Theodor Herzl
1957
(Albatros AL-124)
- Type: Passenger
- Displacement: 9,920 tons
- Dimensions: 435 x 64.5 ft.
- Machinery: Steam turbines, twin screws = 20 knots
- Passengers: 568 (one class)
- Builder: Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg, Germany, 1957
- Service: Built for Zim Israel Navigation Co Ltd, Haifa, Israel. Named Theodor Herzl in honor of the visionary of the Jewish State. One of four ships built as part of the Reparations Payment Agreement between West Germany and Israel, the others being the passenger-cargo liners Israel and Zion, and the passenger liner and sistership Jerusalem. Used primarily in the Mediterranean trade, but with some trips to the Mexican Riviera and South America. Withdrawn from service in 1970. Recommissioned as Freeport for Bahama Cruise Lines in 1975, with capacity increased to 960. Successive name changes to Veracruz I, Veracruz Primero, and finally just Veracruz. Laid up in Florida for a while, then bought by Fiesta Cruise Lines, renamed Fiesta, and taken to Perama Bay near Piraeus, Greece, for refurbishing. Caught fire 24 Oct 1991, burned out, and capsized due to firefighters' water.
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