Underway 1914.

YES! The MV Doulos was built 2 years after the building of the ill-fated Titanic was started.  That's what it means.  It took 26 months to complete the Titanic and we know what befell it right? The difference was that MV Doulos survived till the present time.  A miracle! 

I've been at sea for two and a half years from a 'green-horn' deckhand to a cadet officer on board the MV Doulos (1990-1992). The experiences of the Zamboanga Incident have been one poignant and victorious highlight of my time together with my ex-shipmates ever since.

I do not wish to displace or duplicate any account written and published by any individual or organisation, but this is purely my side of the passage.

All photos are my own unless specified and through permission 

I'd like to acknowledge Pastor Reuben Goossens (www.ssmaritime.net) for providing me some of his photos from his own research, which I would never have the opportunity to pursue.   And this is one ship you'll want to know about, especially to those who have walked her decks.  This is my 'boarding pass'.

    provided by www.ssmaritime.net

Built and ordered by the Mallory Steamship Company, her keel was laid on the very docks which in the future, some of the greatest warships, and biggest aircraft carriers will be built - the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydocking Company.  Officially named "S.S. Medina" on the 22nd of August 1914 and a month later delivered to her owner for immediate operations.

    provided by www.ssmaritime.net

The Medina (named after a Texan river, River Medina) was later converted to a tramp steamer, surviving the Great Depression of the 1930s with little changes.

All throughout the two wars, the Medina served in various flotillas.  Bearing many little scars, she eventually returned to the United States in 1946 a 'heroine'!  Even after its years of hazardous duty, the ship was not allowed to stay idle for long.

    provided www.ssmaritime.net

There is also evidence that between 1918 and 1919, the Medina made a voyage to Bordeaux.  A signed document in which Roy W. Forbes was the First Mate is seen in the picture below.  He later became a Captain.

      provided by www.ssmaritime.net

After the War, work began again to refit it.  After the hammering, chipping, and polishing, it left the dock in May 1949 looking quite attractive and bearing a new name, Roma.

Compass Binnacle

Fast forward to the MV Doulos, one of the places I worked was on the Bridge.  Pictured above, is the steering station, and in front is the binnacle.  Originally meant for another ship, this compass binnacle (which houses the ship's magnetic compass), was put on the Medina's bridge instead.  And it has been there all throughout its life.  Thus, making it older than the ship itself!  The 'all-wood and brass' Bridge was the 'look' of its era and brings a sense of nostalgia to anyone who enters here.  Except for the 'modern-looking' joystick for steering, you won't see a working Bridge like this again, anywhere for that matter!

For most of my time on board, I stood here during watches with the others.  Depending on who's the OOW (Officer of the Watch), sometimes we, the bridge lookouts would take turns polishing the brass fittings.  After that, we'll make sure no one touches our 'artwork'!  There was that sense of pride nevertheless, it was, after all, we had touched the Medina.    During my last one year as a deck cadet, my cabin was just one staircase away, aft of the Bridge.

Note: Want to know what goes on in the ship's Bridge? Well just go to "Bridge Logbook" on my blog's sidebar on the right. 

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