Name: Eric Gold
Mail: ericgoldbtinternet.com
From: London
Home: London
Ship: Oronsay & Oriana
Dates: 1967

Comments

Hi Mel. A great site, I was a steward on the Oronsay and Oriana and Canbera and the Oronsay's photos are great if you mail me I can send you an Oronsay website, best regards, Eric.

Name: Brian Geach
Mail: bgeachpolperropics.com.au
From: Essex U.K.
Home: Sydney, Australia
Ship: Strathmore
Dates: 17th March 1959-23rd April 1959

Comments

Sailed with my Mum, Dad and sister all of whom still live in Sydney. I was 10 years old and a £10 migrant. Loved the voyage and the ports---Port Said, Aden, Bombay, Colombo, Fremantle, Adelaide, Melboune and Sydney. So exotic and so unlike the drab 50's Britain we left behind. Left me with a lifelong fascination with ships and the sea. Love to hear from anyone that could add any details to my rapidly fading recollections.

Name: Alex Hunter
Mail: aalexjanrogers.com
From: Edinburgh, Scotland
Home: Ont, Canada
Ship: Orsova
Dates: Nov - Dec, 1970

Comments

Seeing this great old ship brought back many memories of a voyage from Southampton to Vancouver,  via Panama. I met the first love of my life on this trip, but have not heard from her in years. 
Eileen, if you see this, please e-mail me.  Have you ever forgotten the Panama Canal.? 21/2/03

Name: Laura
Mail: l.carruthers1ntlworld.com
From: Bushey, Herts
Home: South Wales
Ship: Orcades
Dates: 1972

Comments

I'm not too sure of the date but was about 6 when she travelled her last voyage. Everyone says I remember incorrectly. We went to Portugal and I think Madiera. I have pictures in a land toboggan and being carried in a sling type thing also photos at the Captain's wheel

Name: Norma Rundle(nee Attwell)
Mail: Rundle2bigpond.com
From: Sunderland
Home: Perth. W.A.
Ship: Strathaird
Dates: Apr-May 1954

Comments

After discovering this site, I have just had the most wonderful journey, almost as good as the original on board Strathaird,  I was 11 yrs old, my parents were Marion and Gilbert Attwell who disembarked in Melbourne.  Wait 'til I tell rest of family about this site.  Great stuff.

Name: Ðraikar
Mail: britannicaol.com
From: USA, NY

Comments

Great page about the P&O ships.

Name: Penny
Mail: gardollceinternet.com.au
From: Bourke
Home: Port Macquarie
Ship: S.S. Oronsay
Dates: pre 1960

Comments

Great Grandmother travelled on S.S. Oronsay pre 1960, and I have a silver icing sugar dispensar with S.S. Oronsay engraved on it and would like any information on how it was used, and any other useful information as my  great grandmother died in the late 1960's.

Name: Percy Langler
Mail: john.langlerbtclick.com
From: UK
Home: UK
Ship: Stratheden / Strathmore
Dates: Circa 1938 - 1949

Comments

My Father Percy was a butcher on the Stratheden for many years, particularly during the War.  His health is not so good now. I  would love to know if anybody out there has any recollections or stories would be a great help. Regards to all, son John.

Name: Spencer Matthews
Mail: gypsie13btinternet.com
From: Middlesex UK
Home: Devon. UK
Ship: SS Stratheden
Dates: 1938

Comments

It wasn't me who travelled but my grandfather Fred Matthews. He was a trumpeter in the dance band. He travelled from Tilbury dock to Australia. Lovely web site by the way and a great help in discovering some more of my family history. Thanks!

Name: Heather Christensen
Mail: heatherwebwords.com.au
From: Australia
Home: Australia
Ship: Strathnaver
Dates: 1956

Comments

I was 6 years old when I took the trip with my parents. We travelled from London to Melbourne in 1956/7. It was a 6 month holiday we travelled to London on the Otranto. I would love to know the exact dates and and the ports of call along the way. I am currently scanning slides taken during that trip. I have a picture of the ship in Las Palmas. Any help you can give me would be appreciated.
Heather

Name: Simon
Mail: hallo27froggy.com.au
From: Australia
Home: Australia
Ship: Iberia
Dates: 1969

Comments

When I was 3 1/2 years old I travelled from Aust. to UK with family aboard Iberia.   Have a Certificate from Captain confirming Equator crossing the Equator and some of Dads old Movie footage of voyage.  Great Site found by luck.

Name: Stella Mortimer
Mail: stellamortimerhotmail.com
From: Plymouth
Home: Brisbane Aust
Ship: Himalaya
Dates: Nov - Dec 1957

Comments

Thanks for the great pix - they brought back some good memories.

Name: Bob Wright
Mail: robert.wright3ntlworld.com
From: Paisley Scotland
Home: Paisley Scotland
Ship: Engineering Officer Orontes
Dates: 1959 - 1960

Name: Paul Greening
Mail: paul.greeningbadjar.com.au
From: Wirral - Moreton
Home: Melbourne
Ship: Himalaya
Dates: 14th Feb- 12th March 1963

Comments

I was only 10 when we came out to Australia but I have many memories of the ship. Every time she came into port I would be on my bike and down to Station Pier. I also used to get guest passes from P&O in Melbourne and visit other P&O ships when they came to port - Canberra, Oriana, Orcades, Orsova, Iberia etc. I still have a complete set of Daily happenings on the ship. - Thanks for the site - Paul

Name: Edwin Bernard
Mail: EdBinLAaol.com
From: Calcutta, India
Home: Los Angeles, USA
Ship: S.S. Strathmore
Dates: Mar-Apr 1962

Comments

My family emigrated to England on the S.S. Strathmore. I was 15 at the time and have wonderful memories of that voyage. I believe the pianos in the lounges were the same ones I played on!

Name: Barry Griffiths
Mail: rjhcozemail.com.au
From: Melbourne, Aust
Home: Tweed Heads, Aust
Ship: Stratheden, Strathnaver, Orsova, Orcades
Dates: Stratheden (Melb - Tilbury) 31/10/1950, Strathnaver (Tilbury - Melb) 10/5/51, Orsova (Sydney - Tilbury) 15/2/62, Orcades (Tilbury - Melb) 16/1/63

Comments

I was 10 when sailed on Stratheden, spent a year in UK and returned on Strathnaver in 1951. Sailed on Orsova in 1962 for Honeymoon, spent another year in UK and returned on Orcades in 1963. This is a great site that has an enormous amount of information that you can't find elsewhere. If anyone can help me track down some footage of these ships, it would be greatly appreciated - please contact by e-mail.

Name: Elaine Otter
Mail: otternex.net.au
From: Wales UK
Home: Victoria Australia
Ship: Strathaird
Dates: April-May 1954

Comments

Absolutely delighted to find this site - Thank you for the memories and the photos.

Name: Allan Marshall
Mail: marshallallanbigpond.com.au
From: Largs Scotland
Home: Port Melbourne Aust.
Ship: Strathnaver
Dates: Arrived Oz 5th May 1957

Comments

Wish there were still a few ships like the Straths sailing today, they beat these new floating boxes hands down.  I like long cruises having been on five line voyages to or from Britain.  Once on the one and only "old" Oriana, three times on the Canberra and the maiden world cruise of the new Oriana.  If someone has any old memorabilia or get togethers let me know.

Name: Frank Kerr
Mail: australnascoralwave.com
From: Australia
Home: Bahamas
Ship: SS Strathnaver
Dates: April 1960

Comments

A lovely voyage from Melbourne to UK where I stayed for 2 years, went to the Rome Olympics, toured Europe with friends, and made a host of nice friends during my stay in England. I still email a few to keep in touch. In June 1962 I sailed from Tilbury to Nassau, Bahamas where I now live. I have fond memories of the voyage, crossing the line, and thankful for drip dry clothing which became available in Australia prior to my departure. I didn't have a camera on board so I don't have pictures to remember all the great times I had, but needless to say it was the best.

Name: Ron Sharpe
Mail: r.sharpebigpond.net
From: Melbourne
Home: Gold Coast
Ship: Orcades
Dates: May 1966

Comments

Sailed as a young grad student to UK via Perth, Suez, Gibraltar etc to London for studies at Southampton. Great ship and lots of fun all the way.

Name: John Scholefield
Mail: jaks_1hotmail.com
From: Nottingham
Home: Yarrawonga
Ship: Strathaird
Dates: 24-6-60

Name: Pat Weinert nee Wallis
Mail: Cappellachariot.net.au
From: Harrogate Yorkshire
Home: Adelaide
Ship: Strathaird
Dates: Sept 1957

Comments

This is a great site and has brought back many happy memories of our big adventure to Australia with our parents who are now passed away. I was 16 at the time and my brother 8 years old. My parents names were Robert and Margaret Wallis.

Name: Dave (Robbo) Robbins
Mail: dirobboyahoo.com
From: England
Home: England
Ship: Crew Orcades, Chusan & Himalaya.
Dates: 1970-1974

Comments:

Comments

Sailed on SS Orcades Southampton - Sydney October 20 1970, after 2 weeks waiter training whilst she was in dry dock. Then SS Chusan on the U-gang. Then finished on SS Himalaya mostly cruising out of Sydney to Fiji, Pago Pago, Tahiti, New Caledonia etc as a Cabin steward B Deck. Was also on last voyage from Sydney (Circular Quay) to Hong Kong where we had a collision in the harbour with a bulk carrier in the tail end of a typhoon, then a skeleton crew took her to Taiwan to die. Have pics of Himalaya  Oronsay ( nearly on her side) and Orsova waiting to be broken up, really bought a tear to my eye when I first saw them. Any old crew or punters that remember me please feel free to e-mail me.

Name: Judith Kersey
Mail: jmusautogroup.com.au
From: England
Home: Melbourne Australia
Ship: SS Strathaird
Dates: 21/04/55

Comments

I travelled with my family Charles George & Florence Nellie Kersey from England to Australia in 1955 and I wanted a momento and a picture of the ship.

Name: Bryan Shirley
Mail: shirlbasenet.com.au
From: Solihull, West Midlands
Home: Adelaide, Australia
Ship: SS Stratheden
Dates: Arrived Adelaide April 1962

Comments

Came to Australia (assisted passage) aged 10 leaving from Tilbury Docks in 1962 and arriving in Adelaide in April 1962.  Memories of Port Said, Aden, Colombo, Piraeus.

Name: George McFarland
Mail: geobroncattbi.com
From: Portland, Oregon
Home: Portland, Oregon
Ship: Oronsay and Arcadia
Dates: 1973

Comments

I had a great trip from Victoria, BC to the Hawaiian Islands and then back to San Fransisco. From there we travelled on the Arcadia to Victoria, BC. It was a wonderful ship! I was only 10 years old, but I remember everything!  It was a 3-week Cruise. The Oronsay was a beautiful liner as was her sister ship, the Arcadia

Name: Jaacob Levstein
Mail: J.A.Levsteinukgateway.net
From: Scotland
Home: London
Ship: Strathnaver
Dates: 1961/62

Comments

I served as bells on board on her last voyage.

Name: Eric Wallace
Mail: villagus11netzero.com
From: Scotland
Home: NH USA
Ship: Hazelmoor
Dates: 1955-1960

Comments

Bill Miller who sailed on the Strath boats gave me the website. I sailed with Denholm Co on the Hazelmoor. We have been to Wallaroo and Port Pirie. I am always looking for old shipmates, one in particular Lenny Wilson who came from the Newcastle area.

Name: J. Derbyshire
Mail: jackjacdot197.fsnet.co.uk
From: Salford
Home: Wolverhampton
Ship: Strathmore
Dates: May 1945

Comments

Liverpool to Colombo in May 1945 on Strathmore to join R.N. 827 squadron of Barracudas. 5,000 plus troops on board who went on to Burma via India, not too pleasant, but a super ship. The swimming pool was used as a fresh water tank as I remember. Nice site

Name: Michael Marsden
Mail: michaelmarsden03aol.com
From: England
Home: England
Ship: Chusan
Dates: 1955

Comments

I remember a wonderful trip as a 4 year old in 1955 from Singapore tp Tilbury. We came back via the Cape as the Suez Canal was closed at the time. Can still vividly recollect my first view of Capetown. The Bay of Biscay was very rough and the trip up the Channel was shrouded in fog.

Name: Michael Potts
Mail: casperiber4cs.com
From: Newbiggin by Sea, Northumberland
Home: Fort Washington, PA. USA
Ship: Iberia
Dates: 1970 to 71

Comments

Iberia was my 1st ship. I worked as a bell boy for a week and got promoted when the Captains steward was beat up by the chef, who was Scottish!!! The cruise to the Pacific was fantastic and 4 years and 7 ships later I moved to the USA, Never forget those times though.....

Name: Margaret Vass
Mail: margochrisbigpond.com.au
From: Birmingham
Home: Toogoom
Ship: Strathnaver
Dates: 12th June 1956

Comments

I travelled with my brother John and Mum and Dad, I was 10 years old and I can remember the huge seas in the Great Australian Bight. We even made it in the South Australian newspaper that trip. I do remember some people who went to Adelaide the Mulvahills and also a redheaded girl called Isabel. I also remember getting Bonox in the mornings and being really really sick.

Name: Les Brown
Mail: lesliebrownbigpond.com
From: Nottingham U.K.
Home: Melbourne Australia
Ship: SS Stratheden
Dates: 26/1/63

Comments

Great site. I was 15 when my folks emigrated on the 10 quid assisted passage. Fantastic experience.

Name: Peter Sherriff
Mail: fordboy2optusnet.com.au
From: Liverpool England
Home: Melbourne Australia
Ship: Ranchi
Dates: 1951

Name: Susan  Nasskau (nee Newbury)
Mail: nasskauiinet.net.au
From: Beckenham, Kent
Home: Perth, Western Austrfalia
Ship: Canberra
Dates: Nov@Dec 1964

Comments

Fascinating web site - thank you. My father was Purser of S.S. Chusan from 1950-1956 and served on many other ships including the Straths. I emigrated with my husband Ray to Australia in 1964 and my parents followed us out in 1968. 

Name: Elizabeth MacSweeney
Mail: beth1940hotmail.com
From: Twickenham England
Home: Melbourne Aus
Ship: Strathaird
Dates: 31st Mar 1958

Comments

Looking to chat with anyone else who travelled around this time.

Name: Lorraine Pugh
Mail: lostrislollyaol.com
From: London
Home: Pontypridd, South Wales
Ship: Ranchi  & Chusan
Dates: 1949 & 1962?

Comments

If I remember correctly I travelled back from Perth, Western Australia on the SS Chusan in about 1960/61 I was told it was it's last voyage. If anyone remembers that trip and the dates I would be really grateful to hear from them. I need exact dates and have no paperwork to be able to check up. I also sailed to Australia in 1949 on the SS Ranchi. Lorraine

Name: Harry Gorry
Mail: hgorryrelax.com.au
From: Scotland
Home: Melbourne,. Australia
Ship: Stratheden
Dates: Feb 1959

Comments

Interesting site. I have a fold-out map of the decks and photo's of lounge's etc.Also the passenger list book from my voyage. If any of this will help others I'm happy to share them. Harry.

Name: John Batey
Mail: johnjbatey.fsnet.co.uk
From: England
Home: England
Ship: S.S. Orcades
Dates: 1967

Comments

I served as an Electrical Officer. Although she was of the oldest in the P&O fleet at that time, she was one of the most sociable with lots of wheeling in, parties you name it it was all going on.

Name: Kenneth Watson
Mail: kennethwatson9msn.com
From: Darlington
Home: Darlington
Ship: Stratheden

Comments

I was to sail on last trip on Stratheden but was transfered to Himalaya at last minute.

Name: Michael Caesar
Mail: caesarrka.com.au
From: England
Home: Australian Capital Territory
Ship: SS. Iberia
Dates: September 1954

Comments

It was great to find this site and see the photos of the Iberia. I was five years old when I sailed with my mother and two sisters from Southampton to Sydney on the maiden voyage of the Iberia. I still have great memories of that event. If my memory has not failed me, I seem to remember that the ship got stuck in the Suez Canal. I also remember hating it when my elder sister and I were sent to the childrens nursery. On one occasion I remember escaping with my sister and spending a good few hours roaming the ship while our mother was on shore visiting Port Said. We were eventually found and returned to our mother.

Name: Michael N Severn
Mail: mnsandrosetiscali.co.uk
From: Sheffield
Home: Northern Ireland
Ship: Iberia
Dates: May 1962

Comments

Joined as Bell boy in '62. Left '64 and rejoined as third steward doing Iberia's final voyage.

Name: Sue
Mail: ju87optusnet.com.au
From: London
Home: Melbourne
Ship: S S Strathmore
Dates: Arrived November 1959

Comments

This is a wonderful site!  I appreciate the pictures and the memories, and the chance to hear of others who love or loved these ships.  I was four when on the Strathmore, but I remember it all vividly. I fell in love with the ship, and still have my mementoes, including the cocktail sticks! A truly wonderful site. Thank you. Sue.

Name: Chris Roberts
Mail: oowongalamahdodo.com.au
From: Australia
Home: Australia
Ship: Chusan, Canberra
Dates: 1971-1974

Comments

Joined P&O in 1971 and after a trip to Hamburg on Pando Gulf, Joined Chusan in Southampton and stayed on for 13 months. Met my wife Christine who was a Nursing Sister on Chusan and we are still together. Then joined Canberra in 1972 and left in 1974. visited Canberra in Sydney in 1984?? There is also an excellent website for Canberra. www.sscanberra.com

Name: Daniel Ho
Mail: danlaptop.com.au
From: Singapore
Home: Melbourne Australia
Ship: Chusan
Dates: late 1964

Comments

Travelled from Singapore to Manilla, Hong Kong, Kobe, Yokohama. Personal steward name of Brian from UK. Any information would be great.

Name: John Shaul
Mail: johnshaulhotmail.com
From: New York City
Home: Arizona
Ship: Arcadia
Dates: 1974

Comments

Wonderful sight. I am very interested in anything relating to P&O line. I also traveled on Canberra & Oriana.

Name: Maureen McConochie (nee Cork)
Mail: morsey13hotmail.com
From: Cheshire England
Home: Townsville Qld
Ship: S.S. Oronsay
Dates: September 1962

Comments

I travelled on the S.S. Oronsay with my parents and brothers and sisters from Tilbury Docks to Perth Western Australia. I was too young to remember as I had my first birthday on the ship. I received a birthday card with a picture of the ship on the front and all the details of the ship on the back. Inside has names of everyone else who also had a birthday in that time. I also received a certificate when we crossed the equator. We also had a stowaway on the ship. I'm glad I stumbled upon your web site. I think its great. Maureen.

Name: Bill Giles
Mail: devonwaysprint.ca
From: Hong Kong
Home: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ship: Chusan & Oronsay
Dates: Early 60's

Comments

Brings back childhood memories of our trips to & from the Far East.

Name: Doug Stopps
Mail: stopps4ozemail.com.au
From: England
Home: Australia
Ship: Himalaya
Dates: 1967 to 1972

Comments

I was a steward on the Himalaya.

Name: Edward Yabsley
Mail: edwardyabsley
From: Newton Abbot, South Devon
Home: Birkenhead, South Australia
Ship: SS Strathmore
Dates: Left Tilbury Nov 1962, arrived Sydney Jan 1963

Comments

Also served in Royal Marines until 1953. 

Name: Robert Gray
Mail: rwgray_wahotmail.com
From: Perth
Home: Perth
Ship: SS Orontes
Dates: 1960

Name: Heather Heyne
Mail: Heatherheyne.com.au
From: Paisley, Scotland
Home: Adelaide, South Australia
Ship: S.S. Orontes
Dates: May/June 1961

Comments

I travelled with my parents and brother. I was 8 years old and I stil have fantastic memories of the journey; the fancy dress, crossing the equator, visiting Gibralter and Colombo.

Name: Keith Waring
Mail: janep-and-w.com
From: London
Home: Hampshire
Ship: Chusan, Strathmore, Stratheden
Dates: 1950's

Comments

This is my Dad who worked on the above 3 ships during the 1950's, my Parents met on board the Chusan (My Mum was a passenger, Dad her Wine Waiter!). He would love to hear from anyone who remembers him, if so please feel free to emai him via me.
Kindest regards, Jane Waring.

Name: Joe Humphries
Mail: joehumphriesihug.com.au
From: Liverpool England
Home: Ipswich, Qld, Australia
Ship: R.M.S.Orontes
Dates: early 1951

Comments

We arrived in Melbourne in March 1951. My parents, brother & sister and myself. I was one year old. I would appreciate any information about the Orontes that is available. This site is absolutely brilliant. Thank you for showing me sights that I was too young to remember. Joe Humphries.

Name: George Walker
Mail: george45ukyahoo.co.uk
From: UK
Home: UK
Ship: Strathnaver
Dates: 1956

Comments

Lovely pictures.

Name: John King
Mail: cj_vvmchotmail.com
From: Liverpool England
Home: Queensland Australia
Ship: Strathmore
Dates: March 1959 to April 59

Comments

I emigrated from England to Australia in 1959 with my mother and two sisters. My father and brother had preceded us in 1958 aboard the Fairsky. Living in Queensland now only about 2km from my first home here.

Name: Peter Gale
Mail: pgaledodo.com.au
From: London, England
Home: Adelaide, Sth Australia
Ship: Orcades
Dates: Feb-Mar 1969

Comments

Tilbury 16th Feb 1969 - Adelaide 18th Mar 1969. Travelled via Rotterdam/Lisbon/Dakar/Cape Town/Durban/Fremantle. Mum, Dad & 2 sisters. It was a trip of a lifetime. Stayed in Pennington migrant hostel.

Name: Alan Garwood
Mail: adasson_2000yahoo.com
From: United Kingdom
Home: United Kingdom
Ship: Oronsay&Otranto
Dates: 1951 to 1954

Comments

It's a good site. I served as crew on Oronsay and Otranto.I walked every foot of your photographs. I was even a junior in the Flat.
Regards Alan Garwood

Name: Bill Miller
Mail: millercraggsympatico.ca
From: Kilsyth, Scotland
Home: Kitchener,On.Canada
Ship: Arcadia, Stratheden, Strathaird.
Dates: 1955-1959

Comments

I was a bell boy on the Arcadia an assistant steward on the Stratheden and my last   job was inventory store keeper on the Strathaird. Thank you for putting this web site together it has brought back a lot of  good memories.

Name: Christine Johns
Mail: cjohns22bigpond.net.au
From: Sydney, Australia
Home: Gold Coast, Queensland.
Ship: Stratheden
Dates: 1977

Comments

Wonderful site. If you're out there Andrew Jackman, email me please.

Your date intrigues me as Stratheden was withdrawn from P&O service in 1963 and after being chartered and then bought by other shipping companies, she was finally scrapped in 1969. Mel.

Name: Margaret Cramp
Mail: margaretcooltone.com.au
From: Australia
Home: Australia
Ship: Strathmore
Dates: Landed Brisbane 18th April 1955

Comments

I am trying to get information or guest lists for my mothers 80th birthday if there is anyone out there who travelled on the Strathmore from Scotland to Australia I would appreciate any information. My mothers name was Catherine Dewar, husband Gordon and children Gordon Philip and Nancy from Glasgow. Regards, Margaret Cramp.

Name: Andrew Starling
Mail: wnsideal.net.au
From: Barnet, England
Home: Sydney, Australia
Ship: P&O Iberia
Dates: 1957

Comments

Wonderful after all these years to find so much information on the adventure of a lifetime for so many families. Am still searching for the passenger list, if anyone can help?

Name: Brett Pye
Mail: brettppyeprovedores.com.au
From: New Zealand
Home: Australia
Ship: Orsova
Dates: 1970

Comments

She brought us to Australia in 1970.

Name: Elke Jerome (Vogel)
Mail: elke_403hotmail.com
From: Germany via South Africa
Home: Newcastle N.S.W.
Ship: S.S.Orontes
Dates: Sept 1961

Comments

Born in Germany and went to South Africa in 1951 then sailed to Australia in 1961 when I was 12 years old with my parents, sister, brother and my Great Grandfather. Had a fabulous time.

Name: John Kingwill
Mail: kingwilljkiprimus.com.au
From: London UK
Home: Rothwell Brisbane
Ship: Strathnaver
Dates: 16 Feb 58 Arrived 23 Feb 1958

Comments

I am so pleased to have found this site.  I emigrated as a nine year old boy and to this day it was probably the greatest adventure of my life.  I would love to hear from anybody who was on that voyage for any information they may be able to give me as I am trying to write my life story and that voyage was a great part of that.  Cheers John

Name: Patricia Kelly
Mail: mckenzie9898yahoo.com
From: Australia
Home: USA
Ship: SS Oronsay
Dates: 1958.

Comments

I travelled from Sydney to USA on Nov.28,1958.  Just wanted to see if the old girl was still afloat

Name: Richard Papineau
Mail: idnobshaw.ca
From: Vancouver, Canada
Home: Vancouver, Canada
Ship: Orontes
Dates: June/ July, 1956

Comments

My father Dick, mother Stephanie, sister Rosanne (then 9)  and I (then 11) sailed on board this wonderful old, warm and friendly ship from Tilbury to Sydney, Australia in 2nd class and I still have many beautiful memories of that voyage.  Such as being with our parents at "Tom's Bar"  where the steward in charge, Tom Bowers (later to settle in Australia himself) would always have a bowl of ice-cream with fruit for me and with maraschino cherries for my sister while our parents cooled-off (especially in the tropics) with a cool drink. Our cabin steward, Barry Endell, who delighted us children with stories of the sea and a daily treat of some kind. Watching a movie shown on a screen in the main stairwell,  our dining room steward who when returning from shore in Colombo walked to the top of the gangway and went too far and simply fell into the harbour, not being hurt but certainly a sobering experience, clambered back up but was not too well for breakfast the next day. The ports of call, Gibraltar where no one was allowed ashore, Naples, Port Said, down the Red Sea where my father pointed out Kasfarit where he was stationed during the war. Aden, Colombo where the Chief of Police, Josalaka, an old friend of my father, came aboard and took our entire family ashore for the day and showed us wonderful sights...we were ashore an hour before anyone else was allowed to disembark on past the Cocos Islands to Freemantle/Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne where we met two aunts who took us on a tour of the city and outer areas in an old English taxi-cab that they had travelled in all the way to Australia over land, and finally Sydney with it's magnificent harbour and bridge. Over the next  21 years we remained friends with crew members my parents had met during that voyage,  most transferring to other P&O ships after the final voyage of the "Orontes". Our home was their home away from home with wonderful and exciting times.  They became like uncles and brothers to us two children. In those days the ship would stay in port for three days and they of course would wangle shore leave and stay with us, like the two already mentioned, Dick Gray, Johnny Goodwin, Larry White, Trevor Sibourne and others. Since however, returning to Canada in 1976 contact (and I have to assume retirements etc) has been lost. I have often wondered where they are today or what happened to them. On it's final voyage, when the "Orontes" left Sydney for the last time, we went down to see our crew friends off with ticker-tape and took photos of here departure trailing her long banner of service. The following day her photograph and a large write-up appeared in the morning newspaper, which I have to this day. On that day we also went on board to say our farewells and today I still have our cabin number plates.  About  1969/70 I wrote a small manuscript of that voyage from our departure from Charing Cross to about   a month or so after arriving in Australia. Wonderful ship, crew and time. Have most of the menus still and the booklet that contained information and the entire passenger list. In the centre of this booklet were the insignias of all the ranks of officers and sub-officers aboard.  I remember I spent a good deal of time when at sea searching these officers out and asking them to sign it...not one I found refused and I still have this booklet framed.  Should anyone be interested in copy of any of the "Orontes"  items I have, they can email me and I would be only too pleased to forward such to them...also love to hear from anyone on board her in June/July, 1956 or at any time.  I have certainly enjoyed you site please keep up the good work. I will forward for your site some of the material I still have...hope it will be of use to you.   Richard