MidShipCentury

Midships: The most desirable portion of the ship, where (due to the center of gravity) there was the least amount of movement on long sea voyages. Most liners had their first class accommodation placed here.

Mid-Century: A term used to describe the modernist stylings of the post war world, when mankind looked toward future advancement and innovation.

Updated: August 31, 2010: Image of MAESTRO (ex RENAISSANCE) with MONT and WINNER at Alang just added at bottom of page.

Unpacking, cleaning, documenting and loading up pages of the new goodies continues! Latest additions are the magnificent doors and Art Deco style stairtower landing fixtures from the REGAL EMPRESS. Also up are five types of beautiful wood paneling (Maple/Mahogany -- Stairtower versus Dining Room, Figured English Sycamore, African Copaifera and Zebrano) from the MV REGAL EMPRESS (ex OLYMPIA), two cocktail tables from the 1953 TAHITIEN and six 1960s Scandinavian style arm chairs from an unknown ship. Special highlights include the wonderful William Ware oil paintings from the SS OLYMPIA/MV REGAL EMPRESS. The Library Painting (see top) of St. Paul's is an iconic work that belongs in a museum or fine gallery. Two Wares (three have sold already) from the dining room and one from forward upper deck are also available on "What's New" to the left. Also posted a bio of this well known artist in the new Artist category. Bios of other masters coming soon. Also added 16 Eero Saarinen "tulips" from MERMOZ' dining room. Beam them up on "what's new" to the left. And 17 original wood-framed chairs from the lovely REGAL EMPRESS, ex OLYMPIA. Much, much, much more to come -- I've already posted some "previews" on the MidShipCentury Facebook page (see below for link)!

[New image of MAESTRO (ex RENAISSANCE, etc.) with WINNER 5 (ex AUSONIA, AEGEAN tWO, IVORY) and the supertanker MONT (ex VIKING JAHRE, KNOCK NEVIS, etc. -- the longest vessel ever built and largest ever beached for scrapping at Alang) just added.

To access Barry Vaudrin's "Cruising Authority" interview about my recent visit to Alang, taped on board the MV NORWEGIAN EPIC, please go to:

Must give props to David Pressler for his wonderful new book about the OLYMPIA/CARIBE/REGAL EMPRESS! A heartfelt, lavishly illustrated tribute to one of history's most successful ocean liner/cruise ships and a ship that was very dear to my heart. For ordering information, please contact David directly at oceanlinerpress@prodigy.net.

MidShipCentury (Fittings From Famous Ocean Liners And Cruise Ships) on Facebook

A separate page has been created, accessed from "What's New", for the images of BLUE LADY (ex NORWAY/FRANCE), TOPAZ (ex EMPRESS OF BRITAIN, QUEEN ANNA MARIA, CARNIVALE, FIESTA MARINA, OLYMPIC, THE TOPAZ), MAXIM M (ex HAMBURG, HANSEATIC, MAXIM GORKIY), REGAL EMPRESS (ex OLYMPIA, CARIBE, CARIBE I),OCEAN ODYSSEY (ex EROS, JASON) DALMACIJA and SALAMIS GLORY (ex ANNA NERY, CONSTELLATION, etc.) at Alang.

From the usual blissful MidShipCentury timewarp

Peter Knego

Broken Hearts and Hulls (last updated August 30, 2010):

MAESTRO (ex RENAISSANCE, HOMERIC RENAISSANCE, WORLD RENAISSANCE, AWANI DREAM, GRAND VICTORIA, BLUE MONARCH)