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: May 29, 2009

Above, from top to bottm: SS TOPAZ in March 2009, SS TOPAZ in May 2009, SS MAXIM GORKIY in May 2009, GTS FINNJET in May 2009. Copyright MidShipCentury.com 2009.

Sad but amazing images of what is being gradually lost to us at Alang. Soon, the beautiful REGAL EMPRESS will join the demolition derby.

Although I have not been able to do as much as I hoped with regard to adding new things, there are still some pretty impressive additions in the "What's New" section. More EUGENIO plans have been added and there are more to come, from her rebuilding in 1987 and from other ships, as well. Stay tuned and thanks to those that have given homes to so many of these important documents!

The new container is being packed as I type and will hopefully depart India in the next few days. I will have some beautiful glass and marquetry panels from EMPRESS OF BRITAIN (shown above in the process of demolition in March and May of 2009), a new Luzzati painting and some Zoncada chairs from STELLA MARIS II, various light fixtures and "You Are Here" signs from MERMOZ and much more...

There is a new blog menu in the index to the left with links to all of my recent Sea Treks blogs and a separate page has now been created, accessed from "What's New", for the images of BLUE LADY (ex NORWAY/FRANCE) at Alang.

DISCOVERY was a delight (see blog menu for the latest post) and now I'm packing for SAPPHIRE PRINCESS in Alaska.

Last thing -- My friend, Shawn Dake, owner of two of the RMS WINDSOR CASTLE armless stateroom chairs (see WINDSOR CASTLE in Ship Index) pointed out to me a while ago that he felt these chairs came originally from the 1948-built SA ORANJE and RMS EDINBURGH CASTLE, which were scrapped in the mid-1970s. Finally, I checked my old Union Castle Line deckplans, and, indeed, he is spot on. So, these handsome little chairs have an even more exotic and lengthy provenance. Thank you, Shawn! From the usual blissful MidShipCentury timewarp

Peter Knego