SS Independence Archival Collection

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• Independence (1950) American Export Lines
• Passenger Lists
• Advertisements
• Passenger Inscriptions
• Postcards
• Back Cover Images

 

Independence (1950) American Export Lines

Built by Bethlehem Steel Co., Shipbuilding Division, Quincy, Mass. Tonnage: 30,293 (23,719 tons by American measurement). Dimensions: 637' x 89' (683' o.l.). Twin-screw, 25 knots. Four steam turbines. Two masts and two funnels. Keel laid March 29, 1949. Launched June 3, 1950. Attained a speed of 26.105 knots during her trials off Rockland, Maine, December 1950. Cost $25,000,000 to build. Maiden voyage: New York-Mediterranean, February 10, 1951. Note: Superstructure enlarged in 1959. Sister ship: Constitution. Ownership Changes: Atlantic Far East Lines (1974-1979); American Hawaii Cruises (1979-1982 and 1996-2001); American Global Line (1982-1996); US Maritime Administration (2001-2003); California Manufacturing Corp (2003-2005 and 2005-2009); Norwegian Cruise Line (2005). Fate: Grounded and subsequently broken up off Alang, India; 2010-2011.

 

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Passenger Lists

 

 

1952-10-27 SS Independence Passenger List

Cabin Passenger List for the SS Independence of the American Export Lines, Departing 27 October 1952 from Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar, Commanded by Captain Hugh L. Switzer.

 

 

1953-08-02 SS Independence Passenger List

Cabin Passenger List for the SS Independence of the American Export Lines, Departing Sunday, 2 August 1953 from Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar. Commanded by Captain Ernest H. Nelson.

 

 

1953-08-24 SS Independence Passenger List

First Class Passenger List from the SS Independence of the American Export Lines, Departing 24 August 1953 from Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes and Gibraltar, Commanded by Captain Hugh L. Switzer.

 

 

1954-07-03 SS Independence Passenger List

Tourist Class Passenger List from the SS Independence of the American Export Lines, Departing 3 July 1954 from Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar, Commanded by Captain Hugh L. Switzer.

 

 

1954-08-14 SS Independence Passenger List

Cabin Passenger List for the SS Independence of the American Export Lines, Departing 14 August 1954 from Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar, Commanded by Captain Ernest H. Nelson.

 

 

1954-11-09 SS Independence Passenger List

Cabin Class Passenger List for the SS Independence of the American Export Lines, Departing 9 November 1954 from Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar, Commanded by Captain Hugh L. Switzer.

 

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Advertisements

 

American Export Lines 1957 Advertisement "A Voyage to Remember, the SS Constitution and SS Independence. Scene from 20th Century-Fox's production of Leo McCarey's "AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER" co-starring CARY GRANT and DEBORAH KERR, which takes place aboard the s.s. Constitution. A Jerry Wald Production in CinemaScope. Color by Deluxe. GGA Image ID # 15f57df6b4

A Voyage to Remember

A Sunlane Cruise to Europe this Fall or Winter can be your voyage to remember. For as little as $535 in Cabin Class or $685 in First, you can sail aboard the great Independence or Constitution for a luxurious 3-week round trip to the Mediterranean!

The Independence and Constitution will be sailing from New York approximately every two weeks all this Fall and early Winter through January. You'll have time to visit ashore at 3 to 8 ports, such as Canary Islands, Casablanca, Barcelona, Cannes, Genoa, Naples, Tangier, Madeira.

At sea there's fun, glamour, relaxation! And you'll have an air conditioned stateroom, private bathroom with shower, enjoy absolutely unsurpassed cuisine. For complete information and illustrated literature, see your Travel Agent or write to American Export Lines, New York.

 

SS Independence and SS Constitution ... Great New Ships Built Around You! Modern American Living Goes to Sea in the Sun Lane to Europe. American Export Lines, 1950. GGA Image ID # 1e8df19c3e

The Sun Lane to Europe

American ingenuity has made these new Mediterranean liners the most livable ships afloat. Before Building, full-size models of staterooms and bathrooms were set up. Hundreds of Americans visited, criticized, and made suggestions. Every Detail, from armchairs to air conditioning, was traveler tested.

Dial Your Climate: Shipwide air-conditioning. Personal controls in all staterooms. A complete change of air every eight minutes.

Poolside Cafe: Soda fountain, sun lounge, and cafe in a glass enclosure -- opens like a convertible to heavenly Mediterannean skies.

Living Room by Day ... Bedroom by Night: Beds magically appear from the walls—private baths in all First and Cabin-class rooms. Polarized portholes control outside light.

Sea Island Club: Designed especially for this Sun-Liner. A large swimming pool with dramatic aqua lighting. Spectator wing decks overlook a spacious play and refreshment area.

Gala Maiden Voyage... Mediterranean Cruise

10 February 1951. The Independence. 53 days, 23 Mediterranean ports. Rates from $1510. Regular service of the Constitution and Independence in Gibraltar, Naples, Cannes, Genoa, and Europe begins on 12 April 1951.

American Export Lines -- The Sun-Lane to Europe.

 

Let Yourself Go on the Independence or Constitution of the American Export Lines, 1953. GGA Image ID # 1e8e41a11e

Let Yourself Go

Rejuvenate yourself on the mild-weather sun lane to Europe, where winter temperatures are spring-like, summer a gentle 73°. You'll luxuriate in air-conditioned comfort and revel in the warm, friendly atmosphere that has earned these sister ships the highest nautical accolades: "Happy Ships."

From New York to Algeciras (for Madrid), Cannes, Genoa, and Naples. New York-Madrid express service via these ships and a new boat train, the "Castilian."

Three-Week Vacations! Ten different Sunlane Cruises to Europe late this Summer and Fall from $520 round trip cabin class to $670 First Class!

 

Traditional American Friendliness Goes to Sea on the SS Independence and SS Constitution of the American Export Lines, 1953. Friendships spring up fast in one of three playrooms like this one in Cabin Class. GGA Image ID # 1e8e4abbb0

Traditional American Friendliness

• Easy-going informality makes friendship easy.
• Food so good it's a topic for friendly conversation
• Dail any climate in your cabin that's friendly to you
• Even the weather is friendly... 87% rain-free days

 

Great Cruise of 1954--Mediterranean, Egypt, India, 65 Days, 19,000 Miles, SS Independence, 4 February to 10 April from $1,750.

Independence -- Constitution to Gibraltar, Cannes, Genoa, and Naples

Exeter, Excalibur, Excambion, Exochorda to all the Mediterranean

 

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Passenger Inscriptions

 

Passenger Inscription On Inside Front Cover, SS Independence Passenger List, 27 October 1952. GGA Image ID # 1e8e64e779

 

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Postcards

 

Front Side of a Color Postcard of the Sister Ships SS Independence and the SS Constitution of the American Export Line. Statue of Liberty is Visible in Front of the Ship in the Far Left of this Image. 1929 American Folkard Corporation, New Rochelle, NY. GGA Image ID # 15ee283bb5

Back Side of a Color Postcard of the Sister Ships SS Independence and the SS Constitution of the American Export Line. GGA Image ID # 15ee489fd6

 

Front Side of Color Postcard of the SS Independence of the American Export Lines. nd circa 1951. GGA Image ID # 15eee83039

Back Side of Color Postcard of the SS Independence of the American Export Lines. nd circa 1951. GGA Image ID # 15ef5e5284

 

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Back Cover Images

 

Back Cover, Cunard SS Independence First Class Passenger List - 24 August 1953. GGA Image ID # 163f4e5573

 

Back Cover, Cabin Passenger List for the SS Independence of the American Export Lines, Departing 14 August 1954 from Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar. GGA Image ID # 19f446a75f

 

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