SS 'Statendam' III

The majestic over 212 metres long 'Statendam' III was commisioned for by the Dutch Holland Amerika Lijn (HAL) company to be built by the biggest shipyard in the world at that time: Harland & Wolff in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The yard that also had built the most iconic passengerships ever: the 'Titanic'. The HAL were economically in bad weather and the poor financial state of the company was responsible for the long time to build the ship: it took over ten years. It was meant to be the new flagship of the HAL - which always bears the name 'Statendam'. The first 'Statendam' had also been built by Harland & Wolff and was in service from 1898 to 1910. Statendam II was launched at Harland & Wolff in 1912 but was never part of the HAL passenger fleet. The ship was commisioned by the British government in World War 1 to serve as a troopship under the name 'Justice' and was sunk by German U-boats off the coast of Scotland in 1918. In 1919 the HAL decided to order the 'Statendam' III, but various reasons were the cause of a fanancial downfall of the company in the years that followed. In 1923 the HAL - with support from the Dutch Government - managed to bring enough money together to finish the ship. One of the conditions of the government however was that the finishing would take place at the Wilton yard in Rotterdam. The finishing of the interior of the 'Statendam' III was outstanding. Not only first class but also second and third class were luxourious. The HAL had chosen so because the market for cruises - especially in the United States - was booming. 'Statendam' III sailes the Caribean, the Mediterrenean and across the Atlantic 97 times. During the first days of the Second World War 'Statendam' III was moored at the Rotterdam Wilhelminapier - the same spot where current cruise ships moore when they visit Rotterdam. German soldiers had taken the ship. During the many gunfights between Dutch and German soldiers 'Statendam' III caught fire. Because of the fighting it was not possible to extinguis the fire. The fire raged for days through the ship which was afterwards total loss. Later that year it was shredded. The model of the 'Statendam' III measures (lxwxh) 221,5 x 25,5 x 67 cm.