My family did a round trip NY-Mediterranean cruise in winter 1963 when I was 8, my brother 11. Many fond, surprisingly vivid memories! Returning across the Atlantic, we heaved to in a storm. I’m sure our parents were nervous, but we were just thrilled to have an extra day!
I was on it in late Spring/early Summer of 1985. My grandparents took a group vacation and took me along with them. We traveled all the way from Alabama to Honolulu and embarked on a 7-Day tour of the Hawaiian Islands. I was 10 years old at the time. I’m 48 now. I can remember a few specifics of the ship. I also have a few pictures buried in the attic that I really need to put my hands on. This video brought back so many fond memories. Thank you!!
My home for several years...so grateful to have worked onboard!! Thank you, once again, for featuring this beautiful ship!! Looking forward to Part 2!!!❤
I have very fond memories of my family's voyage on the SS Constitution from NYC to Genoa Italy in 1961. I spent most of the time racing around the ship as well as hanging out in the Solarium, as one might expect an eleven-year-old lad to do. 🤗 Being hungry I'd eat dinner alone on the first seating, which allowed me the opportunity to indulge in a glass (or two) of wine along with my meal. The ship's photographer took a picture of me one evening while I sipped on my wine. My folks paid for a print of the photograph, but never mentioned my choice of beverage. What a relief that was. The "most memorable" (actually frightening!) moment during the voyage occurred one late afternoon while I was in the Solarium working on a free plastic model. Suddenly, a giant wave rolled the ship to starboard violently, and water crashed across the Solarium's glass windows! Fortunately, no glass gave way, and no one was injured. Yikes!
OMG. Until this video I had no idea that I was on that Maiden voyage in 1982. My aunt took me on this trip with her for a special vacation. I still have many souvenirs from that trip, plus the photographs.
I was on it in late Spring/early Summer of 1985. My grandparents took a group vacation and took me along with them. We traveled all the way from Alabama to Honolulu and embarked on a 7-Day tour of the Hawaiian Islands. I was 10 years old at the time. I’m 48 now. I can remember a few specifics of the ship. I also have a few pictures buried in the attic that I really need to put my hands on. This video brought back so many fond memories. Thank you!!
Thanks for the video.. I only got to cruise on her one time; After her refit was postponed, they were offering VERY low cost cruises to folks living in Hawai'i. I cruised on her in Dec. 1995. I then sailed on the Independence through 1999 when I moved back to the mainland. I also saw her as a child..... I grew up in Jacksonville,FL. She was anchored (moored?) off of Blount Island - about 10 miles down stream from the shipyard
Thank you for an excellent video! We sailed the Constitution around Hawaii at the very time you filmed her in Dec '94. We stayed in the Owner's Suite. Such great history, glad she is resting at sea.
It's remarkable what C.Y.Tung / Orient Overseas Lines collected all the old liners. Every time I see a container from OOCL I think back to that time. Many continued to drive for a few years after purchase, but some rotted away for years in laid-up status. "OCEANIC CONSTITUTION" was extremely lucky - and was awakened from her "Sleeping Beauty sleep" - thanks to the success of American Hawaii Cruises.
Tung had a fantastic collection of ships. Sadly, most were gone by the time I got into it but I did get a chance to visit the ORIENTAL ESMERALDA a few times before her end. And the UNIVERSE CAMPUS. Loved their livery, too.
My mother and I traveled on the SS Constitution from Genoa, Italy, to New York in the spring of 1957. It must have been 2nd class. We had a cabin with a porthole for a window. We were visiting relatives in New York State and were accompanied by my great aunt who was returning to America from a visit to her old German home . We stayed until the fall and then traveled back from New York to Hamburg on the the equally proud SS Italia. I remember some things particularly clearly. Upon arrival in the early morning, the City of New York was shrouded in a light morning fog, illuminated by the morning sun, which made the silhouette glitter magically. While visiting the indoor pool on the vessel, I was hit by a huge wave, probably caused by the rolling or pitching motion of the ship. I don't remember if this was the SS Constitution or the SS Italia. On the return trip, it was my birthday. The restaurant staff marched in a long line to me with a birthday cake, whistling the River Kwai March. I was incredibly impressed. Proceed with your work and have a good time! Black🤗
Wow, fantastic memories, Black, of two excellent ships. Thanks so much for bringing them back to life here. The indoor pool would have been ITALIA, a fine liner, the former KUNGSHOLM. Appreciate your post.
Thank you, so many memories working on both in Hawai'i, although by far mostly on the Indy doing my part to keep her maintained from '88-'94 as Bos'n mate and Bos'n.
@@midshipcinema yes, it was very cool and we all made such great memories together on these beautiful classic passenger ships in Hawaii. There'll never be such again, sadly for the younger generations.
Thank you so much for posting this very interesting video of the history of these ships. I was a boy at the time, and of course we all knew about the ships because of the I Love Lucy show and Princess Grace.. after they finish their Hawaiian runs, one of them was parked here in the San Francisco Bay for probably about a year. I think it was the Independence. It was nice seeing her in person.
Thanks, Greg! Yes, the INDY spent several years bouncing around San Francisco Bay (from Alameda to Vallejo and finally the BAE shipyard in San Francisco). I captured her arrival there and her final departure, which was a very sad day. I hope to tell her story at some point soon. Appreciate your watching and commenting.
BTW: Your mother was absolutely beautiful! My jaw dropped when you were first showed what I thought was moviestar Merle Oberon.. and as I thought to myself, "Wow!"..you mentioned that it was your model mother. Beauty like that used to make men's hearts swoon!. You don't see that kind of beauty or class anymore!
Awww. Thank you, Greg! Her beauty was legendary but what was most beautiful was her soul. BTW, I was a huge fan of Merle Oberon when I was a kid, about 30 years too late, lol. :)
Really looking forward to watching this. I didn’t personally get a chance to sail on Constitution, just Independence, but my parent’s spent one of their wedding anniversaries on Constitution with American Hawai’i Cruises. Would love to see a video about Independence too someday.
Thanks, David. Hope you enjoy it. I did also post a video about our actual cruise on CONNIE. You can find it in the Floating Paradise Lost playlist. Will be posting a third video next month with a full tour of her as she was in 1994. All my best, Peter
@@midshipcinema I Was Borned On January 29th 1953 At Piraeus,Greece After The Fire Of The Canadian Pacific Ship EMPRESS OF CANADA. After 18 Years Old Became,I Was Worked For The First Time On The Chandris Ship BRITANIS In 1971. In 1973 I Was Worked On The AUSTRALIS. In 1978 I Was Worked On The DAPHNE. In 1982 I Was Worked On The ATLAS. In 1985 I Was Worked For 5 Months On The AMERIKANIS And I Returned Again On The ATLAS. In 1987 I Was Worked On The OCEANOS And In 1991 I Was Worked On The WORLD RENAISSANCE. In 1995 I Was Worked On The OLYMPIC. In 1997 I Was Worked On The TRITON. In 1999 I Was Worked On The OLYMPIC COUNTESS. In 2004 After My Father Died,I Was Worked On The OCEANIC. In 2007 I Was Worked On The CORAL. In 2009 I Was Worked On The THOMSON SPIRIT And In 2012 I Was Worked On The Sister Ship THOMSON CELEBRATION. In 2014 I Was Worked Today On The CELESTYAL OLYMPIA.
Very nice video, but a few quibbles ... 1. Raymond Loewy had nothing to do with the Indy and Connie. The Hagley Museum in Delaware has a chunk of his files. His team clipped articles as small as one column wide by one inch long. There is nothing mentioned. 2. Because Henry Dreyfuss did all the work. The Indy and Connie were ordered shorty after World War II, but subsidy battles forced American Export to focus on a new "Four Aces," and it was on them that Dreyfuss tested out ideas which found their way onto the duo. 3. It's Edmund Lewandowski, not Edward. 4. The panels in Emile Norman's folding screen were not glass, but plastic. He patented the technique. 5. The image of the First Class Dining Room is actually the Indy. (The Connie had a different mural.)
Thank you, Wayne. I hope I didn't drive you too crazy with my gaffes. I'm afraid I will always make mistakes but try to avoid them as best as I can. Yes, I should have clarified on the dining image but did not have that much time for too much dialogue with just the one image and I have not been able to locate one of CONNIE's dining room in all of my brochures. Strange on Loewy as even when I was on the ship in 2001 with the SSHSA, people were talking about his fixtures and furnishings. I wondered why there was no mention of him in the press releases and brochures I have and now I know why. And yes, of course, on the Aces but I will cover them when I do my TEXAS CLIPPER video at some point in the future. I also didn't mention LA GUARDIA as it is just not possible to get every bit of info included but will of course cover her when I do an OCEAN EXPLORER tribute. On the screen, I must have misunderstood what was mentioned in my brochure. Question for you. I believe that was the same screen that was moved into the Card Room after the refit and it remained there when it became the Princess Grace Room. I will be doing the actual Decked! and will show that room in detail, so am curious if you think that is the same screen (although I do not recall seeing the butterflies and other insets). And as for Lewandowski, I blame my bad vision and a touch of dyslexia. :) Anyway, your points are much appreciated and well noted. :)
@@midshipcinema ... OK, now that the Matson presentation is mercifully over ... Apologies if my comments were "d*ckish." Yes, Norman's screen was moved during the refit from the Observation Lounge to the Card Room. And I had no idea it remained on board so many years later! That is amazing! I don't remember seeing it in the American Hawaii brochures. I've been 10 years now with Lewandowski's name in my materials, and I think only two years ago did I finally get it right, so I should've shut up about that one. :^) I'll be taking over as editor of the SoCal Chapter's Ocean Times with the January issue, and if you have anything you'd like to contribute, would love to have it. (Though I know video work is very demanding and time consuming. So only if you feel you have the time.)
@@wayneyanda Your presentation was phenomenal and so educational! IF only I had that info when wandering the decks of the MARIPOSA and MONTEREY back in the mid-70s when I had zero appreciation for their MidCentury style. I remember my aunt gushing about the MONTEREY and I was puzzled, thinking she looked like any living room on land. Anyway, sorry for the digression but your work is fantastic and I hope to learn more from your efforts. You don't perchance know who did the Zodiac panels in the BRASIL's observation lounge window shades? I have them here and would love to know the artist behind them. And was relieved to see that Loewy did, indeed, do some fine American ships even if I was sadly mistaken about CONNIE and INDY. Thanks again, Wayne! :)
@@midshipcinema Thank you! It means a lot coming from someone who's been at this longer than I have. (I still miss Maritime Matters.) I cut some stuff out to make time, so I may put it back in before posting it. Now, my best guess on the Zodiac panels is Aurion M. Proctor. He did much of the laminated plastic designs when the BRASIL was built, and according to an article I have "somewhere," he helped oversee the add-ons. Nothing definitive, but that's where the dots lead. He didn't leave any papers behind; he died when his house caught fire in December 1983. By that point, he was a bit of a hermit, still depressed over his wife's death a decade earlier.
@@wayneyanda Absolutely fascinating! Thank you for this. I'll look him up and see if any of his published works have a similarity. And thanks again for your fantastic presentation. I can send you a photo of the Virgo panel, which is on display here.
I never took the opportunity to visit the Constitution (I lived in a NYC suburb & visited liners throughout the 60's.) It's probably because I had visited the Independence a number of times & saw them as somewhat interchangeable. My first sighting of the Independence was in 1957, as a 7 year old boy. I viewed her mid-ships; a unique vantage point as I was visiting the Mayflower II replica at the adjacent Circle Line pier. She had her original black hull...I was mesmerized by her enormity and beauty. I never forgot that image. The last time I saw her was 43 years later, docked in Maui & still as impressive. She was enjoying her golden years in the sun...as I am doing now. I never liked the changes made to the Independence/Constitution. They sacrificed the Observation Lounge to install more cabins & managed to make her exterior look even less sleek than it already was...especially when compared to the new Italian liners emerging in the early Fifties. But I had, and still have, great affection for them. Thanks for the video...looking forward to more.
I sailed on the Constitution from NY to Bermuda... well, kinda.... I wasn't actually born yet, but I was physically on board. I had no idea until I found some some of my parents' old 8mm movies.
I sailed on her at 4 years of age in March of 1964 , with older sister and mom and dad , across The Atlantic . We were tourist class ,down the hall from the theatre , man did The Constitution suck .
@@midshipcinema Perhaps if you were Lucy and Ricky or Princess Grace ,The Constitution was okay.By today's standards these ships were all dogs Too slow ,too expensive and poor service back then,the airlines pounced and took over
I got a pass to go on her when it was docked in Hawaii. It was a complete mess. pool filled with algae. The passengers were in revolt and leaving the ship. it was such a sad end to a once great ship. When I first started cruising there were still a lot of liners turned into cruise ships. Have run in to Bill Milller on the Queen Mary---great guy and one of the family..
That reminds me of the sad fate of the s.s. America...and the poor condition she was in during her final , pathetic cruises for Venture Cruises. I should know....I was aboard her for that July 4, 1978 cruise to nowhere. It was overbooked, so we never got a room. Finally the ship was forced back to NYC...we jumped from a shell door into a launch around 4-5 a.m. into the Hudson River. They dumped us on Staten Island!
Nice video but the end Is factually incorrect. The Constitution did go to dry dock in Portland Oregon shipyard cascade general and was refitted. The independence went to Newport News shipyard the year after and was also refitted. Shortly after this American Hawaii cruises went bankrupt and the ships were seized...
Thanks for watching but the CONNIE never returned to service after going to Portland and remained laid up there until being towed to the scrappers, sinking on the way. INDY had already been refitted, as seen in the accompanying video here shot during CONNIE's final Christmas Cruise. INDY sailed on until 2001 until AHC went under shortly after 9-11. I'll tell her story at some point in the future. :)
I was in a dry-docking at Cascade Genetal and saw it berthed there. What a coincidence it "accidentally" sunk in the deepest part of her tow track-line on her way back to Oahu. 😅😅😅
You have no idea how important these videos are for younger ship enthusiasts who never got to see these vessels.
Thank you. Very kind of you to say. I do hope younger enthusiasts enjoy watching them and keeping the spirit alive. :)
@@midshipcinema indeed I am!
My family did a round trip NY-Mediterranean cruise in winter 1963 when I was 8, my brother 11. Many fond, surprisingly vivid memories! Returning across the Atlantic, we heaved to in a storm. I’m sure our parents were nervous, but we were just thrilled to have an extra day!
What a fantastic experience to have had! A combination cruise and crossing on one of the AEL beauties. Thank you for posting here.
When doing the introductions, could you smile?
Yes, I so enjoy these histories. Thank you.
Mage B
I will always smile for you, dear Mage. :)
Beautiful ship 😍🚢
Thank you for the post, it was very interesting.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. :)
I was on it in late Spring/early Summer of 1985. My grandparents took a group vacation and took me along with them. We traveled all the way from Alabama to Honolulu and embarked on a 7-Day tour of the Hawaiian Islands. I was 10 years old at the time. I’m 48 now. I can remember a few specifics of the ship. I also have a few pictures buried in the attic that I really need to put my hands on. This video brought back so many fond memories. Thank you!!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting, Matt. We were so lucky to experience Hawaii on these ships when we could. They had character.
As always Peter, you’ve done an excellent job! Thank you for this!
Oh, thank you so much, Geoffrey. I really enjoyed putting it together. Hopefully more people will watch it over time.
I sailed on the Constitution from Honolulu to Kauai and back in 1994! What a wonderful experience!
Just in the nick of time! :)
My home for several years...so grateful to have worked onboard!! Thank you, once again, for featuring this beautiful ship!! Looking forward to Part 2!!!❤
Thanks so much, Pamela. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
I have very fond memories of my family's voyage on the SS Constitution from NYC to Genoa Italy in 1961. I spent most of the time racing around the ship as well as hanging out in the Solarium, as one might expect an eleven-year-old lad to do. 🤗
Being hungry I'd eat dinner alone on the first seating, which allowed me the opportunity to indulge in a glass (or two) of wine along with my meal. The ship's photographer took a picture of me one evening while I sipped on my wine. My folks paid for a print of the photograph, but never mentioned my choice of beverage. What a relief that was.
The "most memorable" (actually frightening!) moment during the voyage occurred one late afternoon while I was in the Solarium working on a free plastic model. Suddenly, a giant wave rolled the ship to starboard violently, and water crashed across the Solarium's glass windows! Fortunately, no glass gave way, and no one was injured. Yikes!
OMG. Until this video I had no idea that I was on that Maiden voyage in 1982. My aunt took me on this trip with her for a special vacation. I still have many souvenirs from that trip, plus the photographs.
Thank you, David. How cool that you were on the MV!
I was on it in late Spring/early Summer of 1985. My grandparents took a group vacation and took me along with them. We traveled all the way from Alabama to Honolulu and embarked on a 7-Day tour of the Hawaiian Islands. I was 10 years old at the time. I’m 48 now. I can remember a few specifics of the ship. I also have a few pictures buried in the attic that I really need to put my hands on. This video brought back so many fond memories. Thank you!!
I really enjoyed this one Peter and can’t wait to see part 2! 👍
Thanks so much, Matt!
I was born and raised in O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi. I remember seeing this ship moored off of Sand Island.
Oh, how nice. Both INDEPENDENCE and CONSTITUTION were on regular weekly Hawaii cruising service during the 80s and 90s.
Thanks for the video.. I only got to cruise on her one time; After her refit was postponed, they were offering VERY low cost cruises to folks living in Hawai'i. I cruised on her in Dec. 1995. I then sailed on the Independence through 1999 when I moved back to the mainland.
I also saw her as a child..... I grew up in Jacksonville,FL. She was anchored (moored?) off of Blount Island - about 10 miles down stream from the shipyard
Thanks so much for posting. Fantastic that you saw her laid up , then sailed in her at the end.
Thank you for an excellent video! We sailed the Constitution around Hawaii at the very time you filmed her in Dec '94. We stayed in the Owner's Suite. Such great history, glad she is resting at sea.
Oh, wow, that is a coincidence with our timing on the CONNIE. The Owners Suite must have been a very special experience. Thanks for posting.
It's remarkable what C.Y.Tung / Orient Overseas Lines collected all the old liners. Every time I see a container from OOCL I think back to that time. Many continued to drive for a few years after purchase, but some rotted away for years in laid-up status.
"OCEANIC CONSTITUTION" was extremely lucky - and was awakened from her "Sleeping Beauty sleep" - thanks to the success of American Hawaii Cruises.
Tung had a fantastic collection of ships. Sadly, most were gone by the time I got into it but I did get a chance to visit the ORIENTAL ESMERALDA a few times before her end. And the UNIVERSE CAMPUS. Loved their livery, too.
Wonderful clip Peter.
Thanks so much, Onno! :)
My mother and I traveled on the SS Constitution from Genoa, Italy, to New York in the spring of 1957. It must have been 2nd class. We had a cabin with a porthole for a window. We were visiting relatives in New York State and were accompanied by my great aunt who was returning to America from a visit to her old German home .
We stayed until the fall and then traveled back from New York to Hamburg on the the equally proud SS Italia.
I remember some things particularly clearly.
Upon arrival in the early morning, the City of New York was shrouded in a light morning fog, illuminated by the morning sun, which made the silhouette glitter magically.
While visiting the indoor pool on the vessel, I was hit by a huge wave, probably caused by the rolling or pitching motion of the ship. I don't remember if this was the SS Constitution or the SS Italia.
On the return trip, it was my birthday. The restaurant staff marched in a long line to me with a birthday cake, whistling the River Kwai March. I was incredibly impressed.
Proceed with your work and have a good time!
Black🤗
Wow, fantastic memories, Black, of two excellent ships. Thanks so much for bringing them back to life here. The indoor pool would have been ITALIA, a fine liner, the former KUNGSHOLM. Appreciate your post.
Constitution Was A Great Liner. Her Steam Power Was Amazing To See Peter. I Wish I Could’ve Seen It.
Thank you. She was a lovely old lady.
Thank you, so many memories working on both in Hawai'i, although by far mostly on the Indy doing my part to keep her maintained from '88-'94 as Bos'n mate and Bos'n.
How cool that you had that experience on INDY. Both of those ships were wonderful.
@@midshipcinema yes, it was very cool and we all made such great memories together on these beautiful classic passenger ships in Hawaii. There'll never be such again, sadly for the younger generations.
Thank you so much for posting this very interesting video of the history of these ships. I was a boy at the time, and of course we all knew about the ships because of the I Love Lucy show and Princess Grace.. after they finish their Hawaiian runs, one of them was parked here in the San Francisco Bay for probably about a year. I think it was the Independence. It was nice seeing her in person.
Thanks, Greg! Yes, the INDY spent several years bouncing around San Francisco Bay (from Alameda to Vallejo and finally the BAE shipyard in San Francisco). I captured her arrival there and her final departure, which was a very sad day. I hope to tell her story at some point soon. Appreciate your watching and commenting.
BTW: Your mother was absolutely beautiful! My jaw dropped when you were first showed what I thought was moviestar Merle Oberon.. and as I thought to myself, "Wow!"..you mentioned that it was your model mother.
Beauty like that used to make men's hearts swoon!. You don't see that kind of beauty or class anymore!
Awww. Thank you, Greg! Her beauty was legendary but what was most beautiful was her soul. BTW, I was a huge fan of Merle Oberon when I was a kid, about 30 years too late, lol. :)
Thanks for this! This one is often side-lined, as she was later in life, compared to her sister. I like both ships after their refits.
My pleasure! She was a great beauty and if she had to end it all at that time, I'm glad it was before she was altered like INDY was. :)
Really looking forward to watching this. I didn’t personally get a chance to sail on Constitution, just Independence, but my parent’s spent one of their wedding anniversaries on Constitution with American Hawai’i Cruises. Would love to see a video about Independence too someday.
Thanks, David. Hope you enjoy it. I did also post a video about our actual cruise on CONNIE. You can find it in the Floating Paradise Lost playlist. Will be posting a third video next month with a full tour of her as she was in 1994. All my best, Peter
@@midshipcinema I Was Borned On January 29th 1953 At Piraeus,Greece After The Fire Of The Canadian Pacific Ship EMPRESS OF CANADA. After 18 Years Old Became,I Was Worked For The First Time On The Chandris Ship BRITANIS In 1971. In 1973 I Was Worked On The AUSTRALIS. In 1978 I Was Worked On The DAPHNE. In 1982 I Was Worked On The ATLAS. In 1985 I Was Worked For 5 Months On The AMERIKANIS And I Returned Again On The ATLAS. In 1987 I Was Worked On The OCEANOS And In 1991 I Was Worked On The WORLD RENAISSANCE. In 1995 I Was Worked On The OLYMPIC. In 1997 I Was Worked On The TRITON. In 1999 I Was Worked On The OLYMPIC COUNTESS. In 2004 After My Father Died,I Was Worked On The OCEANIC. In 2007 I Was Worked On The CORAL. In 2009 I Was Worked On The THOMSON SPIRIT And In 2012 I Was Worked On The Sister Ship THOMSON CELEBRATION. In 2014 I Was Worked Today On The CELESTYAL OLYMPIA.
@@shipspiros3766 Incredible history and experience! Thank you for sharing!
Rode from NY to Naples in 1962 when I was 10 and had my birthday on the trip. Never forget it. I look at Cruise Ships now and think they look so ugly.
Awww. That would have been such a fantastic trip. She was still very much in her prime. Thanks for watching and posting.
Very nice video, but a few quibbles ...
1. Raymond Loewy had nothing to do with the Indy and Connie. The Hagley Museum in Delaware has a chunk of his files. His team clipped articles as small as one column wide by one inch long. There is nothing mentioned.
2. Because Henry Dreyfuss did all the work. The Indy and Connie were ordered shorty after World War II, but subsidy battles forced American Export to focus on a new "Four Aces," and it was on them that Dreyfuss tested out ideas which found their way onto the duo.
3. It's Edmund Lewandowski, not Edward.
4. The panels in Emile Norman's folding screen were not glass, but plastic. He patented the technique.
5. The image of the First Class Dining Room is actually the Indy. (The Connie had a different mural.)
Thank you, Wayne. I hope I didn't drive you too crazy with my gaffes. I'm afraid I will always make mistakes but try to avoid them as best as I can. Yes, I should have clarified on the dining image but did not have that much time for too much dialogue with just the one image and I have not been able to locate one of CONNIE's dining room in all of my brochures. Strange on Loewy as even when I was on the ship in 2001 with the SSHSA, people were talking about his fixtures and furnishings. I wondered why there was no mention of him in the press releases and brochures I have and now I know why. And yes, of course, on the Aces but I will cover them when I do my TEXAS CLIPPER video at some point in the future. I also didn't mention LA GUARDIA as it is just not possible to get every bit of info included but will of course cover her when I do an OCEAN EXPLORER tribute. On the screen, I must have misunderstood what was mentioned in my brochure. Question for you. I believe that was the same screen that was moved into the Card Room after the refit and it remained there when it became the Princess Grace Room. I will be doing the actual Decked! and will show that room in detail, so am curious if you think that is the same screen (although I do not recall seeing the butterflies and other insets). And as for Lewandowski, I blame my bad vision and a touch of dyslexia. :) Anyway, your points are much appreciated and well noted. :)
@@midshipcinema ... OK, now that the Matson presentation is mercifully over ... Apologies if my comments were "d*ckish." Yes, Norman's screen was moved during the refit from the Observation Lounge to the Card Room. And I had no idea it remained on board so many years later! That is amazing! I don't remember seeing it in the American Hawaii brochures. I've been 10 years now with Lewandowski's name in my materials, and I think only two years ago did I finally get it right, so I should've shut up about that one. :^) I'll be taking over as editor of the SoCal Chapter's Ocean Times with the January issue, and if you have anything you'd like to contribute, would love to have it. (Though I know video work is very demanding and time consuming. So only if you feel you have the time.)
@@wayneyanda Your presentation was phenomenal and so educational! IF only I had that info when wandering the decks of the MARIPOSA and MONTEREY back in the mid-70s when I had zero appreciation for their MidCentury style. I remember my aunt gushing about the MONTEREY and I was puzzled, thinking she looked like any living room on land. Anyway, sorry for the digression but your work is fantastic and I hope to learn more from your efforts. You don't perchance know who did the Zodiac panels in the BRASIL's observation lounge window shades? I have them here and would love to know the artist behind them. And was relieved to see that Loewy did, indeed, do some fine American ships even if I was sadly mistaken about CONNIE and INDY. Thanks again, Wayne! :)
@@midshipcinema Thank you! It means a lot coming from someone who's been at this longer than I have. (I still miss Maritime Matters.) I cut some stuff out to make time, so I may put it back in before posting it. Now, my best guess on the Zodiac panels is Aurion M. Proctor. He did much of the laminated plastic designs when the BRASIL was built, and according to an article I have "somewhere," he helped oversee the add-ons. Nothing definitive, but that's where the dots lead. He didn't leave any papers behind; he died when his house caught fire in December 1983. By that point, he was a bit of a hermit, still depressed over his wife's death a decade earlier.
@@wayneyanda Absolutely fascinating! Thank you for this. I'll look him up and see if any of his published works have a similarity. And thanks again for your fantastic presentation. I can send you a photo of the Virgo panel, which is on display here.
I never took the opportunity to visit the Constitution (I lived in a NYC suburb & visited liners throughout the 60's.) It's probably because I had visited the Independence a number of times & saw them as somewhat interchangeable. My first sighting of the Independence was in 1957, as a 7 year old boy. I viewed her mid-ships; a unique vantage point as I was visiting the Mayflower II replica at the adjacent Circle Line pier. She had her original black hull...I was mesmerized by her enormity and beauty. I never forgot that image. The last time I saw her was 43 years later, docked in Maui & still as impressive. She was enjoying her golden years in the sun...as I am doing now. I never liked the changes made to the Independence/Constitution. They sacrificed the Observation Lounge to install more cabins & managed to make her exterior look even less sleek than it already was...especially when compared to the new Italian liners emerging in the early Fifties. But I had, and still have, great affection for them. Thanks for the video...looking forward to more.
I sailed on the Constitution from NY to Bermuda... well, kinda.... I wasn't actually born yet, but I was physically on board. I had no idea until I found some some of my parents' old 8mm movies.
I sailed on her at 4 years of age in March of 1964 , with older sister and mom and dad , across The Atlantic . We were tourist class ,down the hall from the theatre , man did The Constitution suck .
Well, guess Tourist Class wasn't your bag but a lot of people loved that ship. Thanks for posting.
@@midshipcinema Perhaps if you were Lucy and Ricky or Princess Grace ,The Constitution was okay.By today's standards these ships were all dogs Too slow ,too expensive and poor service back then,the airlines pounced and took over
Where was she docked in New York , what number was her dock and off which street ?
I got a pass to go on her when it was docked in Hawaii. It was a complete mess. pool filled with algae. The passengers were in revolt and leaving the ship. it was such a sad end to a once great ship. When I first started cruising there were still a lot of liners turned into cruise ships. Have run in to Bill Milller on the Queen Mary---great guy and one of the family..
That reminds me of the sad fate of the s.s. America...and the poor condition she was in during her final , pathetic cruises for Venture Cruises. I should know....I was aboard her for that July 4, 1978 cruise to nowhere. It was overbooked, so we never got a room. Finally the ship was forced back to NYC...we jumped from a shell door into a launch around 4-5 a.m. into the Hudson River. They dumped us on Staten Island!
Nice video but the end Is factually incorrect.
The Constitution did go to dry dock in Portland Oregon shipyard cascade general and was refitted.
The independence went to Newport News shipyard the year after and was also refitted.
Shortly after this American Hawaii cruises went bankrupt and the ships were seized...
Thanks for watching but the CONNIE never returned to service after going to Portland and remained laid up there until being towed to the scrappers, sinking on the way. INDY had already been refitted, as seen in the accompanying video here shot during CONNIE's final Christmas Cruise. INDY sailed on until 2001 until AHC went under shortly after 9-11. I'll tell her story at some point in the future. :)
I was in a dry-docking at Cascade Genetal and saw it berthed there.
What a coincidence it "accidentally" sunk in the deepest part of her tow track-line on her way back to Oahu.
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