ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

SS Universe Explorer

Ex Enchanted Seas, Queen of Bermuda, Canada Star, Liberte,

Volendam, Monarch Sun, Volendam - built as the

SS Brasil

Ex Enchanted Seas, Queen of Bermuda, Canada Star, Liberte,

Volendam, Monarch Sun, Volendam, built as ss Brasil.

Introduction

SS Universe Explorer is a magnificent Classic Liner, although extensively rebuilt from the ship launched as the SS Brasil. During her 46 year history she has had a varied life as can be seen by her many name changes above.

During this time, she has served all her owners well, with the exception of one mishap in 1996, which sadly saw one crewmember lost.

When the Universe Explorer still sailed the seas early in 2004, she was one of the *last US built steamships in operation making her a true Classic Liner, a ship that had a close bond with the United States of America.

*The SS Emerald, which was totally rebuilt from hull up, being the ex Grace Lines SS Santa Paula continues to be the only US built passenger liner to officially be in full operation today. She is owned by a Maltese Company Louis Cruises.

A Grand History

SS Brasil seen on her maiden voyage in September 1958

Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi built the Universe Explorer as a combination passenger/cargo ship in 1958. Named the SS Brazil by its original owner, Moore-McCormack Lines, she sailed under U.S. registry. As built, she was 14,984 GRT, accommodated 553 passengers, with a cargo capacity of 315,000 cu. ft.

SS Brasil and her sister Argentina were popular all first class cruise ships with an excellent reputation

Note the original lookout forward of her dummy funnel, which was later replaced by an observation lounge

Above and below are two Moore-McCormack Lines brochures

She and her sister the Argentina were considered unique, as both had a dummy funnel with two stacks located aft of their superstructure. Brasil was an attractive looking ship, however in 1963 her superstructure changed dramatically when she was rebuilt by Bethlehem Baltimore, as another deck was built above the bridge adding additional accommodation. This rebuild changed her profile greatly, looking somewhat awkward and top heavy.

Brasil continued cruising until 1972, when Moore-McCormack decided to dispose of the two sisters.

SS Brasil looking splendid in this ocean-going shot

A souvenir plate

Specifications

Builder: Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula USA

Built for: Moore McCormack Lines – New York

Launched: December 16, 1957 (Mrs. Emmet J. McCormack)

Delivered: September 5, 1958

Maiden Voyage: September 12

Completed: January 1939

Tonnage: 14,984 GRT (Gross Registered Tons) as built – 15,256 tons in 1963 – 23,395 tons in 1973

27,155 tons at the end of her career

Length 188m / 617ft

Width 26.2m / 86ft

Draught 27.3ft

Propulsion General Electric DR Geared Turbines

Screws Twin – 35,000 SHP

Service speed 21 knots – Max 24 / End of career 18 knots

Passengers 553 passengers all first class – End of career 731 one class

Passenger decks 10

Crew 401 - End of career 300

Holland America Days

Brasil and her sister were purchased by Holland America Lines and were refurbished in Bremerhaven, Germany at Lloyd-Waft Shipyard. This saw the removal of her main mast, derricks, and two holds, making her an all passenger ship. Brasil was renamed Volendam and registering at 23,500 tons, with an increased passenger capacity of 739.

Holland America’s Volendam (front) and her sister the Veendam

Having been purchased by Monarch Cruise Lines, she was renamed her Monarch Sun. However, Monarch Cruise Lines was taken over by HAL in 1978, and she was named Volendam once again.

Volendam

Holland America Lines finally sold the Volendam in 1985 to American Hawaii Cruises who renamed her Liberte. This and her next three owners would only operate her for a short period of time before selling her again.

In 1987, Banstead Shipping purchased her from Holland America Lines and renamed her Canada Star. However, just two years later, in 1989 she was purchased by Bermuda Star Line and renamed her Queen of Bermuda. In 1990 the Bermuda Star Line consolidated with Commodore Cruises and she was renamed once again, Enchanted Seas. In 1991 she was upgraded to SOLAS specifications, however, she was sold again in 1993 by the Brazil Caribbean Shipping Co, who did not rename her. They retained the Enchanted Seas until 1995. Further details below the photographs below.

Universe Explorer Mini Photo Album 1

View the ship from every angle

Her bow is a striking feature

Photo: Prof: Dennis F. Galletta

Whereas her stern is a classic

Above and below: Two fine aerial views

In 1995, Azure Investments purchased the Enchanted Seas, renamed her Universe Explorer, and chartered her to New Commodore Cruise Lines. However, the ship was to be managed and operated by International Marine Carrier.

For her new role, she would have to undergo extensive modifications preparing her for her new role, which would see her operate a college program under the auspices of the University of Pittsburgh. The modification began in October 1995. In January, she departed on her first voyage as the Universe Explore, which was a regular cruise of the Caribbean for US holidaymakers. She departed in February for her first Education voyage. After another two education, voyages she undertook a cruise, seeing her filled with holidaymakers once again.

A magnificent view of a magnificent ship

Photo: Prof. Dennis F. Galletta

On July 23, 1996, the Universe Explorer departed Vancouver for an Alaskan cruise. Four days later on July 27, she suffered a fire in the ships laundry loosing five crewmembers that died from smoke inhalation. In addition, another 55 crew and 1 passenger were treated for injuries. Her extensive damage added up to US$1.5 million. She returned to Vancouver were she underwent extensive repairs.

Late in 2002, Universe Explorer was operated by World Explorer Cruises and operated education duties under the banner of “Semester at Sea.”

Universe Explorer is a comfortable and appealing ship, by today's standards she may be considered small, yet she has all the facilities of a super liner. However, unlike many of the mega ships in operation today, she was a friendly and an intimate ship, which has made her much sought after. Registered in Panama, Universe Explorer is 23,500 tons, 617 feet in length, 84 feet in breadth and has a draft of 28 feet, with an average cruising speed of 18 knots. She is fully air-conditioned and stabilised.

She accommodated up to 731 guests in 369 staterooms. Her eight decks feature a variety of public rooms including two restaurants, cocktail lounges, a main show lounge, fitness centre, library, a computer centre, spa, shop, medical facilities. Like all classic liners, she is blessed with an abundance of sheltered and open deck space.

Mid 2004 it was decided to give her a refit in Hong Kong that would include the creation of a special Lounge in the style of the old Moore McCormack days, something cruise lovers with the sence of history were looking forward to, however it was not to be!

Universe Explorer Mini Photo Album 2

Cruising Alaska

Relaxing on Boat deck

Her traditional Promenade Deck

Main Lounge and Showroom

The Buffet

Cinema

Shopping Gallery

The Library

The Pool

The Gym

Cybernet@sea

Cabins

Outside twin/three berth cabin

Outside twin bedded room

A Suite

Outside Twin

Outside Two berth cabin

Inside two berth cabin

The Library

Cruising Alaska

Photo: Prof. Dennis F. Galletta

A visit to the Bridge

Photo: Prof. Dennis F. Galletta

Above we see the Universe Explorer berthed alongside another Classic Liner, the Imperial Majesty Cruises SS OceanBreeze, built in 1954 as the Shaw Savill Lines Southern Cross, which was broken up in 2004.

Although in August of 2004 she was undergoing a comprehensive refit in Hong Kong and she was to return to cruising and operating the University at sea, etc., suddenly her owners "Azure Investments" decided to sell her due to a dispute between them and the ship’s charters being "World Explorer Cruises." This sadly caused her demise.

She was sold on November 9, 2004 to "Rikkan Shipping Inc" of Monrovia, an agent for an Indian breaker, and she departed Hong Kong renamed “Universe” on November 19 bound for India.

Sadly, SS Universe Explorer was beached at Alang on December 7, 2004 and was broken up in 2005, thus another fine American Liner has been lost!

The Universe see beached at Alang early in 2005 before external breaking up commenced

Please Note: The SS Independence is still afloat, but not in use and in danger. The SS United States is rusting, literally rotting away, these two ships will be lost thanks to NCL Cruises, who originally obtained both of them and promised that if the US Government would give them a US flagged cruise company (NCL America) that they would return both ships to service, rebuilding the greatest American Liner ever built, the SS United States, instead she is rusting away in Philadelphia, finally there is the ex Santa Paula, currently named the Emerald, although there is almost nothing left of the original ship, except for her hull.

There is one other significant American ship in the world, being the SS Medina, which became the passenger liner SS Roma, the super luxury ship MS Franca C and continues to sail on today, having been built in 1914, as the MV Doulos! See www.ssMaritime.net – I call her the most historic ship in the world and she MUST be saved!

Also visit …

1… Cabin Plan

2… www.Moore-McCormack.com - The best Moore-McCormack Lines web page

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I trust you have enjoyed reading this page on this fine and much loved passenger liner. If you have sailed on her 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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