Volendam
The Volendam (1) was a Dutch passenger liner built in 1922 by Harland and Wolff Ltd in Glasgow for Holland America Line. Along with her sister ship Veendam (2), she was constructed as an interim replacement for the Statendam (2), which had been lost during World War I while being fitted out in Belfast. That vessel had been requisitioned by the British Government and renamed Justicia for troop transport duties.
Construction and Early Service
Launched on July 6, 1922, and completed in October of the same year, Volendam began her commercial career with an inaugural voyage from Rotterdam to New York on November 4, 1922. Her regular route included calls at Southampton and Boulogne outbound, returning via Plymouth to Rotterdam.
Wartime Service
After the outbreak of World War II, Volendam initially continued Trans-Atlantic crossings as a neutral vessel, with her name and nationality prominently displayed on her hull. Following the German invasion of the Netherlands, she escaped capture at Rotterdam and reached a British port. While carrying evacuated British children to Canada, she was struck by torpedoes in the Irish Sea. All 900 passengers and crew were safely evacuated to other convoy vessels. The sturdy vessel remained afloat and was towed to the Isle of Bute near the Clyde, where she was beached before being repaired at Cammel Laird's yards. She subsequently served as a troopship under Cunard management.
Post-War Service
After the war, Volendam was returned to the Netherlands Government and operated between Rotterdam and the Dutch East Indies. In 1948, she began service to Australia, sailing via Port Said, Aden, Colombo, Fremantle, and Melbourne, arriving in Sydney on January 24, 1949. She completed three Australian voyages in total, with some trips terminating in Surabaya, Indonesia. Her final years were spent on the Halifax and New York routes before being sold to Dutch shipbreakers in the early 1950s.
Key Facts
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Gross Tonnage | 15,434 |
| Length | 576 ft (175.6m) |
| Beam | 67 ft (20.4m) |
| Draught | 33 ft (10m) |
| Propulsion | Four Brown-Curtis/H&W S.R.G. steam turbines (8000 SHP) |
| Speed | 15 knots |
| Passenger Capacity | Initially: 263 first class, 436 second class, 1200 third class Later: 1682 one class |
| Crew | 350 |