Aren't there some views of liners and cruise ships that just say "Let's go?" I think so; here are some from my collection. |
Doesn't the sky just say "vacation" in this shot? This is a slight blow-up for detail from a post card showing Matson Line's SS LURLINE. The ship was completed in 1933, served military purposes during the Second World War and then returned to passenger service in 1948. The card notes that the ship is completely air-conditioned, which is good since it was running from San Francisco and/or Los Angeles to Hawaii. Length: 632 feet. Speed: 22 knots. Gross Tonnage 18,655. 761 passengers, all in First Class accommodations. Even though the ship was built in the era when air tr?avel was increasing all the time, wouldn't a sea trip be a great part of a Hawaiian vacation? |
Of course there are Caribbean destinations for vacation, or for "holiday" and here we see the beautiful SS QUEEN OF BERMUDA, Furness, Withy & Co. Line in Hamilton Harbor, Bermuda. This ship was built in 1933, and was one of a number of ships of that era to include turbo-electric drive. It seems that this ship may have been very specially designed for frequent trips to the islands, with docking and maneuvering; not only did turbo-electric drive make speed control and reversal easier, but on this ship four screws were fitted with a total shaft horsepower of only about 19,000. This was easily achievable on two, but with rocky harbors smaller screws would keep draught shallower and would allow easier maneuvering with the spread of the screws closer to the ship's sides. Forgetting all that- look at the scene! I'm ready to go right now. |
SS QUEEN OF BERMUDA /580 FEET LONG / 27,770 TONS / 19 KNOTS / 731 FIRST CLASS PSGRS. |
We have to start somewhere; that is, we have to leave someplace in order to get some OTHER place to go on vacation! The sky, and the sea in this view make it seem as if Swedish-American Line's SS KUNGSHOLM is outbound toward a vacation spot -- or many spots. The card says that the ship was in service both on cruises to all five continents and was also in service operating as a liner between Copenhagen / Gothenburg and New York. This impressive looking ship was actually diesel-powered, was the third ship (of four!) to carry this name for this owner and was completed in 1953 specifically to operate in exactly the kind of combination service described above. 660 feet long, 26,000 gross rated tons. |
Above, a post card covering both SS SANTA ROSA and SS SANTA PAULA, sisterships, of the US-flag Grace Line. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding in 1958, with geared turbine propulsion. This card was mailed in 1968. The card itself says it best: "These ultramodern 20,000-ton sister luxury liners, air-conditioned throughout and stabilized for cruising comfort, were expressly designed and built to serve the Caribbean. They sail weekly on 13-day cruises from New York to colorful ports of the Caribbean, South America, and Florida. U.S. Flag ships built and operated to strict U.S. safety standards." What can I add to that -- other than just look at all the vacation iconography present in this card. The beautiful lines of the ship, incorporating both classic liner and modern elements are notable. |