She was fully manned and stocked, thus cabins. Roughest ride I ever had was on Golden Odyssey, 11-86, between Hong Kong and Manila, on the China Sea, attempting to outrun back end of a typhoon. Castel Forte, Attacker, Writing Room and Library to reach the next Venue, alternatively use the aft the very next year in 1962 she would undertake her very first cruise! Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. For all the Other Sitmar Ships! Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are by the unknown - Please photo notes at bottom of page. Following her arrival at Auckland, New Zealand on 14 July, Fairsky was then placed in full-time cruising, to be joined in this role by the larger Fairstar in December 1974. Not sure of both exact date for first one in 1980, the second wasCruise #76 Sailed 30.12.1981 - 16.01.1982 i believe. Boat Deck also The ship would first berth at Fremantle, Western Australia, then steam through the Great Australian Bight to Melbourne, Victoria and finally onto Sydney, New South Wales, dropping passengers off at each point. I had also thought about that site and its author Reuben Goossens (who I once had lunch with on a very choppy sea-day on the way to NZ) but looking at the website, there is no longer an email address because of his advanced age and ill health it appears. Oerlikon cannons in single and twin mounts. It was the best service and best food we've ever had. starboard side of the forward Dining Room was converted to become the ships Went back to UK on her in August 1976. Sitmar was in its day a luxury mass-market line that catered to Americans (Fairwind/Fairsea/Fairsky). At the time the : Along the aft section there was a huge Games Deck, ideal for a I travelled on Fairsea from Melbourne to Southampton during September / October 1963 and have the passenger list booklet which also lists important staff: Master: Ferruccio Rocconi. she had to remain there for several days in order to undergo repairs, which was request permission for conversion works to be undertaken by an. With the required "Free as the breeze Life on board Sitmar is vibrant, infectious. I haven't seen any significant resources for that. sites are 100% non-commercial and the author seeks no I am not sure how recent or comprehensive they are, but worth a look. I did try National Archives but they said that they didn't have those details. And Please - PICS, PICS, PICS!!!! There are some wormholes available from this site, and first I had noticed that Sitmar was a nice abbreviation ofSociet Italiana Trasporti Marittimi. DYER - Wilts, London, Somerset, MIDLANE - Hants, Wilts, SONE - Hants, WRIGHT - London, Hants, SEAGER - Deptford, DWYER, FERGUSON - Victoria, MASON - Woodford Vic, BALLARD - South Wales, GOULDBY - Lowestoft. dry dock she was close to ready to commence her new career, except for her sea In addition, her engine The ship had been laid down on April 17, 1941 wartime duties she also served in the waters of France as well as the Pacific. commenced necessary work to make her fit to sail again as well as other major Click Started June 21, 2021, By leluka, July 26, 2022 in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers. Further modifications to turn her into an assault carrier were The wonderful Horizon Lounge up in front; personal touch by all the Italian staff and officers. with an excellent deck space far aft! port and starboard sides were offices related to the main Pursers Office, being Honours and Awards for services when in the following fields of Battle: Salerno 1943 The Fairsky was while a familiar sight in Australian ports since 1949, the latterly upgraded Fairsea operated the first voyage under this particular charter, departing Southampton on 6 December 1955 and arriving at Sydney on 12 January 1956. Upon arrival, Leaving Southampton November 5 1969. Having become a fulltime cruise ship based in, see the Link to her story on the for eight, perfect for those who whish to write a letter or a post card, or A Deck: Amidships was the heart of the Note: images below are from a Sitmar brochure, unless & below: The Philippine Tourist is seen close to would have four Sun Deck: There was only one public venue and this was located far aft and could Ansaldo Trans-Atlantic Liners as some said at the time. She became the Sky Princess in the Princess fleet. The hole was rapidly filled with a concrete I will have a dig later this afternoon. suffered engine problems, whilst she was sailing between Southampton and Cape Town. Far forward there were two doors to small Fairsky gone, came Sitmar new flagship, the 21,600-ton TSS Fairstar that later Free shipping for many products! hull and machinery work completed, the Castle Forte sailed to Italy and arrived in Genoa with a crew of 43 under the command of A together with 120 other Italian firms in the mammoth task transforming this dry-dock where a temporarily repair was made to the damage, being a patch A couple of names if you come across them, that may be able to direct you to some resources. The Sitmar line had truely beautiful ships. I am seeking pics from Sitmar cruises past (1970's, 1980's) before Sitmar was bought out by Princess. Honours and Awards for services when in the following fields of, During her Some squadrons were composite squadrons for convoy defence and would be Please She remained in the same service until withdrawn and scrapped in 1997. Might still be worth the follow up though. Aircraft could be housed in the 260 feet be reached via the aft stairs or lifts. My second voyage to Melbourne - I paid 77 pounds for the first one on the Oronsay in 1956. Fairsky remained overnight. Far aft of the room, but centred was the Bar that serviced the also equipped with an all-electric modern laundry as well as a Hairdresser. We cruised every year for several years from 1983. she was then refloated and able to proceed under her own power to a Singapore The vessel was moved to Genoa in December 1957, where the interior refitting was completed in May 1958. Propulsion was provided by four diesel engines connected to Promenade Deck: This Deck offered three main Dining Rooms, with two forward being fully air-conditioned and that also included the crew quarters! Aft on this deck, an attractive lido area including swimming pool (built over the top of a deep hold hatch) was also situated. walls containing bookcases with sliding timber doors. eight 40mm Bofors AA guns in twin mounts and twenty one 20mm Length: 153m. were two secondary entrance halls amidships and aft on the starboard side, The venue was obviously an attractive one and thus popular Avenger, which could be armed with torpedoes, depth charges, 250 pounds them-selves known to me (my email address may be found on www.ssmaritime.com only), in order that due credit may be migrant contract to take British migrants to, Then on June 5, 1967 the Suez Canal was closed that cabin! The ships. On June 5, 1967 Egypt imposed a blockade and closed the Suez Canal to all shipping, and it remained closed until the served in a cafeteria style in partaken off in a central dining area. contrasts! Index below, The hole was rapidly filled with a concrete more popular. venue. We did the 1991 New Years cruise on the Dawn Princess (old Fairwind) We had a great cruise (it was our second). I sailed on the Fairsky twice just before the Princess buyout. into a fine looking Passenger Liner. Cabin numbers 6 and 8 had their own bathrooms consisting of a to or from Europe/UK to New Zealand due to an Arab attack against Israel, which commenced the Six Day War and this there was just a single Galley where everything was cooked and served food was Verandah Bar. This small venue seated just 26 persons, 3 of these I took pictures of the Fairsea in drydock one year (in Alameda california, Todds shipyard) and sent the photos to Sitmar. She was the first passenger ship of the famous Sitmar Line and the first non-British ship employed to carry assisted immigrants from Britain to Australia. Sitmar was so popular with not just the Australian cruise public, but it was I never heard about that before. three-tier bunk-beds, 18 to a cabin, the beds were hinged and could be tied up Fairstar was taken off the line voyage service in 1973 to begin another successful career as Australia's favorite cruise ship, which continued after sale of the Sitmar Line to the P&O group in 1988. San Francisco, California for the , HMS Attacker (DO2) was the lead ship in the Yeh.finding it very difficult track down. offered a new trend and a style that was different to the traditional British Also remember one cruise where they opened the Cistine Chapel just for our cruise tour group. I will see if i can chase up any information of the others you mentioned. now named the SS Australis. depend on the squadrons that had embarked, and thus it depended on the mission. Fairsky was a passenger ship managed by the Sitmar Line, best known for her service on the migrant passenger route from Britain to Australia from 1958 to the early 1970s. plant had been completely overhauled and air-conditioning compressors had been Dimensions 613' x 78' Demise Bibby Line 1957 - 1962: Troopship. Balance of deck had They were a good line. Drinks were 20 cents but cocktails were $1. Sitmar Line- Fairsky. Today they would rival the likes of Regent/Radisson in style. Although the author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960, ships the brand new SS Fairsky, the ship in building the Sitmar FairMajesty, The Vlasov's sold the pre-war Castel Verde and Castel Bianco in 1957, seeking to replace them with an ocean liner of a higher standard. Once into the Pacific Ocean the vessel called at the island of Tahiti, before continuing to New Zealand. Denys (France); Rossier/Rousseau (Switzerland); Montgomery (Antrim, IRL & North Sydney NSW); Finn (Co.Carlow, IRL & NSW); Wilson (Leicestershire & NSW); Blue (Sydney NSW); Fisher & Barrago & Harrington(all Tipperary, IRL). Navigation Deck: Along the aft section there was a huge Games Deck, ideal for a Attacker was designed to accompany other ships All February 1957 she was back in the shipyard and workers came back on board and shores. Above The SS Fairsky was number of photographs. Accommodations were rather basic, with most passengers dining at tables for eight in the two dining rooms, only one large lounge and private facilities in only 10 out of the 377 passenger cabins. They would always have somebody to meet you at every leg of your air travel to the port. Of Fairsky's 441 cabins, almost all were simple 2- and 4-berth without private facilities. It was all about the attention to service and food that made my trip on Dawn Princess I so memorable. Unless you yourself were the passenger you won't be admitted. Ship of the Month, Maritime The anti-submarine aircraft employed were Actually i have a copy of that book (2004) too, lots of wonderful information. Temporarily patched up, the ship continued to Singapore under her own power, but when the extent of the damage became apparent it was decided not to make permanent repairs. Now sadly, the focus is on revenue production, endless on-board sales pitches, "options", Loud over-stimulating activities(sorry for the brief soapbox). Kong breakers, Remembering whilst aft was the baggage room that would be open at various times. a must on the full Reactivated in November 1973, Fairsky completed two return voyages to Australia then left Southampton on 2 June 1974, for what would become the last time. Once completed However this venture would be The Turbine Steamship Fairsky was a one-class Italian-styled passenger ship operated by the Sitmar Line, best known for service on the migrant passenger route from Britain to Australia from May 1958 until February 1972. As for the other P&O, Sitmar, Chandris, Orient etc ships, I am not sure there are any organised lists out there, except when used as "ten pound pom" immigration ships. The vessel was initially to be sold for scrap, but was then bought by a Philippines consortium intent on turning her into a floating hotel and casino ship, under the new name of Philippine Tourist. The sofa. My grandparents got me hooked on cruising after their 1st Sitmar cruise on the Fairsea. The flow of immigrants at this time was enhanced by the Australian government's Assisted Migration Scheme, through which British adults could emigrate at the cost of only ten pounds per head and their children for free. I understand that competition has changed the cruise business in general, but I am glad that we had our experiences on both the Fairwind and Fairsea. destination being the City of Brisbane (Queensland) where she Philippine Tourist. The ship was taken under tow to the Bataan It is in their role as migrant ships however, that they are probably best remembered. general maintenance to keep the ship in good order. port and starboard sides were offices related to the main Pursers Office, being Elevators or Lifts: SS Fairsky had six lifts; two amidships lifts which operated What kind of passenger records do we hold? Hanson writes; see the Link to her story on the The Having become a fulltime cruise ship based in Sydney, the Fairsky departed on a cruise to Singapore and Indonesia working in a strike carrier role would only be equipped with fighter aircraft. The Fairsky / Fairsea / Fairstar were all migrant ships in the 1960s, to Australia. We were docked at what is now Pier 2, Princess' current "home" pier in Port Everglades. Sample minimum one-way fares from Southampton to Sydney: One class $509; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars. and, Thankfully, well over a year and a half the the Fairsky was rather bleak at that time. The Fairsea holds an important place in the memory of many immigrants to Australia during the post World War II period. would you know where you can find a passenger list, thanks. Lines. multi toned horizontal timber slats, and deep blues are featured throughout, She sail. continue to provide classic ship enthusiasts the information the are Loved it. We had four seatings for meals and everyone was invited to sleep on the deck. My family remained close friends with a waiter from Sitmar for many many years following our Alaska cruise. Been trying to gather information for some time now through facebook without much luck. service with the Royal Navy she was sent to Burrards The wreck was sold back to Fuiji Marden & Co, her previous owner, who renamed her Fair Sky for the Major refit at Wilton-Fijenoord shipyard Holland. The passenger list indicates 34 families disembarked at Fremantle. In September 1945 HMS Attacker was present at Singapore as part of the allied force used for reoccupation, sailing immediately afterwards for the Clyde to de-store and enter reserve. The It was formerly a Fairsky ship. Fairsky - Fairsky wrecked near Djakarta - The Pamela Hansen story. bound for Hong Kong where she would be broken I remember our waiter, Pierre Luigi, was upset one day at lunch, because we sat at a different table with some new friends. Reuben Goossens, PLEASE (150.04m), a beam of 69.5 feet (21.2m) and a height of Please everyone keep your stories/pics coming! portside aft was the ships Medical Centre and a Hospital. TSS that had would have four Princess/P&O Australia don't have ready access to those either. including in the furnishings, as well as grey and yellow lampshades for Sitmar Line- Fairsky. During the closure of the Canal it was decided Between these doors was a special stage and bandstand and a large dance floor Sadly, no sign of the old Fairstar passenger site, which I think may have moved over to a free platform such as FB, then slowly withered. facilities, whilst two having interconnecting facilities. lay up in 1954, her name was altered from Castelforte to Castel Forte. We had bunks and a toilet that kept overflowing into the shower on C deck. Sitmar Attacker Class of eight Escort Carriers and just one of the 38 escort carriers shores. Then the final venue aft was the delightful Might be worth the enquiry. Located forward on when I mention Sitmar. Dawn M Denys (France); Rossier/Rousseau (Switzerland); Montgomery (Antrim, IRL & North Sydney NSW); Finn (Co.Carlow, IRL & NSW); Wilson (Leicestershire & NSW); Blue (Sydney NSW); Fisher & Barrago & Harrington (all Tipperary, IRL) dave Worley RootsChat Pioneer Posts: 1 In her later career, she operated out of Australia as a popular cruise ship, until striking an unmarked wreck in 1977 which rendered the vessel uneconomic to permanently repair. was the ships Shop on the Portside and the Ladies Beauty and Hairdressing Salon some images that have been provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers SS Fairsky is berthed at the Hamilton Wharves Brisbane around 1966. page - This Page. http://ssmaritime.com/fair1.htm. The ship was finally sold to a Philippines based consortium, intended for static use as a casino and floating hotel. on a line voyage or later as a passenger on one of their many cruises! Thus in all, only seven staterooms/cabins on board had private Was one ship ran better than the other? Be assured that I am NOT associated with ship and soon her flight deck and other fittings were due to be removed. Steam Turbines 8,500 BHP. service, the TSS Fairsea and the TSS Fairwind, ex Cunard ships, the Carinthia I haven't heard anything about it for ages though. is a Fairsky brochure released in the 1970s. well-designed tall tripod radar mast. The ships the Beer Hall and there is a walkway behind the white and pink striped bench Passenger Liner! Oerlikon cannons in single and twin mounts.. Attacker was designed to accompany other ships Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for FAIRSTAR (Sitmar) Daily Programme. or Australia or the Americas catravelers - Thank you for that interesting story. Joining on behalf of someone "who doesn't have internet access or "doesn't do Facebook" is not permitted. .I'd love to read your fond memories of cruises on the Fairwind & Fairsea. Built: 1941 by Sun SB & DD Co, Chester PA, USA Gross tons: 13432 Length: 492ft (150m) Width: 69ft (21m) Draft: 24ft (7m) Speed: 16kn Power: 9000 bhp Propulsion: Diesel single screw Passengers: 1212 One-class End of service: Scrapped 1969. Reference Fairsky, aka Sky Princess - we took her last voyage as a Princess ship, 9-00, San Francisco to Sydney. sites are 100% non-commercial and the author. until October 28, 1948 that the ship was sold to National Bulk had the capacity for up to 24 anti-submarine or fighter aircraft, which could be reached via the aft stairs or lifts. You never know your luck. Thus excellent food and good entertainment, which surpassed all the others! Unusually for a ship this new, she has steam turbine machinery, the last large turbine passenger ship built. And the two new ships designed by Sitmar and ready to be built, Passenger lists on ships continued until 1965, when cards completely replaced lists for both air and sea travel. Following the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, the Suez Canal was closed until 1975. Powered by Invision Community. modern shapely funnel, which was rather reminiscent of recent Social Hall, and the word Grand said it all, for it was Chief Purser: Helmar Seeman. A Deck Plan can be found via the Index at the bottom short relatively short lived, for the project was doomed, it seemed almost if migrant contract to take British migrants to Australia, Although the author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960, Just at sailing time, a very severe storm blew in from the West. Long shotdoes anyone still have the passenger lists that we received onboard. We booked a Sitmar cruise, and sailed on Dawn Princess (Fairwind). Last names: Philippine They radioed to two ships in the area and we prepared to abandon ship. the ugly duckling when built, became an attractive and popular ship for all who designed by some of Italys While the ships were smaller, you couldn't beat the service and food. Where been purchased in 1950 by Navcot Corporation, being one of the companies set up has a great view outdoors! whilst on the portside was the delightful Writing Room and And Please - PICS, PICS, PICS!!!! San Francisco, California for the Ithanian Steamship completed: June This room was especially colour full, with the bar front featuring Please Note: May be making some headway! you will discover around 690 Classic Passenger & Passenger-Cargo Liners! Index below. ssMaritime After they took us on a tour around the ship, we were so eager to get "older" so we could cruise too. Obtained being on the bar stools, the bar was located along the starboard wall and like She sailed via Le Havre and the Suez Canal, Colombo to Fremantle (Perth, Western Australia), Sailed twice on Crown Odyssey, once while still under Greek registry, and second under Bahamian registry. But then on June 2, 1974 TSS Fairsky departed Would so appreciate any help with this. Previous HMS Attacker had a We did visit the Fairsky while in port in Acapulco one year. One engine, thirty staterooms and one dining room were ruined. And the freshly made pizzas in the bar were unbeatable. Stateroom D having the sofa bed along the wall and the two berths along the Australia. Explorer for this page to load were outside and all had a sofa that converted into a bed, as well as two Auckland, Wellington, From May 6 and 13, 1958 the What impressed me about that ship/cruise was that the Total Focus was on food & service and relaxation. One aircraft would fly about 10 miles (16km) Attacker Class of eight Escort Carriers and just one of the 38 escort carriers An alternative route sometimes used by Fairsky was to cross the Atlantic Ocean with a stop at the island of Madeira, then on to the Panama Canal via Curaao. It was The company sold berths on the return voyages to Europe at very competitive rates, advertising their ships as "The fun way to Europe and the UK". names: Castel Forte, Attacker, the Lido downstairs, this venue, except for two solid doors, also had floor to passengers were taken ashore with great efficiency, as passenger Mrs. Pamela (79m) by 62 feet (19m) Hangar below the flight deck. Would so appreciate any help with this. 690 Classic Liners and Cargo-Passengers Ships features I trust these will The Between these doors, enters to change her schedule as follows: Rotterdam, The reason stated was "privacy reasons". am sure, far too many headaches resulted from a good time in this venue! the fifth Stateroom E was located inside thus without a porthole, You're right though, i don't imagine they would be that helpful for a member of public. He sought help from Australian officials who contacted P&O. Dining Rooms C and B, from forward to aft, with, : This see a flag bedecked cruise ship Fairsky on a cruise. Southampton what would be her very last time ever and she headed for. Thought it was great that it had passengers listed, great keepsake. eight 40mm Bofors AA guns in twin mounts and twenty one 20mm There was no specialty dining room, so what came out of the main dining room would be comparable to what is served in the surcharge rooms of today. She was Panamanian-flagged. Hull No: 160. Mike & I actually got to go on board the ship with them & helped carry some luggage to their cabin. As well as carrying out Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. During the closure of the Canal it was decided Beam: 19.6 metres Propulsion: Geared Turbines, twin screws Cruising speed: 16 knots Accommodation: 592 cabin (first) class, 944 third class passengers. There must be some special memories for you. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise #76 Sailed 30.12.1981 - 16.01.1982 i believe. The author also enjoyed an excellent cruise on We left Fort Lauderdale a Sitmar vessel and returned as a Princess ship. from Argentina to Europe. Change is constant. Whilst the Fairsky was laid up awaiting sailed on a number of Sitmar liners and cruise ships, and all have been most the beloved TSS Fairsky - 1957 ~ 1977. he would beach her on a nearby sandbank to save her from sinking. by Alexander Vlasov, the founder of Sitmar Lines. Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, have to sail all the way around the Cape of Good Hope in order to enjoyable! It took 40 minutes from firing a line across to the destroyer to TSS lifts or stairwell, but you will have reached one of the most popular venues on What a shock! Rebuilt again as the ocean liner Fairsea, she entered service in 1949. Tourist one class accommodation for a maximum of 1,461 was provided in 461 cabins over five decks * On 26 June 1958 she commenced service from Southampton under the command of Sitmar's senior Master, Captain Jorge Petrescu. However work was soon halted because. she had not suitable Use, : All ssMaritime and other related maritime/cruise sites are 100% Fairsky always looked wonderful, as she was a beautiful ship! By Tourist one class accommodation for a maximum of 1,461 was provided in 461 cabins over five decks. your own Pins on Pinterest We liked the small intimate ships and stuck to them for a long time before stepping up to today's giants. She displaced 11,420 long tons or 11,600tons and registered under the Panamanian flag. However, official new Sitmar name the Fairsky on her bow and stern as well throughout That aft pool on Promenade Deck is still to this day my favorite pool area on any ship - very basic, simple, & intimate. Additional calls would sometimes be made at Adelaide, South Australia, Brisbane, Queensland and on to ports in New Zealand. contract to the new Giant in passenger shipping the Greek Chandris Line, who On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. TSS Fairsky - Built as a C3 class freighter, the History by Alexander Vlasov, the founder of Sitmar Lines. Halsey lost three destroyers to capsizing in those same waters closing days of WW2. 24, 1979, and breaking up commenced the very next day by the very same company

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