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: April 20, 2012: New Images of ex AUGUSTUS, SAN GIORGIO and KAZAKHSTAN, along with recent views of ex STENA JUTLANDICA, JOSEPH AND CLARA SMALLWOOD, CARIBOU and SEAFRANCE CEZANNE posted at bottom of page. All other ships have been moved to the BLUE LADY page (see "What's New"). Most recent addition is a page of rare GA plans, manuals, papers and signs from the beautiful SS AUSONIA (please see top of "What's New" page for link)

ALERT! New container full of ex AUGUSTUS treasures coming soon! Please keep posted via this page or by "liking" MidShipCentury on Facebook.

Finally, I have been able to post images of some recent Alang arrivals at the bottom of the page. Additionally, I hope soon to be able to tell more about my December visit to the 1952-built former AUGUSTUS. I was the last westerner aboard the still intact vessel just as the preliminary stripping began. At least two containers' worth of treasures will be coming back to the US at some point in the late spring. Packing nad preparations are underway. Expect all sorts of chairs, lighting, paneling, silver, crockery and glassware. If you want to keep abreast of all updates and see some "previews" of what is to come, please "like" the MidShipCentury Facebook page.

AUGUSTUS was the epitome of style and grace and the precursor to the famed ANDREA DORIA. She was designed by Italy's finest marine architects and designers and many of her fittigs and some artwork were tucked away safely despite some ill-conceived redecorative efforts while the ship was a floating hotel in the Philippines.

We brought in the past New Year with breathtaking melamine panels by Emanuele Luzzati from the first class stairtower of the SS AUSONIA. The latest of many remarkable treasures to debut on MidShipCentury from the "Space Ship" HAMBURG are cloisonne-topped chrome tables from the Foyer and Alster Club (later Volga Bar) in vivid orange.

Now, you can follow MidShipCentury live on Twitter at @MidShipCentury

Here is a link to the New York Times feature story on MidShipCentury from the September 9, 2010 Home and Gardens section. click here to read "On A Mission To Save Cruise Ship Decor" by Fred Bernstein.

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

For all the latest news and sneak previews of things to come -- 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.), WINNER 5 (ex AUSONIA), MONT (ex VIKING JAHRE, etc.), MAESTRO (ex RENAISSANCE), ROYALE (ex CASTALIA), ANCONA (ex SVEA) and more at Alang.

From the usual blissful MidShipCentury timewarp

Peter Knego

Broken Hearts and Hulls (last updated April 20, 2012):

PHILIPPINE (ex AUGUSTUS, GREAT SEA, ASIAN PRINCESS, MS PHILIPPINES)