In the mid-1800s, the Irish-born Gracmid-1800ss, William Russell, and Michael established a commercial and shipping business in Callao, the port of Lima, Peru. They prospered, especially in the exporting of guano from the Chincha Islands to the United States, where this fertilizer was in considerable demand. Excellent 16mm Silent home ... Read More »
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Throwback Thursday – Mid-Century – 1950s “Psycho” Star Janet Leigh aboard the Santa Fe streamliner SUPER CHIEF
Star of Alfred Hitchcock’s PSYCHO, Janet Leigh is ready to board the famous SUPER CHIEF and Virginia Leith, star of A KISS BEFORE DYING shows us the all-Pullman train during the 1950s in a promotional film. Even the characters from TV’s MAD MEN may have been aboard the train all ... Read More »
Cary Grant’s other REX – The gambling boat off Santa Monica, California – Part 2
Film star of stars Cary Grant sailed on the great liner German liner S.S. Rex when crossing the pond but gambled on board the “Rex” just off the Santa Monica pier. Besides the fabulous Italian ocean liner, S.S. REX launched in 1931; there was another S.S. REX. The far lesser ... Read More »
Anthony Cornero’s premier gambling ship off Santa Monica was the SS REX – Part 1
Anthony Cornero’s premier gambling ship was the SS Rex, which could accommodate over 2,000 gamblers who sailed in a shore boat from the Santa Monica, California pier. It carried a crew of 350, including waiters and waitresses, gourmet chefs, a full orchestra, and gunmen. Video clip of the Rex gambling ... Read More »
Mid-Century Liners: The M/V Aureol – Liverpool to West Africa
Elder Dempster Lines was one of the UK’s largest shipping companies, and during its 150-year history, it operated more than 500 ships. Based in the historic port of Liverpool it was the major shipping line to serve West Africa. As well as its cargo ships, the Elder Dempster Lines operated ... Read More »
Anchored: Will Philly be stuck with the SS United States forever?
The former American luxury liner was supposed to be docked In Philadelphia for 21 days; it’s been almost 21 years. Is time running out for the famous ocean liner? The SS United States is a luxury passenger liner built in 1952 for United States Lines. It was designed by American ... Read More »
RMS Queen Mary – The Maiden Voyage in 1936 – President John Kennedy
The floating palace for the rich and famous: Vintage photos reveal glamor on board the Queen Mary during her maiden voyage. First Class Dining Room RMS Queen Mary left Southampton on M en route to New York, the first of many transatlantic crossings. Elizabeth Taylor walking her dogs. She hosted the wealthy ... Read More »
THE MS STELLA POLARIS – the “royal yacht” of cruising.
The STELLA POLARIS was considered one of the most elegant and exclusive devoted to cruising. The Dining Salon on the MS Stella Polaris The ship was considered one of the most elegant and exclusive devoted to cruising. She sailed to the Mediterranean, North Cape, Caribbean, and Around The World. She ... Read More »
75th Anniversary – Day of Infamy – Pearl Harbor – Matson Line’s SS Lurline caught in the middle of WW 2.
The SS Lurline made her destination safely, cruising at maximum speed from Honolulu to San Francisco, and soon returned to Hawaii with her Matson sisters SS Mariposa and SS Monterey in convoy laden with troops and supplies. December 7, 1941, was a turning point in the history of the United ... Read More »
The MS St. Louis carried Jewish refugees desperate to flee Nazi Germany on a voyage of the damned.
Six months after the Nazis celebrated Kristallnacht, the German transatlantic liner MS St. Louis sailed on May 13, 1939, from Hamburg Germany. The voyage became a symbol of American and Canadian heartlessness, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism. Flags were flapping in the wind and well-wishers waved from the Hamburg pier. On board, ... Read More »