A VIP trip on MV doulos

The trip happened when the MV doulos arrived at the PIER in manila.

A brief history on MV doulos.
MV doulos is the oldest passenger ship that was made.

The Beginning!
It was originally build as a freighter named Medina, and still owned by Mallory Steamship Co., in the United states. Launched on August 22, 1914.
Medina has a sister ship named "NECHES".
NECHES has a short career as she sank following a collision of the coast of Deven, England in 1918.

The Fall!
In 1948, a Panamanian company, Cia Nivera San Miguel, Acquired Medina. The following year, she was converted to a migrant ship at La Spezia, Italy and named "ROMA". However, Roma does not appear to have been very successful in this new role and soon laid up and offered for sail.

The Revolution!
In 1952 Roma was sold to Glacoma Costa Fu Andres (Linea "C") in Italy and named "FRANCA C." Her original steam engine was replaced by a diesel engine and she was remodeled again, this time to a first class luxury liner. She was initially employed to sail around South America. Later Franca C. served as a cruise ship and sailed from Venice to Greek Islands and other Mediterranean ports. There were occasional trips to the black sea or across the Atlantic. At this stage of her career several alteration were made to the ship. The most important of these occurred in 1970 when a new flat diesel engine was installed.

The New ERA
In 1977 due to emergence of new cruise ships, it was decided that Franca C. would finally sent to the scrap yard. Several representative from the German Company 'Gute Bucher Fur Allo'(Good Book For All) were on board for her final cruise. They had been looking for a suitable ship to operate but have been unsuccessful in their search. After further investigation they have decided to purchased the vessel and on November 4, 1977 a formal agreement was signed. Franca C was renamed to "DOULOS", a Greek word meaning 'servant'. This was the seventh time that this historic ship has been rescued from the scrap yard. Following he purchased she was dry docked at Genoa, Italy were a number of repairs have been completed, including the replacement of the large section of the bow. The swimming pool on the boat deck was removed and a large canopy was erected for housing of extensive book fair. On June 3, 1978 after being fitted out in Bremen, Germany, Doulos embarked upon her new service as a floating book fair and conference center.

WORLD RECORD
MV Doulos is in the Guiness Book of Records as the Oldest Active Passenger Ocean-Going Ship, Built in 1914 in the USA.