This post is copied as seen on ssmaritime.com for RMS Windsor Castle (5 pages), the website SSMaritime is private and the author elderly so one doesn't know how long the domain will remain active. I give all credit to the author Dr. Reuben Goossens, who has compiled the pictures and written the text.
This to honor the history of the vessel I was involved in saving after the storm in 12th Feb 2004. (JL)
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RMS Windsor Castle
Later: SS Margarita L / Rita
Ship of sheer beauty! (Author’s collection)
Mid 1950’s the Directors of Union Castle Line decided they needed a larger ship than those already in service. This ship would become the renowned 37,640-Gross ton RMS Windsor Castle, a ship that became Union Castle’s flagship and the largest liner ever to operate on the South African route. Interestingly, previous Union Castle ships had been built by Harland & Wolff, in Belfast, but breaking with tradition, it was decided that the £10 million Windsor Castle would be built at the Cammell Laird & Co Shipyards, Birkenhead. She also set a record for being the largest ship to be built Merseyside. Windsor Castle would accommodate 591 Tourist Class and 239 First Class passengers.
Her keel was laid in 1957 by Cammell Laird's Managing Director, Mr. Robert Johnson’s son Robert jnr. Windsor Castle was launched in perfect weather on June 23, 1959, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, before a crowd of some fifty thousand people and as the BBC covered the event live to air, it was watched by millions more on television. The Queen broke a bottle of South African Champagne on the bow of the ship and spoke the traditional words: “I name this ship Windsor Castle. May God bless her and all who sail in her.”
A brand new Windsor Castle is seen here departing Liverpool bound for Southampton for her maiden voyage (Author’s collection)
One year later she was completed and had her sea trials and duly departed on her maiden voyage from Southampton on August 18, 1960, arriving in Durban 13? days later.
Unlike most ships, both classes had the run of a full deck, forward to aft, as all Tourist Class public rooms, promenade and deck space was located on A Deck, Whilst First Class public rooms were located one deck higher on Promenade Deck. Both classes also had an outdoor pool. First class cabins had private facilities, with suites and deluxe cabins having a bath, all others a shower. Located amidships, the 250 seat Cinema was equipped with cinemascope.
Union Castle poster (Author’s collection)
Popular with passengers was the fact that both First and Tourist Class had public facilities covering a full deck and having a lounge that overlooked the bow. The usual class separation on a liner would see Tourist Class located at the back of the ship, never being able to look forward as the ship would enter a harbour.
There was a garage for passengers to transport their cars. It was located at the forward end of the superstructure. Cargo capacity was 639,000 cu, ft, with just over half of it being refrigerated.
Windsor Castle’s second voyage was an eventful one as she had to assist the crew of the Capetown Castle, which had an explosion in the engine room whilst in Las Palmas. Apart from this event, Windsor Castle steamed on reasonably successfully and without any mishaps. Mid 1965 she commenced a “rapid” service to the Cape, cutting two days of travelling time. In December 1967 Windsor Castle completed her 50th voyage, having steamed 700,000 plus miles and transported over 35,000 passengers, and she did this with remarkable efficiency not having had any breakdowns or delays. That same year she received a refit and upon completion she was registered at 36,123 GRT. In 1972, she received her final refit under Union Castle, and was registered as being 36,277 GRT.
However, with a changing world and with the demand of air travel, it soon became obvious that it was about to wrench passengers away from an 11 day voyage to the Cape. Thus, just five years after her second refit on August 12, 1977, RMS Windsor Castle departed Southampton for her final round trip to Durban, which also happened to be her 124th Voyage. On September 6 upon departure from Cape Town for her final voyage back to the UK, she received a massive farewell arranged by the City, which was attended by thousands of sad onlookers who came to wave this magnificent lady goodbye. She returned in Southampton on September 19.
A sad departure
Windsor Castle was sold to Mr. Yiannis (John) S. Latsis (Santa Margarita Shipping & Trading Company) a famed Greek oil and shipping tycoon. Within one month of her final homecoming, the great Union Castle liner departed Southampton on October 3, 1977, with a complement of Greek and Union Castle crew including electrician Jack Towler (read on for Jack’s voyage) aboard bound for Greece where she would be refitted for a new role.
Interestingly, other offers made for her one was made by Sitmar Cruises and the other by Carnival. Looking back we will all agree that this would better option to see her become a cruise ship. However, that was not to be.
RMS Windsor Castle Specifications
Builder: Cammell Laird & Co Shipyards, Birkenhead
Yard #: 1287
Tonnage: 37,640 GRT – 16,252 DW
Length: 238.7m - 783ft
Beam: 27.5 – 90.2ft
Draft: 32ft -
Engines: High pressure (of Naval standard) “Pametrada” geared steam turbines by the builders
Service output: 49,000 SHP
Screws: Twin
Speed: 22.5 knots (23.5 on trials)
Steering Gear: electro-hydraulic by Brown Bros
Passengers: 239 first class 591 tourist passengers
Crew: 475, including up to 30 women
Air-Conditioned: Yes
Livery:
Hull: Traditional Union Castle Lavender
Boot topping: Red
Superstructure: White
Funnel: Orange and black
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SS Margarita L 1977 – 2004
Margarita L seen at Valletta Malta (Author’s collection)
The relocation voyage was certainly eventful, as a member of the Greek personnel for some reason switched off an oil pump, which caused one of her turbines to seize up. Luckily there were Union-Castle engineers aboard who knew this fine lady well, and they fitted her with new bearings and she was soon operational again.
The Windsor Castle was renamed Margarita L in honour of one of Mr. Latsis’ daughters – Margarita Latsis. In Piraeus she was refitted to become a luxury accommodation ship offering 852 berths. Later she was relocated to Saudi Arabia where she employed as an accommodation ship from 1978 to 1990. Mr. Latsis ensured that ship had a suite of rooms and a lounge and dining room for his and his family’s sole use.
Margarita L was berthed at the Jeddah docks, where the Latsis Group was building a new naval base for the Saudi Government. Whilst there, a helicopter pad added to her aft deck. A desalinisation plant was placed in the forward hold, which was able to produce around 600 tonnes of fresh water a day. She was later relocated another two locations. The first was where Latsis Group was building a Royal Palace for King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. The second to another Latsis project, an oil refinery at Rabegh. Whilst at Rabegh she was also used as an office and leisure centre, for staff of the Latsis Petrola Int. S.A. Construction Company. In 1983, Margarita L was dry-docked and received a refit, after which she returned to Saudi Arabia.
In 1990 her Saudi Arabian career as an accommodation ship had ended and was towed to Eleusis, Greece to be laid up. Mr. Latsis would often stay on board in his quarters, as he was a man who dearly loved this fine ship and he kept her well maintained. It was said that her interiors were immaculate and looked much like the days she sailed on the South African service, the only thing missing were passengers.
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Margarita seen laid up at Eleusis near Piraeus
In 1998 Margarita L was laid up at Eleusis Greece and placed on the market with an asking price of USD 5-6 million, which was later greatly reduced. With Mr. Latsis’ health declining, he handed his empire over to his son Spiros in 1999.
A British campaign commenced in 2002, which was headed by Mr. Alex Naughton, with the intention to bring the great Windsor Castle back to Britain once again and restore her to her original beauty including the famed Union Castle lavender hull. She was the perfect ship for restoration as her external profile had never been altered, as 99% of other older tonnage had in the past. In addition, much of her interiors remained unaltered. The idea was for her to become a permanent reminder of the days of great British ship building as well offering many great tourist oriented features. However, as we will see a little later, this fine campaign was forced to conclude in December 2004, but certainly not for the lack of trying.
Sadly Mr. John Latsis, passed away on April 17, 2003, but even before his father’s passing it became obvious that Spiros did not have the same interest in the Margarita L, a fact that all too soon became obvious as her exteriors was left to deteriorate mostly due to the total lack of maintenance. By late 2003, and inspection showed a great amount of rust and much of her teak planking was twisting and lifting showing the rusting steel deck below it. This was certainly no tribute to the son of the great ship lover, Mr. John Latsis who had owned and ensured excellent maintenance on all passenger liners he owned over the years.
Then there was almost a tragedy when on February 12, 2004, a severe storm struck the region, and Margarita L broke anchor and was set adrift and got firmly stuck in mud in shallow water off Salamis Island. There where no crew on board at the time. However, her well built hull was not damaged, and she was soon refloated, but sadly her end was on the horizon.
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Margarita L after she drifted and was stuck in shallow waters
A campaign headed by Alex Naughton commenced in 2002 attempted to bring the Windsor Castle back to Britain, however, the attempt failed miserably as funds nor sites to dock her were just not available to him and in December 2004, her owners advised me that Margarita L had been sold to an intermediary company and was heading for a breakers yard at Alang India under the name of Rita.
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SS Rita 2005
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A photograph of SS Rita taken several days before setting sail for India
Amazingly, the once great British Lady, having been renamed Rita, sailed under her own steam once more, departing Greece on April 14, 2005, and arrived at the Bhavnagar anchorage near Alang on May 11. However, due to scrap metal prices fluctuating she was sent back to sea and after circling the Indian Ocean, she took shelter near Kalba in United Arab Emirates. Late June, she again set sail for India, but she suffered a breakdown. A tug was sent out on July 7, but unbelievably the tug also broke down. Now both were adrift. It almost seemed like if the ex Windsor Castle was fighting for her life! After the tug had been repaired, on July 15, she with the Rita in tow they headed for Alang once again, where she arrived and was beached on the 20th of July 2005. What was so remarkable that breaking up began on August 18, being the day of her 45th anniversary of her maiden voyage from Southampton to Durban.
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This photo of the SS Rita at the breakers yard is a tragic sight for all who love classic liners!
RMS Windsor Castle served her owners, Union Castle Line well, but sadly she was only an active liner for just 17 years. For the next 28 years as the Margarita L she served as an accommodation ship, but sadly 15 of those 28 years she laid idle, laid up in Greece.
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RMS Windsor Castle will be remembered by all who sailed on her, be it as a passenger or crew member, as well as those who gazed at this beautiful lavender hulled ship whenever she was in port. As for myself and those in the UK and South Africa, Windsor Castle will be remembered as a great liner for those 17 years of active duties, not certainly for the self indulgent owner who used her during her second and final incarnation, when during the end, after his death his son simply let the ship rot away and it was a disgrace to see her decks rusting so badly that holes were appearing and parts were a danger to walk on, and interiors in certain sections, as was reported to me was falling apart, due tpo sheer neglect! But, as a Union Castle liner she was the great Windsor Castle and that is how she will always be remembered!
Memories of the great days of shipping (Author's collection)
Interior photographs
Postcard of this fine liner! (From the author’s private collection)
I have dedicated the below to the interiors of the Windsor Castle’s as well as a few exterior shots. I trust these images will bring back many joyful memories for all who have sailed on this magnificent ship, be it as a passenger, or as a member of the crew. Enjoy!
The above of the Windsor Castle passenger accomodation brochure was provided by Björn Larsson of www.timetableimages.com/maritime/index.htm The interiors below were sourced from this folder!
(Union castle link )
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First Class
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From the author’s private collection
Tourist Class
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The Cinema
Pursers Office & Lobby
Swimming Pool
Swimming Pool
1942 Schedule and Fares
From the author’s private collection
Ships electrician - Jack Towler
Jack Towler lives in Aberdeen Scotland and currently works on North Sea oilrigs. However, Jack a Chief Electrician with Union Castle Line for 22 years. He was privileged to be able to sail on both the last voyage from South Africa to Southampton as well as the delivery voyage of the Margarita L to her new owners in Piraeus, Greece.
Jack seen in his younger years days
Jack (centre) and crew aboard RMS Windsor Castle in 1970
Windsor Castle’s Farewell Voyage
By Jack Towler
My farewell voyage from Table Bay Harbour on the beautiful Windsor Castle was a sad one for me and all Officers and Crew. For even as a young lad of 16 when first starting my apprenticeship as an electrician in a shipyard, my thoughts and dreams were to serve on a passenger ship. Glad to say all my ‘ships’ came in for me. On the return of the Windsor Castle to the UK, a few Officers were asked to attend a meeting with a view to assisting the Windsor Castle to her new owner, Mr. John Latsis in Piraeus. I was allowed to bring my wife Lynne along on the delivery voyage, upon docking in Piraeus we were taken to a five star hotel in Athens where Mr Latsis gave us a memorable 10-day holiday, which more than showed his gratitude. Perhaps in the near future we will see the return of the Windsor Castle to the UK where she belongs, for many should be able to take in the beauty of this fine ship and enjoy the Windsor Castle once more.
The Windsor Castle farewell envelope seen below has the following inscription on the back:
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R.M.S. Windsor Castle
Was launched in perfect weather on the twenty-third day of June nineteen hundred and fifty-nine by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, before a crowd of fifty thousand people and watched by millions more on television. The Queen broke a bottle of South African sparkling wine on the bows of the ship as she spoke the traditional words: “I name this ship Windsor Castle. May God bless her and all who sail in her.”
Last Voyage cover
Above: Jacks Boarding Pass for the Windsor Castle’s final voyage
Jack (left) having a farewell drink during the voyage
(All images above have been provided by Jack Towler.)
Margarita L / Rita laid up at Eleusis Bay Greece
Margarita seen laid up at Eleusis near Piraeus
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During a Storm on February 12, 2004, Margarita L broke her moorings and drifted close to the shore. she could have ended up on nearby rocks. She was towed back to her lay up position.
Photographs of the ship close to shore were taken by the late Captain Yiorgos (George) Graikos. SS Rita seen on April 14, 2005 was taken by Nikos Salamouris.
A Close call
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SS Rita - 2005
The once great liner is seen here renamed Rita by the breaker Kumar Steel of Alang
Margarita L, ex RMS Windsor Castle, was sold to Kumar Steel who would break her up and they renamed her simply Rita. She departed Greece for Alang India under her own steam. She has now been broken up.
Renamed Rita, is seen below just prior to her departure for India
SS Rita about to set sail for India
We thank Nikos Salamouris for these photographs
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Memories (Author’s collection)
Rita beached at Alang India
The tragic photographs below tell their own story, thus I will not elaborate. However, for all who love this once great British liner, the Union Castle Line RMS Windsor Castle, these photographs are a tragic sight, but by viewing them we can at least say farewell old friend!
Photograph by Rajesh Shah - Kumar Steel Alang – 2005
Photograph by Rajesh Shah - Kumar Steel Alang – 2005
Photograph 2005 - I Royle
Our final and tragic image of the bow
(R. Goossens, maritime historian, author, lecturer & Cruise‘n’ship reviewer, commenced in the passenger shipping & cruise industry in 1960.)
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