WEC FRANS HALS - (Container) - IMO 9138367 - 6362 grt / 1997 blt / Germany - Gibraltar - 13.10.2011
Photo from The Dave Smith Collection
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VOLGA - BALT 253 - (Gen Cargo) - IMO 8230493 - 2516 grt / 1981 blt / St.Kitts & Nevis - Ambarli - 13.9.2010
Photo from The Dave Smith Collection
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WMS GRONINGEN - (Container) - IMO 9339039 - 7545 grt / 2006 blt / Cyprus - Rendsburg - 24.4.2013
Photo from The Dave Smith Collection
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Pendennis Castle - Passenger Cargo Liner 28582 grt / 1958 blt / UK / 5273808 Docked at Southampton - August 1971 Don Smith Collection Notes:- RMS Pendennis Castle was a Royal Mail Ship, passenger and cargo liner operated by the Union-Castle Line. The vessel served the Union-Castle Line from 1959–1976 on a regular route between the UK and South Africa for the Southampton to Las Palmas, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban "Cape Mail" service. n -
KING GEORGE V - Pass Cruise 789 grt / 1926 blt / UK Leaving Oban - 13.9.1969 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Launched 29.4.1926 TheKing George V was a passenger turbine steamer that operated on the Firth of Clyde for nearly 50 years and became famous for its heroic service during World War II.Construction and early serviceBuilt in Dumbarton: The ship was built in 1926 by William Denny and Brothers for Turbine Steamers Ltd., a company that served routes on the River Clyde. A pioneering design: The King George V was one of the first passenger vessels to use high-pressure, geared turbines. However, the advanced engineering led to early problems, including boiler explosions that killed two firemen in 1927. Operational routes: After being re-boilered, the steamer served popular routes to Inveraray and Campbeltown. In 1935, its ownership was transferred to David MacBrayne Ltd., and it became based out of Oban, cruising to scenic spots in the Inner Hebrides.World War II serviceDuring the war, the ship was requisitioned for military use and gained renown for its service in major Allied operations.Dunkirk evacuation: In 1940, the King George V transported troops from the beaches of Dunkirk, making six voyages and rescuing 4,300 men. Atlantic Charter: In 1941, the vessel carried Prime Minister Winston Churchill to his battleship to meet with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the Atlantic Conference.Later years and fatePost-war career: After the war, the steamer returned to its cruising routes on the Clyde. It was incorporated into the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet in 1973. Retirement and fire: The ship was withdrawn from service in 1974 and sold to a company intending to convert it into a floating pub or restaurant. In 1981, while undergoing conversion in Cardiff, a fire destroyed the vessel. Scrapping: The fire-damaged hulk was finally scrapped in 1984, bringing an end to the ship's 58-year career -
AUSTRALIS - Ex America Passenger Liner/ Cruise Ship 26315 grt / 1940 blt / Greece / 5014123 Docked at Southampton - 1.9.1972 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Built 1940 as America for United States Lines Inc. New York Requisitioned by U.S. Navy in 1941 and converted to troopship & renamed “West Point” in 1942. After the war was returned to owner and reconverted for passenger trade & reverted to original name & Transatlantic service. 1964: bought by Okeania, and renamed Australis 1977: Sold to Venture Cruise Lines and renamed America 1978: Put up for auction in U.S.A., bought by Chandris & renamed Italis under ownership of Okeania S.A. 1980: sold to Cie. Noga d’Importation & d’Exportation (Intercommerce Corp.), renamed Noga 1984: sold to Silver Moon Ferries Ltd., renamed Alferdoss 1992: sold to Thai interests with the idea of converting her to a floating hotel at Phuket. Renamed “American Star” & left Piraeus under tow in December 1993 but broke loose from her tug in heavy weather & ran aground on Fuerteventura, Canary Islands. -
MAID OF ORLEANS - Passenger Ferry SEALINK LIVERY 3796 grt / 1949 blt / UK / 5217543 Leaving Dover - 11.6.1973 Don Smith Collection -
DORIC - Ocean Liner / Passenger Cruise Ship 25338 grt /1964 blt / Panama / 5321679 Arriving at Southampton - May 1974 Don Smith Collection Names 1964–1967: Shalom (ZIM LINE) 1967–1973: Hanseatic 1973–1981: Doric (HOME LINES) 1981–1988: Royal Odyssey 1988–1996: Regent Sun 1996–1998: Sun Venture 1998: Sun 1998–2001: Sun 11 Registery 1964–1967:Haifa ,Israel 1967–1973: Hamburg,West Germany 1973–1981: Panama City,Panama 1981–1988: Piraeus ,Greece 1988–2001: Nassau,Bahamas Built By Chantiers De l'Atlantique,St.Nazaire,France The ship sank off the coast of South Africa in 2001 while being towed to India for scrapping. -
BALMORAL - Passenger Ship 735 grt / 1949 blt / UK / 5034927 Off Ilfracombe - June 1977 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Balmoral was built as a ferry by John I Thorneycroft & Co at Woolston in 1949, for the Southampton, Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co.Limited, more normally known as the Red Funnel Line. As built, Balmoral could carry up to 10 cars on her aft car deck, and she normally operated on her owner's ferry service from Southampton on the English mainland to Cowes on the Isle of Wight . From her introduction she also occasionally performed excursion duties, but as dedicated car ferries were introduced to her main route, her role became more focussed on offering coastal cruises around the South Coast. Red Funnel ceased operating excursions in 1968, after which Balmoral was acquired by P & A Campbell. She moved to the Bristol Channel, where she became part of P&A Campbell's White Funnel Fleet until 1980, by which time she was the last working member of the fleet. Balmoral moved to Dundee to become a floating restraunt. This was unsuccessful and the ship was placed for sale again. -
Notes:- Refrigerated Passenger Cargo Ship Launched 27.7.1938 Completed January 1939 Built at Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd Yard:Wallsend Yard Number:1547 Reg Number:166828 Don Smith Collection -
Aurora - Passenger Cruise Ship P&O 76152 grt /2000 blt / UK /9169524 Docked at Southampton - 27.7.2002 Don Smith Collection -
AMERIKANIS ex Kenya Castle - Passenger Cruise Ship 19904 grt / 1951 blt / Greece/ 5185398 Arriving at Dover - 21.9.1980 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Kenya Castle - Union Castle Line from 1952 to 1967 Built at Harland and Wolff,Belfast tonnage when built 17040 grt Launched 21.6.1951 and Maiden Voyage was March 1952 then Sold to Chandris Lines and became Amerikanis Tonnage was increased to 19904 grt to which she was the first Passenger Cruise Ship to have a TV in every cabin Chandris 1967 - 1980 Costa Line 1980-1984 Chandris 1984-2000 and finally scrapped at Alang,India in 2001 -
Northern Star - Passenger Liner/Cruise Ship Shaw Savill and Albion Co.Ltd 24731/1961/BR/5257543 Arriving at Southampton - 24.5.1974 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Built By Vickers-Armstrongs (Shipbuilders) Ltd High Walker - Yard No 175 Broken up December 1975 by Li Chong Steel & Iron Works Co,Kaohsiung -
SS FRANCE - Passenger Liner / Cruise Ship Compagnie Generale Transatlantique (French Line - CGT) 66348 grt /1960 blt / France / 5119143 Leaving Southampton - 17.8.1971 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Her maiden voyage was on 3.2.1962 as SS FRANCE 1974: The ship is first decommissioned by the French Line as the SS France. 1979: The vessel is purchased by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), renamed SS Norway, and converted for cruising. 2003: A boiler explosion forces the ship out of service for the final time. It is laid up in Germany. 2006: Sold for scrap, the vessel is renamed SS Blue Lady for its final journey to India. 2007: Following legal battles, Indian authorities permit the ship's dismantling. Late 2008: Scrapping is completed in Alang, India. Other names SS Norway and Blue Lady Her maiden voyage was on 3.2.1962 -
HIMALAYA - Passenger Cruise Ship Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company - P&O 28000 grt approx / 1949 blt / BR / 5150800 Docked at Southampton - 3.4.1971 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Owners : Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company - P&O Built by Vickers Armstrong,Barrow in Furness Ordered : March 1945 Laid Down26.2.1946 Launched 5.10.1948 Completed August 1949 Maiden Voyage 6.10.1949 Out of Service 31.10.1974 Scrapped in 1975 -
Ceramic - Passenger Cargo Liner (Refrigerated) Shaw Savill and Albion Line.Co.Ltd 15896 grt / 1948 blt / BR / 5067340 Docked at Southampton - 30.5.1972 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Built by Cammell Laird,Birkenhead Ceramic served the New Zealand service as a passenger cargo liner until 1969 when she stopped carrying passengers and was withdrawn from service in 1971 and broken up in Belgium in 1972. -
ORSOVA (1954) - Ocean Liner / Passenger Cruise Ship 28790/1954/UK/5265772 29091 grt in 1969 Docked at Southampton - 30.5.1972 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Operators 1954/1960 Orient Line 1960/1966 P & O Orient Lines 1966/1974 P & O Line Built by Vickers Armstrong - Barrow in Furness Launched 1953 Maiden Voyage 17.3.1954 Out of Service 1973 Scrapped 1974 -
FEDERICO `C` - Passenger Liner / Cruise Ship 20416/1958/Italy/5113230 At Tilbury Landing Stage,River Thames - 19.8.1971 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Name History 1958/1983 Federico "C" 1983/1983 Royale 1983/1988 Starship Royale 1988/2000 SeaBreeze Built at Ansaldo Sestri Ponente Shipyard,Italy Launched 31.3.1957 Maiden Voyage 1958 Out of Service September 2000 Sank off Cape Henry - North Carolina,Virginia on 17.12.2000 -
ROYAL VIKING SKY - Passenger Cruise Ship 21847/1973/Norway/7218395 In Southampton Water - 27.5.1977 Don Smith Collection History of the Royal Viking Sky- 1973: Launched and delivered by the Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard to the Royal Viking Line as the Royal Viking Sky, the second of three sister ships.
- 1981–1983: The ship was "stretched" by being lengthened by over 20 meters to increase its passenger capacity.
- 1991: Sold to Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) and renamed Sunward.
- 1992–1993: Sold to Birka Line and briefly renamed Birka Queen before being chartered back to NCL as Sunward later that year.
- 1993–1996: Chartered by Princess Cruises and operated as the Golden Princess.
- 1996–2004: Sold to Star Cruises and renamed Superstar Capricorn. During this time, it was chartered from 1998 to 2001 to Hyundai Merchant Marine and sailed as Hyundai Keumgang.
- 2004–2005: Sailed briefly for Iberocruceros as the Grand Latino.
- 2005–2020: Acquired by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and operated as the Boudicca.
- 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the vessel being laid up. Later that year, Fred. Olsen announced the ship had been sold.
- 2021: The vessel was sold for breaking up, renamed Edi, and dismantled in Aliaga, Turkey.
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EDINBURGH CASTLE - Pass Cruise 28705 grt /1948 blt / UK / 5097022 Arriving at Southampton -11th August 1975 Don Smith Collection -
SS BRITANIS / BRITANIS - ex Matsonia/Monterey - Passenger Cruise Ship - Chandris Line 24346/1932/Greece/5229223 Leaving Tilbury - 18.6.1976 Don Smith Collection Notes:- The S.S. Britanis was a passenger cruise ship with a long history under several names, beginning as the Matson Lines' S.S. Monterey in 1931. The ship was later purchased by the Chandris Line, who renamed it Britanis and operated it as a cruise ship for decades Ship history and timeline Early career as S.S. Monterey (1931–1970) 1931: Launched as a luxury ocean liner by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation. 1932: Entered service for Matson Lines, offering voyages from the U.S. to Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia.World War II: Requisitioned by the U.S. government for use as a troop transport, carrying thousands of soldiers. 1946–1956: After the war, she was laid up until Matson Lines repurchased her. She was then renamed S.S. Matsonia in 1957, operating on the San Francisco–Honolulu route. 1963: Matson changed her name to S.S. Lurline. Service with Chandris Lines as S.S. Britanis (1970–1998) 1970: Purchased by Chandris Lines and renamed S.S. Britanis. 1971–1974: Operated as a liner on the Southampton-to-Australia route.1974 onwards and Converted to a full-time cruise ship, sailing itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. 1980's–1990's: Sailed under the Chandris Fantasy Cruises brand. She continued service well into the 1990s and became known as one of the oldest liners still in operation. 1994: Ended her cruise career. She was chartered by the U.S. government as a floating barracks for military personnel at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Final years and sinking (1998–2000) 1998: After being laid up, she was sold to AG Belofin Investments and renamed Belofin-1. October 2000: While being towed to a scrapyard in India, the ship began taking on water. The crew of the tugboat cut the ship loose, and it eventually capsized and sank off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. -
FALAISE - Passenger Ferry Sealink on the side of hull and Black and Red Funnel 3710 grt / 18947 blt / BR / 5111969 Arriving at Weymouth - 6.6.1974 Don Smith Collection Notes:- The TSS (Twin-Screw Steamer) Falaise was a cross-channel passenger ferry built in 1947 by William Denny & Brothers in Dumbarton, Scotland. Ordered by Southern Railway, it was one of the first post-war ships delivered to the company in Southampton. Service history- 1947: Made its maiden voyage in July, operating between Southampton and St. Malo. It was initially used on routes to the Channel Islands.
- 1950s: Later switched to the Southampton to Le Havre route.
- 1963: Moved to the Newhaven-Dieppe route.
- 1964: Converted to a stern-loading car ferry.
- 1973: Returned to the Channel Islands, sailing out of Weymouth.
- 1974: Faced frequent mechanical problems and was ultimately deemed too expensive to repair. The vessel was sold for scrapping.
- 1975: Broken up at Bilbao, Spain.
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REGINA MAGNA - Pass Cruise - Chandris Line 32360/1938/Greece/5051145 Docked at Southampton - 9.6.1972 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Launched 15.2.1938 Completed August 1939 Commissioned 1940 Decommissioned 1980 1939: Completed as Pasteur for Cie.Sudatlantique, Bordeaux. Did not enter service due to the start of WW2. 1940: Carried the French gold reserves to Halifax, and entered service as a troop transport under the British flag, managed by Cunard-White Star. Returned to French Flag in 1945, and continued as a troop transport under management of Sudatlantique, operating to the Far East. 1957: Sold to Norddeutsche Lloyd, Bremen . Entered service in 1959 as Bremen, after rebuilding by Bremer Vulkan, on the Bremerhaven-New York service. 1970: The Bremen passed to the combined HAPAG-Lloyd fleet on 1st September 1970. She lasted only one year, being sold to Chandris Lines and was named Regina Magna 1977: Sold to Philippine owners and renamed Saudi Phili I 1980 : Name changed to Saudi Filipinas I 1971: Sold to Chandris Lines and renamed Regina Magna , running cruises worldwide only until 1974, when laid up. Later used as an accommodation ship in Saudi Arabia, and sank on 9/6/1980 on the way to breakers in Taiwan. Tonnages :- 29,253 GRT (Pasteur) 32,336 GRT (Bremen, 1957) 32,360 GRT (Bremen, 1966) 23,801 GRT (Regina Magna) Owners:- Compagnie de Navigation Sud-Atlantique (1938–40) UK Government (1940–46) Compagnie de Navigation Sud-Atlantique (1946–57) Norddeutscher Lloyd (1957–72) Chandris Cruises (1972–77) Philippine Singapore Ports Corporation (1977–80) Philsimport International (1980) Operators:- Compagnie de Navigation Sud-Atlantique (1938–40) Cunard White Star Line (1940–46) Compagnie de Navigation Sud-Atlantique (1946–56) Norddeutscher Lloyd (1957–72) Chandris Cruises (1972–77) Philippine Singapore Ports Corporation (1977–80) Philsimport International (1980) -
ORONSAY - Passenger Liner / Cruise Ship - P and O 27632/1951/UK/5265617 Docked at Southampton - 30.7.1971 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Built by Vickers Armstrong - Barrow in Furness Laid down 1949 Launched 30.6.1950 Completed May 1951 Maiden Voyage 16.5.1951 Out of Service 28.9.1975 09.10.1975 Sold to Nan Feng Steel Enterprise Co Ltd, Taiwan, for demolition at Kaohsiung - 09.10.1975 Demolition commenced -10.04.1976 -
ARGONAUT - Passenger Cruise Ship - Epirotiki Line 3999/1929/Greece/5265069 Docked at Dover - 28.6.1972 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Built by Krupp Germania Werft, Kiel, Germany, 1929. Names: MY Orion 1929 - 1940. USS Vixen PG-53 1940 - 1950. MY & MS Orion 1950 - 1964. MS Argonaut 1964 - 1996. MS Regina Maris 1996 - 2004. Beached at Aliaga on 2.12.2004 for breaking -
Cynthia ex Britannia - Passenger Cruise Ship Britannia was built as Refrigerated Cargo Ship (see notes) 4696 grt as built /1929/—-/5052319 Docked at Piraeus - 19.5.1973 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Built as Britannia - Refrigerated Cargo Ship then became Cynthia-Passenger Cruise Ship in 1966 Launched 27.2.1929 Completed June 1929 Built By Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Yard Neptune ,Low Walker History:- 6/1929 Rederi A/B Svenska Lloyd,Gothenburg,Sweden 1966 Hellenic Mediterranean Lines,Piraeus and renamed CYNTHIA 1966 Cia Amodores De Sudamerica SA ,Panama 1969 Cynthiana Nav Co Ltd,Fanmagusta,Cyprus November 1973 Broken up by Vado Scali e Bacini,Savona,Italy -
ASIA - Passenger Cruise Ship 11693/1953/ Italy / 5026827 Underway at Capetown - 1973 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Built: 1953 by Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Trieste, Italy Sold 1975; converted to livestock carrier 1977 as Persia; scrapped at Gadani Beach 1985 -
WINSTON CHURCHILL - Passenger Ro Ro Ferry 8657/1967/Denmark/6718234 Passing Harwich - April 1974 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Launched 25.4.1967 Operated by Scandinavian Seaways / DFDS Seaways 1967 - 1996 Empress Cruise Lines 1996 - 2004 Built by Cantieri Navali Del Tirreno e Riuniti ,Riva Trigoso -
LIBERTE - Ex Europa - Ocean Liner / Passenger Cruise Ship Europa 49746/ 1929/ German Liberte 51839/ 1946 rebuilt / France / 5607332 Anchored at Cork,Southern Ireland - Pre 1962 Don Smith Collection Notes:- SS Europa / North German Lloyd line Built by Blohm and Voss Shipyard, Hamburg ,Germany Launched August 1928 Maiden voyage: Bremen-Southampton-New York, March 19, 1930. 49,746 GRT Tonnage SS Liberté Ship Facts Named Liberte in 1946 / French Line 51839 grt when rebuilt / 1946 / France / 5607332 Operated by Compagnie Générale Transatlantique Route : Le Havre to rew York French flag On August 2, 1950 the Liberte made the inaugural voyage as a French vessel. Final voyage was November 1961 Laid up in 1962 and Scrapped 1963 at La Spezia,Italy -
SYLVANIA - Passenger Liner / Cruise Ship Cunard Line 21989/1957/GBR/ 5347245 when rebuilt in 1971 24724 grt Docked at Liverpool - N.D.A. Don Smith Collection Notes:- Saxonia Class Ocean Liner Maiden Voyage 5.6.1957 Built by John Brown & Co,Glasgow,Scotland After refit in 1971 24724 grt Names of vessel 1957–1968: Sylvania 1968–1988: Fairwind 1988: Sitmar Fairwind 1988–1993: Dawn Princess 1993–2003: Albatros 2003–2004: Genoa Operators:- 1957–1968:Cunard 1968–1988: Sitmar Line 1988–1993:P&O 1993–2003: V-Ships Registry 1957-1968 : United Kingdom UK/BR/GBR 1968-1993 : Monrovia,Liberia 1993-2003 : Nassau,Bahamas -
QUEEN MARY II - Passenger Cruise Arriving at Gourock - July 1975 Don Smith Collection -
QUEEN OF NANAIMO - Passenger Cruise Horseshoe Bay,Canada - N.D.A. Don Smith Collection -
P.S.WAVERLEY - Pass Cruise Leaving Gourock - 3.9.1977 The Don Smith Collection -
IRPINIA (1929) TWO FUNNELS - Pass Cruise Underway - NDA The Don Smith Collection -
MARIPOSA - Pass Cruise Arriving at Southampton - 23.5.1977 The Don Smith Collection -
SAN MARCO - Pass Cruise Docked at Izmir - 1974 The Don Smith Collection -
ROYAL SOVEREIGN - Pass Cruise Leaving Margate - 30.5.1964 The Don Smith Collection -
CHUSAN - Pass Cruise Passing Hythe Pier - 15.4.1972 The Don Smith Collection -
ENOTRIA - Pass Cruise 5173 grt / 1951 blt / Italy / 5102546 Docked at Piraeus - 11.5.1973 The Don Smith Collection -
SHOTA RUSTAVELI - Pass Cruise 21275 grt / 1968 blt / Russia / 6707753 Arriving at Tilbury - 23.6.1972 The Don Smith Collection -
SAGAFJORD - Pass Cruise Docked at Southampton - 21.5.1974 The Don Smith Collection -
BEN - MY - CHREE - Pass Ferry Off Douglas,Isle of Man - July 1976 The Don Smith Collection -
KONINGIN WILHELMINA - Pass Ferry Passing Harwich - 6.7.1974 The Don Smith Collection -
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 - (Original Funnel) - Pass Cruise Leaving Southampton - 27.6.1977 The Don Smith Collection -
CANBERRA - Pass Cruise Arriving at Southampton - 26.6.1976 The Don Smith Collection -
ORIANA - Pass Cruise Docked at Southampton - May 1973 The Don Smith Collection -
VIKING I - Pass Ferry Leaving Southampton - 7.6.1974 The Don Smith Collection -
MIKHAIL KALININ - Pass Cruise At Tilbury Landing Stage - 5.9.1976 The Don Smith Collection
