Name: Carol Mathisen CommentsWe sailed from Tilbury docks, England on the 18th August, 1954 on S.S. Orcades and arrived in Australia on the 17th September 1954. We went to live in Queensland and have been here ever since. Would love a passenger list or to find any other passenger who sailed on this ship. Name: Aslam CommentsI did not knew that there was a ship named after my home city. It was great feeling. I would have enjoyed travelling abroad SS Ranchi, Thanks to everyone attached to SS Ranchi. Name: Robert
Spratt Name: Phyllis Porter CommentsOur family travelled from LA to Melbourne and then from Melbourne to London, going around the Cape of South Africa. I have fabulous memories of those days in my early teens. Name: George McDougall CommentsI was a merchant seaman and my first trip to sea was on the Orontes. It was the happiest time of my life. regards ... George McDougall Name: Sue
Houston CommentsWhat a find! Loved browsing at all the comments and realizing what an impression that journey had on so many people. Alas, no one from the Himalaya - is there anyone out there? I was 19 at the time and would love to hear from anyone who travelled on the ship - would also love a passenger list. Thanks, Mel, for a brilliant site. Name: Jack Williams CommentsA steward on the Strathnaver going down to Oz from Tilbury. After Oz we did 2 cruises taking passengers to NZ Fiji etc, then back to UK with a mixed passenger list. Only did 1 trip. Sure earned your corn. 2 sittings of 10 kids coming back, then 2 sittings of 8 adults. Put it down to experience. Name: Eoin Dale CommentsI want to know how many passengers this vessel carried, My voyage was via the Cape of Good Hope due to the Suez canal being closed in 1957. Name: Geoff Kenney CommentsI was 14 years old when I travelled with my parents and younger brother from Sydney to Tilbury via Melbourne, Fremantle, Colombo, Bombay, Aden and Port Said, arriving in Tilbury in early December 1955. As my father was travelling on government business (he had been posted to the Australian High Commission in London for 3 years) we travelled first class. The experience, particularly in the dining room, spoiled me forever more with regard to service in hotels and restaurants. Being 14 I was just old enough to avoid the children's dining room. Apart from a rough crossing of the Great Australian Bight, which I spent lying on my bed, it was a wonderful adventure for me. The service was impeccable and the dining experience was wonderful. We returned to Australia in early 1959 on Lloyd Triestino's MV Neptunia, which was also a very enjoyable experience. Of course, by then I was 17, so my interests were a little different. Name: Alan Marsh CommentsFond memories as a young child. Name: Barb CommentsMy father, Grant Robinson, was a bomber pilot in the RCAF during WWII. His description of his journey to England starts at Halifax -January 1, 1942, boarded the Stratheden for embarkation. This was a P&O liner built for the England to Australia run, with all her pipes exposed above decks. Of course, they froze and we sat at anchor in the harbour for several days while they were replaced. A good start! Then two days out of Halifax we were in the Gulf Stream, loafing about the deck in our underwear. We docked at Greenock, Scotland and immediately boarded a train to Bournemouth to await further orders. Name: Aaron Pakula CommentsHi, if anyone finds this: my name is Aaron, I work for the Barnardo's regional office in Cork, Ireland. One of the services run by Barnardo's is a tracing service for people separated from their families & siblings via the industrial & reform school systems. If anybody can refer me to any further information re: First class passengers on the Orcades during her December 1957 voyage to Australia, I'd be most grateful. Cheers. Name: Graham Sherriff CommentsSailed from Singapore to Tilbury, via Penang, Colombo, Cape Town and Las Palmas. Great childhood memories! Name: Dawn Cooper ( Green ) CommentsWe, Bryon Green my Dad, Barbara Maureen Green my Mum and Karen Green my big sister (aged 4 at the time) travelled from Tilbury to Melbourne in 1958 as 20 quid Poms .. We've been here ever since, just LOVE Oz. I have been back as an inquisitive tourist to find my origins, but I'm happy here. Dawn. Name: Michael Bacon CommentsI was 7 and migrated with parents and sister to Perth. Highlight was all the kids got measles except me....chicken pox. It was very rough in the Mediterranean but I was one of the few not to be seasick. Had the dining room to myself. I remember the camels in Suez and Cobras in Colombo. Name: Gary Fisher CommentsI was born and raised in Vancouver, and as a child and a teenager I remember watching the great white P & O liners sailing in and out of Vancouver harbour. I always dreamed that one day I would sail on one of these ships. Then in September of 1967 at the age of 24 my dream came true, and I set sail aboard the S.S. Orsova for Sydney. The trip was everything I had dreamed of, and more, from the great stops we made in San Francisco, Hawaii, Fiji, and New Zealand. And all the wonderful people I met aboard the ship, and all the great fun we had, from renting cars on ashore, to the parties we had on the ship. I'm sure P & O had to rent a truck to haul away all the empties we left. It was a very sad day when we reached Sydney, as we all felt that the dream was over, and we were returning to the real world. I stayed in Sydney for a few months, then had to return to Vancouver. Over my lifetime I have done a great deal of travelling, and the trip to Sydney still remains the best trip of my life. I always find myself looking at the many photo's I have taken of my travels, and I always seem to end up looking at the one from the Oz trip. Name: Don Hayward CommentsThis was the typhoid Mary cruise. I joined the ship in Vancouver and we were quarantined for over two weeks because typhoid was on board. P&O treated us well and we were put in a hotel and given a stipend so a big bunch of us became friends and toured around BC. When we sailed we were already friends. When we tried to land at Tonga later on a hurricane kept us from docking. I was trying to find out about that hurricane. Also I would love to be in touch with anyone who was on that voyage, or anyone connected withy ships and the sea. Great web site! Thanks Mate. Name: Derek Walker CommentsSailed from Tilbury 28 November 1958 as an 8 year old. Still have fond memories of the trip. Name: George
Bryce CommentsI was 10 at the time and it was a great boat trip (Southampton via Suez Canal) with lots of fun and games. Being a Barnardo boy we had our restrictions but I do recall the abundance of food and ice cream we ate and the seasickness but somehow us kids managed to really enjoy the trip. The class in which us Barnardo's were given, we were berthed four to a cabin, which was cramped but ok and fun. I am curious about the passenger listings though because I across a person who's father was on the same trip and is chasing a guest list. Apart from us Barnardo's kids ( this is already documented) and from time to time, I too, wonder did the other passengers eventually fulfil their goals of that journey and arrive in life to their goals, or are they like me, still chasing the dreams and goals from that journey - whatever, if you read this , I wish you the very best for the rest of your journey and have lots of fun. Great talking to you - George Name: Kathleen Branch nee Hodgson CommentsOnly 7 when we left Tilbury Dock, can only really remember being really sick on the ship. Landed 4th November. Have lived in Australia the rest of my life. Both my parents have now passed on. Thank you for the pictures, and the memories. Name: Jackie Guzik CommentsI was 8 when I came to Australia, we disembarked in Melbourne. I can't find any passenger lists or anyone else who came on the same trip. Can anyone help? What month in 1963 was her last voyage? Name: Michael Potts CommentsI would love to hear from anyone who travelled on these ships at these times. Name: Eb Vawda CommentsTravelled from India to England in August 1965, journey took 14 or 15 days. I was only seven at the time and enjoyed the journey and the various stops, including travelling through the Suez Canal. Name: Peter Roberts CommentsSailed from Tilbury to Sydney on the "Ranchi" in 1949 as a child with my parents. and twin sisters. Fond memories. Name: Susan Reed CommentsIt was the most wonderful trip of my life. I was returning to Canada after two years volunteering in Papua New Guinea. We stopped in Hong Kong and Japan, Hawaii and ports on the US west coast, before disembarking at Vancouver. Name: Jane Scott CommentsTravelled back to the UK with my parents after a posting in Singapore. Remembered the trip very well aged 7, including a fancy dress party. We must have been one of the last ships to get through the Suez although we were not allowed on deck because of the troubles. Remember stopping somewhere in the Indian Ocean. We bought shell jewellery on a beautiful white sandy beach, hotel on end of a pier which had been a hospital during the war. I'd be grateful if anyone knows where this might have been. Wonderful website. Regards, Jane Name: Graham Cooper CommentsOur family of 4 emigrated via the Suez Canal for £ 30. I was 8 & recall learning to swim in the Ship's pool. Unsupervised, our group of pals slid deck chairs on the wet deck as we rolled though the Indian Ocean....luckily no one went over ! The memories of the trip are strong - what an adventure ! Name: Peter Hughes CommentsMost memorable moment of my life travelling to Perth on the Himalaya around Cape Town and returning to the UK on the Arcadia via the Suez Canal. Name: Jeannette Jansen-Kim CommentsAll people who were of Dutch nationality had to leave Indonesia in at that time. I was only a few months old during the trip. Name: Jo-Anne Feirclough nee McNicol CommentsIt would be great to hear from anyone who travelled from UK to Australia arriving April, 1958. Name: Brian Richards CommentsGreat site. Found three old ship mates & would love to find more. Must be more out there who remember me. If there is get in contact. I was 2nd butcher on all 3 ships. Also my nick name was Janner. Someone must remember me now.
Name:
Graham Cooper CommentsI was a crew member on the Stratheden from 1954 to 1960 with a short break with two trips on the Himalaya. I was on the Himalaya when there was a large explosion killing several people. I now live in the Blue Mountains NSW Australia and travel to the UK from time to time. My next trip is from late March to early June when I will not be able to reply to any emails.
Name:
Gerald (Gerry) Cooke CommentsHello again Mel. I logged in recently for the first time in many
months to happily find that you have added a few more pages. Having read
some of the more lengthy accounts and stories of people who immigrated
from the I have made a note of the email addresses of several of your contributors and will be contacting them. Some, who were aboard the two ships I served in at the same time as me, and others who I never knew, but who gave all too limited details about what had to be, for them, a major life defining moment, in the same way as being at sea for those few years was for me, all be it, to a much lesser degree. I have enclosed a list of the fellow ship mates I was at sea with that I remember. If anyone recognizes my name and finds that their name is not on my list, I hope they will forgive my forgetfulness. At this age, if I were a ship, I’d have gone to the breakers yard years ago. If anyone is interested, my original entry is on page eighteen of the guest book, about three fourths of the way down. ‘Chusan.’ Geoff Bairstow, Joe Beaton, Brian Chase, Terry Evans, Chester Gould, Mick 'Spud' Murphy, Arthur Pinhay, ‘Tiger’ Smart, Sid Edney, Chief Steward. ‘ My wish for you all is that your days be filled with fair winds and calm seas. Gerry. Name: Willie Mercer-Weij CommentsThis note is from me for my aunt in Melbourne. She immigrated in June 1954 with her mother. She is looking for a passengers list of the ship the SS HIMALAYA, her name is Willie Mercer-Weij. Hope you can help here, to send me an email. Guda Mulderij Name: Sandra Turnbull CommentsWould like to correspond with anyone who sailed at the same time as my family. Our family name was Welsh and we sailed to Melbourne. Name: Gareth Powell CommentsMy parents older brother and I emigrated to Australia in 1958 on this ship. I personally remember very little of the trip, but have a bond with England and this part of our history especially as my father was a Navy man. Would anyone have a passenger listing of the early ' 58 trip to Aus? I have information for you Gareth but your email address is incorrect. Mel. Name: Christine Parsonage CommentsLovely memories, 8 yrs old and a life to live! Last voyage to Australia. We boarded at Southampton and very nearly missed it. We were taken to Queensland but ended up in Melbourne in time. We came back to the UK in 1966 on the Fairsky. Mum and Dad went back in the mid 70s. Dad died in 2005, Mum is still there in Victoria. Fond memories of the ship - seems only yesterday. Name: Margaret Farquhar CommentsMy aunt Betty emigrated to Australia in in 1954 and wrote about her travels in her memoirs. Name: Stuart Tomanek CommentsI was just 5 when we caught the Orsova at Vancouver bound for Sydney in 1969. We had a 1st class cabin. I remember the delicious Viennese cookies at afternoon tea and singing Yellow Submarine at the kids club. I also have a picture of me and my sister standing at the ships wheel - which I gave a rapid spin! Thanks for the pictures - in and out she was a beauty. I'll never forget those 2 weeks! Name: Timothy J Pickard Comments4 year old child with parents on passage London to Bombay. My Father was taking up his post as 2nd Secretary British High Commission. Name: Peter Lee CommentsThe voyage was the most exciting time of my young (13yrs) life. Arrived in Melbourne 2nd September 1958 and celebrate 50 marvellous years here on Tuesday. Thanks for access to a great site!
Name: John T. A. Bewick
at CommentsI was on the same trip as Chris Kershaw on Page 2. My Son was aged 4 at the time. What I remember of that ship is very much the same as Chris. As we left Aden there was a very sick boy in the hospital, the doctor wanted to take him and his mum to the military hospital, but the family would not be separated. Sadly he died and was buried at sea. He was only 10 at the time. On a lighter note I remember the lovely day when the walls of the dance room were lifted to the ceiling on port and starboard sides. Two sailors came in and roped the piano to the wall. What a storm that was! We were having our evening meal when the ship rolled to starboard and we didn't think it was going to come out of it. It seemed to stay in a list for ever. Chairs were chained to the floor, table edges were lifted up to stop plates etc from sliding off the table. The ship was over 80 feet wide and we were on the port side looking up to starboard. People were hanging on and every thing on their tables came down on us. I remember the Gilly Gilly man with all the chickens and also when the light fittings started to smoke. Everyone was ready to leave the ship at Port Said but they fixed it. There is more I remember of that trip, but just wanted to see what Chris remembered. I've got a photo of my son John and another one of us at the table in fancy hats. I was 25 at the time, now I'm 70 years old. Sadly my wife died nearly six years ago. Kind regards J. Bewick. Name: Frank Strand CommentsI joined the Orcades as a laundry boy age 16 and apart from a brief spell on the Empire Orwell the Orcades was my home for nearly ten years, and when I left it was to settle down ashore and get married. As I mentioned I started as a laundry boy and wasn't that a warm job, no air conditioning and in the Red Sea we just cooked, I think it was on my trip when on leaving Melbourne we ran aground leaving the harbour and sat there for 24 hours until ditching most of our water we got pulled off. I haven't seen it mentioned on any of the sites but in 1953 the Orcades took part in the Spithead head revue. We followed one of the P&O ships which was behind the vessel the royal family were on. Those days the crew accommodation left a lot to be desired and was shared by up to another 7 men. I eventually aspired to the dizzy heights of first class bedroom steward, what with daily rounds and all that goes with the job, we were kept very busy. If my mind serves me right the Orcades was one of the first ships to do the Pacific run from Sydney, and we also did quite a few cruises also. Eventually the ship was refitted at Harland & Wolf in Belfast. Showers were installed in many first class cabins, also air conditioning and stabilisers, which reduced the rolling, saving a lot of crockery also. I had many happy days on her and being young at the time it did tend to shape my life and give me lots memories. I could go on for hours about these times, Old mates, trips ashore, the Pig and Whistle on Saturday nights and to all my old friends and passengers who remember me " Hello and get in touch". Thanks Mel for a wonderful site. Name: Rob Abrahams CommentsMy Father travelled out to India and then back from Singapore on these (troop) ships. He was part of the REME. Name: Keith Dunkerley CommentsThanks. Just thinking of a childhood memories of a great trip to the UK and return to Sydney. Name: Brian Adams CommentsMy uncle, Robert J. Hillis, as a 26 years old labourer, sailed to Australia from Belfast, via London, on the SS Ranchi on 26th June 1950 (the year I was born). He lived there most of his life, married with 2 daughters, but sadly took seriously ill, after his wife and daughters left him. On the trip home home to Northern Ireland, he died and was buried at sea. I don't know the name of the tramp steamer he returned in but have just recently received this info from a friend. I was very intrigued to see pictures of, and read about the ship SS Ranchi, as I had never known this information. I am interested in tracing my family history, as I think it is a hobby that can be handed down through the generations. I wish you well with your site which is very understandable and easy to navigate. Good luck and kindest regards from the North Coast of the Emerald Isle. Name: Mick Millar CommentsEmigrated with my Mum, Dad, brother & sister as a 17 year old. We always remembered the great times and thoroughly enjoyed the voyage. I am about to go on my second cruise...a cruise around Australia. Name: J Mcdonald nee Gallagher CommentsMy family and I came to Melbourne first, then came to Sydney. In Melbourne we stayed at Brooklin Migrant Hostel near Altona Beach. Where could I get a passenger list. Name: Dennis Procter CommentsWas a great holiday for a lad of 21 years old for the cost of £10. Name: Kim CommentsMy aunt travelled on the SS Ranchi with her husband and daughter. They went to live in Australia in 1950. I was pleased to find this information to show my Mum, who was her younger sister. Name: Valerie Geldard nee King CommentsI was twelve yrs when I sailed with mother, father and sister to Australia returning to England two and a half years later. Ranchi suffered a fire and I remember returning to Ceylon and spending approx. a week there. At twelve years of age I upset a crew member whilst standing there in my life jacket complaining that I had missed my lunch! Name: Lin Haigh CommentsI am researching the Strathnaver as I believe a cousin of mine, Arthur Grey (or Gray) worked on this ship in the 1940s or '50s. I have a powder compact decorated with butterfly wings from the ship and a butterfly wing picture (sadly damaged) which I was led to believe came from South America when the ship sailed there. I now think it is more likely to be from some Pacific Island (palm trees etc.) but am still doing detective work! If anyone knows any more information, I would love to hear from them. Name: Roberta Hobbs CommentsWe, my Father, Mother, myself Roberta, my sisters Patricia & Iris travelled to Aust together & my brother John was born shortly after arriving in Melbourne . My maiden name was Moneypenny . I can remember vividly the afternoon teas served in the lounge with the cane furniture. Also the meals as I was 12 yrs old & had my meals with the adults. I was friendly with a girl called Morag on the ship. Her family went on to Sydney & we never kept in touch. Roberta. Name: Joan Mathewson (nee Gardner) CommentsThanks Mel for this extremely good website! Thoughts of that four week trip from Tilbury to Melbourne still fill me with pleasure!!! I remember being anchored at Aden and the locals there selling us their wares from small boats; heaps of good memories!! Name: Stephen Rowe CommentsWe left Tilbury 7-3-63 spending a day in Melbourne 8-4-63 before arriving in the New Country 9-4-63. Never regretted it and would never look back. Name: Prudence Holgate CommentsReading through your wonderful website has stirred my memory!. My older brother and I ran riot through 1st class because my Mother was desperately sea-sick for most of the trip and my Father had flown ahead weeks earlier. We had a great time and I have some lovely memories. Thankyou for refreshing them. Name: Bryan Seller CommentsI was a catering boy rating on these two old ladies. The most formative years of my life and any boys from either ship, Id love to catch up with. Name: Stuart Chalmer CommentsMy parents spent their wedding honeymoon on the Strathnaver, travelling from Sydney to the UK. Thank you for this interesting website. Name: Ron Fry CommentsKeep up the good work. Like the trip out here I enjoyed it. Thank you. Name: Gary Crossman CommentsI still have my "Cross of the Equator" Certificate from 24th July 1957 (when I was just 2 years old), signed by then Captain J Gites. Name: Edward Brand CommentsAs a 20yrs old, this was the best holiday that I have ever had. This was part of the 1st south-bound passenger convoy through the Suez Canal after the Suez "crisis". Sunken ships were still in the Canal, and burnt-out trucks and tanks on the banks of the Canal. Ports of Call were:- Suez, Aden, Colombo, Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne (two and a half days) and finally (for me) Sydney. Great photo's. Great site. Name: Grahme Brownley CommentsI had a very memorable trip to the UK from Melbourne. Strathaird broke down from Sydney and limped into Melbourne, some 12 hours late and her departure was put back 3 days while the work on a gear box was carried out. Following departure from Port Melbourne we were going for about an hour and the failure occurred again so we spent that night at anchor in Port Phillip Bay. It was a great trip young Aussies leaving home, young Brits returning home homesick. Passing the Cocas Is. flares were sent up from the Islands which I recall had some connection between Strathaird and the Cocos Islands during the 39-45 war. She broke down again in Bombay with another delayed departure, then a total electrical failure in the Red Sea which caused the air circulation to stop. It could not have occurred in a worse place. We bobbed around there all day and eventually got underway that night. We were well behind schedule so many left at Marseilles , some to avoid the Bay of Biscay. The day before embarkation because of the delay, there was a vote among passengers as to whether it be Southampton or Tilbury. Southampton won. She was a great ship and the memories are still with me. Name: Warren Celand CommentsImmigrated To Australia on "SS Orsova" Arrived in Fremantle March 1965 with my parents and 3 brothers. Name: Terry Anthony Lord CommentsI have wondered all my life about the ship I came from England on when I was 5 years old. Thankyou so much.
Name:
John Duplock CommentsI joined P&O as a Printer on Iberia in 1957 and stayed until the final voyage in 1972 with just a short absence. I then sailed (as a Printer) for one voyage on each of Himalaya and Orsova finishing my sea career on Oriana until 1977. I have made contact with around a dozen of my ex crew friends and would love to find more, putting us all in touch with each other where possible, using Mel's excellent website, so how about contacting me? Cheers - 'Inky' Name: Dee Parker re. my Great Uncle CommentsThank you so much for the lovely pics of the Strathnaver. My Great Uncle was an Engineer on this ship back in the 1930s so it is wonderful for me to be able to see what the ship looked like. I only have photos of him on board in his various uniforms. One I really like - he is in dinner suit wearing bow tie and a Fez. Thanks again. Name: Gillian Brusey Alligan CommentsI left England with my parents and older sister on the 1st April 1957. We travelled via Capetown, Fremantle then Melbourne, arriving on 4th May 1957. Name: Howard Mulholland CommentsSailed in 1945 from Bombay to the UK with a shipload of troops returning to the UK. Would appreciate hearing from others during these times on the Strathaird. Name: Mary
Anne den Bok CommentsFor kids, the S.S. Orsova was an amazing place to be. Like Steve, the best weeks of my childhood were on the S.S. Orsova. The stewards were very kind to us kids, and we had freedom to roam the ship. Good times. Name: Anthony Williams CommentsDoes anybody remember me during this time, I would like to hear from somebody. Name: Peter James Hall CommentsMy family travelled on the Orsova between Sydney and Hong Kong in about October 1968. I remember being very excited as we got on the huge ship in Sydney Harbour. I could barely believe that I was going to travel on the boat. The staff were wonderful and I enjoyed crossing the line and being dunked by Neptune. We had a very kind steward looking after the little children (even greedy ones like me who wanted two cakes!) and a fun playroom. I remember the sunny days and flying fishing and entering Hong Kong harbour with the Red Guards flying red flags and shouting insults at us from junks. Wonderful! Name: Andy Hall CommentsOur family travelled from Sydney to Hong Kong sometime in 1969. I remember a few things from the journey as I was only 8 years old ... Crossing the Equator the crew filled a small swimming pool with smarties so the kids could swim in chocolate. Fantastic. Also my Brother saved my life in the swimming pool. They used to lower the level so the kids could swim . My brother and I were the only kids in the pool at the time and remember climbing around the pool on the banisters that went around the edge about 10 feet above the water. For some reason the crew started to refill the pool , maybe they couldn't see me . Anyway I couldn't swim at the time and as the water level was rising my arms started to give out. I remember the adults were sitting by the bar having drinks not really paying attention. I was yelling out but my parents were not at the bar. Luckily my brother could swim and came over and caught me. It doesn't seem that heroic in my description but I really believe he saved my life. Pity you don't have a picture of the pool ! I do remember it as a great trip , first time at sea and so on... Thanks. Name: Charles T Ford CommentsAs a former Purser with P&O I just loved the nostalgia of your site. I served on Strathaird, Strathmore, Chusan, Chitral, Canberra so many years ago! Name: Stuart McPherson CommentsMy family and I came to Australia as £10 Poms (all political correctness aside). I have found one other entry on this site from the same voyage. I remember very little of the journey as I was three and a half years old. I remember sitting on the rails looking down at the deep green ocean, one or two images, moored in a bay having a beach picnic with a porter (or sailor) some where. I have never been back to the UK and April 2009 marks the 50th year since leaving. I might just have to do something about a trip back to the old dart. Does anybody out there have a passenger list? Name: Maurice Bowater CommentsI was Senior 4th Engineer on the Orcades from 1957-1960. Wonderful memories of Tony Brown, Ian (Fred) Elder, Don Taylor, Denzil Crawford, Arthur Lakin, Nelson Yardley. Are any of you still out there? Maurice Bowater. Name: Tony Riley CommentsI sailed on the maiden voyage of the Canberra later on I did a couple of trips on the Oriana, went back on the Canberra for a couple of years then onto the Himalaya for three years. They were great times with many fond memories. Started off as a bellboy finished up as a PRA. Love the site Mel hope I get some feed back. |
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