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DOULOS
Bringing Knowledge, Help and Hope
Doulos is the world’s oldest
ocean going passenger ship.
The vessel is also the world’s
largest floating book fair
and has been compared to a
floating ‘united nations’.
But Doulos is much more
than that. Doulos is about
bringing knowledge,
help and hope to the
people of the world.
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Bringing Knowledge
Most nations around the world have access
to books. Sadly, there remain countless areas
around the world where it is very difficult to
obtain good literature. Despite the advances in
transportation and globalisation, there are many
countries around the world where there simply
are no means to obtain books. DOULOS has travelled to over 100 countries since 1978 and carries more than 6,000 titles (totalling over half a
million books). The vessel has received over 18
million visitors and in many ports, thousands
visit daily, willing to wait in line for many hours
before coming on board. The crew on board are
committed to the vision of making practical,
useful and educational information available to
people around the world. Through the onboard
book fair people from around the world can find
titles covering a wide range of topics, including
educational children’s books, business, language,
hobbies, music and general knowledge.
Bringing Help
In many ports, DOULOS tries to help in practical ways. This can take various forms in different regions. Before coming into a country, the
ship sends a team to assess the needs of the community. This is then communicated to the crew
on board who can then plan accordingly. The
aid work can take the form of building, working
with local doctors and hospitals to provide primary medical care, construction, providing food
supplies or assisting the local community with
alternatives in obtaining clean water. Some ports
are specially designated as aid ports where the
entire focus of the visit is on specific projects in
the areas of education, healthcare or construction.
Bringing Hope
Today’s world is a troubled one. Division and
strife affect all levels of mankind, from the most
basic level of individual relationships to international relations between nations. But there
is hope. DOULOS is represented by 350 crew
members from over 40 nations around the world,
with everyone residing in an area no longer than
130 metres and no wider than 16 metres. The vessel is living proof of the possibility that some day
all people will be able to live together in harmony. Each day, crewmembers seek opportunities to
esteem people and help them realise their unique
and irreplaceable value, regardless of age, race, or
social background.
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PICTURE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT
book fair is crowded in Beirut, Lebanon
crewmember is measuring a local man’s blood pressure in Djibouti
MIDDLE BOTTOM: DOULOS crewmembers helping construct a school in Suakin, Sudan
RIGHT: DOULOS crewmembers performing a cultural programme for handicapped children
LEFT: The
MIDDLE TOP: A DOULOS
1914 – 1950 MEDINA
1950 – 1952 ROMA
Since 1977 DOULOS
1952 – 1977 FRANCA C
The History Of The DOULOS
Built in 1914, DOULOS is the world’s oldest passenger liner still sailing the seven seas. During
her long career she has had four names, MEDINA,
ROMA, FRANCA C and DOULOS, serving in four
different roles – freighter, migrant carrier, cruise
liner and floating book fair. She has been registered in four countries – the United States of
America, Panama, Italy and Malta. During this
long life she has been rebuilt twice.
DOULOS was originally built as a freighter named
Medina, owned by the Mallory Steamship Company in the United States. She was launched on
22nd August 1914 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. In 1916 she was
sold to the Matsonia Steam Navigation Corporation. Her first assignment was to transport onions
from New York to Galveston, Texas. During the
First World War the Medina was requisitioned as
a US supply ship.
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The MEDINA was modernised and converted to
use fuel oil in 1922. Ten years later, the Mallory Line was merged with the Clyde Steamship
Company, and again in 1934 with the New York
and Porto Rico Steamship Company. During the
Second World War she served with the US Coast
Guard.
After serving nearly 30 years as a cargo ship,
MEDINA was acquired by the Genativer group
and registered in Panama as ROMA. She was converted the following year in La Spezia, Italy, into
a passenger ship with accommodation for 287
cabin passengers and 694 emigrants in dormitories. Because 1950 was a Roman Catholic Holy
Year, she was initially employed to take pilgrims
to Rome. She then took settlers from Europe to
Australia. This role was short-lived for ROMA. In
September 1951 she was laid up in Belfast when
her owners became bankrupt.
The ROMA was put up for auction in 1952
and sold to the only bidder, Giacomo Costa fu
Andrea (Linea ‘C’). Her original steam engines
were replaced by slow speed Fiat diesels. The ship
could now produce 7,650 horsepower and sail
at a speed of 18 knots. She gained six passenger
decks, which increased the accommodation capacity to 900. Air-conditioning was also installed
for the first time. For the next years she sailed on
the company’s South American routes under the
name FRANCA C.
In 1959 following major alterations, the vessel
became a class one cruise ship with accommodation for 345 passengers. Changes were made to
the galley and restaurants. A casino, swimming
pool and cinema were added.
FRANCA C was one of the first cruise liners to op-
erate out of Miami, but in 1963 she returned to
her birthplace in Virginia for a coat of paint!
In 1970 she was again refitted with a new set of
more powerful medium speed Fiat diesel engines.
Cruising mainly in the Mediterranean, there were
occasions when she visited Atlantic and Black Sea
ports. Seven years later, due to the emergence of
newer cruise ships, Costa Lines decided the time
had come to scrap the FRANCA C. The ship had
now sailed for 63 years and was thought to be
too old! However during her final cruise through
the Greek Islands, representatives from the German charity ‘Gute Bücher für alle’ (Good books
for All) were on board. They decided to purchase
the vessel and on the 4th November 1977, a formal agreement was signed.
DOULOS
is registered in Malta
DOULOS
was renamed DOULOS, a Greek word
meaning ‘servant’, and registered in the Mediterranean port of Valetta, Malta. This was the
seventh time this historic ship has been rescued
from the scrapyard. Once again rebuilding took
place, with the swimming pool and casino being
replaced by conference facilities and a book fair.
FRANCA C
DOULOS now carries over 6,000 different titles
of books, covering a wide range of subjects. Her
crew of approximately 320 people represent more
than 40 nationalities from all over the world.
Each one is a volunteer. Since 1978 more than
18 million people have visited the ship and she
has travelled to more then 100 countries and over
500 ports.
South Africa hosted this world record breaker in 1993 for a major ‘heart transplant’.
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DOULOS berthed in the ‘Mother City’,
Cape Town, for almost seven months. During
this time her electrical system was converted from
DC to AC current. Seventy kilometres of electrical cable and old motors, switchgear and generator equipment was replaced. More than 170
people flew in from four continents to volunteer
their services and help with this enormous task.
Only through the generosity of many suppliers
and the free labour of the workers and engineers
could the project be kept to a reasonable cost.
As time goes on, great effort is taken to maintain the ship in its good condition and to keep
up with safety standards. October 1998 saw
the completion of a three-year project to install
a sprinkler system comprising over 900 nozzles
and more than five kilometres of piping.
The owners and crew of DOULOS are confident
that the ship will be able to carry on with its
much appreciated service for many more years to
come. Refitted in many vital areas, DOULOS can
keep sailing into the 21st century.
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ed daily on Doulos.
Approximately 1 ,000 meals are serv
Approximately 50 loaves of bread are baked every day.
Over 18 million people have visited the book fair since 1978.
Taichung, Taiwan – August 1988
The record number of visitors in one day tops
24,200.
Nuko’Alofa, Tonga – December 1989
His Majesty, King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV of Tonga, visits the ship and welcomes all DOULOS crew
during an official onboard opening ceremony.
Bitung/Manado, Indonesia – June 1990
Over 15,000 people attend the International
Night programme – crewmembers’ colourful
performance of the spirit of DOULOS.
Vladivostok, Russia – August 1992
DOULOS visits this newly independent country
and is the second non-Soviet ship to sail into this
port (home to the former Soviet Pacific Fleet).
The ship brings with it 7,700 ‘Love Packs’ – gifts
from people in South Korea. They include food,
clothing and medicine for the needy
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Mahe, Seychelles – March 1993
The National Library purchases so many books
from DOULOS, the staff who work in the book
holds (the book storage facility on board) have
to work through the night twice to replace
books on the shelves.
The Arabian Peninsula – April 1995
For the second time DOULOS sails to the Gulf
region, visiting ports in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait. Enthusiastic members of
Kuwait’s public purchased over 43,000 books in
just five days.
Cape Town, South Africa – April 1993
sails into the ‘Mother City’ to undergo a major electrical ‘Heart Transplant’. This
involves the removal of the old DC current
equipment and its replacement with the more
economical 220V AC current system. Over 170
volunteers from four continents fly in to assist
with this enormous six-month project.
Madagascar – December 1995
In co-operation with an independent relief
organisation, DOULOS teams are sent to remote villages. A private donor sponsors a total of 44 helicopter flights. One of the teams
consists of a dentist, nurses and a local doctor.
More than 420 patients are helped through
operations and basic health care. DOULOS
also delivers 4,000 kg of clothing and medical
supplies donated by South African friends.
DOULOS
Red Sea – 19th May 1994
While travelling in the Red Sea, DOULOS offers
medical assistance in a rescue operation for survivors of a burning passenger ferry on its way from
Saudi Arabia to Egypt.
Shanghai, China – July 1996
After over a year of preparation DOULOS makes
an historic first-ever visit to Shanghai.
Kagoshima, Japan – 13 August 1996
In the early hours of 13th August, Typhoon Kirk
hits DOULOS at 220 km per hour. Due to necessary engine repair work, DOULOS is unable to
go to anchor and has to remain in the harbour.
While other ships run aground, DOULOS receives
very little damage..
Cebu, Philippines – January 1997
Teams from DOULOS befriend many of the city’s
street children. Large numbers are brought on
board for new clothes and a meal, and experience
acceptance and friendship. Other teams take part
in feeding and medical programmes throughout
the city.
Yangon, Myanmar – December 1998
During DOULOS’ first ever visit to Myanmar,
15,000 books and 100 sets of encyclopaedias are
given to the nation’s public libraries. This is the
first time literature is imported into the country
in 30 years.
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Reconciliation on Bougainville Island
SECOND First visit to Myanmar
THIRD Literature donation in The Gambia
FORTH 100,000,000 shaft revolutions
FIRST
Bougainville Island, Papaua
New Guinea – September 1999
DOULOS crewmembers organise an historic and
moving reconciliation between members of the
Bougainville People’s Congress (the government on the island), after almost a decade of civil
strife and conflict.
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam – February 2001
Vietnam becomes the 88th country to welcome
DOULOS. A total of 22,000 packs of soap and
toothpaste are handed out to deprived orphanages and charities throughout the Ho Chi Minh
City area. Local universities and libraries benefit
from a donation of 20,000 educational books.
Kunsan, South Korea – August 2001
Partnering with Habitat for Humanity, DOULOS
crew help build three low cost accommodation
blocks. Twelve homeless families ultimately benefit from the work.
Dar Es Salaam,
Tanzania – February 2002
DOULOS donates atlases, encyclopaedias and other books to the Olof Palme Royal School’s new library. Eighty children, who had lost their parents
through AIDS, visit the ship and attend a special
programme. The treats for the children don’t stop
there. Each receives a pack of hygiene items.
Banjul, The Gambia – January 2003
Armed with brooms, brushes and bags, over 60
DOULOS crew spend a day picking up rubbish
around the city of Banjul. Even the ship’s director is present to help. At some locations, local
residents are stunned to see a group of foreigners
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cleaning their streets. The city’s inhabitants are
often quick to join the effort, working alongside
crew to get the job done. “We wish to have you
people here for a long time,” says the city’s mayor
after the hard day’s work.
Kotor,
Serbia & Montenegro – November 2004
On a dark and rainy evening in Podgorica, a
DOULOS team helps unload 12,000 boxes sent
by Samaritan’s Purse for distribution to needy individuals and families. The team spends most of
the evening transferring the boxes from 40-footlong containers to storage areas around the city.
Victoria, Seychelles – November 2005
crosses a new (technical) milestone on
the 15th November 2005 at 6:53pm. A counter in
the engine room records the number of revolutions
made by the shaft connecting the main engine to
the propeller. In 1970 she was refitted with a new
set of more powerful medium speed Fiat diesel engines and the counter was reset to zero. While sailing
to the Seychelles, the counter records 100,000,000
shaft revolutions! Based on the calculations of the
ship’s engineers, each rotation of the propeller is approximately equivalent to 0.002077 nautical miles.
This means the ship has travelled about 207,699.99
nautical miles (38,660km) since 1970 – the distance
from the earth to the moon or 9.6 times around the
Equator!
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DOULOS
Crowds stand in line
for hours to visit the book fair
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
FIRST In
Beirut, Lebanon
In Mombasa, Kenya
THIRD In Durres, Albania
SECOND
Quotable QuotesFair
International Unity
INTERNATIONAL UNITY
The Honourable GLB Hurulle,
Minister of Cultural Affairs
Colombo, Sri Lanka – 1988
“As soon as I stepped on board, the one thing
that struck me most was the unity among the
people represented on board this ship. If people
of 40 nations can live, work and serve together,
I cannot see why the people of Sri Lanka cannot
get on together in a much larger space!”
Sri PJ Mathew,
Financial Advisor
Cochin, India – February 1994
“I was deeply impressed when I read about
the 40 countries that are represented in the
ship. It is, I think, more than the books you
offer, probably the combined message of
people who stay in this ship. That is what is
going to impress all the people of Cochin and
other people who would like to visit the ship.”
The Honourable Datuk Amar
Stephen KT Yong,
Minister of Science, Technology and Environment
Port Klang, Malaysia – September 1990
“It is heartening to have you come to our part
of the world, and share with us your diversity of
cultures and life experiences and it is my hope
that during your sojourn here, many lives would
be touched by the message of international
goodwill and understanding that you would
have opportunity to share with them.”
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Book
Provincial Sheriff
Phuket, Thailand – February 1996
“The ship DOULOS, is an example. The region
of Phuket has many, many tourists from many,
many countries every year. But we have never
seen so many different nationalities living
together in peace like you have here on this ship
DOULOS.”
Mr Censu Galea,
Minister of Competitiveness and Communications
Valletta, Malta – December 2004,
“You not only bring the floating book fair, you
also bring 40 different cultures with you. You
bring the fact that people can live together in
spite of their differences. This should be the
ideal for each and every person. I do hope your
stay will be a good opportunity for the Maltese
people and for everyone on board.”
BOOK FAIR
Tariq A Almoayed,
Minister of Information
Manama, Bahrain – May 1994,
“The visit of your ship to Bahrain was certainly
a successful event. The book exhibition held
aboard the ship provided a good opportunity to
many people in Bahrain to acquaint themselves
with books they previously may not have come
across.”
be satisfied. It is endless and it is really a magnificent job that the ship has been doing in imparting
this kind of knowledge through their books.”
Mrs Anna Mkapa,
First Lady
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – May 2005
Quoting Charles W. Eliot, American educator
and former president of Harvard University,
after receiving a book donation
“Books are the quietest and most constant
of friends, the most accessible and wisest of
counselors and the most patient of teachers.
Thank you, captain, for giving us so many
constant friends, accessible and wise counselors and patient teachers.”
Bob Graham, Govenor
Florida, USA – March 1982,
“The importance of good quality books and education is a high priority of mine, and you have
contributed greatly to all of Florida’s citizens.”
Captain Alex Feddes,
Minister of Competitiveness and Communications, Mr. Censu Galea, and DOULOS Director Dr.
Daniel Chae
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DOULOS
Sri TR Radhakrishnan,
Collector of Customs
Cochin, India – February 1994,
“Knowledge is one thing with which you can never
FROM LEFT TO RGHT: First Lady Mrs Anna Mkapa
and Director Daniel Chae (in Tanzania)
Official Opening
OFFICIAL OPENING
Honourable Harold Herat,
Minister of Foreign Affairs
and State Minister of Finance
Colombo, Sri Lanka– February 1993
““I would name your ship DOULOS not the oldest ship, but the greatest ship in the world carrying the message of peace, goodwill and harmony
to the human race.”
Mr Alfred Moisiu, President
Durres, Albania – January 2004
“There are many different kinds of ships but
this one is special, this ship transports culture,
goodwill and love. People have more need for
this kind of ship.”
His Majesty King Zwelithini
Goodwill Ka Bhekuzulu,
King of the Zulus
Richards Bay, South Africa – January 1994
“You are a ray of sunshine in our troubled land.
The young Christians at your helm can do so
much to spread the message of goodwill to their
peers in South Africa. You are living examples
of the solution to our crisis of violence – the
message of peace and love is the most important
message our ravaged communities need to hear.”
Her Excellency Mrs Bahia Hariri,
Parliamentary Deputy and President of the Parliamentary Commission for Culture and Education
Beirut, Lebanon – January 2005
“This ship carries cultural communication between the peoples of the world, which is a very
important thing.”
Dr. Toh Tsu Koon,
The Right Honourable Tan Seri, Chief Minister
Penang, Malaysia – January 2002
“When people come on board they will be
disarmed by the sense of community… You set
a good example to the rest of the world… This
is a good line of defence. Actually it’s an offence
– an offensive of love and peace you have transmitted across the world. I want to congratulate
you and welcome you.”
His Excellency Joaquim Chissano,
President
Maputo, Mozambique – June 2002
“Many ships are built for war. Here in this harbour I have visited many war ships. Today I’m
visiting a peace ship.”
Dr. Rashid Beebeejaun,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public
Infrastructure, Land Transport and Shipping
Port Louis, Mauritius – November 2005,
“I came to open the book fair but I have seen
much more than a book fair …this is a world
which can serve as an example to the wider
world. This ship is not just about books; it’s
about a way of living, a way of service. Our government claims that we are here for the people
and that we put people first and I can see that
your aims join us as well. Please do come again!”
Her Excellency Mrs. Bahia Hariri, Parliamentary
Deputy and President of the Parliamentary Commission for Culture and Education, presents a book about
Lebanon to DOULOS Captain Pat Tracy and
DOULOS Director Dr. Daniel Chae
Tan-Seri Dr. Toh Tsu Koon, Chief Minister of Penang
State, hands over a gift to DOULOS Captain
Prendergast at the onboard official opening ceremony
step into DOULOS
For more information please contact the
Media Relations Officer on board,
or contact our head office:
His Excellency Joaqim Chissano, President of
Mozambique, speaks at the DOULOS official opening
ceremony in Maputo, Mozambique
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DOULOS
Alte Neckarelzer Str. 2
D-74819 Mosbach, Germany
info@shipsoffice.org