R I L Post - Varen Is Fijner

Once again TJILUWAH was the scene of the celebration
of a 25-year anniversary, this time on 19th
January for Chief Engineer Beckers. Mrs Beckers
and thei r two children were there, as well as quite
a number of w ives. As Mr Terwogt said, this gave
a very pleasant and homely air to the occasion.
Mr Beckers started his career with the KPM in
1945 and sailed- like so many others- on board
Rangitiki for Australia, w here his first posting as
Fifth Engineer was to the Merak.
During his career, t he Chief Engineer had seen some
excitement: in 1947, a fire broke out on board s.s.
SWARTENH ONDT, and for the part he played in
helping t o extinguish it, Fifth Engineer Beckers received
a silver cigarette case from Managing Directors
of the KPM . Later, in June 1948, fires broke
out simultaneously in hatches Nos. I and V I of m.v.
RUYS, and in recognition of his actions on that
occasion, Acting Fourth Eng ineer Beckers received a
gold watch from M anaging Directors of the KJCPL.
On 28th December, 1945, Apprentice Officer Tj. van
der Molen signed a contract of employment with
M essrs. KPM in London. Unlike other recent 25th
Anniversaries, this happy event was celebrated on
the exact date.
Captain Tj. van der Molen
Chief Engineer F.M .H. Beckers
Mr Beckers was promoted to Chief Engineer in 1959
and a considerable part of his service has been on
board passenger ships. He is know n for his devotion
to duty - a quality he has always displayed - and
his high standards are much appreciated by the
Company.
So saying, Mr Terwogt pointed out that a second
watch would not be appropriate and presented the
Chief Engineer w ith a Cine Camera instead on behalf
of the Board of Directors and his colleagues, adding
that he hoped that there would be m any more years
to come.
Captain J . Maan then presented a cine projector
from the officers (the entire engineroom crew had
earlier given Mr Beckers an engraved silver cup)
and fl owers were given to Mrs Beckers, with sm all
tokens tor Robert and Ernestine.
Ch ief Engineer Beckers made a s hort speech of
thanks and concluded w ith a toast for the future
of RIL - " bigger and better."
In the Scheepvaarthuis, some of the Amsterdam
staff and officers on leave gathered to meet Captain
and Mrs van der Molen, and a bouquet of flowers
was presented to the latter.
Mr van der Schalk, in his address, said that this
was the first time he had had the pleasure of doing
so in connection w ith a ' floating' anniversary. He
recalled Captain van der Molen's long service, of
which nearly ten years had been in the rank of
Captain, and presented him with the Company's
token of appreciation, an engraved gold-watc h. He
concluded by wishing the Captain m any years of
good hea lth and hoping that he would continue w ith
his usual cheerfulness to give his energy to the
Company's business.
52
25TH ANN
After the reading of the congratulatory telegrams,
Captain van der Molen thanked everyone, and the
gathering relaxed into a friendly and animated party.