Ship we came to Canada on - First Cruise
Canberra
(Greek Line: 1948-54)
Canberra was built for Howard Smith in 1913 for the coastal trade from Melbourne to north Queensland ports via Sydney and Brisbane. She held the record for the fastest passage between Melbourne and Sydney. She served as a troopship during both wars, but was not considered to be worth refurbishing by Howard Smith after the second conflict. She was sold to Singapore-based Chinese interests in 1947, but resold within months to the Greek Line, retaining the name Canberra throughout. She was initially used on emigrant services to South America and Australia from Mediterranean ports. In 1949, Canberra was given a major refit, including conversion to oil firing, and began a service from Piraeus to New York. In 1950 she was moved to the Canadian service, with a single trip from Piraeus to Montreal, returning to Bremerhaven which became her regular European terminal. Calls were made at Southampton, Cherbourg and Cobh. Canberra was retired by the Greek Line in October 1954, and sold to the Dominican Republic, where she received her fist name change to Espana. She carried sugar and migrants to Spain until broken up in 1959.
Greek Line company card of Canberra.
Scan: Ralph O'Hara.
(Greek Line: 1948-54)
Canberra was built for Howard Smith in 1913 for the coastal trade from Melbourne to north Queensland ports via Sydney and Brisbane. She held the record for the fastest passage between Melbourne and Sydney. She served as a troopship during both wars, but was not considered to be worth refurbishing by Howard Smith after the second conflict. She was sold to Singapore-based Chinese interests in 1947, but resold within months to the Greek Line, retaining the name Canberra throughout. She was initially used on emigrant services to South America and Australia from Mediterranean ports. In 1949, Canberra was given a major refit, including conversion to oil firing, and began a service from Piraeus to New York. In 1950 she was moved to the Canadian service, with a single trip from Piraeus to Montreal, returning to Bremerhaven which became her regular European terminal. Calls were made at Southampton, Cherbourg and Cobh. Canberra was retired by the Greek Line in October 1954, and sold to the Dominican Republic, where she received her fist name change to Espana. She carried sugar and migrants to Spain until broken up in 1959.
Greek Line company card of Canberra.
Scan: Ralph O'Hara.
Ham thanks for emailing this info to us. It was really interesting.It surely was quite the Atlantic crossing for us in 1952, surprised I can still recall so much.
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