Cruise Talk: What Happens to the Furniture?

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»	Cruise Talk » Ocean Liners and Classic Cruise Ships » What Happens to the Furniture?

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Topic: What Happens to the Furniture?

empressport
First Class Passenger
Member # 2511

posted 11-04-2002 01:43 AM

Does anyone know what happens to most of the furniture when a liner is scrapped? You sometimes see SS United States items on E-Bay, I guess because of the big auction they had in the 1980's. But what about items from Canberra, Britanis, Leonardo DaVinci and so on?

Posts: 464 | From: Vancouver, BC | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

Deck 9 001
First Class Passenger
Member # 1716

posted 11-04-2002 03:33 AM

Empressport hi,

I also have wondered this........
For many years I have gone to Koashiung, Taiwan in efforts to try to find some "remains" of cruise ships which were broken up there. But, alas, to no avail.
I did so want to recreate an "liner" or "cruise ship" annex into one of my restaurants here in Taipei.
But, I did luck out many years ago when the Caronia was auctioning "things" off at New York Harbor.

I am sure though, that there must be many things available here in Taiwan. The problem is, that the Taiwanese have no interest, and also do not share our enthusiasm for ships as we do. Therefore, there must be cartons, boxes, crates, and even possibly containers with "stuff" that we all would "die for" here in Taiwan...

Now that you brought up this subject, I will again go on a search and see if I can find some fabulous treasures, that may be considered "junk" to others.......

Thanks for the reminder Empressport.
I'll post if I succeed.

Best regards,
Mike

Posts: 939 | From: Taipei, Taiwan (originally New York) | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

WhiteStar
First Class Passenger
Member # 2740

posted 11-04-2002 10:57 AM

I spent a couple of hours searching the web but could find no Cruise Ship Furniture or furnishings for sale. I did find many auction houses that specialize in selling the contents of hotels, restaurants, AND cruise ships.

My guess, and this is just a guess, is that the company that owns a ship that is going to the breakers contracts with one of these companies. They in turn hold the auction covering all costs of the procedure and keeping a percentage of the proceeds.

This was how it worked when a friend of mine closed his restaurant. The place was gutted and EVERYTHING was sold...right down to the menus.

Anybody else have any ideas?

Posts: 668 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 11-04-2002 07:12 PM

Probably about the best place to go these days is Alang in India where they are scrapped. There was a good article in I think it was Shipping magazine recently abut Alang and the writer got a whole counter he wanted for a bar at home.
....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 11-04-2002 09:59 PM

quote:
Originally posted by empressport Does anyone know what happens to most of the furniture when a liner is scrapped? You sometimes see SS United States items on E-Bay, I guess because of the big auction they had in the 1980's. But what about items from Canberra, Britanis, Leonardo DaVinci and so on? [/QB]

After the fact information -

Acquaintances who sailed on Rotterdam V's 'Farewell' - wanted several items from the ship, chairs, light fixtures, china etc. - I understand they submitted a list to the Front Desk and were successful in obtaining quite a few pieces. I have no idea how values, bids, etc. were established.

Shops On Board had several 'sales' - our friends apparently did well there too.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

nzmike
First Class Passenger
Member # 1308

posted 11-04-2002 11:15 PM

It generally depends what the contract of sale is. Pre war, most ships were completely de-stored with all furniture, artwork, crockery, cutlery etc removed and auctioned. These days companies tend to remove everything of value to them andsimply leave the rest, and the scrappers dispose of it as they see fit. When Canberra was scrapped P&O spent ten days destoring her and a lot was removed, however there was still a substantial amount of furniture left on board, simply being what P&O didn't want. All the artwork and anything of company or sentimental value was removed. The Big U's furnishings were all sold at auction in 1984 when Richard Hadley owned the ship so are likely to be scattered around.

Posts: 186 | From: Auckland, New Zealand | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 11-05-2002 06:26 AM

The Pacific Princess had many artifacts from the Canberra, which included paintings of old P&O ships, some furnishings, even carpeting.

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-05-2002 12:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by empressport:
Does anyone know what happens to most of the furniture when a liner is scrapped?

It ends up with anyone who is prepared to buy it and pay for the transport!

Peter Knego (maritime writer/Lecturer) has a house full of it! He had a container full of it shipped to Amerrican from Alang.

Some ends up as the decore in fish restaurants in Madras etc!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

WhiteStar
First Class Passenger
Member # 2740

posted 11-06-2002 08:52 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
It ends up with anyone who is prepared to buy it and pay for the transport!
Peter Knego (maritime writer/Lecturer) has a house full of it! He had a container full of it shipped to Amerrican from Alang.

Malcolm - How did Peter find the items? Do the breakers put the stuff up for sale?

Posts: 668 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged

nathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 720

posted 11-06-2002 09:23 AM

I think some of it ends up in the homes of the breakers.

Posts: 534 | From: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-06-2002 09:40 AM

quote:
Originally posted by WhiteStar:
Malcolm - How did Peter find the items? Do the breakers put the stuff up for sale?

Yes, I saw a Lecture where Peter said that he simply phoned the agent in India and nogotiated what he wanted and the price/shipping.

He purchased a entire lorry container of stuff. I hate to imagine how much that cost to transport? I understand that the contents were not expensive. I thik he sold some items to fund the cost?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

titanicsteve
First Class Passenger
Member # 2142

posted 11-09-2002 01:36 PM

Well one time when I in an antiques store near me (not so long ago) I came across a beautiful old piece of furiture from a liner! It was a tall wash stand with mirror, basin and two glasses. I investagated and after findings the Shiping Lines name (Cunard) I then found out it was from the SS Mauratina!!! I really wanted it but at €1500 I declined the chanc to buy it

Posts: 510 | From: Ireland (near Titanic birthplace!!) | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

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