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Our new “TSS Olympia (MS Regal Empress) Preservation Campaign” has set sail and I hope you will come aboard and join us in preserving this remarkable old ship! The difference with this campaign to others in the past is, we have both US and Greek Government representation that has join forces with the campaign.

Mr. Manolis Kefaloyiannis, the Greek Minister of Mercantile Marine, has appointed Mr. Manolis Alifierakis as the official coordinator of the Olympia Conservation Campaign in Greece.

I have been in frequent contact with US Senator Leonidas (Lou) Raptakis and Mr. Manolis Alifierakis discussing details of this campaign to return the ex Greek Lines TSS Olympia back to her home in Greece. The proposed location for the Olympia is in Faliron Harbour where she will be located alongside the 95 year old Battleship G. Averof. SS Olympia will serve as a maritime museum, highlighting the Greek passenger liners of yesteryear.

Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, as well as Connecticut Representative Dimitrios Giannaros and Manolis Alifierakis have met with the President of Imperial Majesty Cruise Line (IMC), Mr. Arthur Pollack a number of times regarding a general agreement. Having personally met with Manolis Alifierakis whilst in Greece on 22 March 2005, I am pleased to say, all is going well at this stage!

We need to understand that at this stage MS Regal Empress is not for sale at this time, however, when IMC decides to purchase a new ship and dispose of the Regal Empress the agreement will ensure the availability of the ship to our campaign. For this purpose, the Greek Government has already committed substantial funds towards the purchase of the ship; however, apart from the financial commitment made by the Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine, we are seeking further funds to ensure her purchase as well as the relocation and refit costs.

For information on the various ways you can assist us, be it financial, or you may have a means to further promote this campaign, or any practical assistance, please contact myself at maritimeworld@optusnet.com.au or Sen. Leonidas (Lou) Raptakis at senraptakis@hotmail.com.

With the commitment already made by the Greek Government and with your help, I see a long and healthy future for that fine old passenger liner built especially for Greek Line.

Let us make a statement of support, not only to Greece, but also to the world, by not allowing the last true Greek Trans Atlantic Ocean Liner to head for India to be scrapped. Help Senator Raptakis and myself to preserve TSS Olympia! If you wish to join this campaign, email us.

Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

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What do you guys think of this? Good Idea? I wish the US government would do the same with the Big U! Whta ship would IMC use to replace the current Regal Empress?
Maybe the Norway could be used for IMC

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Regardless, it is admirable that something is being done. Like Maasdam said, it is strange why the US government is not doing something for the preservation of the SS United States. Isn't she a national monument?

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It's not just the US and French to blame here, but it is the reality and unfeasability of financing such preservation projects.

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Originally posted by Linerrich:
Not to cast stones, but the British government did nothing to preserve the beloved CANBERRA, WINDSOR CASTLE, or either of the first two QUEENS.

It's not just the US and French to blame here, but it is the reality and unfeasability of financing such preservation projects.

Rich

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Originally posted by Ernst:

-and maybe - only maybe - Canberra would have been worth preserving)

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Those ships are more than just superb specimen of shipbuilding, they represent also an area in the social, political and cultural history.

With Canberra scrapped, Oriana in the scrapyard and Windsor Castle circling before the scrap beach, the world will be poorer, not only because these were handsome and beautiful ships, there will be no relic of the way in which the once mightiest empire in the world kept its line of communications : the colonial liners, the blue water ships...

Alone for this reason already, Windsor Castle should be preserved.

The Greek community in the United States has very strong ties to the old country and is proud of its heritage. Before air travel was popular, the Olympia was the vehicle for revisits to Greece.

Even today much of the original artwork on the Regal Empress is Greek themed.

Maybe Senator Raptakis came to the USA on the Olympia?

Astoria, New York and Chicago's Greek Town nieghborhoods are Greek enclaves.

Regal Empress has more original fittings than Topaz, or Sea, Island, and Ocean Breeze.

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Originally posted by bulbousbow:
Has it got anything to do with Sen. Leonidas Raptakis being of Greek heritage? I would assume so. Regardless, it is admirable that something is being done. Like Maasdam said, it is strange why the US government is not doing something for the preservation of the SS United States. Isn't she a national monument?

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Cheers

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