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I had a chance to go aboard the 'Topaz,' also known as the 'Peace Boat,' in San Francisco two days ago.
The 'Topaz' was originally named the 'Empress of Britain.' She was built in 1956 by Fairfield of Glasgow and was Britain's first fully air-conditioned cold weather transatlantic ocean liner: 25,500 tons, 640 feet long, 160 first class, 894 tourist passengers, speed 20 knots, engines: steam turbines with twin screws.
While under Japanese ownership, the 'Topaz' sails under the flag of Panama. Half the passengers are Japanese teens and young adults, looking to learn about other cultures while promoting understanding and peace, the other half of the passengers is retired Japanese. There is now an effort that the US will have their own Peace Boat with the same mission for English speakers.
Excerpt from the Peace Boat website
Here are some pictures I took at night, mostly from the upper deck. Access to the interior was limited, because the passengers should not be disturbed by hundreds of guests. For pictures of the whole ship and for more on her history, check this website.
The hull is very tall. Looking down from the deck, it looks too high to jump into the water without hurting yourself.
So that's where the bosun lives.
The stack.
Portside, looking for'ard. Note the Transamerica building and Coit Tower in the background.
The shipbuilder's plaque is mounted on the superstructure under the bridge.
A derrick and some life rafts.
Looking back at the bridge and superstructure.
Looking along the wooden portside railing. See how far down the quay is? Again, you can see Coit Tower and the Pyramid.
The Fo'c'sle is off limits to anybody but crew.
Portside looking aft.
Behind the row of windows is the gym.
Above and aft of the pool/outdoor event area.
Pier 39 as seen from starboard.
Obviously the poop deck -- though these days folks don't hang their rear ends over the railing anymore (I hope!).
Pool area. Note the life boat.
PS: I know someone will ask what camera I used, so I'll tell you right now I used a Fuji FinePix S9000 9 Mega Pixel point&shoot, mostly set at 800 and 1600 ASA.
The 'Topaz' was originally named the 'Empress of Britain.' She was built in 1956 by Fairfield of Glasgow and was Britain's first fully air-conditioned cold weather transatlantic ocean liner: 25,500 tons, 640 feet long, 160 first class, 894 tourist passengers, speed 20 knots, engines: steam turbines with twin screws.
While under Japanese ownership, the 'Topaz' sails under the flag of Panama. Half the passengers are Japanese teens and young adults, looking to learn about other cultures while promoting understanding and peace, the other half of the passengers is retired Japanese. There is now an effort that the US will have their own Peace Boat with the same mission for English speakers.
Excerpt from the Peace Boat website
Here are some pictures I took at night, mostly from the upper deck. Access to the interior was limited, because the passengers should not be disturbed by hundreds of guests. For pictures of the whole ship and for more on her history, check this website.
The hull is very tall. Looking down from the deck, it looks too high to jump into the water without hurting yourself.
So that's where the bosun lives.
The stack.
Portside, looking for'ard. Note the Transamerica building and Coit Tower in the background.
The shipbuilder's plaque is mounted on the superstructure under the bridge.
A derrick and some life rafts.
Looking back at the bridge and superstructure.
Looking along the wooden portside railing. See how far down the quay is? Again, you can see Coit Tower and the Pyramid.
The Fo'c'sle is off limits to anybody but crew.
Portside looking aft.
Behind the row of windows is the gym.
Above and aft of the pool/outdoor event area.
Pier 39 as seen from starboard.
Obviously the poop deck -- though these days folks don't hang their rear ends over the railing anymore (I hope!).
Pool area. Note the life boat.
PS: I know someone will ask what camera I used, so I'll tell you right now I used a Fuji FinePix S9000 9 Mega Pixel point&shoot, mostly set at 800 and 1600 ASA.
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