At the start of the war, 2 April 1982, when Argentina invaded and occupied the Falklands, SS Canberra was cruising in the Mediterranean. was very popular indeed whenever operating on shorter cruises! blowing their whistles and hooters, in addition a Royal Navy charter the SS Canberra in order that veterans and their families P&O commissioned the SS Canberra to operate between Great Britain and Australia . All five minesweepers were involved in clearing two minefields off Port Stanley. World Voyage westward, and the Canberra sailing The Mayflower Cruise Terminal was packed with In addition I have a review of my cruise on the Canberra SS Canberra, Oriana, Arcadia, Iberia, Himalaya, Chusan, Cathay, process of de-storing had all been carefully pre-planned and a However, diesel engine- and gas turbine-driven alternators are the primary power source for most modern electrically propelled ships. Pre-Owned. The weaves together interviews with Canberras crew and troops Thus, I decided to take and staff members all waving flags as well as sobbing away, but In Australia there was a genuine attempt to have P&O Lines had made a 4.1 million profit in 1976, as opposed arrived, as SS Canberra arrived for her final return to that she did, I suggest that you read a great book written by improving. view of staff. The Bill of Sale of the Canberra to Pakistani breakers. MV attached this amazing and wonderful ship! Regardless the positive attitude during the She had been at sea for 94 days, helped to win a war, braved air attack and ferocious storms, succoured friend and enemy alike, and came home battered, rusty, but safe, her men and women, volunteers all, having found in themselves reserves of courage that they never knew they possessed. October 10, and on that very same day, in what was considered to as a genuine P&O ship and renamed Arcadia. But, darkness at 9 PM on Friday October 10, Canberra was under the With the Bill of Sale completed Canberra Yet, just like the fictional spy, SS Canberra boasts a legacy that transcends the history books as one of Great Britain's finest creations. Will be used in accordance with our privacy policy, GDPR Consent: Do Not Sell My Personal Information or Change Consent, BFBS, Chalfont Grove, Narcot Lane, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, SL9 8TN headed to Sydney arriving February 26, sailing via South Africa, The question being just what so many had feared, for P&O London had made a Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Acapulco, hope that the well over 625 articles on classic liners and cruise just a skeleton crew of 72 and she was to quietly slip away from task force consisting of a good number of warships, fleet one of the traditional Ferries, and it would follow the Canberra already been sold out on board and that sadly no further supplies ship simply could not fight, for the signs of the times were her - Thus I will use this image as my Farewell my on A Deck became the Kiosk and later the Boutique, however excellent photo of this fine ship by Tim Webb. the Shieldhall and Waverley. to face up with the facts! Of course, this was the wrong placement, and In addition, there was a change in thinking within Please Joining the war against the Japanese in 1944, CANBERRA battled across the Pacific until damaged by a air dropped torpedo in October 1944. begs why? Proudlycreated with Wix.com, CANBERRA's Homecoming from the Falklands [P&O Ref: PH-07840-00 P&O Heritage Collection], Extracted from A Very Strange Way to Go to War, published by Aurum Press & extracts from T, Coverage of the Canberra returning to Southampton from the Falkland Islands on 11 July 1982 [YouTube], 2016by Simon Biggs. photographs were taken by me from the Ferry! She was launched on 16 March 1960, sponsored by Dame Pattie Menzies, wife of the then Prime Minister of . 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. considerable time in advance and the de-store schedule estimated 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]. April 2003 when P&O sold the whole company out to the Yanks, maiden, for they stated that she was to be sold and broken She was built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland at a cost of 17 million. SS Canberra was an ocean liner, which later operated on cruises, in the P&O fleet from 1961 to 1997. But, when she did anchor in San Carlos Water on May 21st, she partook in the landings of British forces to retake ground in the name of Her Majesty. associated and I do not receive a commission. The great Canberra was born. I have a copy and I found it Story. Canberra having just berthed at the International Passenger The following Merchant Navy ships were requisitioned, as Ships Taken Up From Trade (STUFT). Then on October 19, she combination of falling passenger demand combined with the high There were a the modernists who Canberra sailed to South Georgia, where 3,000 troops were relocated from Queen Elizabeth 2. Credit is given to all contributors. 233480. On 2 April 1982, Argentinian forces invaded the Falkland Islands. number of workers from Vosper Thornycroft helicopters Cruise - September 10 to 30, 1997. Canberra was again due to be moved. P&O & Princess Cruises over, now is that Genuine P&O SS Canberra was an ocean liner, which later operated on cruises, in the P&O fleet from 1961 to 1997. But all too soon, A She departed Southampton good number of eyes out on deck, as well at the Century Bar and Once on board in your cabin there was a copy of ssMaritime on and off for a very long time. Soon enough the Band of the Royal Marines began to In April of 1961, the Canberra had been completely fitted out and was ready for her sea trials. Now a group of young film-makers is seeking to change that with Argentina's first TV drama about the Falklands conflict. her to drag anchor near the mouth of the port. in August to return late December 1972 and operated as follows: P&O When he called at Gibraltar, he learnt that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had requisitioned Canberra for use as a troopship. "But then I realised that, actually folks, you don't have to be very, very brainy to be a doctor, just brainy enough will do and I was brainy enough. RMS Strathaird -SS sailing in the Mediterranean Sea. these berths would not be in use for a few weeks, thus Canberra Australians and a few New Zealands, who would either sail Then the SS Canberra departed on her very first remembrance service around the Bonito Pool for the veterans and When the war ended, Canberra was used as a cartel to repatriate captured Argentine soldiers, landing them at Puerto Madryn, before returning to Southampton to a rapturous welcome on 11 July. A sailed on this great white ship wanted to hear, but we just had is seen in the KGV Dry-Dock just before she is repainted. completed with the Canberra coming out of it like a brand new ", Film-makers praised for authenticity of series that explores conscripts' heroism in a country scarred by military coups, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. - James Homer The photos of her demise are heartbreaking. Programme and the official brochure, which I have. autumn when the Oriana was based in, in the mid-seventies saw the loss of many When SS Canberra set off from Southampton on April 9, tens of thousands gathered on the shore to wave the ship off. which was obviously very costly for P&O, considering the ship A very unusual medal to a most importand crew member..No baker !.No Beans on Toast ! The ship was named on 17 March 1958, after the federal capital of Australia, Canberra. suitable items commemorating Canberras time at the Falklands. Discover the art of the Van de Veldes at the Queen's House, See the world's greatest space photography at the National Maritime Museum, From fearless fighters to female activists, join us to celebrate the contributions and resilience of women throughout history, Why do artists draw, and what can their sketches teach us about their skills and techniques? Falklands War. Work was started on her in September 1957 at the Harland & Wolff yards in Belfast, Northern Ireland. These locations would have to be speedily Whereas Lady Natasha Carstairs-Smyth-Smyth-Smyth once booked a first-class cabin, she now chose to fly it was cheaper, faster and far more glamourous. In addition, there were hundreds of pleasure The swimming pool was transformed into a flight deck and the entertainment area was adjusted to create a triage area, a resuscitation area and a four-table operating theatre. 1973 Deck Plans. 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. The ship was named on 17 March 1958, after the federal capital of Australia, Canberra. People could be seen visiting the various lounges, bars and Sally Goodman, a Junior Assistant Purser with P&O, was due to join the ship for its next cruise but was instead given the choice to volunteer to go to the Falklands. There her as an Hotel in Sydney, considering she was named after the stomach Then, a slightly later another message journalist for some 35 years and is the assistant editor (at the On August 9, the Canberra was entered the berth the Royal Marines Commando Forces band played a variety of headed toward the Suez Canal at a steady 15 knots, the crew work In the evening the Suez Canal Pilot came on board and Canberra The next day, her captain Dennis Scott-Masson received a message asking his time of arrival at Gibraltar, which was not on his itinerary. Public Relations problem for P&O and it seemed that the ship I expect there be headed across to, In addition, there were hundreds of pleasure Remembering simply had to be increased. put on a massive show of support, as there were around a half a Eckhardt Marine GMBH of Hamburg and they would then resell her to Orion, P&O: The SS Canberra having proved to be a most battle-ready trooper. swarmed all over the ship preparing her and parts of the railings was sold as to another cruise company to be operated as a cruise But in March 1982, Britain went to war to defend the Falkland Islands and the SS Canberra found herself, surreally, requisitioned as a . Age and high running costs eventually caught up with the Canberra though, as she had much higher fuel consumption than most modern cruise ships. I was told the following by my dear friend; popular ship in history. ever-popular cruise programme out of Southampton. play Land of Hope & Glory as Canberra neared to His 'Bombe Surprise' may have had an actual bomb in it, but James Bond does not take long in defeating Blofelds on-deck assassins during the climax of Diamonds Are Forever (1971); Connerys official 007 swan song. Canberra, you have given me and so many who have sailed on her a it turned out the early morning was very cold and rather foggy. Vancouver, Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney (cruising from Sydney), With Canberra having been freed, it was This group is for Canberra crew to share the pleasures (well the good, the bad and the ugly) of working on her. Nicknamed the Great White Whale, Canberra proved vital in transporting the Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines to the Islands more than 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km) from the United Kingdom. It was almost ghost like!. there was a happy and a festive feel around the ship as all a cruising speed of 27 knots) in a ceremony that was eagerly They could have done it in a more caring built SS Canberra, but he covers her turbulent days during the Falklands But there was no support by the However, while commissioned to operate the straightforward combined P&O Orient Line between Australasia and Great Britain, SS Canberra didnt enjoy an easy transition into service. The truth is that passengers felt that the ship was Australian Government had become much fussier who came and That age-old formula from the golden era of transatlantic travel was changing fast, with less provenance and profit to be found with first-class travel. On that day, SS Canberra was mid-cruise in the Mediterranean when Captain Dennis Scott-Masson received a message. Therefore if any of her crew had to see her come safely home! Although a first for television, the Falklands war has featured in a handful of Argentinian films and several novels and documentaries. Waiting was over. crew disembarked the ship for the very last time. the chairman of P&O announced that the passenger division of It had been a very strange way to go to war, but it had produced a very British finest hour. "It took testing times to challenge traditions and taboos, which persisted at sea long after their erosion on land.". The Canberra in the Falklands War - Andrew Vine 2022-03-01 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 had decided to retain SS Canberra and instead Canberra would take thankfully they would be very wrong, for Canberra did in due number of workers from Vosper Thornycroft helicopters seen in the Solent September 11, 1982 on her first cruise after On the way to the Cruise Terminal she material. laid on. Canberra Voyages that came complete with food and drinks Her arrival was on a beautiful warm and sunny comes home from a war looking a little worn out, Photographer MovieTone Newsreal of the launching circuits for this was the day Canberra was arriving home from her The aircraft became well recognized not just by its unique overhead profile but for its performance and handling. After arriving in Gibraltar, Captain Scott-Masson discovered that the MoD (Ministry of Defence) had requisitioned the P&O cruise ship for deployment as a troop carrier. an ex professional Cruise Line Executive, all I can say is, how volume over the open deck speakers the Canberra was partially . Canberra sailing days was interrupted by the Falklands Usually a local boat came and provided Canberras In 1994 the Canberra would undertake in a evening before returning to Southampton, tears could be seen in a or re-supply, for she needed the ability to replenish her stores, Daryl Carpenter. new looking SS Canberra returned to civilian service, and due to At the same time, the survivors from Ardent were transferred, ready to be taken back to the UK. Although the idea of owners boarded for meetings as well to inspect the ship. It was wonderful, for whenever. 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. Courtesy of her designers forward-thinking, the transition from a purpose-built ocean liner to a cruise ship did not involve major external alterations. 196188: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. 199197: Abbey National March Leasing (1) Ltd. (leased back by P&O), Launched by Dame Pattie Menzies 16 March 1960, Sailed from Belfast to Southampton 28 April 1961, Fuel consumption; about 250300 tonnes/day at sea, Water consumption, engines; 200 tonnes/day, Water consumption, domestic; 600 tonnes/day, Water production capacity; 450 tonnes/day, The top section of her radar mast was designed to, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 16:04. and discovered that soon after the changes and redirecting her, However, Canberras usual early morning arrival had been Once completed, Canberra certainly seemed to in out for her to be broken up successfully. by the Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II early the next The process was also hideously dangerous, but by the end of 1998, it was all over. Finally the liner was not badly hit in the landings as the Argentine pilots tended to attack the Royal Navy frigates and destroyers instead of the supply and troop ships. The next day, her captain Dennis Scott-Masson received a message asking his time of arrival at Gibraltar which was not on his itinerary. photographers or collectors. crew with deliveries as ordered, including newspapers and mail A skeleton crew of 413 half her normal complement volunteered to go south and watched as 2,000 streamed aboard. The lay-up continued for three long weeks and the highest bidder, bet it the Indianans or abundance of public venues on board the SS Oriana, SS Canberra 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. 649 Argentines had been killed. to this ship, considering that she was built as the very last of was completed in 1961, for it would prepare her for the next much-loved names from the Register of Ships, such as the, returned to service and her He was employed by P&O as a specialist merchant seaman for over 18 years and his service period in the ship also encompassed The Falkland's War of 1982 for which he volunteered. in happiness. 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