|
Post by Starsteward on Feb 17, 2015 10:45:05 GMT -8
New kid on the block,Well looks like the Lomaiviti Princess has a new look ,It went to PNG last year for drydock after it ran aground in Fiji.The damage was to it STBD shaft and 4 blades.She will be going back to PNG for drydock next year again to replace her sealing shaft seal
That black hull looks absolutely awful, especially with the Goundar Shipping name in a white 'label' inserted on the side of the ship. Would be nice to see the old girl get rid of that black skirt upon her next major dry-docking. That said, she's the only retired ship in the fleet to make a run for it and serve in a wonderful part of the world! She deserved nothing less!
|
|
|
Post by westernflyer on Feb 18, 2015 13:26:37 GMT -8
Reminds me of another ex BCF vessel still working here on our coast with a similar paint scheme.
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Feb 18, 2015 15:00:25 GMT -8
Reminds me of another ex BCF vessel still working here on our coast with a similar paint scheme. Would I be correct in guessing that vessel might be the Queen of Tsawwassen?
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 18, 2015 19:40:54 GMT -8
Reminds me of another ex BCF vessel still working here on our coast with a similar paint scheme. Would I be correct in guessing that vessel might be the Queen of Tsawwassen? I believe he was referring to the Buttle Shuttle, ie. ex Mill Bay. She has a black hull now.
|
|
|
Post by westernflyer on Feb 19, 2015 11:29:44 GMT -8
I was indeed referring to the hard working and eminently useful Buttle Shuttle, ex Mill Bay. The former Queen of Tsawwassen I believe is still white, though I have not seen any recent evidence. As for the former QPR now Lomaiviti Princess I am happy to see that she's getting fresh paint no matter what the color. May she sail on for many years to come.
|
|
|
Post by EGfleet on Apr 13, 2015 8:16:36 GMT -8
Brief shot of the Queen of Prince Rupert from the deck of a cruise ship. Also about 1974.
|
|
|
Post by ferrygal on Jun 2, 2015 12:50:51 GMT -8
MV Queen of Prince Rupert
|
|
jaws
Oiler (New Member)
Posts: 12
|
Post by jaws on Jun 24, 2015 23:12:18 GMT -8
Well just got some news regarding Ex- QPR now (Lomaivit Princess) she will be up for sale end off year.or going to be scrap.Looks like Goundar made his money.The vessel is always full,pick season she carries 900 pass.The islander love the ferry so clean,you have to take your shoes off when inside of ferry.Carpets very clean you still can see old BC ferry signs onboard
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Jun 25, 2015 4:33:02 GMT -8
Well just got some news regarding Ex- QPR now (Lomaivit Princess) she will be up for sale end off year.or going to be scrap.Looks like Goundar made his money.The vessel is always full,pick season she carries 900 pass.The islander love the ferry so clean,you have to take your shoes off when inside of ferry.Carpets very clean you still can see old BC ferry signs onboard Welcome to the Forum 'jaws', albeit you bring disheartening news about the 'Lomaiviti Princess'. Hopefully Mr. Goundar will find a buyer intent on using the vessel for revenue service, thus delaying the inevitable trip to the ship breakers yard. George Gundar, having worked on the 'QPR', had done his homework before he bought the ship and although he's experienced a few bumps in the road during her service, he must feel that the costs of continual upgrades would be a drag on the bottom line. I doubt that Goundar would be interested in the 'Wack' but perhaps BC Ferries could offer him a great "two-fer" deal. Unload the 'NorAd', at an enticing sale price and throw the 'Wack' in with the provision that the buyer would only be required to pay separate 'shipping and handling charges'
Seriously though, any news on ships that Mr. Goundar has been seen doing any 'tire-kicking', would be much appreciated.
Great to hear that the Islanders love their clean 'Lomaiviti Princess' and are able to view signage that offers a glimpse of her proud heritage!
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,171
|
Post by Neil on Jun 25, 2015 9:31:41 GMT -8
Well just got some news regarding Ex- QPR now (Lomaivit Princess) she will be up for sale end off year.or going to be scrap.Looks like Goundar made his money.The vessel is always full,pick season she carries 900 pass.The islander love the ferry so clean,you have to take your shoes off when inside of ferry.Carpets very clean you still can see old BC ferry signs onboard Welcome to the Forum 'jaws', albeit you bring disheartening news about the 'Lomaiviti Princess'. Hopefully Mr. Goundar will find a buyer intent on using the vessel for revenue service, thus delaying the inevitable trip to the ship breakers yard. George Gundar, having worked on the 'QPR', had done his homework before he bought the ship and although he's experienced a few bumps in the road during her service, he must feel that the costs of continual upgrades would be a drag on the bottom line. I doubt that Goundar would be interested in the 'Wack' but perhaps BC Ferries could offer him a great "two-fer" deal. Unload the 'NorAd', at an enticing sale price and throw the 'Wack' in with the provision that the buyer would only be required to pay separate 'shipping and handling charges'
Seriously though, any news on ships that Mr. Goundar has been seen doing any 'tire-kicking', would be much appreciated.
Great to hear that the Islanders love their clean 'Lomaiviti Princess' and are able to view signage that offers a glimpse of her proud heritage!
Starsteward... do you really think a fifty year old vessel with the kind of wear and tear that the ex- QPR has on her should be sailing around the open Pacific? Goundar probably was facing considerable bills to keep her seaworthy. She's had her day; here's hoping she doesn't get pawned off to an operator in an even more impoverished country with even looser standards.
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Jun 25, 2015 14:53:11 GMT -8
Welcome to the Forum 'jaws', albeit you bring disheartening news about the 'Lomaiviti Princess'. Hopefully Mr. Goundar will find a buyer intent on using the vessel for revenue service, thus delaying the inevitable trip to the ship breakers yard. George Gundar, having worked on the 'QPR', had done his homework before he bought the ship and although he's experienced a few bumps in the road during her service, he must feel that the costs of continual upgrades would be a drag on the bottom line. I doubt that Goundar would be interested in the 'Wack' but perhaps BC Ferries could offer him a great "two-fer" deal. Unload the 'NorAd', at an enticing sale price and throw the 'Wack' in with the provision that the buyer would only be required to pay separate 'shipping and handling charges'
Seriously though, any news on ships that Mr. Goundar has been seen doing any 'tire-kicking', would be much appreciated.
Great to hear that the Islanders love their clean 'Lomaiviti Princess' and are able to view signage that offers a glimpse of her proud heritage!
Starsteward... do you really think a fifty year old vessel with the kind of wear and tear that the ex- QPR has on her should be sailing around the open Pacific? Goundar probably was facing considerable bills to keep her seaworthy. She's had her day; here's hoping she doesn't get pawned off to an operator in an even more impoverished country with even looser standards. Neil ...Yes, the ex-QPR is nudging 50 well-used years, but George Goundar bought a vessel that was, for her age, in very good shape. Sailing her across the Pacific to Fiji in 2011, all went smoothly. Her two-year lay-up at Deas Pacific Marine obviously didn't do too much damage to her operating systems. On April 1st 2009, I did one of her last Rupert- Hardy runs, spending four hours or so on the bridge. The Queen at 43 ran very quietly. She seemed as tight-running a ship as I remembered her to be. Captain Charasz offered up many positive comments about how well her systems ran, although he did mention that under the lipstick and mascara, the old girl did have some historical problems, for example, the abundance of asbestos within the ship would cause new owners problems down the road. The Far East is notorious for running total garbage boats, well past the 50 year mark. I witnessed them in 1972 and they're still at it as of my 2010 visit to that area. Unless the 'Lomaiviti Princess' suffered some major structural damage as a result of 'the loosing her propeller incident' two years ago, or has had other major problems befall her, she would still be considered an 'upgrade' for some impoverished country that operates with questionable standards. While the ex-QPR remains in service with Goundar Shipping, I wouldn't loose any sleep in my Cabin C 21 bunk, down in the Tween-decks, as we sailed "around the open Pacific".
|
|
|
Post by EGfleet on Aug 11, 2015 6:51:40 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Aug 11, 2015 9:28:13 GMT -8
It may not be obvious to all but this article makes it clear that the QPR was to have been a larger ship then what was actually built. I believe that they shortened her by about 50 feet (ahead of the mast, iirc). The funnels also ended up looking a fair bit different than shown in this concept drawing. The QPR was based on one or more vessels then in service in Europe (Viking class). One thing that is clear from this article that the name Queen of Prince Rupert was chosen well before vessel construction started. The three smaller vessels mentioned in the article became the Mayne, Bowen & Powell River queens trio. BC Premier WAC Bennett & Monty Aldous with the full-length QPR concept model - 1965 - Jim Ryan photo (from The Colonist newspaper, Victoria, BC)
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 11, 2015 9:45:19 GMT -8
One thing that is clear from this article that the name Queen of Prince Rupert was chosen well before vessel construction started. Thanks for those comments. Do you recall when your first trip on the QPR was? I'm assuming that you took a QPR trip before the Queen of the North started in 1980. Being a younger "ferry enthusiast" at the time, what were your first impressions of the cruise-ferry QPR? I always found the idea of a cruise-ferry with cabins to be fascinating, because it was so different from the main route ferries.
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Aug 11, 2015 16:27:17 GMT -8
Do you recall when your first trip on the QPR was? I'm assuming that you took a QPR trip before the Queen of the North started in 1980. Being a younger "ferry enthusiast" at the time, what were your first impressions of the cruise-ferry QPR? My first trip on the Rupert was at the end of August 1975. I was 21. (Some of you now will be able to do the math & calculate my current age .) Yes, I recall being excited about over-nighting on the QPR. This was a few years before I moved up north . Did I read in that article that 'EG Fleet' posted that the BC Govt was thinking about building FOUR QPR's? That would be QKB, QPE, & QPH? Had WAC gone whacky? A photo taken just before boarding the Rupert, almost 40 years ago... Queen of Prince Rupert at Alaska slip, Prince Rupert - 30 August 1975 © WCK/JST] by JST, on Flickr
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 11, 2015 18:00:49 GMT -8
Did I read in that article that 'EG Fleet' posted that the BC Govt was thinking about building FOUR QPR's? That would be QKB, QPE, & QPH? Had WAC gone whacky? QPE: Queen of Port Edward.
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Aug 11, 2015 18:55:02 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by princessofvanfan on Aug 11, 2015 20:42:05 GMT -8
I, myself, made 2 trips aboard the QPR - August 1979, northbound from Port Hardy to Rupert, and December 1979 southbound all the way from Rupert to Tsawwassen. That second trip was very rough through the Hecate Strait, with waves breaking over the bow and splashing against the lounge windows. I was 10 years old and scared s***less!
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Aug 13, 2015 9:53:35 GMT -8
It may not be obvious to all but this article makes it clear that the QPR was to have been a larger ship then what was actually built. I believe that they shortened her by about 50 feet (ahead of the mast, iirc). The funnels also ended up looking a fair bit different than shown in this concept drawing. The QPR was based on one or more vessels then in service in Europe (Viking class). One thing that is clear from this article that the name Queen of Prince Rupert was chosen well before vessel construction started. The three smaller vessels mentioned in the article became the Mayne, Bowen & Powell River queens trio. BC Premier WAC Bennett & Monty Aldous with the full-length QPR concept model - 1965 - Jim Ryan photo (from The Colonist newspaper, Victoria, BC) If my memory serves correct, a Chief Engineer told me that the overall length of the ship was shortened by 65 feet. The port side of the ship model shows more square and long vertical windows on the Promenade Deck from the Forward Lounge, aft to the end of the passenger cabins. On the Boat Deck, from the Dining Room, aft to the funnels, mid-ship also shows more square and vertical windows. The Bridge Deck, from the Officer's quarters, aft, along the Bridge Deck passenger cabins had several more windows (perhaps more cabins) as well. There would have been more crew cabin space on the 'Tween Deck' level and more passenger cabin space on the Lower Deck under the Tween Deck. Shortening the 'QPR' by some 65 feet created a stubbier, somewhat top-heavy ship which created greater 'roll' and 'pitch' characteristics in heavy seas seas than had been forecast for the ship of original design. Case in point, crossing Queen Charlotte Sound meant that the 'QPR' ran across the sea swell and the pitch became more pronounced any time a westerly wind kicked up the sea. In heavier seas, the 'pitch', (up and down motion) was more noticeable but the 'roll', (side to side motion) was always more pronounced. In 1967, our 13:00 hours departure from Kelsey Bay, and dining room opening at 18:00 hours always tested the seaworthiness limits of our dinner guests. The tables at the front of the dining room always filled quickly, the entire room at capacity not long after. Depending on the days' sea conditions, more than a few pale faced dinner guests would be wobbly exiting, heading for the nearest WC's in the companionway between the dining room and the cafeteria. Crew would always know which Busboys weren't, at the time, in the good graces of the Chief Steward, as they were called upon to report with mop and bucket to the 'accident' scene. Ah, those were the days.
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Oct 19, 2015 9:54:49 GMT -8
A little something from the 'Mr. DOT Collection'.... This shows a south bound QPR probably in Grenville Channel, south of Prince Rupert. This dates from early in the QPR's career, probably 1966 or 67 (after the aft mast was painted black). This was scanned from an 8x10 inch colour photo. On the back of the photo there is info saying that it originates from a Vancouver industrial photography company called 'Commercial Illustrators'. The phone number given is 'MU. 4-8467'. That 'Mutual' phone number helps in dating the photo. If you look very closely at the front windows of the ship (second level up) you can just make out a young steward dressed smartly in his pastel blue blazer. That guy many years later became a member of this here WCF's forum. I understand that he was not involved in painting that aft mast black while listening to the Rolling Stones. I see a white mast & I want it painted black.Queen of Prince Rupert in BC's Inside Passage - circa 1967 Mr DOT collection - Commercial Illustrators, Vancouver, negative # C1085 by mrdot., on Flickr
|
|
|
Post by YoursTruly on Oct 19, 2015 10:08:25 GMT -8
Random images from working up North on the Rupert that I forgot to post in here. last sunset on her deck as we were 30 minutes approaching berth 3 Tsawwassen!!! That was a magic moment and where I got my profile pic of the duel teak doors. (posted in random order) Crew gym right above the props, you could hear the crab trap floats wrapped around the shafts bashing against the hull. I made this crappy bell rope to temporarily replace the rotted off old one. lines flaked out, waiting for the Adventure to depart. Prince Rupert harbour, waiting for our berth. Ugly taking her sweet time loading. Ruperts old berth arrangement. Alliford Bay QCI Falling down the companionway sucks! Last sunset onboard with a BCF crew! Well the splash of light on the crew smoke pit etc. Port door is the companionway down to the car deck, inner door is into L deck cabins (crew cabins after the North sank. RIP) Nice frosted scenic BC depiction. The gong! Nothing like sitting at anchor in fog in P.R. Harbour... Aft mooring flat. Old school single capstan opposed to modern self storing mooring winches w/ warping drums. Every Cabin had its own version of this card glommed onto its teak door with heavy adhesives. I still have mine! Although the L deck cabins were now crew cabins, the phone line did not go to anywhere but to the Pursers office. working man's cabin. Each L deck cabin had their own head, but showers were down the hall. Exciting car deck to load! 5 lanes wide (7 lanes total including the galleries,) 3 of which could take drop trailers/ overheights. 3 in the morning stop at Ocean Falls. wish I had time to stomp around that historic little town with big dreams. Prince Rupert Harbour looking back at that fine ol' girl. Boom baby... The future.
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Oct 21, 2015 13:44:44 GMT -8
A little something from the 'Mr. DOT Collection'.... This shows a south bound QPR probably in Grenville Channel, south of Prince Rupert. This dates from early in the QPR's career, probably 1966 or 67 (after the aft mast was painted black). This was scanned from an 8x10 inch colour photo. On the back of the photo there is info saying that it originates from a Vancouver industrial photography company called 'Commercial Illustrators'. The phone number given is 'MU. 4-8467'. That 'Mutual' phone number helps in dating the photo. If you look very closely at the front windows of the ship (second level up) you can just make out a young steward dressed smartly in his pastel blue blazer. That guy many years later became a member of this here WCF's forum. I understand that he was not involved in painting that aft mast black while listening to the Rolling Stones. I see a white mast & I want it painted black.Queen of Prince Rupert in BC's Inside Passage - circa 1967 Mr DOT collection - Commercial Illustrators, Vancouver, negative # C1085 by mrdot., on Flickr The 'QPR's' stern mast may have been painted black during her 1966 Winter layoff because it was definitely black in May 1967 when I graduated from Route 2 to the great big boat. And now, the chronology of 'jacket' attire.. This Route 10 rookie joined the 'QPR's' B watch May 19th, 1967 at the start of a hot and busy summer schedule. The ill-fitting, white steward's jacket wasn't a favourite item of attire for many of us during the busy, hot summer months, but those damn hot jackets came in handy when, on a cold, foggy morning we had a full evacuation from the old girl after colliding with Haddington Reef. When the 'Rupert' came back into service May 1968, long gone were the white jackets, replaced with lighter weight pastel blue jackets with black collars. Those jackets were a definite improvement.
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Jan 28, 2016 22:57:54 GMT -8
From that strange summer of 1980 when the BC Government decided to ditch the Princess Marguerite from its Seattle - Victoria route and replace it with this: Clipping from a BC Steamships 1975 Ltd brochure - Mr. DOT Collection
BC Steamships 1975 Ltd advertisement (newspaper clipping) - Mr. DOT Collection
It was a long, complicated & costly story, one of rather severe bungling by the government of that day. More tomorrow on this from my brother's archives...
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Jan 29, 2016 12:21:07 GMT -8
The general belief back in the late 1970's was that the good old 'Maggie' was on her last legs and needed extensive and obviously costly repairs. Circa 1977 when I was living in Victoria, I got a chance to get to know a few of the 'Maggie' crew and did a few trips on that absolutely marvelous old steamship. At that time there was chatter about the 'Maggie' needing a rather extensive face-lift but I was never really able to get a full picture of the scope of what needed to be done and any cost projections. The scheme of replacing the 'Maggie' with the 'QPR' was indeed one of the more curious decisions made by the then Dave Barrett government. While they seemed reluctant to spend a considerable amount of money upgrading the 'Maggie', Barrett's government had established the B.C. Steamship Corporation and were planning on purchasing the recently retired Canadian National's 'SS Prince George' and get into the coastal cruise business.(The Chief Purser on the 'Maggie' was given the task of assembling the Catering department and I was very much looking forward to adding the 'George' to the list of entries in my seaman's book. Maritime historians with insight better than mine might be able to recall how and why the 'George' deal all went south, and why the 'Maggie' didn't get her facelift and thus never sailed again. We then got the 2 BC Ferry 'transplants' which to no ones' surprise could never replace the aura of the 'Maggie'. The grand age of steamships on the B.C. Coast had finally come to an end.
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Jan 29, 2016 16:44:18 GMT -8
Barrett's gov't was long gone by 1980. This was Bill Bennett's watch.
|
|