She was launched two years after the Titantic and built to haul onions from Texas to New York City.
Now, one of the world's oldest passenger ships has found a rather unlikely new home - in Bintan. The 99-year-old Doulos Phos will become part of a $25 million hotel resort on the Indonesian island, instead of in Singapore.
Her owner, Mr Eric Saw, had spent the past 31/2 years searching for a suitable resting place for the 130m-long liner, which he bought for around $2 million in 2010.
The father of three approached about 10 government agencies and private developers in Singapore, only to have his proposals turned down.
Then, Bintan Resorts International, which manages popular tourist spots on the island's northern coast, agreed to help turn the vessel into a hotel - complete with 60 cabins, restaurants, a piano lounge, maritime museum and swimming pool.
Originally a steamship, the Doulos Phos - which means "servant light" in Greek - has served in World War I and II and travelled the globe as a floating library.
The part-wooden vessel is also believed to have hosted royalty, with visits over the years from guests including a Thai princess.
The ship was decommissioned after a new international maritime regulation barred vessels built with combustible materials from sailing.
Since 2010, the ship has been docked and maintained in a Tuas shipyard, at a cost of about $25,000 a month. She set off at 9.15am on Monday for Batam, where she will be refurbished before being transported to Bintan.
The new hotel project is scheduled to be completed in August next year. Doulos Phos will be permanently dry-berthed near the Bintan Resorts Ferry Terminal, surrounded by water and facilities - including villas on stilts and a banquet hall.
Bintan Resorts International will help fund the project and will be reclaiming land, connecting utilities to the site, marketing it and building transport links to the vessel.
"It struck us as a good idea to have her in Bintan," said the company's marketing director, Mr Asad Shiraz. "She would be a nice twist for the regular beach-goer."
Mr Shiraz said the hotel could also tap into another market - ship enthusiasts. "People staying at resorts nearby can also visit her for a meal."
Mr Saw was at Tuas with about 20 friends to wave the ship off on Monday.
"I am elated," he said. "We waited so long and now, bit by bit, we're starting to see everything fall into place."
The businessman also considered housing the vessel in Myanmar, Japan and Australia.
"But Bintan felt right," he said. "Singaporeans can visit, too."
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