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Cruise Ship 287' 1" x 49' 7" x 14' 3,724 Tons |
Ship History Built by Schichau Unterweser in in Bremerhaven, Germany. Laid down in 1973 with yard number 2250 as a double hull ship classified as a Swedish/Finnish 1A Ice Class, allowing the ship to withstand minor flow impacts and a range of 8,100 miles. Launched December 8, 1973 as BEWA Discoverer for BEWA Cruises. Later, renamed Lowell Thomas Discoverer and operated a week service from Chicago via the Great Lakes to Montreal and reverse operated by St. Lawrence Seaway cruises. In July 1976, sold to Adventure Cruises, Inc. and renamed World Discoverer for long term charter to Society Expeditions and registered in Singapore. In 1987 renamed Society Expedition owned by Discoverer Reederei. In 1990, registered in Liberia and renamed World Discoverer and placed under the command of Captain Oliver Kruess. During 1996 underwent a refurbishment. During the period from November through February (Austral summer), the ship conducted cruises in the Southern Hemisphere and visited places like Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, Chile and Argentina. From March to May and August to October, the ship cruised the South Pacific Islands. Between the months of June and August, the ship cruised around the Alaskan region and also the Russian border around the Bering Sea. The cruise ship had 76 cabins and could accommodate 137 passengers with a crew of 75-80. Sinking History On April 30, 2000 at 4:00pm while transiting the Sandfly Passage struck a large uncharted rock or reef and sustained damage and flooding. Immediately, the cruise ship sent a distress signal to Honiara and a passenger ferry was was sent and all passengers were transfered safely. After taking on water, the cruise ship developed a 20° list to starboard and Captain Kruess entered Roderick Bay and deliberately ran the ship aground at Lat 9° 1' 23" S Long 160° 7' 23" E on the northwest coast of Florida Island (Nggela Sule, Big Gela). to prevent sinking. Afterwards, an underwater survey, the ship was declared a total loss and abandoned. During 2000, a salvage effort was attempted by driven away by locals. The shipwreck remains above the surface with a 46° list to the starboard side aground and parallel to shore with vegetation growing on the upper deck and has become a tourist attraction. Contribute
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