AMERICAN EXPORT LINES. S/S INDEPENDENCE AND S/S CONSTITUTION

Constit ution

(American Export Lines: 1951-62)

(American Export and Isbrandtsen Lines: 1962-74)

Constitution, the sistership to Independence, entered service on June 6th 1951, sailing on the same route from New York to Italy. In 1959, both ships received major refits, including the the move of their bridges further forward and upwards. In 1960, the Isbrandtsen Company acquired a controlling interest in American Export Lines, and in 1962 the name was changed to the unwieldy American Export and Isbrandtsen Lines. Jet aircraft, union problems, plus competition from newer Italia Line ships made the services uneconomic, and Independence was withdrawn from Atlantic service in 1967, followed by Constitution the following year.

Constitution was laid up until 1974, when she was sold to the C.Y.Tung group and renamed Oceanic Constitution. She was laid up in Hong Kong until American Hawaii Cruises were formed in 1980. This service started using Oceanic Independence, on 7th June 1980, operating a 7-day cruise out of Honolulu. The service was a success, and the Constitution joined the service in 1982, following a substantial refurbishment. In 1987, the cruise line was bought from the C.Y.Tung group by Peter C.R.Huang for $20million. Constitution was laid up in 1995 when it was considered too expensive to bring her up to SOLAS standards. She was sold for scrap in 1997, and subsequently lost in the Pacific whilst under tow to the Far East.

Independence (1951-74)

 In 1947, American Export Lines announced plans for three 30000ton liners for for their New York to Italy service. When the order was placed with Bethlehem Steel, the number had been reduced to two ships, the first of which was the Independence. Independence entered service on February 11th, 1951, sailing from New York to Gibraltar, Naples and Genoa. At the time of delivery, she was the fastest American-built liner, achieving over 26 knots. additional calls were added to the itinerary (Algeciras, Cannes etc) and the voyages were increasingly advertised as 21-day cruises during the 1960s. In 1959, both ships received major refits, including the the move of their bridges further forward and upwards.

 In 1960, the Isbrandtsen Company acquired a controlling interest in American Export Lines, and in 1962 the name was changed to the unwieldy American Export and Isbrandtsen Lines. Jet aircraft, union problems, plus competition from newer Italia Line ships made the services uneconomic, and Independence was withdrawn from Atlantic service in 1967, followed by sistership Constitution the following year. In 1968, Independence received a garish psychedelic livery, and ran cruises for travel agents called Fugazi to the West Indies and Mediterranean, but these were not a success.

Independence was laid up until 1974, when she was sold to the C.Y.Tung group and renamed Oceanic Independence. She was briefly used for cruising, but then laid up in Hong Kong as Sea Luck I from 1976. American Hawaii Cruises were formed in 1980 by C.Y.Tung, who wished to enter the American cruise scene. The service started using Sea Luck I, again renamed Oceanic Independence, on 7th June 1980, operating a 7-day cruise out of Honolulu. An American subsidiary had been created, allowing the ship to be US-flagged. The service was a success, and the sistership Constitution joined the service in 1982, following a substantial refurbishment. During the winter of 1983, Oceanic Independence also received internal refurbishment, returning to service under original name Independence. In 1987, the cruise line was bought from the C.Y.Tung group by Peter C.R.Huang for $20million. American Hawaii Cruises filed for bankruptcy in 2001 following poor trading in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE POSTERS ACCORDING TO THEIR CONSERVATION (in bold the one corresponding to this poster):

A+ Is a flawless example of a poster rarely seen in such fine condition.

A  Designates a poster in very fine condition. There may be some tears on the margins, but not noticeable. No paper loss. Colours are fresh and has no blemish.

A- There may be some slight fold marks, tear or other minor defect, but most unobtrusive. Successful restoration if restored.

B+ If some restoration it is not immediately evident.

B  Designates a poster in good condition. There may be some tears. Blemish or paper loss, but not in any crucial design area. Colours are fresh and the poster has a very good appearance.

B- Restoration may show some defects. Colours along the fold marks are faded.

C+ Restorations are visible.

C  Designates a poster in fair condition. Tears, blemish, fold marks and or paper loss are more pronounced or may slightly affect the image of the poster. Colours may be faded.

C- Requires restoration.