Anonymous - M.S. Willem Ruys - 1930s

The print shows a longitudinal section (cabin plan or cutaway) of the former Dutch passenger ship m.s. Willem Ruys of the Koninklijke Rotterdamsche Lloyd.
This poster dates from around 1938 and was designed by Ruurd R. v. d. Berg.

The motor ship Willem Ruys was built between 1938 and 1947 as a passenger ship for the Koninklijke Rotterdamsche Lloyd.

The ship was not christened and launched until July 1, 1946. It was named “Willem Ruys” after Lloyd director Willem Ruys (1894–1942), who was executed by firing squad during the war.

On September 28, 1947, the ship left the shipyard for its first sea trial, after which it was moored at the Lloydkade in Rotterdam for the final fitting-out work.

The Willem Ruys was the flagship of the Koninklijke Rotterdamse Lloyd and sailed until 1958 on the route operated by the company to the Dutch East Indies and later Indonesia.

The ship was therefore a familiar sight in Rotterdam.