Name: Jim
King CommentsI was 2nd Printer on E Deck working alley. Cabin 106 on D Deck. I worked with Frank Vidow. I made dozens of friends. Would like to hear from anyone who remembers me. 3 world trips with lots of cruises around the islands out from Sydney, plus a couple of European trips. I still have lots of photos as well as menus and other printed items. Name: Kenneth
Harding CommentsI am using Brother-in-Laws Email address in the hope that I may make contact with fellow migrants of some forty years ago, when I sailed with my family to the promised land. Also would like to make contact with Vickers-Armstrong Ltd to get war time records if possible - any assistance would be appreciated. Name: Mary
O'Brien CommentsIt was a wonderful journey and the beginning of a new life. You've done a great job Mel, thanks for the memories. Name: Roger
and Pauline Pearson CommentsMy wife travelled out with her family to Oz and sadly due to her fathers ill health they came back to the UK. Her maiden name was Pauline Brittle, her brothers where called Stanley and Keith Brittle. Name: Patrick
O'Brien CommentsI arrived in Australia at the age of 15yrs, with my sisters Mary (13yrs) and Judy (Myrtle, 11yrs). We were part of a group of child migrants under the Fairbridge Farm School scheme. We were located in Molong, NSW where I spent 3 yrs, during which time I also attended Orange High School. I often look back with fond memories of that somewhat surrealistic voyage, as a pleasant interlude in an otherwise difficult childhood. Name: Alan
Roberts CommentsI sailed on the Strathmore with my family to start a new life in Australia, I was 10. I'm a keen radio control scale model boat builder and I would love to build an operating model of her. Information on where to get plans on her would be great, by the way what a great site. Name: Derek
Green CommentsI am the grandson of William Belcher A/C Engineer 1928 on the Chusan ( China Navigation Company ) in Shanghai any information you have will be of interest. Name: Allen CommentsMy father Roland Pattrick (baker) with his friend Colin Parry (ships writer) served on the Strathallan during WW2 including it's last fateful voyage off Algiers. Name: Peter
Kaye CommentsI took passage on the SS Iberia from the UK to Bombay in September/October 1957 to take up a position with Peirce Leslie & Co Limited in Mangalore, South India. Name: Ian
Thomson CommentsGreat trip from Tilbury to Sydney via Suez & Colombo. Held up with a dock strike in Adelaide. No regrets in Aussie, have not seen any others on our trip. Would like to see passenger list, or info. on this fine old ship Name: Maureen
Cate CommentsMy father, Fred Diwell, was the hairdresser and barber on board the Stratheden for three trips, between December 1954 and October 1955 and I would love to hear from anyone who may remember him. Name: Madeleine
Osborn CommentsI am doing a project on it because of my family. Name: Mike
Waterman CommentsServed engineering appreniceship in Tilbury Dock 1958-63 were I worked on all P&O Liners that were based there. Orontes-Orsova, Straithaird-Acadia etc. Joined P&O-Orient Lines as an engineer officer in Aug.1963, My first ship was the Himalaya where I met my future wife. I later did a coastal (UK-Rotterdam-Antwerp) on the Comorin (ex Singapore) and then my last ship was the Arcadia. I enjoyed my time at sea and still have dreams about being down in the engineroom. Our children love to hear the stories and advertures that I had. Name: Brian
Todd CommentsWorked as a utility steward on the 'old' Arcadia, anyone remember me? Met my wife on board and decided to live in the land of Oz and have been happily married for the last 25 years Anyone from that era please feel free to contact me. Would love to hear what you have done with your lives. Any old photo's etc. would be appreciated. Name: Chris
Hughes CommentsServed in the engineering division on each of the vessels. Met my wife on Strathnaver Fremantle/Tilbury 1960 and still together. Name: WRS.
M.J. Mitchell CommentsI sailed on the Strathaird in October 1944, and was indeed the first w.a.f. to set foot on board ship as we sailed to Bombay. We were split into groups of 6 for bonding purposes. I am fast approaching my 80th birthday and would like to hear from anyone who travelled with my unit (Kirton Lyndsey). Name: Mr
Eric Williams CommentsThis lovely ship brought myself and family to Australia in 1961. It was more a holiday than a sea trip we stopped at 7 ports before arriving in Melbourne, where I have lived ever since, Thankyou Stratheden and crew. Name: Grahame
Riley CommentsI was only 1 year old when our family came out to Australia. Glad I found this web site. Name: Jean
Hitchen CommentsThankyou for the website it is great! Name: Kim
Horton CommentsSailed from Southampton thru Suez to Melbourne arriving Jan 1960 Name: Dick
Bayfield CommentsI spent 10 years at sea on P&O Orient lines starting as a bellboy on the Stratheden then to the Himalaya, Orcades, Arcadia, Orsova as public room steward then Iberia, Chusan and Orcades as barman. If there are any ex crew I would be pleased to hear from you. I am in touch with Ferdi Bright ex Oriana stern gallery barman and I know Mel Currie ex observation lounge barman died about five years ago. Name: David
Pople CommentsI came to Australia as a member of the Big Brother Movement when I was 16. Our cabins were at the aft end of H deck next to the ship's laundry. It was 135 degrees in my cabin when we crossed the equator and we all slept on camp beds on deck. I returned to England on the Castel Felice for my 21st birthday, sailing from Sydney on October 8 1960, and came back again on the Orontes which sailed from Tilbury on December 4 1961. It was her final voyage. From Sydney she sailed to Japan to be scrapped. If it's of any use to anyone, I kept a diary of all three voyages. Name: Margach CommentsFamily spent Christmas & New Year at sea. I was 9 years old. On our way to paradise & found it. Name: Ron
Sheldon CommentsI was in the galley on both ships, Orsova Jan 66 - Sept 67.and then Himalaya June-Dec 1968. Worked with head chefs Don Glavin, Lou Manzi, Bill Grundy on Orsova and Malcolm Pearce on Himalaya. Other chefs were Trevor Friday, Jim Cartwright, Ken Sharman, Harry Flood, Alan Duley, night baker Dave Williamson, Alan Brown, Pat Clooney (larder) , Ron (stumpy), Doom and many others. Would love to hear fron anyone, especially Paul Palmer (winger). Great times that will never come again, an education every day !!!!! What was the name of that crew cook who had to use the lift to get to the galley ???????? Name: Marlowe
Bramich CommentsIst trip on the Himalaya as a 3rd cook /ships cook was for 6 months to Oz. 4 months cruising from Sydney. Absolutely brilliant and then on to the Canberra and worked my way up to the giddy heights of 2nd cook, sauce cook 1st class end. Anybody who remembers me, give me a call, especially a mate called Nevyn. Name: Charles
Marshall CommentsSmashing site; I joined Orsova as a Radio Officer. She was my first sea going ship. I also met my wife" to be" on board her, great memories. . . . Bill Keeling was my Ch .- The ship could roll in dry dock ! Keep up the good work de Charles Name: john
Scanlon CommentsAfter travelling on the Canberra on the maiden voyage, travelling on the Iberia was a bit of a let down but I was very excited about travelling back to Canada, which I considered my home. We hit the tail end of a hurricane and saw Goldfinger in one of the table tennis rooms because the Iberia did not have a cinema. Name: Maureen
Cerni CommentsThank-you for the wonderful site. My parents and my brother and I migrated from England to Australia on the Strathmore. I have very vague memories as I was only 4 years old. It was great to see photos which included the whole of the ship. Thank-you once again. Maureen Name: Robert
Brown CommentsWhere is it possible to view passenger name list for this voyage please ? Name: Peter
Parfitt CommentsWonderful journey on the Orcades to a great new life in Australia as teenager with my family. Your site brought back terrific memories. Thank you for creating the site. Name: Andy
Westwood CommentsAfter working as dock staff, sailed on the above ships as a marine engineer, resigning from P&O in 1975 to take up residence in Sydney. Name: David
S Thomasson CommentsThank you Mel for a great page, I was 11 when I migrated with my Mam and Dad and you have brought back many memories for me. I can now show my grandchildren the photos. Name: Rob
Stewart CommentsI travelled on the liner as a young child, and still have memories of it, although I was only three. How wonderful that this, and the other great P&O liners, are not forgotten! Name: Bob
Brown CommentsThanks for the memories. My family traveled from San Francisco to Sydney on the Orcades in the winter of 1956, then from Sydney to Southampton the following year on the way back. Altogether, we spent over a month aboard that ship, and some of the most indelible memories of my life. Hello to any other shipmates of those days. Name: Colin
Evans CommentsWeb search on Stratheden Name: Robert
Brew CommentsThis ship was born the same year as I was 1937...my first trip to sea was on her as a bell boy......a long time ago.......thanks for the memories. Name: Chris
Wood CommentsI was the ship's dispenser on the Chusan in 1970. Would like to hear from anyone that remebers me. Name: Don
McHaud CommentsGot on board in Vancouver, BC..San Francisco for a few days...Long Beach...Honolulu..Suva..Auckland and finally Sydney, Australia..Lived in Sydney about 7 months headed home via CPA..Great adventure and will never forget the Orsova..The ports of call were unreal...It wasn't the nicest ship afloat at that time but the people travelling on her were great..Regards..DM Name: Stephen
Williams CommentsHappy memories of returning back to UK from Singapore on SS Orcades when I was a boy Name: John
Scanlon CommentsI have a lot of great memories of travelling by sea. The best trip was via the Canberra on her maiden cruise in 1961. I don't remember the Oronsay and the Orsova (or was it the Arcadia). The last trip we did was on the Iberia in 1965. I think that the Iberia was pretty old at this time but on that trip between Sydney and Vancouver, we weathered the tail end of a hurricane off New Zealand. I remember the gong that announced dinner. My fondest memories are of the Canberra, walking around on the top deck near the funnels with the high glass walls protecting everyone from the wind and of slowly drifting down the coast of California in the early morning. I don't remember any of the special ceremonies which were due to the Canberra being such a spectacular ship for its time, but I think in Honolulu there were a lot of people who turned out to see the ship. If there are any passengers from the 1965 trip in March on the Iberia or the 1961 (July) trip of the Canberra, I would love to hear from you. Name: Bob
Barnes CommentsI served as fourth and then third Radio Officer, employed by the Marconi Company. Name: Stuart
Potter CommentsI travelled back from Australia in 1963 on this boat, my Father returned on the SS Oriana as apparently there was no more space to put the whole family together, ours took some 6 weeks, Dads boat some 3 weeks. Name: Trevor
Hoare CommentsBig brother movement to Fairbridge Pinjarra Western Australia aged 15. Sailed from Tilbury on 26/01/63 via Port Said, Aden, Colombo and finally Fremantle. Returned to UK 1968 Name: Mary
Nicol CommentsI'm a retired Canadian Registered Nurse who has had 8 children's books published under the name Mary Razzell. I would like to get in touch with any nurse who worked on the Oronsay or similar ship around the 70s. I want to know more about the nursing duties and the hospital set-up aboard a liner. Thanks. Mary Nicol. Name: Steve
(blonde) Gripper CommentsEngineer on Oronsay and Arcadia in 80's, took Oronsay to scrap in Taiwan. Any officers out there who I knew? Great times. Name: Alan
Ainsley CommentsAn excellent site - I've surfed for years for something like this! My family emigrated to Oz on Canberra (1st voyage after major incident (fire?) I believe) when I was 7. Although my brother Ian and I soon became 'Aussie's', Mother was homesick, missed family etc and we unfortunately returned to UK on Iberia in '65 (even at age 10 this was worst time of my life - but ship not to blame). Dad (now sadly deceased) later returned via Greek ship & returned on Orsova in '72. Was anyone a passenger on Canberra or Iberia in 63 or 65??? Name: Trevor
Austin CommentsServed as a 3rd Baker on Iberia. Seeking any contact with catering crewmembers who served at the same time. Also would appreciate any SS Iberia info on the web that people might know about. Name: Helen
Pinchen (Robertson) CommentsI'm searching for information on what I believe was her last Australian voyage. Is there anyone out there who travelled on the same trip. I was four at the time and have few recollections of it but would like to learn more. Name: David
Cole CommentsI was Hospital Attendant on Arcadia from 1973 to 1975 with a small break in between. I was also Hospital Attendant on Canberra from 1971 to 1973. In addition, I did two cruises on Himalaya April/May 1973, stood by as the only medic on Oronsay in Southampton in 1974, and did two supernumerary cruises on Canberra and Oriana in 1974 before returning to Arcadia. Name: Dorothy
Picton nee Ritzema CommentsAs a 13 year old I enjoyed the trip imensely once I'd recovered from my sea sickness. Most of the trip we had very hot weather and were advised to take salt tablets (yuk), but I did learn to swim in the ships pool. My twin sister and I dined with Mum & Dad which made us feel very grown up as my younger sister and brother had to go to the childrens sittings. Our cabin steward was called Brian Bearman I think. He came to visit us on a return trip I had quite a crush on him during the journey. On our arrival at Outer Harbour we were taken to Smithfield Hostel by bus. It was the last voyage for the Strathnaver and if I remember correctly Spike Milligan was on board. Thank you for this interesting site it was great reading everyones experiences. Name: Willie
Gyte CommentsStarted bellboy 66 Canberra to prs,Oronsay 72-73 prs. Name: Mike
Lucas CommentsRetracing my past, I have a few pictures of me on the Chusan arriving in Singapore Name: Sam
Sabey CommentsOur family has a bell with the name "SS Oronsay" I am interested if this is really the ship it came from? And where she may be now? Name: Linda
Brackenbury CommentsHi there, terrific website. Very interesting about times gone by, My husband's grandfather was Henry Blogg, legend of Cromer Lifeboats. My husband John has fished all his life prior to retiring to Coll. I was referred to this site by my friend "Robert Kennedy" Name: Ron
Sheldon CommentsHi, I was sauce cook on the Himalaya's longest voyage, UK to Australia via Cape Town and Durban.then 9 pacific cruises and home the way we came.would love to hear from anyone on that trip (crew or Passenger) and anyone from Orsova 66-67 best wishes Ron Sheldon Name: Debbie
Gray CommentsMy father in law sailed on the Strathmore in 1938 as a 8 or 9 year old via The Lady Northcote Scheme for immigrating children to Australia from England He was born in Hull. Love to here from any one else having the same experiance. He was sent to Bacchus Marsh in Victoria. Name: Simon
Reilly CommentsI served as senior third engineer Name: Daniel
McCowat CommentsI travelled to Australia aged 17 and would appreciate any information anyone may have on this particular voyage. Name: Sandra
Moores (nee Garnham) CommentsSailed on the Stratheden with my Mum, Dad, brother 10months old. I was 9. Parts of the crossing were rough like the Bay of Biscay and the Great Australian Bight. I didn't like some of the ports we stopped at like Aden, and Colombo. We had some good times on the ship but we had to have two sittings at meals because of my brother being a baby. It seemed to take along time to get to Australia. Name: David
Wilson CommentsI have been looking for pictures of the old ship purely for sentimental reasons.I know that there is a model of the Strathaird in the War museum at Canberra because I saw it many years ago. Thankyou, you have made my day. Name: Brendan
Donohue CommentsEmigrated as a 10 pound Pom with my parents and older brother. Still remember my eight year old birthday and my birthday cake disappearing into the mouths of starving kids without a slice for myself. I remember the Greek port of Pireas, toy camels, Colombo and the crossing of the equator with Neptune, entertainment for kids, first taste of Peters ice cream in a cup as well as money boxes from the Commonwelth Bank with a free shilling. Still have a coat hanger. Great Site. Brendan Name: Terence
Murphy CommentsI must say that you can find anything on the internet! My entire family travelled from Los Angeles to Australia in 1964 on the Oronsay. Wow, what a trip to find the boat on the web. I was only four when I travelled on it. But still have many recollections on board the boat from the cabins wher my brothers and sister were staying was under a foot of water and taking on more! Or when I was on the top rail at the stern of the boat and climbing over and was about to fall overboard. Of course I was lucky, my brother and mother grabbed me in time! Back then alot immigrants were coming to Australia. And since my Dad was Australian we ended up settling there for many years. I remember the SS Oronsay having rope rings or hoops what they called them and try and hoop them on a wooden pole. I remember people upset at me cause I kept tossing them overboard. Yes, I do have fond memories of the ship ans six weeks aboard it and my Mom constantly seasick! Was it owned by P&O Lines which is the Princess Lines now? Love to hear about this boat. Found out it was scrapped in 1975. I am glad some people have a website such as this to have and brace memories of long ago! Thanks once again! Terence Murphy Engineer - Boeing Commercial Airplanes Name: Roy
Hempsall CommentsI worked as an engineer on dockstaff on the Strathmore and Himalaya. I sailed on the Iberia where I met my wife. I have many fond memories of my time on the Iberia and would love to hear from any engineering staff from that time. Great website. Name: Bill
McRobb CommentsMel, I was pleasantly surprised to find your site. My family of 6 emigrated from Scotland and were sponored by my Grandmother in Mackay,who had arrived earlier. We stayed at the 'Yungaba' Migrant hostel in Brisbane in transit. Travelling from Brisbane to Mackay by train we hit a goods train at Gladstone and were derailed. Buses then took us the rest of the way to Mackay. It was certainly an adventure for a 10 year old. Anyone who would like information on the Strath liners should be able to get a book by Neil McCart, called Famous British Liners volume 5. P&O's Five White Sisters - The Strath Liners of the 1930's.ISBN 0 9519538 4 2 by FAN Publications. I luckily found this book at a shop in Greenwich a couple of years ago. Name: D.
C.Austin CommentsI was in the catering department as Service Chef. D.C.Austin Name: Garry
Parsons CommentsI have been looking for photgraphs of the Himalaya for a long long time. Your site is wonderful. Name: Ros
Magee Name: Sheila
Collins CommentsHi came out from UK in 1950 with my parents to Tasmania. Went back to UK in Dec 1965, arriving in Tilbury in Jan 1966. Stayed in UK for just over 2 years Returned on Souther Cross, via Panama Canal in March 1968 Was great to see this photo thanks very much Name: David
Humphreys CommentsFond memories of this fine lady of the sea, 13 years old in 1957 still one of the greatest adventures in my lifetime. Loved all the information on the P&O Line, especially the Strathaird. Name: Kathleen
Doherty Daly Name: Ray
Norris Name: Paul
Hanlon CommentsI was 5 at the time remember seeing Stromboli Erupting in Sicily Name: Adrian
Chandler CommentsI am very pleased to have found your site due to my interest in liner history. Today in Greenwich Antique Market I bought a pewter mug which bears the TSS Strathallan with the P & O Crest. I think that the mug could have belonged to a crew member as above the crest is inscribed "Tiny" and below the crest "Aquatic Sports 1938" Do you have any knowledge of this person? or could you advise me where to look to find this out. Best Wishes Adrian Chandler Name: Chris
& Peggy Gray Name: Tony
Webster CommentsI would like to make contact with Tourist Class passengers on these voyages: Durban to Perth (Oronsay May 1971) & from Sydney to Durban via Hong Kong, Singapore and Ceylon (Orsova Feb 1972). Name: M.
Proctor CommentsTravelled from uk with parents .Would anyone know the ports the ship stopped at.Interested in any infomation on the Iberia.I remember a cabin steward called Alfonso.Thanks. Name: Charles
Mullin CommentsWas engineer on these ships 63-65.Sailed on Strathmore's last P&O voyage to Australia Sept/Oct 63 and subsequent delivery to Piraeus Name: Paul
Platt CommentsI was 4 years old when I arrive in Sydney Australia with my family; father and mother Joseph and Regina, my brother Stephen, myself Paul and my sister Valerie. We still have 8mm film of the trip!!! My father and mother are still best friends with the Jim and Mary McKenna whom they met on the ship. That's a friendship of 40 years!! I'd love to hear from anyone who still has photos. Name: Trevor
Colley CommentsGreat Memories! Name: Kathryn
de Cambra CommentsI travelled with my Mother and Father first Class to England to go back to school. I still have all of the menu cards off each ship. Name: Bruce
Evans CommentsSailed as crew on the Arcadia and Oronsay and later as a Passenger on the Round the World Cruise in Canberra 1978 Name: Joan
Colley CommentsWe were first class travellers, paid for by the Australian Navy. My mother, my sister and I went to England in 1951 on the Strathnaver and returned in 1953 on the Himalaya. Name: Thomas
Kirwan CommentsI was only a child so memories are all first class. remember six weeks seemed forever at the time nice to see the old girl again Name: Patricia
Cooper CommentsI was eleven and migrating to Australia with my family Jack and Joan Bex (parents) and sister Jean aged eight. We kids had a great time. I read all the books in the childrens library and my Father gained permission for me to borrow from the adults library. We settled in Mt.Macedon in Victoria for a year then to Auckland, New Zealand for six years. Finally settling in Sydney Australia. I would love to hear from anyone on the Strathnaver at that time. I remember we had a group of Aussie motorbike riders returning home to Australia after racing in Europe.Hope to hear from you all soon! Kind regards, Robin Name: Tony
Webster CommentsI'll never forget this trip. We sailed from Sydney through tropical islands and beautiful oceans to Hong Kong, Singapore, Ceylon and finally, for me, Durban. But the most exciting was meeting all the people. I would especially like to make contact with Glenis Young from Australia and Janie from Millwaukee USA. If any of you know their whereabouts please pass on my e mail. Thanks. Name: Christine
McGovern CommentsWe emigrated to Australia on the S.S. Orcades as a family. Although I was only young I have very fond memories of the ship. I love cruising and have been on six cruises since. Name: Matt CommentsMy father, Duncan Edmond, was 16 when he left Scotland via London to travel alone to Fremantle. I just visited Scotland with him and ran into a guy named Kenny who worked as a baker on the same ship. This should give him a nice memory. Thanks. Name: David
Schulz CommentsMy father (still alive - age 92) was with the Aust 7th division and travelled on the Orcades from the Mid East to Australia in 1942. They were diverted to Java to stop the Japanese advance. My father was lucky as they were not landed but those who did became POW's (among them was "Weary" Dunlop. The Orcades made a fast run down the Sunda Strait under the cover of a heavy rain squall and was not spotted by the Japanese aircraft that were looking for them. They sailed to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where the met up with other troop ships. They were surprised because they thought the Orcades had been sunk. The Division then sailed to Adelaide. Name: Bunce CommentsI am actually looking for a passenger list with my families name on it. George, Mary, George Jnr, Joseph, Robert and baby Geoffrey. My Dad was a boilermaker if anyone can help please contact me, Name: Peter
(Poly) King CommentsOften wondered if there was a page. Would like to get in touch with others who sailed on Her during these years. Keep up the good work...Poly Name: Ros
Magee Name: Chris
Kershaw CommentsEmigrated to Melbourne from Tilbury with my family at the age of 5 on what I believe was Strathmore's last voyage. It was the adventure of a lifetime, and I have vivid memories of Gibraltar, mast-top traders in the Med, stinking hot weather through the Suez, dining old-world style separately from the grown-ups, sports day on the boat deck, port and starboard saloon portholes being alternately under water through the Australian Bight, and the unique smell which is a mixture of salt, tar and paint. I still have my Neptune's certificate from crossing the line, and a pen with a miniature Strathmore floating in it. This is a fantastic site, and it's great to read other people's similar memories. Name: Thomas
Platt CommentsHow can we obtain a list of passengers in 1959 on this vessel Name: Joanne
Layton CommentsWould love any information on the SS Strathmore and passenger list travelling from India to UK at the end of 1958 arriving in the UK 1959. Name: Pete
Williams CommentsWhat memories, The trip through the Bay of Biscay, all parents in bed seasick, us kids at the bow ducking the spray. The small boats selling goods in Cairo/Aden?, The stuffed camels and Bric a Brac my parents bought. The begger in Bombay with no legs, Mr DeSouza our cabin minder. Arriving in Melbourne my mother crying to go home. Love it. A pleasure to see the ship again. Thanks for the memories Name: Alan
Nason CommentsI was a steward on the Strathnaver in 1955. Would love to hear from any of my old mates. I was in Peak 60 with nine others. Particularly interested in locating Taffy Mc Grath. Name: Lee
Elks CommentsEx Prince Of Wales Sea Training School Feb 67 To June 67 Oriana Aug 67 To Oct 68 Name: David
Mills CommentsMy wife and I work as volunteers at the local branch of the Missions to Seamen and on Friday evening when we returned home from the Mission, my son said "look what I have found". He had been surfing and found your website as he knows I have trying to find information about P & O ships and those who sailed on them. It is a very interesting site and well done Mel I have read every word of it. In fact my son has now incorporated a picture of the Strathnaver into the computer desktop instead of pebbles. One of the photos is of the wheelhouse of the Strathnaver and is does not quite fit with my recollections. It was much larger. The door from the chartroom being being behind the wheel with a sliding door at each end onto the bridge wings. There two tubular steel supports in the wheelhouse and the next person to walk into them in the darkened wheelhouse, after emerging from the chartroom, will not be the last! I served as a Radio Officer with P & O during the 50šs and 60šs and two of the ships I served on were the Strathnaver (GRPZ) š56 & 61 & Stratheden GDGT) 61. During my time they were one class ships, as opposed to many of our passenger ships which had both First & Second Class accommodation. On most of our voyages to Sydney we carried passengers who were migrating to Australia under the assisted passage scheme with fare paying passengers on our return back to the UK. Many of our fare paying passengers were young Australians either going to Europe or returning after their trip I think it was a continuation of the way older Australians used their special leave (canšt think of its correct title) to visit their families in the UK and Europe. I made many friends during those voyages and enjoyed their hospitality in both Sydney and Melbourne. They took me on trips to Canberra, the Blue Mountains and the Snowy Mountains and of course the RSL clubs and they were an experience with the one armed bandits and lights out and the Last Post at 9.00 pm. Sailing through the Heads into Sydney Harbour is a memorable experience not to be forgotten. I was fortunate to go on cruises from Sydney to Tasmania, New Zealand, the Gold Coast" (Hayman Island) and some of the Pacific islands. The Pacific island cruises were a bit of an adventure for us, none of us had been there before and aids to navigation and communication systems were both unfamiliar to us and not as abundant as in European waters. If my memory serves me correctly the Australian passengers seemed to like New Caledonia with its French influence following the French colonial days We were not a little concerned when in 1956, British & French troops landed at both Port Said & Suez and the Suez canal was closed. The Strathnaver was in Sydney at that time and we sailed for Adelaide without embarking passengers. At Adelaide we embarked a contingent of RAF personnel then on to Fremantle where I believe, we embarked some passengers and returned to he UK via the Cape. I have read the contributions from your correspondents and was probably on one of these ships at the same time as them. I was particularly interested to read that Peter White had served in the Officers Wardroom on he Strathnaver - quite likely that we knew each other in those days. I have good memories of the Strathnaver indeed our house is called "Strathnaver", I use it in my e-mail address and also have a 29 foot sailing cruiser which is called guess what! "Strathnaver". The name still continues. My eldest son lives on the north coast of Scotland, overlooking he Orkney Islands, and one day on a visit we went to Strathnaver, the valley of the River Naver, and we have a photo my wife and I standing beside the road sign. If anyone wishes to exchange memories or news I will be pleased to hear from them - e-mail me. I have read your notes about the last voyage of Strathaird and knew some of the officers mentioned. David Mills. Name: John
Elwell CommentsI emmigrated from England to Australia in 1957 on the Stratheden arriving in Sydney New South Wales with my mother and father (Alma & Peter Elwell) plus my siblings (Norma, Edward, Elizabeth & Leisa). My youngest sister, Patricia was born after we arrived in Australia (December 1957). My mother and father live in Woodburn. My sister Norma lives in West Coraki. My brother Edward lives in Woodburn. My sister Elizabeth lives in Bungawallabin. Mr sister Leisa lives in Ellangowan. All on the far north coast of New South Wales. My youngest sister Patricia lives on the Gold Coast in Queesland. Do you have 1957 passenger lists for the Stratheden? |