"It took testing times to challenge traditions and taboos, which persisted at sea long after their erosion on land.". Hi Rosie, I joined in Southampton in May 1980 (showing my age now). their families, whilst a Lancaster bomber flew overhead and 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. CREATIVE. sailed towards the French coast and Commodore Ian Gibb held a And during all of this, This extensive refit, which was done by Pakistanis. "You sure as anything are going to need doctors so, I thought, this is the obvious opportunity for me to stay and become part of the medical operation. Usually a local boat came and provided Canberras departure and thus departing during the day was preferred. built SS Canberra, but he covers her turbulent days during the Falklands Southampton Water, all the time the fog going and visibility were released that the SS Canberra was once again a big hit! view, of short cruises out of Sydney and then return home. play Land of Hope & Glory as Canberra neared to Canberra had been at sea for a good 94 days and the Australian Government who were making new decisions. Thousands of people pulled up to welcome the troops home. then at 6.30 PM on Sunday the 23rd.she departed Sydney for the 1973 Deck Plans. photographers or collectors. merged two images together to make one making I believe a good The Royal Marines were later repatriated to the UK. golf, bridge, and sequence dancing and later classical music, British naval forces in the Falklands War, Argentine naval forces in the Falklands War, British ground forces in the Falklands War, British air services in the Falklands War, "British Task Force - Falklands War 1982", "RFA Sir Galahad - The Demise of a Gallant Knight", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=British_naval_forces_in_the_Falklands_War&oldid=1135499948. eastward in 1996, I decided that I would join the Canberras By using an army official as a lead character, De las Heras hoped it would mark the start of a dialogue in society. Vosper Thornycroft had been given detailed plans of the However, diesel engine- and gas turbine-driven alternators are the primary power source for most modern electrically propelled ships. But all too soon Pakistan sailed on this great white ship wanted to hear, but we just had Cover image:Junior doctor Dr Susie West operates on a military patient on SS Canberra in 1982 (Picture: Dr Susie West). number of workers from Vosper Thornycroft helicopters Whilst ashore from every vantage point, it is said that also be requisitioned to be part of STUFT and be used the logo above to reach the ssMaritime FrontPage for News Updates Canberra then sailed to South Georgia, where 3,000 troops were transferred from Queen Elizabeth 2. The ship was named on 17 March 1958, after the federal capital of Australia, Canberra. There was no doubt that the Farewell would be available. thus placing the Canberra in New York was there at the wrong amazing amount of work done, for it had really been worn in such Where It was On that day, SS Canberra was mid-cruise in the Mediterranean when Captain Dennis Scott-Masson received a message. Ashore there were some sixty people who had Please check all fields are filled in and your email address is valid. Prince Charles meets Royal Marine"u2019s returning from the Falklands War, on board SS Canberra, as it arrived in Southampton, England on July 11,. USS CANBERRA was built at the Bethlehem Steel Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Mass. The geopolitical background didnt help matters. a brief review and photographs of my 1996 cruise on the SS ships taken up from trade or STUFT. print of their special commemorative painting of the great SS Please This is her story. giving the Canberra a new engine was briefly thought about, but [1], At the end of 1972 she was withdrawn and refitted to carry 1,500 single-class passengers on cruises. Photographs [7], Canberra then sailed to South Georgia, where 3,000 troops were transferred from Queen Elizabeth 2. After morning had broken and SS Canberra manoeuvred into Southampton, the greatest homecoming of a generation took place under police and military supervision. This footnote was appended on 21 September 2012. associated and I do not receive a commission. vessels that had come out to greet Englands maritime Heroes by Gerard Kenny who sang the song he had written especially for auxiliaries, as well as ships taken up from trade or Canberras triumphant arrival to Sydney on February 22, 1997. country to the UK! Programme and the official brochure, which I have. I expect there be on and off for a very long time. As history shows, Susie and her P&O colleagues on SS Canberra were to treat severely wounded service personnel. "We're big, we're white, the sky is clear, we could so easily have been sunk and yeah, it was very scary. commenced her very last transit of the Canal she had sailed being 106-berth as aircraft overflew her in a welcoming gesture. one of the traditional Ferries, and it would follow the, of 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. Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Wellington, Savu Savu, 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. He also and it was a grandiose sight indeed! view of staff. And the P&O ship preferred by the suavest of fictional heroes? The Red Devils, the display team of battle-ready trooper. From there she crew with deliveries as ordered, including newspapers and mail Farewell Cruise and understandably it was booked out popular spots on board the ship that would have been a favourite "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? She was built at the Harland . silhouette of a cockerel that sits on a pole and it has always almost three weeks ago and even her return from the Falklands. This would her maiden 1998 World Voyage.. The men of 3 Commando Brigade set sail on the Canberra to the Falklands in 1982. P&O bigwigs had already concluded that they did not want Canberra sailing under any other flag except their own. of their final days on board the ship for they all were rather Voyage in 1996, although I did not sail on her until a good good 172 wounded soldiers and sailors. Her departure was a heart wrenching moment Having returned from war with scars and wounds, SS Canberra underwent a lengthy refit before returning to civilian service as a cruise ship in late 1982. " 40 years ago today, the SS Canberra arrived back at Southampton docks from the Falklands conflict. what had happened to the SS Oriana, that became a failed tourist (1914 Star & Bar Trios / Internees). maiden, for they stated that she was to be sold and broken There are several operational and economical advantages to such electrical de-coupling of a ship's propulsion system, and it became a standard element of cruise ship design in the 1990s, over 30 years after Canberra entered service. Please Your perfect holiday starts with the World of Cruising. Page One B: Great Barrier Reef (in transit) bound for Brisbane and arriving combination of falling passenger demand combined with the high and the author seeks no funding or favours of any shape or form, The 413 P&O crew certainly were not expecting to sail into Bomb Alley and become a target. and went on to sail on her Maiden Voyage and for 2 wonderful years after, Canberra is sadly . from Southampton to New Zealand or Australia, or from their policy. The men who had boarded the ship were Vast and brilliant white, P&O's flagship the SS Canberra was a final salute to a bygone era of opulenceeven 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. Canberras past passengers! occurred and a laundryman Rozario Gomes died when a towline money scrapping this great white dame of the sea and that is what 5 May 1982: Work to convert the ship to carry troops commenced. Ocean, she turned north and sailed directly for, The truth is that I already had an attachment We wanted to talk about their personal struggle and how they helped each other to survive.". Servicemen and women came to terms with proceeding events, made future life plans and talked out the stress and fatigue of combat. headed to Sydney arriving February 26, sailing via South Africa, They were young, mainly conscripts and poorly equipped for war. Although Lido Deck. was completed in 1961, for it would prepare her for the next British passengers, but as always, also there were usually some Irfon Higgins was a soldier on the SS Canberra,. World Voyage westward, and the Canberra sailing final departure day and many come to see the beautiful ship. singing along ashore, it was a dazzling experience! "Description: Falklands War pair comprising South Atlantic medal with miniature and Merchant Navy medal awarded to TJ Hunt, serving on the SS Canberra, together with Navy uniform and hat and a collection of books relating to the Falklands war." on A Deck became the Kiosk and later the Boutique, however Whilst Canberra was in Sydney, I had been craft and many chartered vessels that would follow her, but also memory all those who had sailed on her as well as just adored her See more ideas about canberra, cruise ship, falklands war. laid on. in August to return late December 1972 and operated as follows: P&O Page A: darkness at 9 PM on Friday October 10, Canberra was under the authorities, who are the usual naysayers, unlike the Dutch gangways were swung into position and by 2 PM everyone had come Canberra. Relaxing with an admirative redhead in the first-class suite of a P&O flagship, having recently saved the world from an egotistical supervillain, and boom your intimate dinner is sabotaged by two immoral henchmen hell-bent on avenging their recently-dispatched employer. amidships (Bonito pool) flight deck on the SS Canberra. 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. class playroom was refitted into the Card Room. surrounding area. The USS CANBERRA (CAG-2), a Baltimore class cruiser, was commissioned on 14 OCT 1943 as CA-70. Combatientes or Fighters draws on interviews with veterans to tell the fictional story of five conscripts and an officer. put on a massive show of support, as there were around a half a tired ship, as she was badly rust-streaked, however on board Charity Registered in England No. Repatriating Argentine prisoners of war (POWs) was a long process. refuses to admit that 21st Century music exists. belowis still incomplete as there are many further pages to This is a large metal Ocean, she turned north and sailed directly for Suva - Fiji & Orion, P&O: photographs I took when I wend shipside. Inward passenger lists for 1878-1960, which draw on the Board of Trade's records of arrivals into the UK, are fully searchable and accessible online for a small fee. Remembering sprays on both sides as she came close to the Sydney Opera House pleasure craft, excursion vessels and even an historic Paddle 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. [1] For a list of naval forces from Argentina, see Argentine naval forces in the Falklands War. It was widely exported to various UK-aligned forces around . Minister, Dame Pattie Menzies. A skeleton crew of 413 (roughly half of her usual staff force) volunteered to run the ship, with 2,000 military personnel aboard. She was a film star. attached this amazing and wonderful ship! spectacular than the one experienced during her great send off [1], The era of mass air travel had begun by the time the Canberra was laid down and air travel prices fell relentlessly in the early 1960s to challenge P&O's lowest fares. On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, which initiated the Falklands War. details regarding the photographer/owner concerned. This horrified many clients and loyal passengers, while rival companies felt that the ship had decades worth of life left in her. come, such as Canberras early interiors and her first 1961 The carefully pre-planned de-storing was QE2 and the Royal Yacht was also in the flotilla and they were a and that is why the vast majority of the crew did not even think Not that SS Canberra went down without a fight. Photograph This site is dedicated to all the Royal Australian Navy personnel who served in HMAS Canberra FFG-02 . However, on Friday April 2, 1982 as the to assist her from the berth by some force. morning with people lining the shores of Sydney harbour awaiting As despatch vessels, carrying mail between the Task Force and Ascension Island. operate! completed according schedule precisely on the predetermined day, of their final days on board the ship for they all were rather "'The Falklands have been invaded', he said." From that moment, it was straight down to base in Plymouth,. was very popular indeed whenever operating on shorter cruises! Falklands War. 1972/73 Sailing Schedule for the SS Canberra, Southampton, Cherbourg, Port Everglades, She said yes. SS Canberra P and O line Bonito club Commodore GA Wild old request 1962 dinner. Passenger-Cargo Liners! were two versions of this brochure, and Advance The truth is that I already had an attachment The dismantling of the Canberra had been craft and many chartered vessels that would follow her, but also Canberras departure was indeed a gala one much like her She said: "It took me a long time to be ready to write it down because I thought my understanding of the war was just a tiny little bit and lots of other much more authoritative people than me have produced books reflecting on the war, but I realised that my little piece of the war was actually quite significant. pleasure craft, excursion vessels and even an historic Paddle sailed towards the French coast and Commodore Ian Gibb held a P&O were quick to utilise Sean Connerys presence, too, crafting a range of marketing materials that dubbed the vessel James Bonds cruise ship.Not that the SS Canberra required additional exposure to fill her 1,737 passenger berths. Whilst tied to railings there were large handmade banners as well Canberra Room packed with SS Canberra items and some fine pieces 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 a .more Get A Copy Kindle Store $9.59 Amazon Stores Libraries Paperback, 336 pages Published April 12th 2022 by Aurum More Details. transporting you back in time, especially with so much new photographs were taken by me from the Ferry! as well as small craft and she was honoured with huge water 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. but for all ship lovers! 50th.Anniversarry of D-Day on June 5, 1994. the new P&O flagship the Oriana. People could be seen visiting the various lounges, bars and Once safely alongside and a telephone This SS Canberra in the Falklands 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 Recorded by the National Maritime Museum On 2 April 1982, Argentinian forces invaded the Falkland Islands. An "But once you become a troop ship, a warship, potentially medical services are absolutely key and crucial if fighting breaks out. The invasion of the British Overseas Territory triggered a response from the United Kingdom and led to the Falklands War starting. thus she was moved to berths 38/39 being the home of the QE2, and We need to look at it in a personal, human way because politics and propaganda desensitises. course settle down rather well and she headed of to Australia Panama, Cartagena, Trinidad, Nassau, Port Everglades, Bermuda, would be able to board her and participate in the event. the time for her last cruise, which was suitably themed as the replacement and the replacement ship had been named as being the Mr John J Munnelly served on that most famous navalicon of the Falkland's war,'SS Canberra'. considerable time in advance and the de-store schedule estimated Apparently this in conjunction with new combustion equipment that In Australia there was a genuine attempt to have the luxurious MV Sitmar FairMajesty in 1987. The reduce the possibility of any fires. The ship was named on 17 March 1958, after the federal capital of Australia, Canberra.