Wind Song (Sail cruise ship)

[shipstamps]

In late 1986, the first commercial sailing vessel built in 60 years slipped out of a French dry-dock in Le Havre. Although the towering sails echoed a bygone era of explorers, the msy Wind Star, with its sleek lines and computerized controls, was revolutionary in concept and design.

Windstar’s ships are officially masted-sail-yachts, but the designation belies the vessels unique rigging. Unfurling in two minutes at the push of a button, billowing white sails reach to the sky. All functions are operated from the bridge by computer microchips and navigational devices. The unusual “open-bridge” operation allows guests to drop by and acquaint themselves with the veteran captains and officers who demonstrate the ship’s intriguing capabilities to modern day explorers.

The 148-passenger Wind Star was joined by sister ships the msy WIND SONG in 1987, and msy Wind Spirit in 1988. A new era in luxury cruising was now being pioneered by Windstar Cruises.

Wind Song/Spirit/Star Passenger Capacity: 148 passengers (based on double occupancy)


Shipyards: Sociéte Nouvelle de Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre, and LaRochelle-Pallice, France

Ships’ Registry: Bahamas

Interior Design: Archiform Design, Paris, France

Architect: Marc Held

Year Built: Wind Spirit/1988, Wind Song/1987, Wind Star/1986

Crew: 88 international staff. The Captain and nautical staff are European. Hotel senior staff is American and European. Stewards and service personnel are Filipino and Indonesian.

Outdoor Passenger Deck Area: 4 decks with a total of 10,200 square feet

Sails: 6 triangular, self-furling, computer operated sails with 21,500 square feet of Dacron surface area

Masts: 4 at 204 feet or 62 meters

Beam: 52.1 feet or 15.8 meters

Length: 360 feet or 110 meters at water line, 440 feet or 134 meters, including bowsprit

Tonnage: 5,350 gross registered (grt) tons

Draft: 14 feet or 4.1 mete

Speed: 8.5 to 10 knots with engines only, up to 14 knots wind and engine assisted

Stabilizers: 2 sets of ACH Engineering stabilizers, sails control system and 142,653-gallon/540 CBM seawater hydraulic ballast system to limit heel when sailing.

Engines: 3 diesel electric generating sets, 1 electrical propulsion motor

Wind Song/Spirit/Star Public Rooms and Capacities
The Veranda - 80
The Veranda Terrace - 40
The Restaurant - 148
Lounge - 148
Casino - 35
Pool Bar and Deck Area - 148
Library - 12


Staterooms: The 73 deluxe ocean-view staterooms (double occupancy) are 188 square feet or 18 square meters

Owner’s Cabin #107: 220 square feet or 21 square meters

Wind Song/ Spirit / Star Staterooms with 3rd Berths:

Upper Fold-Down Pullman: 124, 126, 129, 131-136, 138

Wind Song only: 107

Wind Star: 118-122, 124-136, 138

Wind Song/ Spirit / Star Staterooms with Adjoining Private Doors:

Wind Song / Spirit: 124/126, 132/134, 136/138, 129/131, and 133/135

http://www.windstar-cruises-luxury-line ... ndsong.htm

Wallis and Fortuna SG752

[aukepalmhof]

Wallis & Futuna issued in November 1999 two stamps of which the 55f depict canoe building; the 325f depict the sail-cruise-ship WIND SONG.

Built in 1986/87 as a four masted cruise vessel by Sociéty Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre, Le Havre, France for Windstar Sail Cruises.
The design of the vessel was made by the Wärtsila Shipyard at Helsinki.
20 August 1986 launched under the name WIND SONG. There are three sisters WIND STAR (on Saint Lucia 1991 80c sg 1062), WIND SPIRIT and WIND SAGA.
Tonnage 5.307 gross, 1.710 net, 920 dwt, dim. 134.2 x 15.8 x 9.3m.
Powered, diesel electric by three Wärtsila/Femmart Schneder diesel alternators sets each 988 kW.
Femmart propulsion electric engine 1.400 kW, twin screws, speed 12 knots.
One bow-thruster, 350 kW.
She could carry six sails with an area of 2.000 m²; the sails were operated by a computer system.
The height of the four masts was 62 meter above the waterline.
Passenger accommodation for 148 first class passengers in 74 cabins, and 84 crew.
Was fitted out with a restaurant and a swimming pool.
Building price $ 65 million.
Delivered April 1987, registered in the Bahamas.

20 April 1987 sailed for her maiden voyage from Le Havre to New York, then sailed for Miami, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco before she set course to, Papeete, Tahiti.
From this place she made her first seven-day cruise on 24 July 1987 to Huahine, Tahaa, Bora Bora, Maupiti/Tupai, Raiatea and Moorea.
The WIND SONG was the first cruise vessel with a woman chief engineer.
30 May 1987 Chairman Nico van der Vorm of the Holland America Line bought 50% of the ownership of the Windstar Sail Cruises, but the company is still managed by Windstar. Later was she for 100% owned by the Holland America Line.

01 December 2002 a fire broke out in the engine room, and forced the passengers and crew of the cruise vessel to abandon her in the lifeboats, in a position off the coast of Tahaa, French Polynesia
127 Passengers and 75 crew left the vessel and were picked up by AREMITI. 17 crewmembers remained on board to battle the fire.
The fire on board the WIND SONG was later extinguished with the help of French Navy personnel, and they towed the vessel to Papeete.
After examination the vessel it was found that she showed extensive damage to the engine room spaces.
The French Navy wanted composition for its service and the French Polynesian government seized the WIND SONG.

Holland America Line and her mother company Carnival Corporation were unwilling to pay, and sell her for scrap was also not an option.

January 2003 the government of Tahiti in agreement with Carnival decided to scuttle the WIND SONG. Environmental protectionists boarded her 19 January 2003 in an attempt to stop proceedings but she was successfully scuttled 23 January 2003 in 9.843 feet of waters in position 17 45S 149 48W.

Source: US Passenger Liners since 1945 by Milton H Watson. Marine News 2003/115, 241.