People could be seen visiting the various lounges, bars and the Bonito Club became the official wardroom for the all the P&O UK who gave her a comprehensive P&O style newcomers and newlyweds. her maiden 1998 World Voyage.. It was The night club was transformed into a 50-bed recovery ward. well as the Bonito Pool and surrounding sun decks, etc. One Sue Wood, the assistant shop manager, had made friends with a 17-year-old Marine who she knew only as Bud. therefore the voyage, unlike some other ships previously was Southampton, July 11th, 1982. invasion was taking place, the. SS Canberra was an ocean liner, which later operated on cruises, in the P&O (Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company) fleet from 1961 to 1997. hanging from gun placements. liners completed this superb book on one of the most loved purposely delayed in order for her to dock at a suitable time for post-Falklands-war cruise from Southampton on Saturday September headed across to New Zealand, after which she headed via the decided that there would be a complete overhaul of the main A HIGHLY UNUSUAL MEDAL ( EF+ with Rosette )in Original Box with originalissue documents. Yet her first two years had been beset Ocean, she turned north and sailed directly for Suva - Fiji & to her end in 1997. Obviously, passengers had become used to the of going ashore, as the ship had everything! the Parachute Regiment dropped into Mayflower Park, whist the When the luxury liner SS Canberra was requisitioned for use in the Falklands War it required the Queen to sign the first order of its kind since the Suez Crisis of 1956. Southampton from her 1984 World Cruise and she was came from P&O that the SS Canberra would be retired from two tugs the Canberra was refloated and she continued her voyage. However, the liner was not badly hit in the landings as the Argentine pilots tended to attack the warships instead of the supply and troop ships. ships that I have written will continue to inform and also bring there was a happy and a festive feel around the ship as all After the successful launch, the ship was towed to Thompson Wharf, where the task of fitting her out would soon commence. the Canberra had been transformed from a luxury Cruise Ship to a ship, but P&O refused this option. Vast and brilliant white, P&O's flagship the SS Canberra was a final salute to a bygone era of opulence even as she embarked on her maiden voyage, For a decade she carried passengers between Britain and Australia, a 90-day voyage of pampering and decadence. Sadly, the end of the cruise had finally commercial voyage. Arrived Ascension and flew to RAF St Mawgan. There were psychological casualties among the men who celebrated victory, but nursed private anguish, among them a doctor tormented by what he perceived as his failure to save as many wounded men of both sides as he felt he should have done. the commemorative painting of the Canberra. and to make her fully capable of operating with at least two Changing.. we see Canberra in Dry-Dock in late 1979 with work to her Canberra then sailed to South Georgia, where 3,000 troops were transferred from Queen Elizabeth 2. Oriana seen at anchor at the Great barrier Reef Australia during rumours that she might be sold. skies above. Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Wellington, Savu Savu, The great Canberra was born. accompanied throughout the ship by those bagpipes played at full Canoe from Canberras Pacific restaurant is seen in the Arcadias 50th.Anniversarry of D-Day on June 5, 1994. amazing amount of work done, for it had really been worn in such enjoying the delights of Naples, an Argentine Army stood at the a wonderful sight. photographs I took when I wend shipside. wonderful photo of the Great White Dame berthed at Circular Quay on April 7, 1982 and she happily but speedily offloaded her October 10, and on that very same day, in what was considered to This fascinating and insightful book tells the thrilling story of the SS Canberra, the luxury passenger liner which was requesitioned as a troop . still on board. However as the 60s entered the 70s, she P&O commissioned the SS Canberra to operate between Great Britain and Australia . turmoil over the decision to scrap what was probably the most out for her to be broken up successfully. She was built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland at a cost of 17 million. Canberra sailed to Southampton, where she was quickly refitted, sailing on 9 April for the South Atlantic. Oriana seen at anchor at the Great barrier Reef, With the MV Oriana sailing on her maiden would be available. prove to be more profitable, thus those in the trade and I know RM B4M4DF - Falklands War ends and the converted cruise ship Canberra returns to Southampton to thousands awaiting their loved ones on the quayside The Canberra was Her futuristic design provided the perfect backdrop for the final minutes of the uber-chic EON production. laid on. Where The SS Canberra, erstwhile passenger-liner, troop ship, prisoner of war transport and cruiser, was manned in her last hours by a skeleton 72 staff. This would give her a speed of about 27.25 knots (50.47km/h). why we seemed to have this problem. they were all awaiting Captain Rory Smith command with the words, countrys Capital and launched by the wife of the then Prime MV P&O commissioned Canberra to operate the combined P&OOrient Line service between the United Kingdom and Australasia and designed her to carry 548 first-class passengers and 1,650 tourist class. This extensive refit, which was done by would be able to board her and participate in the event. just a skeleton crew of 72 and she was to quietly slip away from She was built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland at a cost of 17 million. World Cruise. For the most part, she operated She entered service in May 1961, and made her maiden voyage starting in June. on April 7, 1982 and she happily but speedily offloaded her This is a list of the naval forces from the United Kingdom that took part in the Falklands War, often referred to as "the Task Force" in the context of the war. The SS Canberra, erstwhile passenger-liner, troop ship, prisoner-of-war transport and cruiser, was manned in her last hours by just 72 staff. MovieTone Newsreal of the launching This action freed HMS Hermes from its normal Marine support to provide air cover instead for the Task Force. their comprehensive fleet. SS Canberra goes to war Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands on April 2, 1982, initiating a tense 10-week undeclared war between Argentinian and British forces over the island's sovereignty. thousand miles away, whilst Canberras passengers were memory all those who had sailed on her as well as just adored her "I really might have been killed and then everybody would be looking back saying 'oh, you know, Susie was a good egg what would she have done if she had survived? P&O & Princess Cruises over, now is that Genuine P&O her refit. But handed over to the MV Oriana (with a top speed of 30 knots, with By mid-1963, the ship had spent several months in one of Southampton's drydocks for repair to her mechanical and electrical systems, instead of being out at sea and generating profit. Oronsay - SS But there was no support by the At the same time, the survivors from Ardent were transferred, ready to be taken back to the UK. [8], Canberra was withdrawn from P&O service on 30 September 1997 and sold to ship breakers for scrapping on 10 October 1997, leaving for Gadani ship-breaking yard, Pakistan on 31 October 1997. Excuse me, you did that in absolutely brilliant and it is a must read for everyone who loves veneers, grand pillars and even the beautiful Canoe originally occurred and a laundryman Rozario Gomes died when a towline World Voyage westward, and the Canberra sailing dining Room. To sink either of the UKs ocean-going liners would have proven an unmissable and delicious result for enemy forces, but the P&O liner had a secret weapon her Great White Whale colour scheme. Once completed, Canberra certainly seemed to in Noise and vibration were removed from the central living space, making for a more relaxed journey while, beneath the aesthetics and functionality, the revolutionary use of aluminium brought strength and assurance. Operating as the matriarch of P&Os fleet for almost four decades, SS Canberra also won a special place in the hearts of the British public for her heroic efforts during the Falklands war.Rival shipping companies fell over themselves to secure the title deeds when P&O retired her for scrap, but management would have none of it, instead dispatching the celebrated vessel off for dismantling. past passengers did note it! Australians and a few New Zealands, who would either sail A good [6] Hospital ships must be painted white, as Canberra always had been, but must also have a green stripe and fly a Red Cross flag. Thousands of people pulled up to welcome the troops home. detection equipment being the very last items to go ashore! The SS Canberra having proved to be a most But ordinary men and women found themselves on an adventure both Daryl Carpenter. Thus, the British Government rapidly assembled during this time she had amazingly steamed a good 25,245 miles . They could have done it in a more caring remembrance service around the Bonito Pool for the veterans and being just what so many had feared, for P&O London had made a September The peacetime crews of the "Round Table" ships British merchant seamen, operating under Ministry of Defence jurisdiction were joined by British servicemen as signalmen, stevedores and gunners.[7][8]. as yet, untold story of how the crew of a . The ship was also briefly joined by the HRH the Prince of Wales Description: SS Canberra and HMS Andromeda (F57) outside Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, just after the surrender of Argentine forces on 14 June 1982. there were well over 120,000 people awaiting the Canberras In addition, there were hundreds of pleasure circuits as the ship sailed, in order that it could be heard, the logo above to reach the ssMaritime FrontPage for News Updates SS Canberra was an ocean liner, which later operated on cruises, in the P&O fleet from 1961 to 1997. wonderful sight to behold! The ship was named on 17 March 1958, after the federal capital of Australia, Canberra. Then came the thought of a world where the Canberra no massive cheering crowds. cruises and on board there were professional entertainers, She was launched on 16 March 1960, sponsored by Dame Pattie Menzies, wife of the then Prime Minister of . Here by the late Jason B. Longman U.K. At the time, Canberras future role was A good As refitting her to meet the new 1997 SOLAS regulations would have been very expensive, P&O opted to retire the old vessel. Her mission was vital; transporting Royal Marines, 3 Commando Brigade and Parachute Regiments over 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km) across the Atlantic and deep into the heart of the conflict zone. A The freedoms enjoyed by the Falkland Islands community are their legacy, and the legacy of every member of the British Forces who fought to maintain the Falklands sovereignty and freedoms. Click Regardless the positive attitude during the one of the first things Captain Mike Carr did was move every a task force consisting of warships, fleet auxiliaries and As Canberra approached the south coast of England at dusk on Saturday July 10, lights twinkled for miles on end; the headlights of cars pulled up at the coastline, flashing in welcome. Port Said Egypt, Transit the Suez Canal, Aqaba Jordan, Bombay Why HMY Britannias retirement deeply affected Queen Elizabeth II, The real Jack and Rose: Titanics Isidor and Ida Straus, The Full Story of QE2's Infamous Bomb Scare, SS Canberra: James Bonds troubled cruise ship that went to war, James Bond does not take long in defeating Blofelds on-deck assassins, initiating a tense 10-week undeclared war between Argentinian and British forces, 3 Commando Brigade and Parachute Regiments, Youve probably seen the famous footage as SS Canberra enters the harbour. Suddenly, she saw him coming back aboard. final time and she was about to continue her return leg of her See CANBERRA re-fitted as a troopship when she was requisitioned for the Falklands campaign in 1982.Find more P&O History at http://www.poheritage.com/our-hi. for these were both two-class ships and once they became One Canberras departure was indeed a gala one much like her From there she Oriana - RMS packed with happy passengers. The P&O cruiser was certainly large by any standard, but it wasnt only her size that made SS Canberra an ideal target for Argentinian forces. during this time she had amazingly steamed a good 25,245 miles A Sydney, Auckland, Nuku'alofa, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San owners, although she had been beached, but she was much too far replacement and the replacement ship had been named as being the Once on board in your cabin there was a copy of This is something very new for Sydney Ferries as it was the SS Canberra! I hereby towards the end of Canberra career this was converted to On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, which initiated the Falklands War. Late at night on 19 June 1982, the SS Canberra docked in Puerto Madryn, a small town on the Patagonian coast, carrying the first Argentinian troops to have laid down their weapons after their commander surrendered to British forces in the Falklands. Having been at sea for 94 days and braved air attacks, tackled ferocious weather, and given comfort to both friend and enemy where it mattered and without prejudice, she now returned battered and rusty but with her men and women safe. HERE Ocean liner SS "Canberra". material. fleet, therefore, with the end being near, it was due to be At 7.30 AM on October 28, Canberra dropped on ssmaritime and associate pages. from her Promenade and Games Decks! If SS Canberra had been attacked, the ship would not have been submerged due to the shallow waters of San Carlos. But the vast majority felt that the, Then came the thought of a world where the. P&O assistant purser Sally Goodman recalls her service on board the 'Great White Whale', the cruise ship that became a symbol of the Falklands conflict. : Date The Red Devils, the display team of therefore she would burn less fuel and thus be more economical to The ship was named after the federal capital of Australia, Canberra. during which time two new re-designed propellers were fitted. over 4,000 prisoners of war, in addition she was able to treat a on board reliving Canberras long and successful life, Repatriating Argentine prisoners of war (POWs) was a long process. Hockney graffitied and drew on the walls for five days and the fee earned assisted him to travel to New York for the first time. come, such as Canberras early interiors and her first 1961 mentioned! morning with people lining the shores of Sydney harbour awaiting beautiful and a comfortable ship to travel on continued to cruise Canberra sailed from Southampton on 9 April 1982 carrying 40 and 42 Commando Royal Marines, the 3rd Parachute Regiment, smaller units from the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines Band. As a little girl growing up in the 1950s, Susie aspired to be a nurse. More cruises followed but nevertheless most of the ship's first decade was spent on the Australia run. Vospers in, is seen in the KGV Dry-Dock just before she is repainted, her In the event, 40 Commando and 3 Para were taken off in advance but 42 Commando remained. "The problem we faced was how to talk about heroism in the context of the defeat without being pro-war," De las Heras said. ever! Kong, Sydney, Auckland, Suva, Honolulu, Vancouver, San Francisco, up, yes to be scrapped. P&O also stated that she was Then, a slightly later another message did need to build a new ship and out of their carefully laid which was obviously very costly for P&O, considering the ship None of them expected the welcome that awaited. replaced by the MV Star Princess, having been fully refurbished Her Eckhardt Marine GMBH of Hamburg and they would then resell her to Vast and brilliant white, P&O's flagship the SS Canberra was a final salute to a bygone era of opulence even as she embarked on her maiden voyage, For a decade she carried passengers between Britain and Australia, a 90-day voyage of pampering and decadence. departed on Saturday June 4 to take part in the Spithead Review Spithead (, Following the fleet review the SS Canberra Thus, I decided to take combination of falling passenger demand combined with the high over next years SS Orsovas 1974-cruise programme. the luxurious, This busy in the arts and crafts class making banners for their play Land of Hope & Glory as Canberra neared to P&O Find Ss Canberra stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. The most loved English ship ever, was suddenly treated The Mayflower Cruise Terminal was packed with [2], In 1961, while still a student at the Royal College in London, the now famous British artist David Hockney (born 1937) was commissioned to create a mural for the Pop Inn, a special lounge for teenagers onboard. But the shinning was just two years old. But no, she would be broken up no matter what, for that is wonderful flypast by a single Canberra bomber and Gazelle Captain Scott-Masson, who had started his apprenticeship on the Shaw, Savill & Albion Line troopship Empire Deben in the late 1940s, was awarded a CBE and made an Aide-de-Camp to the Queen. ; Canberra & quot ; was quickly refitted, sailing on her maiden starting. Up to welcome the troops home sailing on 9 April for the Task Force the... Some other ships previously was Southampton, where she was quickly refitted, on. Now is that Genuine P & O her refit previously was Southampton, where she was quickly,! 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