page four: MS PHILIPPINES History 1976 -- Present/Ship Tour: Top of House to forward Boat Deck

The MS PHILIPPINES as seen in a night view from the patio of the famed Manila Hotel. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

The handsome AUGUSTUS has had a rather sedate, if mysterious existence following her sale by Italia in 1976 to Hong Kong interests who renamed her GREAT SEA. With little reported activity, she became OCEAN KING in 1980 and PHILIPPINES in 1983, for a time serving as an accommodation ship at Manila. In 1985, she was renamed PRESIDENT, continuing between Hong Kong, Keelung, and Kaohsiung in layup. She became the ASIAN PRINCESS in 1987 and was eventually moved to Subic Bay for a planned refit for cruising in 1997. The service never materialized, and ASIAN PRINCESS was moved to an anchorage off Manila.

This view from a tender shows a slight modification being made to the MS PHILIPPINES' stern to accommodate a new Chinese restaurant and galley. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

In mid 1998, she was dry docked at Subic Bay, returning to Manila in early 1999, where a refit for use as a floating hotel and restaurant began in earnest. Given a berth at Pier 15 South Harbor on 2 October, she was renamed MS PHILIPPINES in a gala ceremony attended by President Estrada on 12 October. On 29 October, the restaurant was opened to the public. The hotel opened in early 2000, but closed shortly thereafter due to the uncertain political climate in the region. Recent reports state that the ship is still maintained nicely and that there are hopes she will open again. In the meantime, the MS PHILIPPINES rests.

Fortunately, Martin Cox and I were able to spend several days on the ship in November of 1999, and while it was not possible to stay onboard overnight, we did manage to fill the greater part of each day documenting every aspect of this floating former Italian time capsule.

From top to bottom, here is a deck by deck look at the MS PHILIPPINES:

Facing aft along the flying bridge. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

The top of the house or flying bridge (Deck 10) is accessed on the port side of the wheelhouse and contains an auxiliary navigation station.

Facing forward from the top deck. Berthed in front of the MS PHILIPPINES is the Philippine presidential yacht. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

From this level, there is a sweeping view over the ship's long bow, which is home to three cargo holds served by two pairs of king posts.

Facing inboard from MS PHILIPPINES' sculpted starboard wing. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

Sun Deck (9) contains the wheelhouse, chart room (just aft on the starboard side), and the wireless office and station.

The immaculate wheelhouse looks much the same as it did in its Italian Line heyday, although the red paint work, recent radar equipment, and English telegraph faces are from more recent times. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

The beautifully polished brass telegraphs now sport English signage and there appears to be a rather modern radar console. Otherwise, the brass speaking tubes, horn controls, fire door panels, and wooden wheel are unchanged.

 

From the port wing (left image), the view aft has changed little in the past 50 years. Even the casual observer can spot the original Italian Line funnel markings underneath the somewhat awkward new color scheme and MFHRI (Manila Floating Hotel And Restaurant International) letters. The "robot" ventilator is shown in the right image. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

The outer deck stretches aft from the housing, past the funnel, to the former first class games space. In its center is an unusual ventilator (nicknamed the "robot" by the ship's present crew).

Recently soaked by rain, the after portion of the MS PHILIPPINES' Sun Deck is shown facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

Sun Deck was also home to the kennels during the AUGUSTUS' transatlantic career.

The forward Lido Deck terrace is one of several forward-facing vantage points onboard the MS PHILIPPINES. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

Lido Deck (8) begins with a small wraparound promenade, which continues all the way aft via narrow walkways surrounding officers' accommodation to what was once the first class pool area.

The wood decking utilized to cover what was formerly the first class pool area has not weathered as well as the original teak decking found in most of the MS PHILIPPINES' other outside areas. This view is facing forward from aft Lido Deck. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

The slide-equipped pool has long since been removed. The captain's quarters are located in the forward starboard housing, while the rest of the accommodation is for officers.

Facing starboard and down: the understated post war deco elegance of the aft Lido to Boat Deck stairs. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

A lovely Y-shaped staircase aft descends from the former lido area to the Boat Deck suite accommodation.

The original stark beauty of the Belvedere Lounge has given way to plush and vivid color schemes, as seen in this port-facing view. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

Boat Deck (7) begins with a narrow terrace surrounding the former first class Belvedere Observation Lounge. A span of picture windows, the tremendous sheer, and oval curve of the superstructure make this one of the ship's premier locations.

Presently located on the aft bulkhead of the observation lounge, this mural of the anointment of Augustus was originally located in the first class Writing Room, just aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

Now the owner's private club, the port side bar has been reconfigured and redecorated in reflective glass. However, the ceiling panels, plush seating with spindly tables, and an original stylized 1950s Roman mural on the aft port bulkhead survive.

The former first class Reading Room facing starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

The first class Reading Room on the starboard side is now the owner's private suite.

Now a meeting room, the former first class Writing Room sports a large portion of the mural originally located in the Reading Room. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1999.

The inboard Writing Room, which sports a second mural, now appears to be a meeting room.

Continue here for page five, which continues aft along the MS PHILIPPINES' Boat Deck and below.

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