Perseus, the hero from Galati :)

After reading the title, are you still wondering what am I speaking about? Still uncertain about what I'm referring to? Then, by all means, please read on !

         I speak, of course, of a ship, currently docked in Galati, not far from the Palace of Navigation. What makes this one so special then? Well, this ship has a purpose, and a rich history.

Perseus in Romania

         "Perseus" was built during 1984-1989 at Braila Shipyard. It was the second ship of this type built there, the first one being "Hercules", a ship still in service today in the harbour of Constanta. 


          Initially named "Albatros 1", the ship was officially delivered to its new owner, AFDJ Galati, in october 1990.

Navigation lights controls 

         It's first mission was to serve as ice-breaker, on the Danube, along with its elder brother, "Hercules", a mission successfully handled year after year.

        Almost every winter, the biting cold followed by positive temperatures will create ice layers which will trap the river's water under them. This is a serious threat. If not properly taken care of, the water can sweep whole forests or villages on the shores of the Danube.

 

"Hercules" bridge overview

           This is when "Perseus" goes into action. Being able to get underway in less than 5 minutes, this massive ship can crack ice up to 10m thick under it's keel. "This ship is like a fire-truck", says one of the crewmembers, kept ready and warm at all times.

This ship has seen action worthy of a movie. I am of course, referring to the Egypt incident.

Helm of "Hercules"

         Being build as an unlimited navigation class, the ship was rented in 1998 to a foreign agent, who, at the end of the contract, left the ship abandoned in the port of Abu Dhabi. In june 2000, the tug reached Alexandria, where it was abusively detained by the harbour authorities, with the intention of taking over the ship, by the account of Dorian Dumitru, the head of the investigation service of AFDJ Galati.

          The 14 member crew endured 3 months of captivity, being put under armed guard. Unable to endure the extremely harsh conditions (e.g.constant temperatures of 63 degrees C. on deck, higher in some parts of the ship) the crew decided to escape Egypt.

"Hercules" telegraphs

           On the 10th of September, around 8.00 PM, taking advantage of a short lack in security (due to a local egyptian celebration), they managed to cut all the mooring lines, and with the engines at full throttle, the ship left Alexandria harbour. They were followed and shots were fired towards them, without causing significant damage.

           In 90 minutes the ship managed to reach international waters, but soon after, because it was hard forced, one of the 2 main engines collapsed, taking fire. The crew managed to put it out, and spent the next 12 hours adrift, salvaging parts from the damaged engine, and repairing the one that was still working.
  
          The ship resumed it's course towards home, and after surviving two big storms, one in the Mediterranean, the other in the Black Sea, it finally docked in Galati, on the 18th of September.

View towards the stern - "Hercules"

At the arrival, the crewmembers were welcomed as heroes, and it's thanks to them that today "Perseus" is still at it's berth, ready to fight fire, handle pollution, break ice or save stranded sailors. 

          During the time I was studying at the Naval Academy in Constanta I had the opportunity to visit the elder brother of "Perseus" - named "Hercules". All pictures shown in this post except the panoramic one are taken on board the "Hercules".

"Perseus moored in Galati. Picture taken on 13.04.2011. Click on the picture for a very detailed view"

Here are some technical facts about "Perseus":

Maximul lenght: 108.2 m                                 Ship's class: Multi - purpose dry cargo ship

Breadth 18.2 m                           Summer draught: 6.7 m

Height: 7.9 m               Deadweight: 3795 t

Anchors weight 2 tonnes each (HALL type) !

Critical speed: 14.8 Knots (that's 27.4 km/h)

Endurance at sea: at 13 knts - 5000 Nm (9260 km)

Consumption: 18.5 t/day diesel fuel and 360 litres of oil for main and auxiliary engines...meaning 1.812 euro per hour during missions :D

Useful links:  

     - an article and video interview about Hercules right here. (language is romanian :)

     - my panorama about the Navigation Palace, which is nearby...click here !

     - my post about Tudor Vladimirescu, the last functional steam paddle driven ship in Europe, click here.

Have you seen this ship recently? Any thoughts? I would really like to read them :)

Tudor Vladimirescu, the steamship

Did you know that:

One of the few remaining steamships driven by paddles that is still operable today in the whole Europe can be found in Galati, resting at it's berth in front of the Navigation Palace?


Tudor Vladimirescu in Romania

• This pioneer of river ships was built in 1850-1853 at the Ganzdanubius shipyard in Viena, with the purpose of serving as a tug on the Danube. In 1919, the ship was given to Romania, as war compensation. It was renamed "Sarmisegetuza" and fitted to receive passengers, and soon after began it's new assignment on the Braila-Galati-Tulcea-Sulina route.
• During the second world war, this ship served as a mobile hospital for injured soldiers.
• It received it's final name, "Tudor Vladimirescu", after the famous figure in romanian history, in 1947.
• The ship is 60m long, has a width of 7.5m and with the help of it's 600 HP engine it can reach up to 18km/h.

The modern era

The "Tudor Vladimirescu" sailing on the Danube. Picture is property of "Viata Libera" newspaper, Galati

It began in 2004, when it's owner, Navrom Galati, decided not only to repair the ship, but also to refit it with the latest navigation technologies.

The hearth of the ship, the 600HP steam driven engine is, of course, still in use, turning the big paddle-wheels with the same grace and agility as it did more than 150 years ago. Passengers can admire this marvel of mechanics trough glass walls, that reveal the complexity and beauty of the design.

Actually, the design and quality of the engine are so good, that little maintenance was actually needed over the time to keep it in top shape. The only real modification done was changing the fuel type used, from heavy oil to diesel.

The ship can take on board 100 passengers at a time, that can enjoy the beautiful sights the Danube has to offer, explore the ship or socialise in the two lounges with indoor and outdoor bars.

If you climb on board the "Tudor Vladimirescu", you can be proud of yourself, you will sail with the same ship that king Ferdinand with queen Maria, king Carol the second, king Mihai, or marshals Averescu and Antonescu have previously used.

If you live in Galati, or you are just passing trough, you should make a short detour to visit this ship. In front of the Navigation Palace you will find a real piece of history.