Constitution - Oceanic Constitution
 
 
This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the American Export liner Constitution, which later operated with American Hawaii Cruises.
 
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 to be delivered was the Independence. Constitution, the second sister, entered service on June 6th, 1951, sailing from New York to Gibraltar, Naples and Genoa. At the time of delivery, they were the fastest American-built liners, achieving over 26 knots. Additional calls were later 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union problems, plus competition from newer Italia Line ships made the services uneconomic, and Independence was withdrawn from Atlantic service in 1967, followed by sistership Constitution the following year.
 
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. An American subsidiary had been created, allowing the ship to be US-flagged. 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.
 
 
Sections on this Page:-
Constitution - American Export Lines - Postcards
Constitution - American Export and Isbrandtsen Lines - Postcards
Constitution - American Hawaii Cruises - Postcards
 
Associated Pages:-
Independence - Postcard history of sistership
American Export Lines
American Hawaii Cruises
United States Lines - The Year 2000 company
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
 
 
Constitution
(American Export Lines: 1951-62)
(American Export and Isbrandtsen Lines: 1962-74)
 
 
Official American Export Lines letter card, issued to cover both sisters, posted from Gibraltar during a 20 day trip from New York to Italy.
 
Official American Export Lines postcard of Constitution.
 
Official American Export Lines postcard of Constitution.
 
Official American Export and Isbrandtsen Lines postcard of Constitution.
 
Official American Export and Isbrandtsen Lines letter card of Constitution.
Scan: Chris Culp.
 
 
 
 
Constitution
(American Hawaii Cruises: 1982-1997)
 
American Hawaii Cruises were formed in 1980 by C.Y.Tung, who wished to enter the American cruise scene. He already owned the American Export Lines sisters Constitution and Independence. The service started using the latter, renamed Oceanic Independence, on 7th June 1980, operating a 7-day cruise out of Honolulu. The service was a success, and the sistership 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.
 
 
Official American Hawaii postcard SC17992 of Constitution.
 
Oversized official American Hawaii postcard of Constitution.
 
Oversized official American Hawaii postcard of Constitution.
 
Oversized official American Hawaii postcard of Constitution.
 
Oversized official American Hawaii postcard of Constitution.
 
American Hawaii Cruises postcard showing both Constitution (right) and Independence.
 
Memories of Hawaii release A-346 showing both Constitution (left) and Independence.
Photographed by Loye Guthrie.
 
Memories of Hawaii release A-346 showing both Constitution (left) and Independence.
Photo: Loye Guthrie.
 
Postcards Hawaii serial number A-293 of Constitution.
Photo: R.A.Young
 
Simplon Postcards release sp2018 of Constitution, issued June 1992.
Photographed at Kona, Hawaii, by John Swales.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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