Disasters at Sea: Achille Lauro

DISASTERS AT SEA: ACHILLE LAURO

Ship description.

In January 1939, the keel of the Willem Ruys was laid down at the De Schelde Shipyard, Flushing, Holland. While under construction, Holland was invaded by the Nazi's. As a consequence, all work was halted. When the Germans demanded that the ship must be completed for them, the Dutch shipwrights worked as slowly as they dared, and the Dutch resistance committed several acts of sabotage, delaying the work further still. It was only by sheer luck that the partially completed hull was not destroyed by the Germans as they retreated at the end of the war. Seven years and six months after the keel had been laid, the ship finally entered her natural element, and was taken to the fitting out bay to be completed. This took over a year-from July 1, 1946 to early November 1947.

The company decided to name the ship WILLEM RUYS in tribute to the director who had been taken hostage and murdered during the war. The WILLEM RUYS was delivered to her owners on November 21, 1947. Originally, the accommodation was divided into four classes, with a total capacity of 840 berths. Rotterdam was the home port, and she to be used on the route to Indonesia, via Southampton, the Mediterranean, Suez and Aden. In 1958, the Royal Rotterdamsche Lloyd and the Nederland Line signed a co-operative agreement to create a round-the-world passenger service. Together with the ORANJE and the JOHAN VAN OBERBARNVELDT, the WILLEM RUYS underwent an extensive refit to prepare her for this new service. The WILLEM RUYS made two charter trips to Montreal for the Europa-Canada line. Then, from September 20, 1958 until February 25, 1959, 2000 technicians and workmen laboured day and night to prepare the ship for her new career. Her original four class distinctions became First and Tourist.

The addition of 100 new cabins increased her berths to 1167. The Javanese crew members were replaced by Europeans, who required upgraded crew accommodation. The liner received full air-conditioning, Denny Brown stabilisers; a new evaporator plant; and new auxiliary engines as well as having her public rooms refurbished, and some deck areas increased in size. Even her funnels received a lift of ten feet. This new service lasted only five years and the WILLEM RUYS and ORANJE were sold to Achille Lauro, owner of Flotta Lauro of Naples in 1964. The Lauro interests had been planning to build two 27 000 ton liners, but when the two Dutch ships were offered for sale, Lauro immediately negotiated to purchase them. Both ships were scheduled to be rebuilt and modernised, the WILLEM RUYS (now renamed ACHILLE LAURO) by the CN Riuniti di Palermo; and ORANJE (now ANGELINA LAURO) by Cant del Tirreno, Genoa. An explosion and fire aboard the ACHILLE LAURO resulted in serious damage, but in spite of this setback, the liners were ready for their new role in March/April 1966. Outwardly, they were almost unrecognisable, their profiles changed, their bows altered and their stacks heightened and furnished with large smoke-deflecting wings. Inwardly their public room's and cabins were completely refurbished (with even more berths added.) They went back into service to Australia, hauling immigrants, their leisurely return journeys to Europe paid for by the outward, crammed voyages. However, by 1972, the lucrative immigrant trade was ending, taken over by the airlines. While undergoing overhaul work at Genoa, the Achille was badly damaged by fire on May 19, 1972. By the end of the year, she was cruising full-time. Some uneventful years followed, marred only by ACHILLE LAURO ramming and sinking the 497 ton Lebanese freighter YOUSSEF off the Turkish coast on 28 April, 1975.

ACHILLE LAURO cruised on, but her problems were not over. The Lauro lines declared bankruptcy in 1982. The ACHILLE LAURO, about to set off on a long cruise to Africa, was seized and laid up in Teneriffe and later moved to Genoa. The Lauro directors were meantime working on ways to re-finance their company. With a secure charter to the Chandris Line, and a reorganised business, they resumed cruising in 1985. The ACHILLE LAURO was reactivated and began cruising in the Mediterranean but, on 7th October 1985, the ACHILLE LAURO was hi-jacked by a PLO splinter group with the loss of one life. The ship continued to operate for Flotta Lauro until 1987, when it was bought by the Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company, who rebranded the company as Starlauro Cruises.

Causes of and factors contributing to the loss of the Achille Lauro.

While en route to South Africa for the 1994 cruising season the Achille Lauro caught fire approximately 15 miles off the Somalia coast. The fire appeared to have started in the engine room and quickly spread throughout the accomodation. The passengers and crew took to the boats and it was reported that 3 people lost their lives. The ship was later abandoned and foundered on 2 December 1994 while under tow.

THE END OF THE ACHILLE LAURO AS IT HAPPENED.

30 November 19H30.

On Wednesday, 30 November, cruising enthusiasts in South Africa were shocked to hear the drama of the Achille Lauro as it unfolded. The Italian owned cruise ship caught fire while on a line voyage to South Africa. There were over 250 South Africans on board the ship at the time. Passengers were safely evacuated in the boats and at the time of writing there had been only 2 deaths and 8 injuries. American warships are underway to go to the aid of the stricken ship which apparently was still burning and listing heavily. The area where the vessel is in distress is not easily accessible to helicopters and help is very far away, with tugs reportedly en route to the stricken ship. Fortunately a tanker, Hawaiian King was able to render assistance to the passengers and they are in no immediate danger.

20H00.

News reports now say that the fire broke out in the engine room at roughly 01H30 and the ship was evacuated after 07H00. So far it seems as if she has a 40 degree list and with a heavy swell coming up the situation is changing possibly for the worst. A decision had not been made yet as to where the passengers were to be taken.
01 December 1994. 20H00.
The first video footage of the vessel was shown on TV earlier on. Dated yesterday, the footage shows fire raging in the area below the pools and tennis court, the list is very evident and things do not look good for the ship at all. Passengers were transferred to other vessels from the Hawaiian King for passage to Mombasa, Mahe and Djibouti. Medical Rescue International were preparing to fly out to the passengers where they are landed to assist those with medical problems. The ship is still afloat at this time, however will tomorrow still see her afloat or not remains to be seen?

02 December 1994. 20H30.
In the news it was reported that tugs had reached the Achille, but while under tow the vessel finally foundered. Passengers are on their way to the three previously named ports, with the first expected to reach Mombasa at 14H00 tomorrow. Sadly a few passengers have accused the crew of incompetence and laxity. Criticism has also been laid at the owners, stating that the ship was old and decrepit. Sadly for all those crew members who remained behind to fight the fire and those who performed their duty, the big tar brush has struck again. While the drama around the Achille continued, in the Philippines, yet another ferry has gone down following a collision with a merchant ship. As if two deaths were not enough...
The Achille was a regular caller in these waters since 1986, while not a luxurious ship, she was a real classic vessel with a riveted hull, twin winged funnels and a high superstructure. Her famous blue hull was unique in the cruising industry and she even gained the name "La Nave Blu" or "The Blue Ship", with a pop song written in her honour. Ironically, her fleetmate with Lauro Lines, the Angelina Lauro was also lost to a fire. The Achille was no real stranger to disaster, having caught fire once before while being rebuilt originally. She gained fame during 1985 when she was hijacked while on a cruise in the Mediterranean.
Already a replacement ship has been announced. The Symphony, (ex Enrico Costa.) will be replacing the Achille on the programme of cruises due to start in early December. Local operator, Starlight Cruises is no stranger to cruising and hopefully will come out of the predicament with all flags flying. As for the Achille? she has joined the ranks of those ships that voyage eternally in peaceful waters and in fond memories.

Ship description.
In January 1939, the keel of the Willem Ruys was laid down at the De Schelde Shipyard, Flushing, Holland. While under construction, Holland was invaded by the Nazi's. As a consequence, all work was halted. When the Germans demanded that the ship must be completed for them, the Dutch shipwrights worked as slowly as they dared, and the Dutch resistance committed several acts of sabotage, delaying the work further still. It was only by sheer luck that the partially completed hull was not destroyed by the Germans as they retreated at the end of the war. Seven years and six months after the keel had been laid, the ship finally entered her natural element, and was taken to the fitting out bay to be completed. This took over a year-from July 1, 1946 to early November 1947.
The company decided to name the ship WILLEM RUYS in tribute to the director who had been taken hostage and murdered during the war. The WILLEM RUYS was delivered to her owners on November 21, 1947. Originally, the accommodation was divided into four classes, with a total capacity of 840 berths. Rotterdam was the home port, and she to be used on the route to Indonesia, via Southampton, the Mediterranean, Suez and Aden. In 1958, the Royal Rotterdamsche Lloyd and the Nederland Line signed a co-operative agreement to create a round-the-world passenger service. Together with the ORANJE and the JOHAN VAN OBERBARNVELDT, the WILLEM RUYS underwent an extensive refit to prepare her for this new service. The WILLEM RUYS made two charter trips to Montreal for the Europa-Canada line. Then, from September 20, 1958 until February 25, 1959, 2000 technicians and workmen laboured day and night to prepare the ship for her new career. Her original four class distinctions became First and Tourist.
The addition of 100 new cabins increased her berths to 1167. The Javanese crew members were replaced by Europeans, who required upgraded crew accommodation. The liner received full air-conditioning, Denny Brown stabilisers; a new evaporator plant; and new auxiliary engines as well as having her public rooms refurbished, and some deck areas increased in size. Even her funnels received a lift of ten feet. This new service lasted only five years and the WILLEM RUYS and ORANJE were sold to Achille Lauro, owner of Flotta Lauro of Naples in 1964. The Lauro interests had been planning to build two 27 000 ton liners, but when the two Dutch ships were offered for sale, Lauro immediately negotiated to purchase them. Both ships were scheduled to be rebuilt and modernised, the WILLEM RUYS (now renamed ACHILLE LAURO) by the CN Riuniti di Palermo; and ORANJE (now ANGELINA LAURO) by Cant del Tirreno, Genoa. An explosion and fire aboard the ACHILLE LAURO resulted in serious damage, but in spite of this setback, the liners were ready for their new role in March/April 1966. Outwardly, they were almost unrecognisable, their profiles changed, their bows altered and their stacks heightened and furnished with large smoke-deflecting wings. Inwardly their public room's and cabins were completely refurbished (with even more berths added.) They went back into service to Australia, hauling immigrants, their leisurely return journeys to Europe paid for by the outward, crammed voyages. However, by 1972, the lucrative immigrant trade was ending, taken over by the airlines. While undergoing overhaul work at Genoa, the Achille was badly damaged by fire on May 19, 1972. By the end of the year, she was cruising full-time. Some uneventful years followed, marred only by ACHILLE LAURO ramming and sinking the 497 ton Lebanese freighter YOUSSEF off the Turkish coast on 28 April, 1975. ACHILLE LAURO cruised on, but her problems were not over. The Lauro lines declared bankruptcy in 1982. The ACHILLE LAURO, about to set off on a long cruise to Africa, was seized and laid up in Teneriffe and later moved to Genoa. The Lauro directors were meantime working on ways to re-finance their company. With a secure charter to the Chandris Line, and a reorganised business, they resumed cruising in 1985. The ACHILLE LAURO was reactivated and began cruising in the Mediterranean but, on 7th October 1985, the ACHILLE LAURO was hi-jacked by a PLO splinter group with the loss of one life. The ship continued to operate for Flotta Lauro until 1987, when it was bought by the Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company, who rebranded the company as Starlauro Cruises.
Causes of and factors contributing to the loss of the Achille Lauro.
While en route to South Africa for the 1994 cruising season the Achille Lauro caught fire approximately 15 miles off the Somalia coast. The fire appeared to have started in the engine room and quickly spread throughout the accomodation. The passengers and crew took to the boats and it was reported that 3 people lost their lives. The ship was later abandoned and foundered on 2 December 1994 while under tow.
THE END OF THE ACHILLE LAURO AS IT HAPPENED.
30 November 19H30. On Wednesday, 30 November, cruising enthusiasts in South Africa were shocked to hear the drama of the Achille Lauro as it unfolded. The Italian owned cruise ship caught fire while on a line voyage to South Africa. There were over 250 South Africans on board the ship at the time. Passengers were safely evacuated in the boats and at the time of writing there had been only 2 deaths and 8 injuries. American warships are underway to go to the aid of the stricken ship which apparently was still burning and listing heavily. The area where the vessel is in distress is not easily accessible to helicopters and help is very far away, with tugs reportedly en route to the stricken ship. Fortunately a tanker, Hawaiian King was able to render assistance to the passengers and they are in no immediate danger.
20H00. News reports now say that the fire broke out in the engine room at roughly 01H30 and the ship was evacuated after 07H00. So far it seems as if she has a 40 degree list and with a heavy swell coming up the situation is changing possibly for the worst. A decision had not been made yet as to where the passengers were to be taken. 01 December 1994. 20H00. The first video footage of the vessel was shown on TV earlier on. Dated yesterday, the footage shows fire raging in the area below the pools and tennis court, the list is very evident and things do not look good for the ship at all. Passengers were transferred to other vessels from the Hawaiian King for passage to Mombasa, Mahe and Djibouti. Medical Rescue International were preparing to fly out to the passengers where they are landed to assist those with medical problems. The ship is still afloat at this time, however will tomorrow still see her afloat or not remains to be seen?
02 December 1994. 20H30. In the news it was reported that tugs had reached the Achille, but while under tow the vessel finally foundered. Passengers are on their way to the three previously named ports, with the first expected to reach Mombasa at 14H00 tomorrow. Sadly a few passengers have accused the crew of incompetence and laxity. Criticism has also been laid at the owners, stating that the ship was old and decrepit. Sadly for all those crew members who remained behind to fight the fire and those who performed their duty, the big tar brush has struck again. While the drama around the Achille continued, in the Philippines, yet another ferry has gone down following a collision with a merchant ship. As if two deaths were not enough... The Achille was a regular caller in these waters since 1986, while not a luxurious ship, she was a real classic vessel with a riveted hull, twin winged funnels and a high superstructure. Her famous blue hull was unique in the cruising industry and she even gained the name "La Nave Blu" or "The Blue Ship", with a pop song written in her honour. Ironically, her fleetmate with Lauro Lines, the Angelina Lauro was also lost to a fire. The Achille was no real stranger to disaster, having caught fire once before while being rebuilt originally. She gained fame during 1985 when she was hijacked while on a cruise in the Mediterranean. Already a replacement ship has been announced. The Symphony, (ex Enrico Costa.) will be replacing the Achille on the programme of cruises due to start in early December. Local operator, Starlight Cruises is no stranger to cruising and hopefully will come out of the predicament with all flags flying. As for the Achille? she has joined the ranks of those ships that voyage eternally in peaceful waters and in fond memories.