Posted on Sunday, January 6, 2013 by Peter Knego
Peter Knego “Decks!” the DOULOS PHOS, starting with a look at the 98-year-old ship’s upper deck areas: Bridge Deck, Captain’s Deck and Sun Deck.
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2013 Passenger Ships Desk Calendar by Peter Knego
All photos by and copyright Peter Knego 2012 unless otherwise noted.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Eric Saw aboard the DOULOS PHOS.
Were it not for the incredible kindness and trust of DOULOS PHOS’ devoted owner, Eric Saw, this report would not have been possible. Not only did Mr. Saw provide unfettered access, he allowed us a generous amount of time to fully document one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating passenger liners. By the way, the ship’s current name, DOULOS PHOS is Greek for “Servant of Light”, slightly revised from her last name, DOULOS, or “Servant”. The renaming was inspired by a verse from the Bible, ISAIAH 49:6, which reads:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.”
MV DOULOS PHOS at Singapore.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to Reuben Goossens of ssmaritime.com for putting me in contact with Mr. Saw. Thanks to Reuben’s efforts in persuading Operation Mobilisation to not immediately have the ship scrapped, Mr. Saw had time to intervene and rescue the DOULOS from the breakers. It is my sincere hope that this important ship will find a suitable home to enjoy a long and restful afterlife after traversing the seven seas for nearly a century.
Flanks of PHOS.
DOULOS PHOS is currently tied up at the vast STM Shipyard in Singapore and attended by a small crew. When Mr. Saw purchased the ship, the then DOULOS was in immaculate condition. Unfortunately, equatorial Singapore is a rough climate with oppressive heat, humidity and torrential rains. Additionally, due to shipyard restrictions, only the most basic of maintenance can be performed by the crew without incurring exorbitant fees. These factors considered, after three years of layup, our subject is still in remarkably good condition.
Counter stern.
One feature that has all but disappeared from the high seas is the counter stern. DOULOS PHOS is one of the last passenger ships in existence with this elegant bit of architecture.
Classic rudder.
Her lovely rudder is not unlike much larger fixtures that graced the sterns of the MAURETANIA, AQUITANIA, TITANIC, LUSITANIA and scores of turn-of-the-20th Century liners.
MV DOULOS PHOS, over bow from port wing.
MV DOULOS PHOS, inboard from port wing.
MV DOULOS PHOS, inboard from starboard wing.
The uppermost level, Bridge Deck, was added in 1948 when the ship was converted from the freighter MEDINA into the emigrant ship ROMA. The bulkheads and bulwarks are of wooden construction.
MV DOULOS PHOS, aft from port wing.
MV DOULOS PHOS, aft from starboard wing.
Open wings extend from the wheelhouse over the sides of the ship.
MV DOULOS PHOS funnel from Bridge Deck.
MV DOULOS PHOS Bridge Deck from base of funnel.
There is an open terrace on Bridge Deck immediately aft of the wheelhouse and chart room that extends to a platform and ladder that scales the forward portion of the funnel.
MV DOULOS PHOS, Wheelhouse, facing starboard.
MV DOULOS PHOS, officer’s cap.
Some of the navigation equipment (binnacle, compass, engine telegraph and many of the brass fittings) reportedly dates from 1914. Many of these items were removed by Operation Mobilisation when the ship was retired and subsequently returned when DOULOS PHOS was purchased by Eric Saw.
MV DOULOS PHOS Chart Room, facing port.
A small chart room is immediately aft of the wheelhouse.
MV DOULOS PHOS, starboard wing from Captain’s Deck.
The next level, Captain’s Deck, was completely rebuilt from MEDINA’s Bridge Deck in the ROMA conversion.
MV DOULOS PHOS, forward Captain’s Deck, facing starboard.
MV DOULOS PHOS, forward Captain’s Deck, facing port.
An open terrace fronts Captain’s Deck. Note the pronounced camber (downward curvature to either side).
MV DOULOS PHOS Captain’s Suite (500) sitting room, facing aft.
The Captain’s Suite occupies the forward portion of Captain’s Deck. On the port side, there is a sitting room with a desk that dates from the ROMA conversion and on the starboard side, there is a bedroom.
MV DOULOS PHOS, Captain’s Deck Cabin 502, facing aft.
The aft portion of Captain’s Deck houses Cabin 502, a narrow staircase and a small vestibule.
MV DOULOS PHOS, port Captain’s Deck, facing forward.
Very narrow promenades continue aft on either side of the deck housing on Captain’s Deck, leading to a small platform at the base of the funnel.
Forward Sun Deck, facing aft from port.
Forward Sun Deck, facing starboard.
Sun Deck begins with an open, teak-lined terrace forward of the superstructure. The center portion of this deck houses a canvas-covered stores and work shop.
MV DOULOS PHOS Staff Library, facing forward.
The interior portion of Sun Deck begins with the Staff Library, which is lined with book shelves and fronted by a bulkhead with portholes that overlook the bow.
MV DOULOS PHOS, Sun Deck cabin.
MV DOULOS PHOS Sun Deck — Chief Mate’s Cabin 508.
A small block of officer’s accommodation is adjacent to the Staff Library on Sun Deck.
MV DOULOS PHOS, port Sun Deck, facing aft/up.
MV DOULOS PHOS, port Sun Deck, facing aft.
MV DOULOS PHOS, port Sun Deck, facing forward.
MV DOULOS PHOS, starboard Sun Deck, facing forward.
The external portion of Sun Deck continues aft on either side via teak promenades that are inboard of the lifeboats.
MV DOULOS PHOS, Sun Deck stairs, facing starboard.
At the aft end of the Sun Deck superstructure, there are stairs that lead down to Lounge Deck. A melamine decorative panel by Enrico Paulucci dating from the ship’s (then sailing as Costa Line’s FRANCA C) 1959 rebuilding by Nino Zoncada was removed at one point in the DOULOS’ latter day career and is now part of the Costa family archives in Genoa. The original Zoncada-designed railings remain.
MV DOULOS PHOS, aft Sun Deck, facing aft.
The aft portion of Sun Deck, once the sprawling lido on the FRANCA C, was turned into an outdoor book shop when the ship was converted into the DOULOS. A large awning was built over the pool area to provide shelter from the elements.
MV DOULOS PHOS, aft Sun Deck, facing forward.
The pool basin was covered up but not removed, so DOULOS PHOS, should she become a hotel ship, could feasibly get her lovely lido back.
MV DOULOS PHOS, over stern from Sun Deck fantail.
This portion of the DOULOS tour will end at the very stern of the ship.
End of DOULOS PHOS Decked!, Part Three
Much More to Come…
Very Special Thanks: Jonathan Boonzaier, Martin Cox, Reuben Goossens, Mike Masino, Eric Saw
To show your support for DOULOS PHOS and to get updates on the ship, please “like” the DOULOS PHOS Facebook Page
Kenneth Eden
January 6, 2013 at 5:36 am
Peter
As old as the DOULOS PHO is, there are vestiges – mainly exterior – that were noted during ships that sailed into the 1970′s, older ships themselves, but the look they had was much like the DOULOS PHO’s.
Anyone that had never seen -more importantly – sailed on the vintage cruise ships of the 1970′s, can appreciate what they shared in common from this superb pictorial you have presented. I would loke to see the pool restored, if that proves possible.
Kalle Id
January 6, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Considering the DOULOS PHOS has been in Singapore’s punishing tropical climate with fairly minimal maintainance, she is in splendid condition indeed! Compare, if you will, with the condition of the NORMANDY (ex-PRINSESSAN BIRGITTA, ST NICHOLAS, STENA NORMANDY) after a five-year lay-up in the same city: http://blog.pontos.se/2012/10/normandy-ex-prinsessan-birgitta.html
richard osborne
January 6, 2013 at 2:25 pm
Hi Peter,
Great piece. I have written to Rebuen many times over the years going back to the Norway canpain he has always been kindy responded back even as resend as the last month on with the Qe2 I miss his up dates and martime knowledge. I thought that when Mr shaw bought the ship he was going to make it into a hotel? has that plan changed? I wonder why I haven’t seen this ship for some time. it going to put back up for a sale again and there still can be a chance it still be scrapped?
Thank you for keeping us informed
Richard
Paul Goodwin
January 6, 2013 at 5:55 pm
That counter-stern is just gorgeous…..and all that wood everywhere, how has she managed to survive all the SOLAS regulations all these years, I wonder?
Hank
January 6, 2013 at 6:12 pm
Wonderful ship.
Peter Knego
January 6, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Richard, Mr. Saw is doing all he can to prevent the ship from going to the breakers. His biggest challenge is finding a suitable berth for the DOULOS PHOS. The plan would be to drag her ashore and build a nice setting around the DOULOS PHOS hotel ship. There are illustrations and more details on the DOULOS PHOS Facebook page.
All the best,
Peter
Dan Legue
January 6, 2013 at 7:21 pm
Hi Peter,
Maybe Mr. Saw should consider bringing the ship to San Francisco’s Fisherman Wharf at the berth that they planned for the Britanis. Perhaps you could put Mr. Saw into contact with Christopher A. Kyte and Kevin R. Tam of Uncommon Journeys about the idea of relocating the Doulos to San Francisco where it might have a good chance at doing very well over there. And the ship is one of last U.S. built hulls or the early 20th century.
Since Christopher A. Kyte and Kevin R. Tam of Uncommon Journeys had planned to bring the Britanis(before she sank) to San Francisco, it would not cost a huge fortune to maintain the Doulos as part of their operations as they wanted a historical ship for the city. Now might be the opportunity for Christopher A. Kyte and Kevin R. Tam to have a business meeting with Mr. Saw about bringing the Doulos to their city. Otherwise, the Doulos might end up like the Augustus and the former Peace Boat Oceanic.
Gary Carlson
January 9, 2013 at 7:32 am
Greetings …
I sailed on Doulos from 1978 until 1983 as a deck officer with my wife and later children. Concerning her naval architecture, she actually has a clipper ship hull form. Look at old photos of clipper ships from the late 1800′s, especially the turn of the stern. Having personally studied naval architecture, I can also attest to her internal construction as being exceptional. When I was studying for my chief mate’s licence in 1980, the study material still showed the type of very old bilge structure and cargo hold construction used in Doulos, for example.
Also – consider this: blueprint development and construction planning cycles are very long even today. So for a ship built in 1914, the hull planning dated easily into the 1890′s, a time when clipper ships were still sailing — it was a good hull form to copy — tried and true.
In autumn on 1979 we removed the old, cast-iron steering gear. As we removed it, we noted the maker’s date, or might have been patent date, of 1895, as I recall; I might be off by a few years. George Booth, then Chief Officer, later Captain, and I provided input to the automatic pilot programmer, Mike Koch, in terms of its desired operating characteristics.
Blessings …….. Gary Carlson
Captain, US Merchant Marine/Navy
Seok Keng
April 21, 2013 at 9:42 am
Finally I found lastest info on Doulos. I was very excited to hear that a Singaporean brother bought the ship while in Germany OM. Passed the news around & praying she will stay in Singapore permanently & I can serve with her.
Thank you Mr & Mrs Saw. God bless! Hope to hear the good news I have been praying,will be great for Singaporeans!!