrapping. The potential addition of the SS Independence as a fifth vessel in NCL's US flag operation is being evaluated.”

Obviously the key word there was the word “evaluated,” which almost certainly meant that the Independence was never going to be suitable for NCL America, but she was there to serve the purpose of obtaining the American flag on the stern of their ships! After the announcement, SS Independence was moved on April 11 to the former Mare Island Naval Base in Vallejo and she was badly neglected.

SS Independence laid up at Pier 70

Photo by Larry Vanerwegen

On July 26, 2004, she was returned to San Francisco from Mare Island under tow, and was taken Pier 70. Obviously, she will be laid up for an indefinite period of time, as no work has was ever to be scheduled to done on her.

Mid 2006 Independence was quietly renamed Oceanic, for what reason was anyone’s guess? But NCL’s CEO Colin Veitch announced some time earlier that she had deteriorated considerably and hinted that she could be sold for scrap which he later dismissed to me via an email on August 18, 2006.

Obviously, we now all know that NCL’s desire of creating a highly profitable American based company has become a reality, and NCL America is now in full operation, however, whilst they may have achieved their goals, the SS United States remains laid up and is rapidly deteriorating, whilst they have now sold the SS Oceanic, ex Independence to an Indian who only buys ships for the breakers. Like the SS Norway, NCL has betrayed America twice and most likely will do so again when it comes to the great SS United States.

SS United States

From the author’s collection

July 2008, I have been advised that the SS Oceanic is laid up in Dubai, but her fate is unknown. I have been told that her owners are laying low as there have been warrants out for the ship, and her owners have been talking up the idea of restoration and selling her, but personally, I do not believe a word of it, sound too much like the fables NCL told us about the Norway and she is almost gone, cut to pieces on the beach at Alang. Remember, NCL sold the Independence having renamed her Oceanic to an in-house company. Then they sold her to an Indian, who took the ship under tow and ended up at Dubai. Her next stop can still be the beach at Alang or Chittagong!

January 29: The owners of the SS Oceanic have been fined for illegally exporting the SS Oceanic, ex Independence as she contains substantial amounts of toxic waste. The two related companies were fines US$518,500. As you will read below from an article written by the EPA - Environmental Protection Agency, “Save the Classic Liners Campaign was heavily involved with warning the authorities and our American coordinator Corey Abelove and Erik James did a splendid job! Parts of the article may be read below. However, it can be read in full and a link is provided on the News Updates pages.

“In February of last year, Basel Action Network (BAN) and the “Save the Classic Liners Campaign” tipped-off the United States Environmental Protection Agency when they discovered that Global Marketing Systems, Inc. (GMS), headed up by a world famous cash-buyer of obsolete ships, Mr. Anil Sharma, had taken ownership of the SS Oceanic (former SS Independence) and had the old passenger liner towed out of San Francisco Bay with the intent of scrapping the vessel on the beaches of South Asia. BAN demanded that the U.S. government take action to have the ship returned to a U.S. port, but the EPA claimed they lacked the authority to have the ship recalled. Nevertheless, the EPA took legal action against GMS for violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the law which prohibits the exportation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a persistent toxic pollutant used in the paints, insulation and gasketry in older ships.”

“The toxic trade watchdog group BAN declared victory today after a U.S business involved in sending hundreds of ships to the infamous ship breaking beaches of Bangladesh and India was forced to pay $518,500 and certify that they would not undertake such actions again. BAN warned, however, that there was still ample opportunity for unscrupulous operators to exploit loopholes to export very toxic U.S. ships to the South Asian beaches where some of the world’s poorest labourers are forced to toil without adequate protections against toxic substances, asbestos, explosions and accidents. BAN is a member organization of the NGO Platform on Ship breaking, an international coalition seeking to ban beaching and unsustainable ship scrapping.”

“Soon after EPA initiated its enforcement action against Global and its sister organization Global Shipping LLC, GMS requested a new application to the Maritime Administration seeking approval to sell the vessel but changing the purpose of export from disposal to continued use of the vessel to accommodate labour workers in the Arabian Gulf area. Today, the whereabouts of the Oceanic remains uncertain at this time but so far it has not been seen in the breaking yards.”

*The above is from the EPA Environmental Protection Agency News release. For full details

visit: www.ban.org/ban_news/2009/090129_victory_declared.html

It is thought that she is currently somewhere in the Dubai area, or at least in the Arabian Gulf region, and it is said that she is being used as a workers accommodation facility. However, her future does remain uncertain, for her owners in the past have only obtained ships mostly for Bangladeshi breakers and we are absolutely sure that NCL knew that!

My earlier piece re NCL.

Sadly, there are many who believe the promises made by NCL’s chairman Colin Veitch; however, I feel that neither ship will ever sail as part of the NCL America fleet. NCL now have what they want, the cynical would say that these ships were simply a means to obtain what NCL wanted, and the last thing NCL America really needs today is two old, rusting steamships. Sadly, to date nothing has been heard of the fate of the SS Independence, a ship that was in good condition and in full operation when the company went bankrupt in 2001. To refurbish her and place her back in service would not have cost a fortune. Thus if NCL could not even do this, what hope is there for the United States, which indeed would have cost a fortune to restore and return to service. It is interesting, 1. The author received information from the US that NCL only has the United States under a lease agreement and do not actually own her, thus, she would still be owned by the Cantor Estate. 2. Several ship brokers have the SS United States listed as being for sale, yet NCL continues with their overtures of having her, and SS Independence restored. If only! All we need to do is look at the disgraceful way Star Cruises/NCL disposed of SS Norway, as they bypassed international toxic waste laws, by continually stating she was going to Germany for repairs and that she would return to Miami. Then, having conveniently served as an accommodation ship for workers of the Pride of America, she was sent to Part Klang Malaysia, with Star Cruises announcing that she would return to service in one form or another. Then after having been sold for scrap, but the ships being returned to Star Cruises due to an outcry in Bangladesh re her toxic waste, Star announced to the Malaysian Maritime board that she was heading for Dubai to be repaired, whilst she had already been sold to Bridgend Shipping and she was heading to a breakers yard at Alang India.

I believe that the Chinese Malaysian “Genting Casino Group” operators of Star Cruises, who also own NCL, who have treated the SS Independence with contempt and will treat America’s greatest liner ever built the SS United States, in a similar way. Do not trust an Asian Casino operator, NO WAY! And do not cruise with NCL, they are loosing money faster that oil prices are going up and down these days. NCL America has lost all but one of their German built ships, and now only the “Shame (sorry Pride) of America” continues to sail for them. However, I predict that this company will cease to exist within twelve months!

SS Independence’s classic bow – renamed Oceanic – she is most likely bound for the breakers?

Authors private collection

We sincerely thank Steve Bingman for his contribution to these pages

Index

Page One: History of SS Independence and her sister the SS Constitution

Page Two: Photo Page – From beginning to End

Page Three: Deck Plans - American Export Lines

Page Four: Deck Plan – American Hawaii Cruises

Page Five: New Photo Page of Independence/Oceanic at Pier 70 San Francisco

Photographs by Patrick Race & Jonathan Haeber

***************************************************

I trust you have enjoyed reading about these much loved passenger liners. If you have sailed on any of them I would like to hear from you, and if you have any photographs I would greatly appreciate some, especially those of the interiors and out on deck. Email Me!

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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are: 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are photographs provided to me without details provided regarding the photographer concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me, 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 they either refuse to give me credit and even refuse to remove them, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show the charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due! Note: I do not credit those who send me photos as they are not the owners of the photographs concerned, unless the image is part of their private collection.

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