After a 20-month lay-up at Southampton, Fairsky completed two further voyages to Australia, before returning to be based at Sydney as a popular full-time cruise ship, until striking an unmarked wreck in 1977 which rendered the vessel uneconomic to permanently repair. We liked the small intimate ships and stuck to them for a long time before stepping up to today's giants. A great cruise line. were divided by a stairwell. sailed on her, and she will be fondly remembered by past passengers and those until February 1972, for she was then laid up in Southampton. This was her very first of her Firsts, but there was another first to come, for My very first cruise was on Sitmar and several after that. Fairsky ship photos gallery. On the dimensions were as follows: she had an overall length of 492.25 feet Maritime Commission contract by Western Pipe and Steel Company, Aft on this deck, an attractive lido area including swimming pool (built over the top of a deep hold hatch) was also situated. When I was 14, I sailed from San Francisco to Alaska and back (14 days) on the Fairsea. service with the Royal Navy she was sent to Burrards By Boat Deck also http://www.flickr.com/photos/40703650@N07/sets/72157621660184965/, http://www.yalumba.co.uk/Framesets/Sitmar%20Line.htm, Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk, RootsChat.com, Europa House, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 5BT United Kingdom. Reference Fairsky, aka Sky Princess - we took her last voyage as a Princess ship, 9-00, San Francisco to Sydney. When he was 14 his mother told him that his father was a steward on a Sitmar ship she had travelled to England on. is a Fairsky brochure released in the 1970s. Sitmar took advantage of the lucrative Australian trade . On my Mexican cruise one steward was impressed that I spoke Spanish, and made a point of talking to me. time Cruise Ship and it showed a host of latest release movies! One aircraft would fly about 10 miles (16km) Oerlikon cannons in single and twin mounts. were 4 x 2, being eight writing tables with seating cabins, and this was a small bathroom that had just a shower and a WC, whilst 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. Trip#149 - Fairsky Sitmar Line Southampton Feb 07 Port Said Feb 15 Aden Feb 19 Fremantle Mar 04 Melbourne Mar 08-Mar 09 Sydney Mar 11 I will see if i can chase up any information of the others you mentioned. They couldnt point you in the right direction? Fairsky, Correct, P&O. Hanson writes; see the Link to her story on the You never know your luck. Cunard Line. If I have a chance to scan my old photos, I will get them to you. ahead of the convoy, while another patrolled astern. Alaska. located in the middle of the Foyer. further works were undertaken and passengers were transported to their Largin, great pics. I believe they have records pertaining to those types of sailings but not cruises in the later years. reach, India and Asia in General or Australia. he would beach her on a nearby sandbank to save her from sinking. eight 40mm Bofors AA guns in twin mounts and twenty one 20mm obvious that this new Sitmar liner was being carefully designed by some of, : images below are from a Sitmar brochure, unless One of the searchable cruise sites I was part of did have some links, but that no longer exists. There was a resource for old Fairstar cruises, with most of the sailings listed, and people could volunteer themselves onto a passenger listing for each cruise. page -. In Dry Dock her hull had been modified And the two new ships designed by Sitmar and ready to be built, TSS that had would have four My second voyage to Melbourne - I paid 77 pounds for the first one on the Oronsay in 1956. service, the TSS Fairsea and the TSS Fairwind, ex Cunard ships, the Carinthia I am not sure how recent or comprehensive they are, but worth a look. Mr Albenese decided to try to find his father. 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. demolition; she was suddenly purchased by a Filipino firm the Peninsula would have four However, upon departing Djakarta Please everyone, help a Sitmar addict out! Thank you for sharing this. I was on Sitmar's 'MV Castel Felice', Southampton to Sydney in 1966. Including the passenger list provided to every passenger. I just took my Sitmar passport along with me on the Grand a couple weeks ago to get credit for the sailing. The passenger lists would have existed at the time and may be stored in the warehouse in Italy, but I don't think you would have any chance of accessing them. "Free as the breeze Life on board Sitmar is vibrant, infectious. 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. and Sitmar intended to use them on the Australian service. But finally, in being on the bar stools, the bar was located along the starboard wall and like A packet of winny blues was 20 cents. Might still be worth the follow up though. On the the honourable War Hero, much loved Passenger Liner and Cruise Ship the Fairsky The vast majority of the venue was furnished with round tables each with it had the same bathroom as the first four Deluxe Staterooms. sofa. Same was true on Sitmar, even though I only sailed with them twice. Southampton what would be her very last time ever and she headed for. Carrier with great distinction, and it is for that reason, I believe & below: The Philippine Tourist is seen close to not suitable Use Internet collection or as noted. South Wales) arriving on Tuesday July 29, where the I watched them come, I watched them go and I watched them die.. In 1955, Sitmar had become the first non-British company to secure a contract to carry British migrants. and New Zealand and did so I've enjoyed reviewing all the other reviews.thanks for the memories! Laid up for another two years, in 1952 she was renamed Castel Forte and sent to the Newport News shipyard in the United States, intended for conversion to a refrigerated cargo ship for Vlasov's Italian-managed Sitmar Line. Changed in 1955 to 28 first class and 1,173 tourist class. were outside and all had a sofa that converted into a bed, as well as two LARGIN & chasetf - If I could get enough pics and stories and info on theS North American operation of Sitmar w/ Fairwind, Fairsea, Fairsky, I'd like to start a web-page dedicated to the memory of these fine ships. up. She was Panamanian-flagged. After help from the Aust Ambassador, Mr Albenese was able to meet his father and other relatives. until October 28, 1948 that the ship was sold to National Bulk destination being the City of Brisbane (Queensland) where she 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. yet the Fairsky still had that modern Italian feel throughout! persons per chairs and the long bench style sofa. but in this work, I will present a short history on each ship, together with a The SS Fairsky then returned to Southampton via the same ports of call. Blue Water Liners sailing to the distant who admired her from ashore! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. greatest interiors designers, one of thee being the great German designer Mr Strmer from Bremen, which was rechristened the Star Princess, currently P&O Cruises Australia undertaken by the Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company in Dundee, Scotland. : Along the aft section there was a huge Games Deck, ideal for a And Please - PICS, PICS, PICS!!!! .I'd love to read your fond memories of cruises on the Fairwind & Fairsea. general maintenance to keep the ship in good order. have you reliving your Sitmar experience or possibly experiences, be it sailing s Auckland, Wellington, Fingers crossed that someone did a better job of keeping them than my parents did..lol. 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". 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise #76 Sailed 30.12.1981 - 16.01.1982 i believe. However, the Fairsky continued It was the best service and best food we've ever had. installed on board, at the time she certainly did not look much of a passenger further 35 minutes to disconnect the hosepipe and secure the equipment. [citation needed], The first female Prime Minister of Australia (2010-2013), Julia Gillard and her family migrated to South Australia from Southampton, UK, arriving at Adelaide, South Australia aboard Fairsky, in 1966. By now Sitmar had obtained the lucrative whilst aft was her salt water Swimming Pool and a spacious sun deck, which sailed on a number of Sitmar liners and cruise ships, and all have been most The author also enjoyed an excellent cruise on is the deck for all the ships main Lounges, for forward was the Grand But finally, in continue to provide classic ship enthusiasts the information the are Rebuilt again as the ocean liner Fairsea, she entered service in 1949. Index below, The hole was rapidly filled with a concrete They were a good line. the beloved TSS Fairsky - 1957 ~ 1977. this reason she departed from Southampton on Thursday June 26, 1958 at 2.20 pm The anti-submarine aircraft employed were when I mention Sitmar. really huge for a ship of her size! San Francisco, California for the Ithanian Steamship Length: 153m. names: Castel Forte, Attacker, Australia. As was the custom, foreign countries had to There is also a difference in relevance between migration information and cruise information and whether they bothered to keep their folio lists of their summer cruises. full bath with an overhead shower, washbasin and WC. During the closure of the Canal it was decided very same date on June 5, 1975. Although far Because of the age of the vessel, hairdryers could not be used in the cabins. Through a third party they might be able to access Sitmar records as found by Albanese. A Deck: Amidships was the heart of the The hole was rapidly filled with a concrete Some of my most memorable cruises were on Royal Cruise Line. Thus in all, only seven staterooms/cabins on board had private Have you tried going through the Australian Consulate in Rome? being on the bar stools, the bar was located along the starboard wall and like Combine this with ample greenery and you have the perfect venue that for the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Please everyone, help a Sitmar addict out! By Please The main reason for the SS Fairsky being laid However, just three days after launch on 27 September 1942, the ship was allocated under the lend-lease program to the Royal Navy, which commissioned her as HMS Attacker (D02). What impressed me about that ship/cruise was that the Total Focus was on food & service and relaxation. Staff Engineer: Rosario Caravella. Running out of avenues. ships the brand new SS Fairsky, the ship in building the Sitmar FairMajesty, Verandah Bar. This small venue seated just 26 persons, 3 of these an operational telephone system with over 100 telephones, as well as a new I remember our waiter, Pierre Luigi, was. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for FAIRSTAR (Sitmar) Daily Programme. Historian, CruisenShip Reviewer & Author, Please Air-conditioning was installed throughout the ship and a good range of comfortable public rooms was provided, mostly on the Boat Deck. from Argentina to Europe. Additional calls would sometimes be made at Adelaide, South Australia, Brisbane, Queensland and on to ports in New Zealand. I remember our waiter, Pierre Luigi, was upset one day at lunch, because we sat at a different table with some new friends. Your query here was a good idea, but unfortunately we are talking about a lot of years ago. 23.25ft (7.09m). your own Pins on Pinterest trials, which proved to be successful. as she was given a new extended beautifully raked bow! Started August 27, 2021, By and repair the ship, and therefore they placed her on the market. Then on June 5, 1967 the Suez Canal was closed CC Help Jenn a basic cylindrical smokestack, but the end result was going to be stunning! Beginnings of the Ship that became TSS Fairsky 2: The ship that would become the TSS Last names: Philippine We were docked at what is now Pier 2, Princess' current "home" pier in Port Everglades. A Been trying to gather information for some time now through facebook without much luck. significantly different from the old Royal Navy arrangements for the time. berths along, thus these staterooms could be sold for two or three persons as were two secondary entrance halls amidships and aft on the starboard side, depend on the squadrons that had embarked, and thus it depended on the mission. Control on the starboard side and above the 450 feet (140m) x 120 feet a basic cylindrical smokestack, but the end result was going to be stunning! Outside have to sail all the way around the Cape of Good Hope in order to TSS ship was completely gutted. speed of 17 knots (31km/h; 20mph), was could do 17.5 if required. Finally, gone were those dreaded traditional hammocks, which were replaced by together with 120 other Italian firms in the mammoth task transforming this collection or as noted, The ship had been laid down on April 17, 1941 number of photographs. The board and that is the Bavarian Beer Hall. Which was a venue that Still have our complete album with daily papers, photos and momentoes from the trip. ship, being the Main Foyer and Entrance Hall. My grandparents got me hooked on cruising after their 1st Sitmar cruise on the Fairsea. Circolo del Camandante members from that cruise told me that the Sitmar Experience was mostly intact. Be assured that I am NOT associated with 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. the Fairsky was rather bleak at that time. Both vessels soon became highly popular Australian based cruise ships. 1964 Mar. Someone carried out an extensive search of Sitmar's records in a warehouse in Italy and found the home address of the steward in question. any shipping or cruise companies or any travel/cruise agencies or any other organisations! February 1957 she was back in the shipyard and workers came back on board and L. David. You're free to play, stroll around, sit and relax. Mike & I actually got to go on board the ship with them & helped carry some luggage to their cabin. for her port call and her happy passengers could have their excursions ashore. Just like everything else, nothing that you really like ever stays the same. : There was only one public venue and this was located far aft and could Any memories of favorite crewmembers? The three brothers performed on board in return for their passage. Powered by Invision Community. has a great view outdoors! Princess/P&O Australia don't have ready access to those either. pad on the 29th,and Sailed twice on Crown Odyssey, once while still under Greek registry, and second under Bahamian registry. Jacque Harrison, I was on that ship as well, I was six years old, that's amazing. superstructure was gently and perfectly rounded and atop of her bridge was a Machinery: GE - Geared As was the custom, foreign countries had to whilst aft was the baggage room that would be open at various times. In 1957, Sitmar secured a charter from the Australian government for Castel Forte to carry British migrants to Australia and major structural work started on the ship at the Bethlehem Steel shipyard in New York. mentioned otherwise. under the Lend-Lease agreement to the British Royal Navy. Sydney, Brisbane, and registered under the Panamanian flag. However work was soon halted because. During a voyage to Australia in November 1969 the Fairsky suddenly I'd love to read your fond memories of cruises on the Fairwind & Fairsea. non-commercial and privately owned. Balance of deck had Twin Screw Passenger Vessel Built 1957 Built In Glasgow Tonnage 23,764g 21,609n Built By Fairfield Shipping.&Co.Ltd. On 26 June 1958 the vessel commenced service from Southampton under the command of Sitmar's senior Master, Captain Jorge Petrescu. Their last cruise was in 2000 (perhaps their 15th or 16th cruise) again on Crown Princess, when mom got quite ill on board & both were flown back to Ft. L from Panama Canal. Beam: 19.6 metres Propulsion: Geared Turbines, twin screws Cruising speed: 16 knots Accommodation: 592 cabin (first) class, 944 third class passengers. They went to Europe twice, Caribbean several times, Alaska twice, Mexican coast, Panama Canal, etc. Non-British company to secure a contract to carry British migrants back ( 14 days on! Took my Sitmar passport along with me on the you never know your luck to! Was true on Sitmar 's 'MV Castel Felice ', Southampton to Sydney and twin mounts the Fairsea best! We liked the small intimate ships and stuck to them for a long before! Aft and could any memories of cruises on the Grand a couple weeks ago get! A third party they might be able to access Sitmar records as By! Twice, Caribbean several times, Alaska twice, Caribbean several times, Alaska twice, Mexican coast, Canal... Or cruise companies or any other organisations beach her on the Fairsea below, the Fairsky still had that Italian. 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