SKY WATCH FRIDAY # 42

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

A contribution automatically posted to Sky Watch Friday, taken last year aboard our much esteemed «T.S. HAMBURG/ MAXIM GORKIY».

ABC WEDNESDAY - # 08 (H)

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

In HOLGER's dream, «T.S. HAMBURG/ MAXIM GORKIY» is still in Hamburg, and he's standing at the bridge and can see the harbour. He says it is only a dream, but it's a nice one... I know how you are feeling, we had the same experience when our former beautiful ships were sold to scrap and we could not do anything about it...

So, «H» is also for «HAMBURG», the port, the city I love and the friends I made during the tentative to rescue the ship we were not able to save from scrap in Alang Beach. One of them is «HOLGER», who has just shown me a link to THIS PAGE with information regarding former Hamburger and later Portuguese Tugs!...

SKY WATCH FRIDAY # 20

Photo by Sailor Girl of MAXIM GORKIY's funnel and lifeboat. WHY DID THIS BEAUTIFUL SHIP HAVE TO DIE??... A contribution to Sky Watch Friday.

THIS SHIP COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED!!!

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

At the request of Mr. Gerd Wüsthoff, our Friend [Dirk Steffen] is sending the following message by the Bitsch-Christensen Family, who were the founders of the German Atlantic Line. Please help us spread it all over the World! This beautiful ship could have been saved!!! Here it goes:

«The picture of my father before his so very special funnel says it all. My body is shaking and I am so much into tears - and simultaneous I am angry like I've never been in my life. All I can think is, have the same forces come up again that back in 1974 have been responsible for my father and his life's achievements to come to an undue end? Because he was different, because he was always kind to and interested in his crews, staff, donors and his family? Because he brought humor into the shipping business, because so many of them prized him - that "stupid Dane" - so highly? Now, as my parents sit above us on their cloud, with shame and sadness turning their faces pale, tomorrow the sky will remain milky white, and their tears may pour as rain on the City of Hamburg until that town may float off, far and away. In deepest moaning about the most beautiful ship on the seas - and on behalf of my siblings and the whole family - the son. (Anders Bitsch-Christensen)»

I have just read this message and burst into tears. It is all so sad, why did this have to happen? Please post Anders' comment on your websites so that everyone all over the world can read and understand it - although certainly no one ever will understand why this lovely ship had to die!!!...

SKY WATCH FRIDAY # 18

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

A contribution to [Sky Watch Friday].

[Holt die MAXIM GORKIY nach Haus!] Wenn Nicht JETZT, Wann Dann? If Not NOW, Then When?

POEMS FROM ESTORIL, MY BIRTHPLACE!!!

(Photo by Sailor Girl )

[Holt die MAXIM GORKIY nach Haus!]

Wenn Nicht JETZT, Wann Dann??? If Not NOW, Then When???

Sábado, 14 de Fevereiro de 2009, pelas 18 horas, é apresentado o novo livro de João Silva Maia, «Poemas do Estoril» (edição da Câmara Municipal de Cascais), na Livraria Luso-Galega «[Orfeu]», de Joaquim Pinto da Silva (Rue du Taciturne 43, 1000 Bruxelles), com o apoio da Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Escritório de Representação de Bruxelas e TAP Portugal).

(Imagem retirada [DAQUI])

Trata-se de uma nova obra do autor, na sua série de criações literárias relacionadas com as suas vivências e viagens. A difusão desta obra em Bruxelas, que foi apresentada no dia 29 de Janeiro, no espaço Memórias dos Exílios, em sessão organizada pela Câmara de Cascais, insere-se numa ajuda a favor das obras salesianas do Pe. João de Deus, no distrito de Bacau, em Timor Leste. Apresentação da obra e do autor por Maria Odília Henriques.

«Contra vento, contra marés esta pátria nave navega, embora mais pareça que deriva. Bem ou mal no chão assentes os pés, cada luso em vão se imagina o estratega de relançar capaz a Pátria viva.»

Estoril, Abril de 2006

João Silva Maia nasceu em Lisboa em 1941. Frequentou a Escola Salesiana do Estoril entre 1951 e 1957. Licenciou-se em economia pelo ISCEF-Lisboa em 1964, exercendo funções de Direcção Bancária em Angola, Moçambique, Portugal e Luxemburgo de 1967 a 1986. Foi Administrador Principal de dois grupos políticos no Parlamento Europeu entre 1986 e 2006, e desde 2006 tem feito missões de observação eleitoral para a União Europeia. É também membro do Cercle Littéraire des Communautés Européennes e membro do Cercle International des Grands Voyageurs-Belgique. Tem já publicados os livros Pura Interrogação, Os Lugares do Amor, Os Lugares do Amor II, 60 Dias que não mudaram a face do Mundo, Homem de Pé, Se houver porto e houver chegada e, agora, Poemas do Estoril.

SONG TO «T.S. HAMBURG» # 04

(Photo by Sailor Girl )

[Holt die MAXIM GORKIY nach Haus!]

«Going back to the port where I first saw you, Gonna camp in my sleeping bag, no I'm not gonna move. Got some words on cardboard, got your picture in my hand, Saying if you see this SHIP can you tell her where I am... Some try to hand me money, they don't understand, I'm not... broke. I'm just a broken hearted SEGELERIN, I know it makes no sense, but what else can I do? How can I move on when I've been in love with you... Cos if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me, And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I can be, Thinking maybe you'd sail back here to the place that we'd meet, And you'd see me waiting for you on the corner of the harbour. So I'm not moving... I'm not moving. Policeman says «Sailor Girl, you can't sit here», I said «There's a SHIP I'm waiting for... if it's a day, a month, a year, gotta stand my ground even if it rains or snows, If she changes her mind this is the first place she will go». Cos if one day you wake up and find that your missing me, And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I can be, Thinking maybe you'd come back here to the place that we'd meet, And you'd see me waiting for you on the corner of the street. So I'm not moving... I'm not moving. I'm not moving... I'm not moving. People talk about the Girl who's waiting on a SHIP... Oohoohwoo There is no hole in her shoes but a big hole in her world... Hmmmm Maybe I'll get famous as the SEGELERIN who can't be moved, and maybe you won't mean to, but you'll see me on the news, And you'll come running to the corner... Cos you'll know it's just for you I'm the SEGELERIN who can't be moved I'm the SEGELERIN who can't be moved... Cos if one day you wake up and find that your missing me, And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I can be, Thinking maybe you'd come back here to the place that we'd meet, And you'd see me waiting for you on the corner of the Harbour. So I'm not moving... I'm not moving. I'm not moving... I'm not moving. Going back to the corner where I first saw you, Gonna camp in my sleeping bag not I'm not gonna move.»

Addapted from the song «The Man Who Can't Be Moved», by The Script, also playing at Rádio Atlântico Azul!...

Wenn Nicht Jetzt, Wann Dann??? * If not NOW, then When???

(Photo by Sailor Girl of Seaguls waiting for «T.S. HAMBURG» to arrive...)

DANKE, [HOLGER]!!!...

German singer Höhner is now singing «Wenn Nicht Jetzt, Wann Dann» («If Not Now, Then When») at Rádio Atlântico Azul! Then you can hear German Band «The Scorpions» singing «Moment of Glory»!!!

We have good news about «MAXIM GORKIY», former «T.S. HAMBURG» and will as soon as possible post some more information!!!

«Wenn nicht jetzt, wann dann? Wenn nicht hier, sag mir wo und wann? Wenn nicht wir, wer sonst? Es wird Zeit. Komm wir nehmen das Glück. Wenn nicht jetzt, wann dann? Wenn nicht hier, sag mir wo und wann? Wenn nicht wir, wer sonst? Es wird Zeit. Komm wir nehmen das Glück in die Hand!!!»

SONG TO «T.S. HAMBURG» # 03

«The wise man said just walk this way to the dawn of the light. The wind will blow into your face as the years pass you by. Hear this voice from deep inside? It's the call of your heart. Close your eyes and your will find the passage out of the dark. Here I am, will you send me an angel? Here I am, in the land of the morning star. The wise man said just find your place in the eye of the storm, seek the roses along the way, just beware of the thorns. Here I am, will you send me an angel? Here I am, in the land of the morning star. The wise man said just raise your hand and reach out for the spell, find the door to the promised land, j ust believe in yourself. Hear this voice from deep inside? It's the call of your heart! Close your eyes and your will find the way out of the dark. Here I am, will you send me an angel? Here I am, in the land of the morning star...»

«Send me an Angel», by The Scorpions. Music: Rudolf Schenker. Lyrics: Klaus Meine.

Some good news!!!!!

Photo taken by Sailor Girl, at «Maxim Gorkiy», former «T.S.Hamburg» and, God Bless, future «HAMBURG»!!!

«February 9: Alex Naughton reports: “I have just been informed by a reliable source that the Maxim Gorky has passed through the Suez Canal and now is currently stationary in the Red Sea near Southern Egypt awaiting further instructions on her next moves. So yes, to clarify, the Maxim Gorky is not moving and is stationary at this time and is not making any further progress towards India at the moment.

I am also informed that the ship has been exempt from SOLAS 2010 regulations (which come in force in October 2010) until October 2013, therefore this delays when she would need to be upgraded. Also the ship is fully intact on board and retains all her furniture, fittings and on board furnishings. Thus she remains in very good condition.

However she is only currently certificated for a one way delivery voyage to Alang, India for scrapping. If she can be saved she will need to be recertificated for other purposes or for a return to passenger service. Meanwhile the interested parties in Germany continue to make progress with their aspirations to save the Maxim Gorky.»

Source: http://www.ssmaritime.com/newsupdates.htm

REALLY URGENT!!!.....

Please help to persuade the municipal authorities of Hamburg that the «MAXIM GORKIY» former «T.S. HAMBURG» has to go back home to Hamburg! Click to open the above file to print it, collect signatures for the petition and send it back to DR. ANDREAS BUSECKE to his fax nr. (+ 49) 4921 32922. It is URGENT, the ship is expected to arrive to India TODAY!!! Thank you!!!

Odd Shots Monday # 12

(Photo taken by Sailor Girl, on bord «Maxim Gorkiy»)

A contribution to [Odd Shots Monday], the day this beautiful Ship is expected to arrive at Alang Beach, in India.

RESCUE «MAXIM GORKIY/ T.S. HAMBURG»!!!

(Photo taken by Sailor Girl to «T.S.Hamburg/ Maxim Gorkiy», last September, in Bergen)

Please note the following message sent by our Friend [Andreas Busecke]:

«Dear friends, of course you heard about the destiny of the beautiful Maxim Gorkiy, former T.S. Hamburg. She's now on the way to be scrapped in India. In Hamburg, the birthplace and past homeport of the ship, an action group has started the last attempt to preserve this historic liner. A group of investors has promised to transform the ship into a maritime hotel, museum and meeting point in the port of Hamburg, subject to the condition that the city of Hamburg offers a pier in the centre of the port.

The municipal authorities seem to be not aware of the importance of this classic liner - especially for Hamburg. After the Second World War, it was the first and also the last transatlantic liner built in Hamburg - and She is still in pretty good shape. It is an example of Excellency in German/Hamburg shipbuilding.

Please help to persuade the municipal authorities that the former TS Hamburg has to come back to Hamburg! Print the supplement, collect signatures for the petition and send back to me by fax.

It is URGENT, the ship is expected in India within 2 days.

Thanks to all shiplovers, sincerely

Andreas Busecke»

(This is the above referred Signature list for the initiative to repatriate the former «TS HAMBURG» to Hamburg)

More information may be found on the following links:

• Club of the former cooks and of the friends of the ship: [HERE];
• The local newspaper: [HERE].

You may also send your protest to the following EMAIL ADDRESSES (kindly given to me by Christina, from Germany):

• oeffentlichkeitsservice@bk.hamburg.de
• briefe@abendblatt.de
• ole.vonbeust@sk.hamburg.de
• hans.lafrenz@cduhamburg.de
• info@hpa.hamburg.de
• info@ndr.de (local television)
• info@zdf.de (national television)

SAVE «T.S.HAMBURG»/ «MAXIM GORKIY»!!!!!

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

Dear T.S.HAMBURG/ MAXIM GORKIY:

«Will your system be alright

when you dream of home tonight?

There is no message we're receiving...

Let me know, is your heart still beating?...»

REMINDER: The first two songs now playing at Radio Atlântico Azul (the lyrics where posted as comments to a previous post), «Are we Human», by «The Killers» and «Leave out all the rest», by «Linkin' Park» are the songs «T.S.HAMBURG/ Maxim Gorkiy» is now singing on her trip to Alang Bitch, I mean, Beach, in India, WHERE BEAUTIFUL SHIPS LIKE German «HAMBURG» and Portuguese «INFANTE D HENRIQUE» ARE SLAUGHTERED for half a penny!....

GERMAN EFFICIENCY!!!!

THIS IS A SAMPLE OF PROTEST YOU MAY SEND BY FAX TO THE FOLLOWING FAX NUMBERS:

• Hamburg Port Authority: (+ 49) 40 – 42847 – 2325
• Senatskanzlei Hamburg: (+ 49) 40 – 42831 – 2820
• CDU-Bürgerschaftsfraktion: (+ 49) 40 – 42831 – 2603
• Ole von Beust, 1. BM: (+ 49) 40 – 42831 – 2403
• Axel Gedaschko, Wirtschaftssenator: (+49) 40 – 42841 – 1620
• Hans Lafrenz, CDU: (+49) 40 – 8971 21729
• Jürgen Bruns-Berentelg, HafenCity Hamburg GmbH: (+49) 40 – 37472626
• Hamburg Cruise Center, Herr Dirk Moldenhauer: (+ 49) 040 – 30979889
• Hamburg Marketing GmbH: (+49) 40 – 4111 10615
• Radio Hamburg: (+49) 40 - 33 97 14 – 628
• NDR Fernsehen: (+49) 40 – 447 602
• Hamburg 1 Fernsehen: (+49) 40 – 41442 – 444
• Hamburger Abendblatt: (+49) 40 – 347 261 – 10
• BILD Hamburg: (+49) 40 – 347 – 23474
• Hamburger Morgenpost: (+49) 40 - 80 90 57 – 284
• Die Zeit: (+49) 40 - 3280 – 5003
• Die Welt: (+49) 40 - 34 72 45 21

Estes são alguns modelos de Cartas de Protesto que podemos utilizar como referência e remeter para os números de fax que acima reproduzo!!!! Vamos ajudar a SALVAR ESTE LINDO NAVIO!!!!....

Let's save «MAXIM GORKIY», former «HAMBURG»!!!

I took this photo so recently!!! Why does She have to be scrapped??? She's in perfect shape! YES, WE CAN HELP SAVE HER!!!!

«Why has it not worked, Mr. Senator?» The «[Abendblatt]» spoke with Economy Senator Axel Gedaschko (CDU) and asked him why the project "Maxim Gorkiy" failed. I tried my best to translate into English language (please read it as a comment to this post).

ADENDA: The first two songs now playing at Radio Atlântico Azul, «Are we Human», by «The Killers» and «Leave out all the rest», by «Linkin' Park» are the songs «HAMBURG» is now singing on her trip to Alang Bitch, I mean, Alang Beach, in India, WHERE BEAUTIFUL SHIPS LIKE «HAMBURG» AND «INFANTE D HENRIQUE» ARE SLAUGHTERED for half a penny!....

LET'S SAVE «MAXIM GORKIY»!!!!

(Photo by Sailor Girl, of a model of «Maxim Gorkiy», former «HAMBURG», taken aboard this beautiful Ship in September 2008).

Please do me a favor and leave at the Newspaper «ABENDBLATT» [HERE] a comment with your protest against the killing of «MAXIM GORKIY», former «HAMBURG», a beautiful German Ship that is on her way to Alang Beach in India to be scrapped!!!... She MUST be rescued, the same way the German People saved «CAP SAN DIEGO» and many other German Ships in Hamburg and other German Ports!!!... I will a.s.a.p. post other sites where you can leave a comment. Who knows we will be able to save Her???... Thank You!!!