Johan van Oldenbarnevelt
The Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was a significant Dutch passenger liner launched in 1929 that served multiple roles over her 34-year career, from luxury liner to wartime transport and finally as a cruise ship. Built by Nederlandsche SB Mij in Amsterdam, she demonstrated remarkable adaptability through several major conversions and different service roles.
Construction and Early Service
Launched on August 3, 1929, and completed on March 13, 1930, the vessel initially operated on the Amsterdam to Dutch East Indies route. Her original configuration accommodated passengers across four classes: 366 first class, 280 second class, 64 third class, and 60 fourth class passengers. The ship featured a distinctive appearance with a black hull and white superstructure.
Wartime Service
On August 30, 1939, just before World War II, the vessel performed a single charter voyage for Holland-America Line from Amsterdam to New York. By 1940, she was converted for troop transport duties by Harland and Wolff, with Willemstad serving as her home port throughout the war. She continued in naval service until 1945.
Post-war and Emigrant Service
Following an overhaul in 1946, the ship resumed the Amsterdam-Indonesian service. On September 2, 1950, she began serving the Amsterdam-Sydney route. A 1951 refit converted her for emigrant service to Australia, increasing her gross tonnage to 19,787 and reconfiguring her to carry 1,414 passengers in a single class.
Round-world Service and Final Years
In 1959, another refit prepared her for round-world service, increasing her tonnage to 20,314 GRT and adjusting passenger capacity to 1,210 in one class. Her route encompassed Amsterdam, Sydney, New York, and return to Amsterdam. The Greek Line purchased her in 1962, taking delivery in 1963. After an overhaul of passenger accommodations in Genoa, she was renamed Lakonia on March 8, 1963, and began operating cruises from Southampton to the Canary Islands.
Loss
On December 22, 1963, while 200 nautical miles off Madeira with over 1,000 people aboard, Lakonia caught fire. The rapidly spreading blaze claimed 128 lives, with survivors evacuating to lifeboats. The Norwegian salvage tug Herkules attempted to tow the burning vessel to Gibraltar on December 29, but the ship heeled over and sank 250 nautical miles west of Gibraltar at position 35° 56' N - 10° 00' W.
Key Facts
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | Nederlandsche SB Mij, Amsterdam |
| Dimensions | 185.4 x 22.8m (608 x 74.8 ft) |
| Tonnage | 19,040 GRT (original), 20,314 GRT (final) |
| Power | Sulzer diesels 14,000 BHP |
| Speed | 17-19 knots |
| Propulsion | Twin screws |
| Crew | 360 |