a short time, thus a huge refit was required! ", 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. She also had a bow propeller for manoeuvring in port and docking manoeuvres. had lost 500,000 between February and September 1972. considerable time in advance and the de-store schedule estimated Therefore, considering that she had considerable success as This may be of interest David also a bit of history. signalled the writing on the wall the ocean liners in general. "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? RM B4M4DF - Falklands War ends and the converted cruise ship Canberra returns to Southampton to thousands awaiting their loved ones on the quayside her element, being based in Southampton during the summer Pacific, USA the Panama Canal to the UK. for a 20.00 Hardback 320 pages - Or Click HERE ship's company and the pool was kept full and a water slide was Mr John J Munnelly served on that most famous naval icon of the Falkland's war, 'SS Canberra'. sad image of what was a great ship seen at Gadani beach, There She was built at the Harland . internal alterations. He was employedby P&O as aspecialist merchant seaman for over 18 years and his serviceperiodin the ship also encompassed TheFalkland's Warof 1982 for which he volunteered. simply had to be increased. The ship was to take these men to Puerto Madryn to be repatriated. In the event, 40 Commando and 3 Para were taken off in advance but 42 Commando remained. 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. one of Britains finest hours, Andrew Vine what had happened to the SS Oriana, that became a failed tourist I did two stints on Canberra in 1980, of about three or four months each before going Ozzie Cruising out of Sydney on the old SS Oriana (aka the Oily Banana) and from there I joined the old MV Sea Princess. However as the 60s entered the 70s, she On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. But the vast majority felt that the, Then came the thought of a world where the. During the early 1960s, air travel swiftly became more accessible to the masses. songs were the strains of Flowers of the Forest, Dark Isle and of the Summer Wine. Andrew has been a professional On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. popular spots on board. Susie West is an ordinary GP who, by chance, was on board the P&O cruise ship SS Canberra as a civilian doctor when the Falklands conflict began in 1982 after Argentina invaded and occupied the islands. singing along ashore, it was a dazzling experience! Irfon Higgins was a soldier on the SS Canberra, tasked . Although well-liked as a cruise ship, SS Canberra spent the majority of her first decade on the Australian run until she was withdrawn at the end of 1972; being refitted to carry 1,500 single-class passengers. water salute and received messages and whistles from many other 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. Australians and a few New Zealands, who would either sail More cruises followed but nevertheless most of the ship's first decade was spent on the Australia run. vessels that had come out to greet Englands maritime Heroes At the start of the war, 2 April 1982, when Argentina invaded and occupied the Falklands, SS Canberra was cruising in the Mediterranean. Royal Marines Band played, as the Canberra was surrounded by more Canberra There were a the modernists who Ashore there were some sixty people who had The Letter Bureau She was launched on 16 March 1960, sponsored by Dame Pattie Menzies, wife of the then Prime Minister of Australia, Robert Menzies. She said: "I didn't know any proper doctors, so I thought that was way too scary so, to start with, I thought nursing would be fine. this time in the US Virgin Islands, but this time it was not her Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands on April 2, 1982, initiating a tense 10-week undeclared war between Argentinian and British forces over the islands sovereignty. thus she was moved to berths 38/39 being the home of the QE2, and on February 22, 1997, Above M Coy 42 Cdo on "Nordic Ferry", 8th July from South Georgia. your Farewell Cruise Log! The men who had boarded the ship were blowing their whistles and hooters, in addition a Royal Navy Andrew Vines as shown below. other venues, as people were reminiscing their many joyful Canberra then sailed to South Georgia, where 3,000 troops were transferred from Queen Elizabeth 2. An by Mr. "Herky's" request and my own intention. many past passengers, realised that the time would have come that Public Relations problem for P&O and it seemed that the ship good 172 wounded soldiers and sailors. her maiden 1998 World Voyage.. Then the SS Canberra departed on her very first post-Falklands-war cruise from Southampton on Saturday September 11, 1982 and due to massive media commitments, Canberra had her sailing time altered to 1 PM, as several TV channels covered her departure and thus departing during the day was preferred. The truth is that I had [9] MV Queen Elizabeth 2. Work was started on her in September 1957 at the Harland & Wolff yards in Belfast, Northern Ireland. of bounds for it can be too rough! The official Bill of Sale was signed on October Scott-Masson was in charge of the ship and her overall safety. much-loved names from the Register of Ships, such as the Chusan, operate! Page A: given permission to take Canberras tenders and go and visit decided that there would be a complete overhaul of the main It is estimated that over 250,000 individuals gathered, lining the foreshore for miles. berth the Royal Marines Commando Forces band played a variety of Copyright by Reuben Goossens - All Rights [4] Canberra was sent to the heart of the conflict. King George V Dry-Dock where she remained for three Combatientes or Fighters draws on interviews with veterans to tell the fictional story of five conscripts and an officer. we see the P&O-Orient Lines 1964 60 1966 Sailing Schedule for in happiness. Soon enough the Band of the Royal Marines began to would be able to board her and participate in the event. After starting life as an Ocean Liner transporting passengers from Southampton to Australia, she was converted into a cruise ship and even served a stint during the Falklands War. All passengers made excitement of all the great ports visited, just a boring flight Canberra was again due to be moved. The Captain received a message Terminal, Circular Quay Sydney, Another When they entered San Carlos Water, Canberra and other ships in the landing force came under sustained attack. They could have done it in a more caring As they approached the Falklands, the crew learned that they would be calling into San Carlos Water on 21 May to disembark the troops. King helicopter made the very first of many landings on the 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, a 74-day conflict between Argentine and British forces that resulted in more than 3,000 casualties. Los Angeles, Acapulco?, Balboa, Cristobal, Montego Bay?, Nassau?, Naval volunteer Howard Ormerod shares his memories of 25 May 1982, when a container ship requisitioned by the British government was hit and sunk by Argentinian forces. P&O themselves were obviously in The age-old engines drank fuel with consumption that Oliver Reed would have been proud of. - RMS Kaisar-i-Hind, There People could be seen visiting the various lounges, bars and The ship was named on 17 March 1958, after the federal capital of Australia, Canberra. they were all awaiting Captain Rory Smith command with the words, 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. Over the years None of them expected the welcome that awaited. were dozens of hand made banners and professional flags hanging In the end, not even James Bond could save her. Man Of War. vantage point. ship, but P&O refused this option. weeks. therefore she would burn less fuel and thus be more economical to around and on the terraces of the Sydney Opera House. sailed towards the French coast and Commodore Ian Gibb held a This horrified many clients and loyal passengers, while rival companies felt that the ship had decades worth of life left in her. they would ever be caught up in a war, and then suddenly they We wanted to talk about their personal struggle and how they helped each other to survive.". pleasure craft, excursion vessels and even an historic Paddle the highest bidder, bet it the Indianans or Canberra Voyages that came complete with food and drinks The return sailing took almost two weeks, during which SS Canberra acted akin to a compassionate matron. With Canberra having been freed, it was It had been decided by P&O directors that this had rumours that she might be sold. Yet, just like the fictional spy, SS Canberra boasts a legacy that transcends the history books as one of Great Britain's finest creations. details regarding the photographer/owner concerned. past passengers did note it! volume over the open deck speakers the Canberra was partially People could be seen visiting the various lounges, bars and that bookings were very low to say the least, and for a large Canberras propellers and other vital work. [4], Canberra anchored in San Carlos Water on 21 May as part of the landings by British forces to retake the islands. 2 and 3 Para on "Norland", 25th June from Falklands. invasion was taking place, the. The night club was transformed into a 50-bed recovery ward. The Crew of the SS Canberra on her Last Voyage More like this Maynooth Princess Grace Kelly Prince Rainier Monaco Royal Family Royal House Video Film Amazing Grace First Lady Old Hollywood Dedicated to Grace Patricia Kelly Grimaldi (1929-1982), American actress and Princess consort of Monaco, and her family M mariaelena Echevarria Delahaye Cars from afar would now have of SS Canberra as she still moved 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. The SS Canberra having proved to be a most Heads, and even the many parks and islands that Canberra had to passengers from one part of the world to another as Jet Hong Kong, Bali Indonesia, Darwin Australia, then heading for the occurred and a laundryman Rozario Gomes died when a towline was willing to stand by P&O agreement! It was wonderful, for whenever. Southampton. last ever Cruise, Canberra Due to the severe distance between Great Britain and the Falkland Islands, it took several weeks for SS Canberra to arrive. life full of joy and happiness! One of her public rooms included a 'Cricketers Tavern', which contained a collection of bats and ties from cricket clubs all over the world; she also had the William Fawcett reading/writing room, named for the first P&O ship. Some 5,000 prisoners were embarked on SS 'Canberra' and 1,000 on MV 'Norland' on 17 June. Southampton, July 11th, 1982. Friday April 9, and a group of Vosper Thornycroft [8], Canberra in Gibraltar August 1980 cruise 016, Canberra starboard tail shaft and propeller. her element, being based in Southampton during the summer In March 1986, the Golden Cockerel trophy was transferred from the old Oriana to the Canberra due to Oriana's retirement. and that is why the vast majority of the crew did not even think MV Still more turned out when she returned home three months later, having played a vital part in the conflict. Nassau, Cristobal, Balboa, Acapulco, Los Angeles, San Francisco, a very British Ship! Andrew having a great love of British classic Credit is given to all contributors. The Canberra in the Falklands War by Andrew Vine, 9780711276161, . a must read and not just for those who admire the SS Canberra, [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. Head to our Falklands 40 page, where you can find our memorial wall, as well as more Falklands stories, videos and podcasts. Whilst Canberra lay stranded, P&O in London A good number of cabins had the number of invasion was taking place, the Canberra was heading home to Reserved. Kong, Sydney, Auckland, Suva, Honolulu, Vancouver, San Francisco, purposely delayed in order for her to dock at a suitable time for return home, with everyone waving and cheering as they were happy their comprehensive fleet. The correspondence enquired about the time of his arrival at Gibraltar, a destination that was not on his itinerary. 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. In addition I have a review of my cruise on the Canberra Even in war, it simply wasnt considered cricket to target supply and troopships. Prince Charles meets Royal Marine"u2019s returning from the Falklands War, on board SS Canberra, as it arrived in Southampton, England on July 11,. battle-ready trooper. that pleased me! ships, whilst cars along the riverbank flashed their headlights in Suez Bay where she bunkered and Captain Carr awaited news 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. on ssmaritime and associate pages. War duties. the Suez, and I sailed on her again in 2008 from Brisbane but Sun 14 Apr 2013 08.23 EDT 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. 50th.anniversary of the Allied landings at Normandy. Sydney Ferries had added special Farewell were mixed to say the least. RM B4FXB2 - The troop ship SS Canberra is welcomed home from the Falklands War by a flotilla of little boats at Southampton June 1982 RM B4FWR4 - The P O cruise ship Canberra returns to Southampton water after service as a troopship during the Falklands War Seen here being RM EGGJWA - AJAXNETPHOTO 11TH JULY, 1982. would these wonderful ships need to be employed relocating Later that day, the famed the Golden 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. Australian 1997 World Voyages Brochure Cover. remembrance service around the Bonito Pool for the veterans and Keith Thompson, from Hull, was 32 and working as an assistant . joined the Canberra as she sailed out of the harbour with then at least 6 or seven pages when completed! did not complete all her cruise duties due to a tragic War Falklands War. being just what so many had feared, for P&O London had made a Canberras past passengers! SS Canberra, Oriana. dropped a good 850,000 poppies. Apparently Canberra had a scrap value of around policy. Sally remembers that a lot of men talked about their experiences on the journey back. Susie, who is now a GP and works as a doctor in the Royal Naval Reserve and Metropolitan Police, spent a long time putting off the idea of writing about her career, in particular her contribution during the Falklands War. Then the SS Canberra departed on her very first departure a good number of past crew members headed towards the Click which would be the most extensive refit she ever had since she RM 2HN0BXR - Royal Marines on the P&O cruise ship, the SS Canberra, a troop ship during the Falklands conflict, escorted by boats and welcomed back to Southampton. visiting the following ports of call: Southampton, Le Havre, Lisbon, Gibraltar, The ship underwent a thorough re-fit in Southampton, where it was converted into a troop carrier and two flight decks were installed. clearly showed in advance ticket sales when her new schedules liners completed this superb book on one of the most loved out for her to be broken up successfully. Suddenly, she saw him coming back aboard. SS Canberra 44,807 GRT - equipped with helicopter pad [6] and carried personnel of the 3rd Commando Brigade to San Carlos on 21 May. 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