Bayonne, United States, Idyllic Pacific and Long Liner Voyages

Getting Ready

The United States is almost ready to be sunk as an artificial reef – here is the current situation at the end of Nov 2025: “There are holes cut into her decks where the funnels were removed and hazardous material has been taken off the ship. And portholes are now out as are the promenade windows.”

But in better days, the ship is seen in the 1100-ft long graving dock at Bayonne, New Jersey, for some fine tuning, namely propeller adjustments to the then new ship. The view is from 1955, one of three quick visits to Bayonne.

The record-breaking liner SS United States in the 1,100-foot graving dock at Bayonne, New Jersey, during a brief 1955 visit. From the William H. Miller Collection. — The record-breaking liner *United States* in the 1,100-foot graving dock at Bayonne, New Jersey, during a brief 1955 visit. From the William H. Miller Collection.

The smaller America paid a visit to Bayonne (1949).

The SS America at the Bayonne, New Jersey graving dock in 1949. From the William H. Miller collection. — The *America* at the Bayonne, New Jersey graving dock in 1949. From the William H. Miller collection.

Years later, in Dec. 1978, the QE2 is seen entering the same Bayonne Graving Dock.

The Cunard liner RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) entering the Bayonne, New Jersey graving dock in December 1978. From the William H. Miller Collection. — The Cunard liner *Queen Elizabeth 2* (QE2) entering the Bayonne, New Jersey graving dock in December 1978. From the William H. Miller Collection.

These days, the Bayonne Graving Dock handles mostly US military ships.

Listening to the Morning News

And hearing of the troubles in Venezuela. Reminded me of the days when La Guaira was a very popular cruise stop. Passengers could even say they’d been to South America, checking-off the entire continent! But these days, no stops in Venezuela! Photo below is from Dec. 1985 and at La Guaira – we were aboard the Rotterdam’s 17-night Christmas-New Year cruise (NY to NY back then); the Sagafjord is on the left.

SS Sagafjord (left) and SS Rotterdam at La Guaira, Venezuela, December 1985. From the William H. Miller Collection. — *Sagafjord* (left) and *Rotterdam* at La Guaira, Venezuela, December 1985. From the William H. Miller Collection.

News from Belfast

Famed shipyard Harland & Wolff is being re-invigorated and geared for expanded work by its current owner, Spain’s Navantia Shipyards. Harland & Wolff is of course the builder of many passenger ships, namely the immortal Titanic.

The Canberra was built at Belfast and completed in 1961. From the William H. Miller Collection. — The *Canberra* was built at Belfast and completed in 1961. From the William H. Miller Collection.

Memorable Crossing

“My grandparents took my sister and myself on a summertime tour of Europe,” recalled a lady from Phoenix. “The year was 1961 and we went in cabin class on the Liberté of the French Line. It was exciting – and even at our young age, it was very glamorous. We dressed every night for dinner and felt like little princesses. We went to a dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner, swam in the indoor pool and watched movies in the ship’s theater. But sometimes, we were naughty. We’d sneak into first class and have fun with first class kids. We sailed over and back on the Liberté – and I was in love with a waiter named Jacques. I still have the tickets, the baggage tags and those big menus. I was thrilled – and also a tear in my eye – when I saw the Liberté in your lecture this morning.”

The French Line’s SS Liberté at Pier 88 in New York. From the William H. Miller collection. — The French Line’s *Liberté* at Pier 88 in New York. From the William H. Miller collection.

French Favorite

On a recent voyage, a French ocean liner enthusiast told me that while he appreciates the Normandie and the France, his favorite French passenger ships were the Cambodge, Laos andViet-Nam. Built in the mid 50s, they were especially fine passenger-cargo liners. Each carried over 400 passengers in three classes on the long-haul run from Marseilles via Suez to India, Southeast Asia and the Far East. Round-trips took 90 days.

The French Line passenger-cargo liner Cambodge. From the William H. Miller Collection. — The French Line passenger-cargo liner *Cambodge*. From the William H. Miller Collection.

Long Voyage

A Dutch passenger told me that his family emigrated in 1960 on the Johan van Oldenbarnevelt. He said, “The voyage was fun, but to a child like me it seemed endless. We sailed from Amsterdam over to Florida and then Panama and then to the South Pacific. We said goodbye to the Netherlands. My family settled in New Zealand. That ship remains part of my family history.”

The Dutch liner Johan van Oldenbarnevelt at Papeete, Tahiti. From the William H. Miller Collection. — The Dutch liner *Johan van Oldenbarnevelt* at Papeete, Tahiti. From the William H. Miller Collection.

What If?

Recently reviewing some notes from 1968-69 and when the Constitution was laid-up and for sale. It was rumored at the time that both the Chandris Lines and Lauro Line wanted to buy the 1,100-passenger ship. Of course, it later passed over to C Y Tung and his American Hawaii Cruises.

SS Constitution laid up at Jacksonville, Florida, in 1968–69, with the much smaller New Bahama Star (ex-Jerusalem) alongside at left. From the William H. Miller Collection. — *Constitution* laid up at Jacksonville, Florida, in 1968–69, with the much smaller *New Bahama Star* (ex-*Jerusalem*) alongside at left. From the William H. Miller Collection.

Indian Ocean

A fellow passenger was born in India and as a boy traveled between Bombay and Durban on the British India Line, aboard their passenger ships Karanja and Kampala.