The ship we’re cruising with, the m.s. Rotterdam, has a long history with the Holland America Line. The first ship of that name dates back from 1873; the current incarnation is the sixth one.
There are oil paintings of all six Rotterdam ships in the forward stairway. Those paintings, and the plaques accompanying them, are represented below.
Rotterdam I (1873–1883)
81.8 meters long, 10.69 meters wide, 1,694 gross tons, 10.5 knots
The first Rotterdam is shown in a strong breeze in mid Atlantic
on a crossing in 1875.
Rotterdam II (1886–1899)
122.30 meters long, 11.74 meters wide, 3,329 gross tons, 10.5 knots
Rotterdam II is shown in the Verazano Narrows at the end of a
voyage to New York on a summer morning in 1887. The steam towboat
‘George Catlin’ returns to harbour having towed the distant
barkentine clear of the narrows. At right can be seen Fort
Wadsworth’s Batter Weed on Staten Island.
Rotterdam III (1897–1906)
147.06 meters long, 16.08 meters wide, 8,187 gross tons, 14 knots
Rotterdam III is shown under a full moon on the last night of
crossing from New York to Rotterdam in 1900. The vessel steams along on a
calm sea in the Pas de Calais with derricks topped, ready to work cargo and
mails on arrival at her homeport.
Rotterdam IV (1908–1940)
203.52 meters long, 23.47 meters wie, 24,148 gross tons, 16.5 knots
Rotterdam IV is shown arriving in Cowes Roads during a voyage from
Rotterdam to New York in 1934.
The red Funnel tender ‘Calshot’ has come down from Southampton
with passengers and mail and stands by as Rotterdam IV prepares
to anchor.
Also shown is the ferry Princess Helene on a midday run from Cowes
to Southampton. At right, racing past the famous Cowes Yacht Club, are King
George V’s yacht Britannia (K/10) and the ‘J’
boat Velsheda.
Rotterdam V (1959–1997)
228.12 meters long, 28.65 meters wide, 38.645 gross tons, 20.5 knots
Rotterdam V is shown arriving at pier S, Holland America’s
Hoboken terminal in January, 1961. The vessel is being eased into the slip
assisted by the tugs Nancy Moran and Christine Moran.
In the steam can be seen the old Holland America cargo passengers liner
Westerdam, outbound for European ports.
Rotterdam VI (1997– )
237 meters long, 32.25 meters wide, 62,000 gross tons, 22.5 knots
The sixth ship to bear a name rich in the proud history of Holland America
Line, Rotterdam VI is shown lying at anchor in Padang Bay,
Bali during a world cruise.