She was a well-built ship, constructed at a fraction of the cost of other ships-of-state of the time. And she was wildly successful by every measure of the word--beloved by all who sailed in her and even those who only saw her from afar. She served the Allies well during WWII and continued her profitable crossings during the '40s, '50s, and '60s. Even in her twilight years, she managed her role as cruise ship quite well.

And in the end, when her boilers gave out and she was just too antiquated to compete, she went quietly to the breakers, leaving nothing but fond memories behind. Unfortunately, she is not discussed very much here these days, overshadowed by more grandiose ships perhaps.

Here's to the NIEUW AMSTERDAM, the "Darling of the Dutch," one of the world's most beloved ships!

Rich

Onno

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Originally posted by Onno:
Interesting lasuvidaboy, I never noticed that her bridge windows gotten smaller (and apparently rounded corners).

Onno

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
I always wondered why an when a few design changes were made to her after entering service. First; the original large vents on the forward funnel were closed off and second; the bridge windows were made smaller.

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These changes were made during the NIEUW AMSTERDAM's 3-month refit at the end of 1961. At this time she was converted from a 3-class vessel into 2 classes, and thoroughly modernized throughout, to bring her more in line with the new ROTTERDAM.

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
I always wondered why an when a few design changes were made to her after entering service. First; the original large vents on the forward funnel were closed off and second; the bridge windows were made smaller.

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First my homage to the Darling of the Dutch. She is together with Holland Amerika Lijn Statendam of 1929 my favorite HAL vessel. She is and is the most handsome ocean liner ever built. Not the biggest, not the fastest but simply beautiful exterior and interior.

Nieuw Amsterdam provided much need work in a time where the depression was on its highpoint.

She was the bringer of hoop of manny people in and around Rotterdam/Netherlands.
She saved HAL from bankrupt.

She was a legend troop carrier (between 8.000 to 10.000 troops and crew she transported on each voyage around the world.

And above all she was the proud of an Kingdom who loved here dearly.

The day she sailed fore the last time from Rotterdam fore New York closing HAL Trans Atlantic service. The view who saw here departing could not imagine that they never saw here again.
She is voted the Netherlands ship of the Millennium, indeed We never forget here.

Fore more go to: NASM1873 tss. Nieuw Amsterdam 2 1938 - 1973.

Now the answer on Lasuvidaboy. The vents where closed because smoke from the smokestacks came down on the lido deck. By the airflow from the vents.

The bridge windows could be smaller after a large wave smashed the windows in the midst '50's. Wounding the captain. And ruined almost the bridge
I believe that was the reason the bridge windows where made smaller and stronger.

Greetings Ben.

[ 05-09-2006: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

[ 04-28-2007: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

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Originally posted by Maasdam:
Now the answer on Lasuvidaboy. The vents where closed because smoke frome the smockestacks camedown on the lido deck. By the airflow frome the vents.

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Funny story that the openings which were supposed to create an higher airflow actually caused more trouble. Though I find the openings interesting looking it somehow does not suit the NA II, perhaps because she basically sailed her entire career without them and the closed funnel casing is more impressive.

******

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Originally posted by NAL:
but remember her well. She was truly beautiful inside and out.

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Originally posted by elad:
i have a paper model of this ship which i converted into a one funnel cruise ship:

Elad

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Very nice, but her aft funnel was a dummy--the forward funnel was the working one!

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Originally posted by NAL:
Wasn't there a time very early in her career when her funnels were shorter? I seem to remember a photo with short funnels similar to US AMERICA's as well as those of the EUROPA and BREMEN.

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No the funnels where excact as build. In here first year of service the forward funnel had air vents. These where plated over.

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Originally posted by sslewis:
[QB]Are you sure ssNA only had one working funnel?
QB]

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Positive! Her aft funnel, while a 'dummy', did vent out various exhaust gasses, but did not connect to the boiler room. In any photos of NIEUW AMSTERDAM, you will see smoke pouring from her forward stack, and virtually nothing from her aft stack. Here's an old cut-away diagram illustrating her lay-out: