My family and I emigrated to Australia, from Ireland, in 1969 when I was just turning 12 years old. We were £10 moms also. We sailed from Southampton on the 7th of January 1969 aboard Ellinis, stopping at Las Palmas, Cape Town and Freemantle before arriving in Melbourne 4 weeks later. After moving to Sydney and living there for almost 4 years we returned to the UK/Ireland in November 1972 when I was 15. We sailed from Sydney, again on RHMS Ellinis, via Auckland, Tahiti, Panama Canal, Curacao and New York, arriving in Southampton on the 7th of December 1972. They were the most memorable journeys of my lifetime and the happy memories of my time on board Ellinis, the places we visited and the friends I made will always be in my heart and will be with me forever. Thank you for putting up this video.
After being a Ten Pound Pom in 1962,as a 9 year old kid, I and my family spend some amazing weeks on the Ellinis in 1965 as it made it's way from Sydney to Southampton vis the Panama canal. had an experience at that young age that you just won't find today. originally went to Australia on the P & O Stratheden via the Suez canal, so ended up circumnavigating the globe by passenger ship before I was 10 years old. I remember fondly all the sights and smells of the different ports and countries. What an amazing experience for a child. This beautiful film has allowed so many people to recall their times on board. Well done, many thanks......you put a big smile on my face today
We sailed on the Ellinis in May 1973 from Adelaide to Southampton, and like almost everyone has said it brought back great memories of an era that has gone forever. The five week voyage as a young boy with my two brothers and my mother and father was a huge adventure and I loved it. The ship, I believe was on a round the world trip and had a lot of Hippies aboard, one of whom jumped overboard at night on the passage between Melbourne and Sydney. It wasn't discovered until the morning some hours later. I don't think he would have lasted long in the shark infested waters. As children we dined at a different time to the adults, but we had a great steward who looked after us. A couple of years later we emigrated to South Africa and as we sailed out of Southampton aboard the Edinburgh Castle who should we see also in the dock, but the Ellinis. Thanks for the memory; though it did bring a tear to my eye as my parents have now passed away.
My wife’s family emigrated to Australia as a ‘£10 Pom’ in 1965 when she was 3 yrs old. She often mentions the Ellinis. She says she can still remember the smell!
I recognized the decks, and various rooms, as when was 11 when with Mum and Dad I immigrated to Perth in 31 October 1968 stopping at Grand Canary, and Cape Town, and to this day - I'm now 63 [and back in England, - we all returned home in 1979] - she is still the biggest ship I have ever set foot on. Memories of a long sea voyage adventure for a little boy.
I was on the same trip and am also 63 in August. We left Southampton on 23 August 1968. I was only 9 but remember parts of it really well. My 2 brothers and I had great fun running around the desks.
We sailed on this ship arriving in Fremantle on 24th September 1970. There was my Father, Mother my two brothers and myself. My father passed away a few years ago but we made W Australia our forever home. I really enjoyed the trip on the ship. After a number of holidays in the UK I think my parents made the best decision to emigrate to Australia
We came to Australia arriving here in September 1968. My mum and dad my brother and sister and wow I loved the Ellinis for a young boy of 15 it was a big adventure I remember so much about it and the trip we had to go via Cape Town and stopping in Cape town did the tourist thing as we did at all our ports of call and there was a few of them too. This video bought back so many great memories and a tear or two to my eyes. Mum always use to say the crosses on the funnels were kisses and we would all be safe on the Ellinis which we were. The cabin on main deck was awesome looking out the port hole was a great pass time at night and during the day. And ofcourse being on the ship for 6 weeks there was a lot of exploring to do to pass away the days. My brother had his 13th birthday as we said the Great Australian Bite very calm it was. To sum up I guess to mum and dad possibly more so the Ellinis was a ship of dreams bring us to a new life in Australia. I am still here in Queensland and now at 69 I still remember so much about our voyage on board the Ellinis. So thank you for showing us the wonderful video. If any one else has any videos of the Ellinis I would love to see them specially any for our trip from South Hampton to Australia Leaving the UK in August 1968 arriving Australia September 1968. Thank you
Your story is a replica of mine. I to with my family came out to first NZ then later we moved to Sydney, now in Brisbane, all done in 1968. I was 18. Our voyage was Dec/ Jan. We had a rogue wave throw everything from our dining table on Christmas Eve, the waiters came around watering the tablecloths to keep everything on. Such wonderful memories. Our Captain was CPT Ikiadis.
Oh, thank you Mr. Dunlea for this lovely film of Ellinis. I was a passenger along with my Dad and Grandmother from Australia in the 1970's, and we spent 5 glorious weeks coming through the Panama Canal route. She was a beautiful, wonderful ship with a personality all of her own, and like the song, I wish I could turn back time and travel on her again. The film moved me to tears, it was brilliant, like Ellinis !!! x
Just came across this and brought back a few memories. I was on the very last trip from Sydney to Southampton in 1978. I recognised a couple of crew members in the photos. I still have a couple of souvenirs stashed away somewhere. If I remember correctly the Women’s World Discovery Tour were on board also. Great times.
My mother traveled with all 5 of us in 1969 from New York to Southampton. Such fond memories. I remember they had a children's talent contest and my brother had long hair and they thought he was a girl. He cried and I laughed. I remember singing Hush Little Baby. I still have the menu from the last dinner aboard and two crew members wrote their names and addresses. George Tzouvelis but I can't read the other sadly. Thank you so much. Leah Jefferson
Wonderful! I worked in Cabaret aboard her during the summer of 1968. I think it was 7 cruises from Southampton to the med, which was 14 weeks in all. I loved every moment, she was everything I expected a passenger to be and more ! What fun it all was, and she looked a very purposeful and elegant ship!
John, Many thanks for a warm and considerate video. I was the Ellinis' photographer from February 1968 until early 1969. Captain Ikiadis and then Captain Nicolaou were the ship's masters. Conscription call-up for the Vietnam War removed me from a much loved ship.
As a young 7 year old, together with my mother, I sailed on this gorgeous ship from Australia to Southampton in Nov 1972. We were meant to sail to Rotterdam, but with the arrival being Christmas Eve, our crew went on strike in Southampton, so urgent alternative arrangements had to be made to get those of us who were stranded, to the continent. My mother was terrified of flying, so she pleaded with staff to have us sail by cross-channel ferry to any European port. To my great delight, and my mother’s terror, we were booked on a flight from Gatwick to Bremen on a (long defunct) British charter company, Court Line. That one flight, on a pastel pink BAC111 twin jet, changed my life forever, drove my single-minded career aspirations, and has seen me happily flying the world’s skies for decades. Thank you Ellinis! As a side note, we also sailed from/to Australia on the Galileo Galilei (my favorite) and twice on the Australis. Such phenomenal childhood memories.
Thank you very much john for bringing back such great memories here. I my mum dad sister gran sailed aboard her in 1967 as Ten pound poms with many to Melbourne where we spent 7 fabulous years before returning to the UK unfortunatley ..Great video happy i found it browsing....Much appreciation Stephen Barber of Sheffield now aged 64yrs and these days working iin the Cruise industry so thats ironic....
Lovely old ship, memories of sailing from Sydney to Southampton early 70's via Panama Canal :- Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Wellington, Tahiti, Panama, Nassau, Bermuda, Amsterdam Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Southampton. Great experience never forgotten.
Thank you for that lovely compilation of photos and film clips, @John Dunlea. RHMS Ellinis was the start of a fantastic adventure for this then 15 year old boy in 1969. Six weeks of it, starting in Southampton and arriving in Sydney six weeks later. Mum, dad, I and three of my siblings were allocated one of the six suites with their own shower and toilets and floor to ceiling windows. My oldest sister drew the short straw, but her cabin was not far away. Swimming pool, movie cinema, gambling and function nights for free, duty-free prices on tobacco and grog. What was not to like? Perhaps seasickness around the Bay of Biscay and the Cape of Good Hope for those who were susceptible to it, I suppose. For the rest of us, we could gorge ourselves on prawns and other delicious food to bursting point. And watching the ship's bow ploughing its way through big swells that sent great amounts of whitewater across the poop deck was exicting. The real fun for this teenager with out of control hormones cruising through my body began after a crew member demonstrated during a compulsory safety drill how to get into a rescue boat. Needless to say, there was ample supply of similarly aged girls with similarly raging hormones aboard. Not so much fun was the radio officer. When he discovered that I collected stamps he invited me to look at his collection in his cabin. Being somewhat naive, I accepted. No big deal though. He tried the persuasive rather than the threatening approach and did not press the point when I turned out to be uncooperative. The episode was mildly irritating or annoying rather than traumatic. The captain, who remained in contact with my parents for a while as a result of the encounter, reported a few months later that said radio officer had reverted to heterosexuality. I hope he was no more insistent with female passengers than he was with me. One passenger made metaphorical waves. He was extremely sociable, organising impromptu non-denominational religious services and other meetings. About two weeks into the trip it was somehow discovered that he was a stowaway who had managed to persuade a steward to arrange an extra bunk for him in one of the inner cabins. An examination of his passport revealed that it was chock-a-block with entry and exit stamps from countries all over the world. He got locked up in the brig and offloaded in South Africa. Another notable event was the death of one passenger. He died of a heart attack. I couldn't help but wonder if his body was stored in a chiller or freezer normally used to store food for the 1600+ passengers and crew until the next port of call was reached. Some other memories that stuck in my mind are about the brief stays at various locations, such as the palms in Mallorca. Extraordinary for someone from inland western Europe whose only experiences of the sea were the Baltic, Adriatic and North seas. The sunset and the city lights of Cape Town as we left was utterly stunning. The image is still vividly preserved in my mind. Perth was a boring, sandy flatland, but the coloured glass roof of Melbourne's National Art Gallery was a sight to behold. In the end came the sight of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House (still under construction, but already looking pretty much the same as it does today). HRMS Ellinis sailed (more precisely, it was manoeuvred by tugs) under the harbour bridge and made fast at Customs House. I don't know why - perhaps it was some vaguely perceived prescience, but I felt like kissing the ground. I never did, of course. For starters, the landing bridge took us to the first floor of the building, and then there was the bureaucratic rigmarole of disembarking from the ship to go through. Still, no regrets about the journey. Europe had a lot of valuable features Australia sorely lacked at the time, and to a lesser extent does to this day, but I cannot imagine having had anywhere near the relatively lucky, carefree life in old Germany than I finished up having here in Australia. The adventurous few weeks at the Matraville immigration hostel - huge naval warehouses converted for us newcomers - and my initial, occasionally hazardous and painful attempts to learn how to surf at Maroubra Beach, were just the start. On the whole, the journey was thoroughly enjoyable, and your video made me recall some of the highlights.
In 1970 my parents, sister and I returned to the UK aboard this fine ship, after living in Canada for five years. We departed from New York passed the Statue of Liberty and the twin towers, they were only partly built then. It brought both happiness and sadness seeing her again. Thanks for a great video John.
Thank you John for putting this on I came to Australia from England with mum and dad my brother and sister in 1968 I was 15 but I still remember all about the Ellinis It was a great trip 6 weeks in total as we went round past Cape Town calling too Dad myself and my brother had permission from the Captain to go out on the deck right up to the bow what a view it was too with the Captain waving to us Mum use to say the ship had kisses on her funnels and was kissing to everyone she passed and saw I often look the Ellinis up online to find out about her what happened etc etc Watching this has bought back so many memories and all good ones too so again Thank you so much
Thanks Dave, really appreciate your comments and delighted you enjoyed the video so much. I worked on 3 different Chandris ships, Australis, Romanza and Amerikanis, but only ever visited The Ellinis once in Southampton. She was a lovely ship and I know a lot of people, both passengers and crew, who have very special memories of her much like you do. There's a fantastic Facebook group which I belong to which is full of people like ourselves who have traveled and worked with Chandris down the years, It's primarily about Australis, but lots of pictures and stories about all the other ships as well. If you fancy having a quick look heres a link. facebook.com/groups/ssaustralisphotosnstories/ You won't find a friendlier group anywhere on Facebook. Thanks again for your kind comments. Best regards. John.
what great footage of the ellinis brought back great memories we sailed from England to australia in early 1970 with 4 young children our cabin was on main deck cabin steward was a young guy named Spiro who couldn't do enough for us great steward it was the voyage where some drugged up idiot inspected the crew doing there lifeboat drill went up to the bridge with offices in hot persist then jumped off from a great height the ship then done a figure of eight and after an hour picked him up no life jacket on but managed to survive then was locked up and picked up by the police at cape Town anyway great trip we still live in perth and still loving it thanks again for the clip
Very many thanks for all involved to put this tribute together. Beautifully done. I travelled on her 3 time and have some very special memories. My great sadness is that she ended her life in the breaker’s yard rather than dying at sea as did Australis and Britainis,
I worked on the ship doing the migrant run to Australia and back close to 65 days each voyage for close to 5 years when she went so did a part of my heart
@@rohansrider Yes, I knew him we were together on the ELLINIS on Voyage 37 departed Southampton on 12 March 1971- I do not know if we were together on other ships as well - if you are in contact please give him my best
@@HELLENICPRIDE100 Yes I knew Captain Varsamis if my memory is till in order we probably worked on one or two Chandris Lines together and I believe he is a Greek expat like me.
Thank you John well put together tribute. It brings back memories as a 7 year old, we immigrated to Netherlands as a family of 6 in 1969 on the Ellinis. Leaving Fremantle stopping in Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, Tahiti, Panama Canal, New York and disembarked in Rotterdam, we were supposed to stop at Southampton but unable, not sure why. I remember the celebrations as we crossed the Equator, the crew put on a performance dressed up as King Neptune some of the crew were sacrificed (thrown in the pool). In 1976 we again travelled from Cape Town back to Fremantle on the same ship, maybe the last time she travelled that route? It was great seeing the movie theater, dining and function rooms, promadate deck and swimming pool again. I did not realise The Ellinis had such an illustrious history thanks you for your enlightened historical tribute.
I hadn't realised how much this ship meant to me until I saw this tribute to her. Many thanks for this John. I sailed in 1969 on the Ellinis from Sydney Australia to New York (via Tahiti and the Panama Canal) after a long holiday in Australia, returning to my then home in Toronto, Canada. I returned to Australia some years later (by air) and have lived in Australia since 1973. This ship was an important part of my journey and to see your lovely tribute brought both happy memories and sad reminiscences about the demise of these beautiful ships that plied the Pacific.
Thank you very much Kathy for your lovely comment. I worked on 3 Chandris ships, (Australis, Romanza, Amerikanis) and visited the Ellinis in Southampton. She was indeed a beautiful ship, as were the others, and I share your sentiments in lamenting the passing of such elegant vessels, but at least we had the genuine pleasure of experiencing them first hand. I'm delighted you enjoyed the video and that it brought back some happy memories for you. Thank you once again.
I sailed on her may 1973 Auckland to Southampton England seemed so quaint and congested like a Lowry painting after two years away seeing my own country with "new eyes" was a valuable experience
We arrived in Fremantle on 24th September 1970. W Australia became our for ever home, my parents decision to emigrate was one of the best things they ever did. There was my Father, Mother my two brothers and myself. We have had a number of holidays in the UK in recent years but I wouldn't want to return to live there.
Thank you for this. I’ve just found a picture of my Grandmother on the RHMS Ellinis, shaking the Captain’s hand. I wish we could upload photos in these comments!
I actually sailed on both the original Lurline (Honolulu to San Francisco) and the Matsonia, which became the second Lurline and ultimately the Ellinis. My folks sailed multiple times as well, and also later on on Ellinis, and they said that Chandris kept most of the ship in the same décor. Thanks for the memories.
This tribute is very close to my heart John. I worked on the Ellinis in 1979. Such fond and special memories; I traveled to amazing places (we were sailing in the Mediterranean at that time. I remain best friends with my 1st room-mate/cabin mate and keep in contact with several others. The awesome surprise watching this was the number of photos of some of my friends and co-workers in this presentation...that was a real WOW for me. Thank you for your time putting this together. Should you ever be looking for additional photos of the ship I would be thrilled to share. I also went on to work on the Britanis in the Caribbean for 3 years and love that tribute as well.
Three biggest memories as a young 1967 Scotland to OZ immigrant. 1. losing in the final of the deck quoits on the upper deck ( I so wanted to win )! 2. Some poor guy being fished out from the bottom of the swimming pool after he passed out during the 'fork collecting' competition (he survived). 3. Watching my recently purchased football sail over the upper deck into the sea while I was alone kicking it about. Still remember looking wistfully from the stern as it floated away.... All in all one of the most enjoyable 4 weeks of my life!
We left Australia on the 18th April 1967 went to Sydney from Melbourne on to New Zealand also to Tahiti went through the Panama Canal coming back to the UK it was a wonderful time on board this beautiful ship so many memories of a wonderful time living in Australia and then back home to Wales thanks for the video
What a gem of a find. Thanks for sharing this. I was a child who was on the Ellinis returning to the UK from Australia in 1966. What great memories I had of the trip. Have not seen a moving image of her
Snap! Same year, aged 4, terrified of deck pool thinking it was as deep as the ocean. Brother won fancy dress competition going as Pisces, head to toe in crepe paper fish scales!
Really enjoyed the tribute , sailed as a 12 year old from Sydney to Southampton via the Panama canal and returned one year later via the Suez Canal . Thank You
Wonderful video. I sailed on the Ellinis in 1966 from Melbourne to Sydney-Wellington NZ-Papeete-Panama-Christobal-Curacao-Southampton....4 weeks & 3 days. What an adventure & having my 19th birthday on her. Still have some wonderful movies of the sail.
As an excited 22 YO leaving for an adventure of a lifetime on Chandris' 'Ellinis' from Melbourne to Southampton via Auckland, Tahiti, Panama Canal, and Willemstadt (in the Caribbean Dutch Antilles) in August 1964, watching this bought on a nostalgic tear and forgotten memories travelling on this beautiful ship. I had known it was previously a Matson liner but its history and number of years in service were fascinating to learn. The decor at that time I was told, was primarily that from its Matson days. I remember the great meals that marked out the hours of each day of the voyage and the people met on board, as well as the exciting ports of call - especially memorable, were the stopovers in tropical Papette in Tahiti and the wonderfully architecturally Dutch-flavoured city of Willemstadt as well as the fascinating transition through the lochs of the Panama Canal prior to that. For the weeks one was on board, the ship became a 'mother' who provided all comforts. After 17 months in the UK, I returned to Melbourne on the P&O's 'Canberra' via The Suez Canal, Columbo, Fremantle. I have to say it felt a rather sterile ship after the atmosphere of 'Ellinis'! Many thanks for stirring my memories with this video!
youve done a great job John of taking me back 50years. March 13th 1969 sailed from Uk to New zealand with my newly wed wife Anne. It was our honeymoon. What a time we had dancing every night, it was wonderfull, thanks again.
My family were on the same cruise Tony, left Southampton as ten pound Poms on my 14th birthday March 13th. However we were dropped off in Melbourne, and settled in Adelaide. Do you remember the German guy that was involved in everything on board, even making announcements in the mornings over the ship's intercom? That is until they found out that he was a stowaway, and was on Interpol's most wanted list! I still have a few things from the cruise, the daily newspaper, menus, information on the stopover at Las Palmas. Did you go on any tours in Las Palmas and Cape Town?
Wow! I do recall there being a stow away,I hadn't known of the details. I purchased two items in Las palma. A Cannon 35mil camera and a cassette recorder, My new wife and I did a coach tour in cape town, we passed the hospital where the first heart transplant was undertaken. Freemantle was where my family ended there ten pound pom journey in 1954 .My father loved oz but my mum couldn't cope with the spiders so after the compulsory two years they paid their way to N.Z. and never looked back.
Tony Crompton It's quite possible that we were on the same coach tour as well. I can remember we went up to the top of Table Top Mountain, where we stopped for ice creams. Did you do the coach tour in Las Palmas to the top of the extinct volcano?
Gareth the tour in cape town took us along the coast and then inland to a winery, Las palmer we walked for a bit and then found a lovely beach. I do remember dancing every night in the ball room as I said it was my honeymoon and the trip was a great time for us as a young married couple. Sadly my wife has left this planet. I have a son now living in the uk so I return often over the years.
Zenon and Rose, thank you both very much for taking the time and making the effort to comment on here. It is genuinely appreciated. Thank you once again.
My family sailed (my sister 10, me at 11 and my brother at 4) in 1966 from Auckland to Southampton. Five weeks visiting all the places the others have mentioned. I still have a little gold notebook which I won for collecting the most silver paper in a competition! I am writing a family history and just discovered the Ellinis history. Amazing! We had emigrated from Scotland to NZ in 1965 but my parents found it hard to settle.
Wow! Had a cruise on the Ellinis departing Melbourne for the South Pacific in (circa) 1977 .... age 12. Just me and my Dad. We had a massive cabin on the port side with 3 massive windows - it was about 5 stories above the waterline. Saw some crazy weather and waves out of them while in the Pacific. It was brilliant. Use to have 'Beef Tea served on deck in the afternoon. I also won the fancy dress competition onboard with another two lads: we got cardboard boxes from the ships galley & crepe paper from somewhere and created a 'Robot and his dog'! Had so much fun on this ship.
I came to Australia on this beautiful ship in 1972. My parents and my three siblings. My older brother and sister both had birthdays while on there and they had birthday cakes. School on board was fun too. I remember the water in the pool being half emptied for the younger kids. Still have the certificate for attending school on board. Sadly I only one photo from the trip on board and one from a port somewhere with the ship in the background. We stopped in Spain, Cape Town, WA, Melbourne overnight where they only picked up passengers, (our parents must have got off because they gave us potato crisps the next morning and that was the first time we had seen crinkle cut chips) then to Sydney. Seeing the bridge and Opera House was pretty exciting to a ten year old. Family picked us up and took us the Fairy Meadow to the hostel.
I traveled from England to Sydney in December 1970 on this ship when I was only 3 years old but I remember our steward 👩✈️ patarakus he was great and the swimming pool I dressed up as a pirate lol
Excellent, thank you. Traveled on her October 72 to Australia,. I just watched this again and read the end where it reads she was scrapped in Taiwan 🇹🇼, guess where I've lived for the past nine years, Taiwan 🇹🇼 irony maybe
Travelled the globe on this vessel in 1965. Wellington, Tahiti, Panama, Curacao, Southampton. Return leg: Flushing, Holland,, Piraeus, Port Said, Aden, Fremantle, Melbourne. Watched Jason and the Argonauts in B deck cinema, Captain Neptune party as we crossed the equator. The locks of The Panama. Flying fish.
sailed from Adelaide South Australia late '71 back to the UK, had a great time.. made friends with a dude named Steve Drew, always wanted too know what happened to Steve because we returned to Australia end of '72.
Probably a bit too late but I did 7 cruises on the Ellinis 1966 / 67 (if memory serves). They flew the entertainment staff out to Amsterdam to pick her up after a refit and find their way about on her way back to Southampton. She would do Summers sailing from Southampton to the Med. and Africa and then resume Winter trips to Australia taking people out on the £10 one way trip for migrants. About 10 years later our drummer Phil sailed out to migrate to Australia and is still there. Fabulous ship, lovely crew and some brilliant memories. Like the 6 dancing girls falling over after the fire eater act forgot to tell us not all the 'fuel' was ignited and that it would be all over the floor.... 'Greek Night', 30 foot long buffet tables when in port, icing sugar models of the ship ... green sea breaking over the bows and hitting the bridge ... allowing passengers up to the top deck and not telling them the ship's 'whistle' was actually hugely deafening ....was all great fun
I first learned of the Ellinis when I was given a 1976 Chandris brochure that was more like a magazine than a brochure. The wonderful Ellinis was on the cover. I didn't realize at the time how much history the Ellinis had and that she would be a part of more history.---The song used in the latter part of this excellent video reminds me of a line from Thornton Wilder's play "Our Town". The character Maggie says, "If I could go back for just one day, for just one hour".---I've read that during the years the Ellinis was laid up, and maybe part of the reason she wasn't scrapped earlier, some of her parts were transferred to the Britanis which had been the Monterey then Matsonia then Lurline then Britanis and later Belofin, the name she had when she sank on the way to the scrapyard in 2000.
Came to NZ on her maiden voyage, 1963. Used to slide down the interior banister to the dining room until I fell two floors and broke my arm. I think the whole ship heard my startled scream
In 1979, my wife, baby, and I cruised the Mediterranean on our first cruise ship voyage. I remember an emergency vertical escape ladder (out of public view) running from the bottom of the ship to the top being filled with rust. The dinning room waiters were not helpful probably because we had a 18 month baby with us. The only other thing I remember is above the ship's wheel was a large wooden sign that said something like, "Eternal vigilance is the price to be paid for safety at sea." Overall, it was a memorable cruise and let me end by saying they don't make cruise ships like the Ellinis anymore with a lack of balconies.
Being a Southampton man and have sailed as crew, its sad to see all these ships that was once here, do remember the Ellinis tied up in Southampton on 102 berth and the Marina del mar down on 106, we was on 105 getting ready to leave for 6 mths, we see the mar in monte when we was on are way home. Southampton use to be a wonderful city back in the 70s and before, but the city died with the passenger ships
Curacao back to Holland 1976. I was 12 YO . There were people from Australia on board. Some of them died during this voyage and had a seaman's grave during the night.
Sailed from adalaide to southhampton 74 on this great ship I was 10 with the family my favourite film on board was darleks invasion earth great times s mcnulty
My family returned from Sydney to Southampton on the Ellinis in 1973. We arrived back to a wintry England in early January 1974. I was only 10 but recall New Zealand, Tahiti, crossing the intl date line and having two Christmas Days! I got chicken-pox on board and was quarantined, so missed a lot of the Panama Canal and Curacao. The trip was a joy and although I love flying, this was the best way to travel - no school, but very early kids' breakfasts and lunches and apple pie in the afternoon. We even dropped in at the Azores, but I cannot remember which port it was. Anyone can remember, let me know!
The memories I have of Ellinis on a passage from Southampton to Sydney in Jan 66 are somewhat mixed. I was a 3yr old child and have had a lifelong post traumatic stress disorder because the nanny in the ships nursery almost suffocated me during an unprovoked attack. She was discovered because of the other children's frightened screaming. She was removed from the ship at the next port. Does anybody have any memories of that incident? Is there any way I can view the ships log? If anyone can suggest any links etc, I'd be grateful.
There was a day nursery on the 1st deck if i can remember correctly , had no windows , i managed to escape i hated it that was around the same time - early 66 Southampton ,Pireas , Port Said and Aden
The History Of The SS Afrikis: The SS Française Was Ordered By French Shipyard. He Was Launched On July 12th 1931. The Maiden Voyage Was On May 7th 1932 Arrived New York-Le Havre-Southampton By Edisto Lines. In Late 1962 He Completely Last Voyage In New York After 30 Years In Service He Laid Up In Le Havre On December 12th 1962. In September 1963 He Was Sold To Chandris Lines,Greece Replacing The Burnout SS "England" Renamed As AFRIKIS. The Maiden Voyage Was Entered On December 30th 1963 Between Greece And Australia. In 1978 Arrived Australia-Oceania-Singapore. On January 2nd 1980 Last Voyage In Australia. On January 10th 1980 Laid Up In Eleusis,Greece. On March 1st 1987 An Fire Brokes Out In The Engine Room She Sank Lower. On May 10th 1987 After 7 Years While Laid Up, He Was Sold To Pakistan Breakers,The Ship Was Refloated And Derpart In Piraeus To Pakistan. On June 2nd 1987 He Was Beached In Pakistan And Scrapped
Quite an amazing job you did sir. But that life span of the ship, or any luxury passenger liner is just about 50-60 years. In no way was her life cut short like so many other liners such as the SS AMERICA, but i guess that was better than the breakers.
bONJOUR à vous, je suis à la recherche d une video du dernier voyage de l ellinis tahiti en france je devais avoir 13 ANS ET DEMI? SI QUELQU UN L 4AVAIT CE SERAIT GENIAL DE L 4A POSTER§ QUE DE MERVEILLEUX SOUVENIRS
My family and I emigrated to Australia, from Ireland, in 1969 when I was just turning 12 years old. We were £10 moms also. We sailed from Southampton on the 7th of January 1969 aboard Ellinis, stopping at Las Palmas, Cape Town and Freemantle before arriving in Melbourne 4 weeks later.
After moving to Sydney and living there for almost 4 years we returned to the UK/Ireland in November 1972 when I was 15. We sailed from Sydney, again on RHMS Ellinis, via Auckland, Tahiti, Panama Canal, Curacao and New York, arriving in Southampton on the 7th of December 1972.
They were the most memorable journeys of my lifetime and the happy memories of my time on board Ellinis, the places we visited and the friends I made will always be in my heart and will be with me forever. Thank you for putting up this video.
After being a Ten Pound Pom in 1962,as a 9 year old kid, I and my family spend some amazing weeks on the Ellinis in 1965 as it made it's way from Sydney to Southampton vis the Panama canal. had an experience at that young age that you just won't find today. originally went to Australia on the P & O Stratheden via the Suez canal, so ended up circumnavigating the globe by passenger ship before I was 10 years old. I remember fondly all the sights and smells of the different ports and countries. What an amazing experience for a child. This beautiful film has allowed so many people to recall their times on board. Well done, many thanks......you put a big smile on my face today
We sailed on the Ellinis in May 1973 from Adelaide to Southampton, and like almost everyone has said it brought back great memories of an era that has gone forever. The five week voyage as a young boy with my two brothers and my mother and father was a huge adventure and I loved it. The ship, I believe was on a round the world trip and had a lot of Hippies aboard, one of whom jumped overboard at night on the passage between Melbourne and Sydney. It wasn't discovered until the morning some hours later. I don't think he would have lasted long in the shark infested waters. As children we dined at a different time to the adults, but we had a great steward who looked after us. A couple of years later we emigrated to South Africa and as we sailed out of Southampton aboard the Edinburgh Castle who should we see also in the dock, but the Ellinis. Thanks for the memory; though it did bring a tear to my eye as my parents have now passed away.
My wife’s family emigrated to Australia as a ‘£10 Pom’ in 1965 when she was 3 yrs old. She often mentions the Ellinis. She says she can still remember the smell!
Travelled from Southampton to Wellington in 1967. Wonderful adventure for a 10 year old boy aboard. Thank you for this tribute. Wonderful ship.
I recognized the decks, and various rooms, as when was 11 when with Mum and Dad I immigrated to Perth in 31 October 1968 stopping at Grand Canary, and Cape Town, and to this day - I'm now 63 [and back in England, - we all returned home in 1979] - she is still the biggest ship I have ever set foot on. Memories of a long sea voyage adventure for a little boy.
I was on the same trip and am also 63 in August. We left Southampton on 23 August 1968. I was only 9 but remember parts of it really well. My 2 brothers and I had great fun running around the desks.
We sailed on this ship arriving in Fremantle on 24th September 1970. There was my Father, Mother my two brothers and myself. My father passed away a few years ago but we made W Australia our forever home. I really enjoyed the trip on the ship. After a number of holidays in the UK I think my parents made the best decision to emigrate to Australia
I think that was our trip as well..living in Victoria now
We came to Australia arriving here in September 1968. My mum and dad my brother and sister and wow I loved the Ellinis for a young boy of 15 it was a big adventure I remember so much about it and the trip we had to go via Cape Town and stopping in Cape town did the tourist thing as we did at all our ports of call and there was a few of them too. This video bought back so many great memories and a tear or two to my eyes. Mum always use to say the crosses on the funnels were kisses and we would all be safe on the Ellinis which we were. The cabin on main deck was awesome looking out the port hole was a great pass time at night and during the day. And ofcourse being on the ship for 6 weeks there was a lot of exploring to do to pass away the days. My brother had his 13th birthday as we said the Great Australian Bite very calm it was. To sum up I guess to mum and dad possibly more so the Ellinis was a ship of dreams bring us to a new life in Australia. I am still here in Queensland and now at 69 I still remember so much about our voyage on board the Ellinis. So thank you for showing us the wonderful video. If any one else has any videos of the Ellinis I would love to see them specially any for our trip from South Hampton to Australia Leaving the UK in August 1968 arriving Australia September 1968. Thank you
Your story is a replica of mine. I to with my family came out to first NZ then later we moved to Sydney, now in Brisbane, all done in 1968. I was 18. Our voyage was Dec/ Jan. We had a rogue wave throw everything from our dining table on Christmas Eve, the waiters came around watering the tablecloths to keep everything on. Such wonderful memories. Our Captain was CPT Ikiadis.
Oh, thank you Mr. Dunlea for this lovely film of Ellinis. I was a passenger along with my Dad and Grandmother from Australia in the 1970's, and we spent 5 glorious weeks coming through the Panama Canal route. She was a beautiful, wonderful ship with a personality all of her own, and like the song, I wish I could turn back time and travel on her again. The film moved me to tears, it was brilliant, like Ellinis !!! x
I was on that ship in January 1970 from Australia with my mum dad and siblings
Just came across this and brought back a few memories. I was on the very last trip from Sydney to Southampton in 1978. I recognised a couple of crew members in the photos. I still have a couple of souvenirs stashed away somewhere.
If I remember correctly the Women’s World Discovery Tour were on board also. Great times.
My mother traveled with all 5 of us in 1969 from New York to Southampton. Such fond memories. I remember they had a children's talent contest and my brother had long hair and they thought he was a girl. He cried and I laughed. I remember singing Hush Little Baby. I still have the menu from the last dinner aboard and two crew members wrote their names and addresses. George Tzouvelis but I can't read the other sadly. Thank you so much. Leah Jefferson
I was BORN on this vessel, thank you for the video
Wellington New Zealand to Southhampton on The Ellinis 1973. An amazing time in our lives.
We did the same trip in 1966, I was 6
Wonderful! I worked in Cabaret aboard her during the summer of 1968. I think it was 7 cruises from Southampton to the med, which was 14 weeks in all. I loved every moment, she was everything I expected a passenger to be and more ! What fun it all was, and she looked a very purposeful and elegant ship!
John, Many thanks for a warm and considerate video. I was the Ellinis' photographer from February 1968 until early 1969. Captain Ikiadis and then Captain Nicolaou were the ship's masters. Conscription call-up for the Vietnam War removed me from a much loved ship.
Nice video. My dad came from Southampton to fremantle Australia on the Ellinis arriving 24th Sept 1970. ❤️
We arrived on the same day and after over 50 years still live here
Yep still in Melbourne
My heart sank each time when I know a fine ship is to be scraped .
As a young 7 year old, together with my mother, I sailed on this gorgeous ship from Australia to Southampton in Nov 1972.
We were meant to sail to Rotterdam, but with the arrival being Christmas Eve, our crew went on strike in Southampton, so urgent alternative arrangements had to be made to get those of us who were stranded, to the continent.
My mother was terrified of flying, so she pleaded with staff to have us sail by cross-channel ferry to any European port.
To my great delight, and my mother’s terror, we were booked on a flight from Gatwick to Bremen on a (long defunct) British charter company, Court Line.
That one flight, on a pastel pink BAC111 twin jet, changed my life forever, drove my single-minded career aspirations, and has seen me happily flying the world’s skies for decades.
Thank you Ellinis!
As a side note, we also sailed from/to Australia on the Galileo Galilei (my favorite) and twice on the Australis.
Such phenomenal childhood memories.
Well done in getting this video memory together John. Take a bow,,, not a stern! 😂These ships & times deserve to be remembered.
Thank you very much john for bringing back such great memories here. I my mum dad sister gran sailed aboard her in 1967 as Ten pound poms with many to Melbourne where we spent 7 fabulous years before returning to the UK unfortunatley ..Great video happy i found it browsing....Much appreciation Stephen Barber of Sheffield now aged 64yrs and these days working iin the Cruise industry so thats ironic....
Lovely old ship, memories of sailing from Sydney to Southampton early 70's via Panama Canal :- Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Wellington, Tahiti, Panama, Nassau, Bermuda, Amsterdam Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Southampton. Great experience never forgotten.
Thank you so much I came to New Zealand on her in 1966 it was greats 5 weeks of my teens .👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you for that lovely compilation of photos and film clips, @John Dunlea. RHMS Ellinis was the start of a fantastic adventure for this then 15 year old boy in 1969. Six weeks of it, starting in Southampton and arriving in Sydney six weeks later. Mum, dad, I and three of my siblings were allocated one of the six suites with their own shower and toilets and floor to ceiling windows. My oldest sister drew the short straw, but her cabin was not far away.
Swimming pool, movie cinema, gambling and function nights for free, duty-free prices on tobacco and grog. What was not to like? Perhaps seasickness around the Bay of Biscay and the Cape of Good Hope for those who were susceptible to it, I suppose. For the rest of us, we could gorge ourselves on prawns and other delicious food to bursting point. And watching the ship's bow ploughing its way through big swells that sent great amounts of whitewater across the poop deck was exicting.
The real fun for this teenager with out of control hormones cruising through my body began after a crew member demonstrated during a compulsory safety drill how to get into a rescue boat. Needless to say, there was ample supply of similarly aged girls with similarly raging hormones aboard.
Not so much fun was the radio officer. When he discovered that I collected stamps he invited me to look at his collection in his cabin. Being somewhat naive, I accepted. No big deal though. He tried the persuasive rather than the threatening approach and did not press the point when I turned out to be uncooperative. The episode was mildly irritating or annoying rather than traumatic. The captain, who remained in contact with my parents for a while as a result of the encounter, reported a few months later that said radio officer had reverted to heterosexuality. I hope he was no more insistent with female passengers than he was with me.
One passenger made metaphorical waves. He was extremely sociable, organising impromptu non-denominational religious services and other meetings. About two weeks into the trip it was somehow discovered that he was a stowaway who had managed to persuade a steward to arrange an extra bunk for him in one of the inner cabins. An examination of his passport revealed that it was chock-a-block with entry and exit stamps from countries all over the world. He got locked up in the brig and offloaded in South Africa.
Another notable event was the death of one passenger. He died of a heart attack. I couldn't help but wonder if his body was stored in a chiller or freezer normally used to store food for the 1600+ passengers and crew until the next port of call was reached.
Some other memories that stuck in my mind are about the brief stays at various locations, such as the palms in Mallorca. Extraordinary for someone from inland western Europe whose only experiences of the sea were the Baltic, Adriatic and North seas. The sunset and the city lights of Cape Town as we left was utterly stunning. The image is still vividly preserved in my mind. Perth was a boring, sandy flatland, but the coloured glass roof of Melbourne's National Art Gallery was a sight to behold.
In the end came the sight of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House (still under construction, but already looking pretty much the same as it does today). HRMS Ellinis sailed (more precisely, it was manoeuvred by tugs) under the harbour bridge and made fast at Customs House. I don't know why - perhaps it was some vaguely perceived prescience, but I felt like kissing the ground. I never did, of course. For starters, the landing bridge took us to the first floor of the building, and then there was the bureaucratic rigmarole of disembarking from the ship to go through.
Still, no regrets about the journey. Europe had a lot of valuable features Australia sorely lacked at the time, and to a lesser extent does to this day, but I cannot imagine having had anywhere near the relatively lucky, carefree life in old Germany than I finished up having here in Australia. The adventurous few weeks at the Matraville immigration hostel - huge naval warehouses converted for us newcomers - and my initial, occasionally hazardous and painful attempts to learn how to surf at Maroubra Beach, were just the start.
On the whole, the journey was thoroughly enjoyable, and your video made me recall some of the highlights.
In 1970 my parents, sister and I returned to the UK aboard this fine ship, after living in Canada for five years. We departed from New York passed the Statue of Liberty and the twin towers, they were only partly built then. It brought both happiness and sadness seeing her again. Thanks for a great video John.
Thank you John for putting this on I came to Australia from England with mum and dad my brother and sister in 1968 I was 15 but I still remember all about the Ellinis
It was a great trip 6 weeks in total as we went round past Cape Town calling too
Dad myself and my brother had permission from the Captain to go out on the deck right up to the bow what a view it was too with the Captain waving to us
Mum use to say the ship had kisses on her funnels and was kissing to everyone she passed and saw
I often look the Ellinis up online to find out about her what happened etc etc
Watching this has bought back so many memories and all good ones too so again Thank you so much
Thanks Dave, really appreciate your comments and delighted you enjoyed the video so much. I worked on 3 different Chandris ships, Australis, Romanza and Amerikanis, but only ever visited The Ellinis once in Southampton. She was a lovely ship and I know a lot of people, both passengers and crew, who have very special memories of her much like you do. There's a fantastic Facebook group which I belong to which is full of people like ourselves who have traveled and worked with Chandris down the years, It's primarily about Australis, but lots of pictures and stories about all the other ships as well. If you fancy having a quick look heres a link. facebook.com/groups/ssaustralisphotosnstories/ You won't find a friendlier group anywhere on Facebook. Thanks again for your kind comments. Best regards. John.
what great footage of the ellinis brought back great memories we sailed from England to australia in early 1970 with 4 young children our cabin was on main deck cabin steward was a young guy named Spiro who couldn't do enough for us great steward it was the voyage where some drugged up idiot inspected the crew doing there lifeboat drill went up to the bridge with offices in hot persist then jumped off from a great height the ship then done a figure of eight and after an hour picked him up no life jacket on but managed to survive then was locked up and picked up by the police at cape Town anyway great trip we still live in perth and still loving it thanks again for the clip
I think i remember this as a.kid
Very many thanks for all involved to put this tribute together. Beautifully done. I travelled on her 3 time and have some very special memories. My great sadness is that she ended her life in the breaker’s yard rather than dying at sea as did Australis and Britainis,
I worked on the ship doing the migrant run to Australia and back close to 65 days each voyage for close to 5 years when she went so did a part of my heart
Did you know Nick Nomikos engineer captain? He would be about 80 now and lives on Santorini.
@@rohansrider Yes, I knew him we were together on the ELLINIS on Voyage 37 departed Southampton on 12 March 1971- I do not know if we were together on other ships as well - if you are in contact please give him my best
@@costasveloudakis7972 How about Captain Anastasios Varsamis....did you ever have the pleasure of meeting him? Best Regards.
@@HELLENICPRIDE100 Yes I knew Captain Varsamis if my memory is till in order we probably worked on one or two Chandris Lines together and I believe he is a Greek expat like me.
@@costasveloudakis7972 I sent you a message on Skype.....regards.
Thank you John well put together tribute. It brings back memories as a 7 year old, we immigrated to Netherlands as a family of 6 in 1969 on the Ellinis.
Leaving Fremantle stopping in Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, Tahiti, Panama Canal, New York and disembarked in Rotterdam, we were supposed to stop at Southampton but unable, not sure why.
I remember the celebrations as we crossed the Equator, the crew put on a performance dressed up as King Neptune some of the crew were sacrificed (thrown in the pool).
In 1976 we again travelled from Cape Town back to Fremantle on the same ship, maybe the last time she travelled that route?
It was great seeing the movie theater, dining and function rooms, promadate deck and swimming pool again.
I did not realise The Ellinis had such an illustrious history thanks you for your enlightened historical tribute.
I hadn't realised how much this ship meant to me until I saw this tribute to her. Many thanks for this John. I sailed in 1969 on the Ellinis from Sydney Australia to New York (via Tahiti and the Panama Canal) after a long holiday in Australia, returning to my then home in Toronto, Canada. I returned to Australia some years later (by air) and have lived in Australia since 1973. This ship was an important part of my journey and to see your lovely tribute brought both happy memories and sad reminiscences about the demise of these beautiful ships that plied the Pacific.
Thank you very much Kathy for your lovely comment. I worked on 3 Chandris ships, (Australis, Romanza, Amerikanis) and visited the Ellinis in Southampton. She was indeed a beautiful ship, as were the others, and I share your sentiments in lamenting the passing of such elegant vessels, but at least we had the genuine pleasure of experiencing them first hand. I'm delighted you enjoyed the video and that it brought back some happy memories for you. Thank you once again.
I sailed on her may 1973 Auckland to Southampton England seemed so quaint and congested like a Lowry painting after two years away seeing my own country with "new eyes" was a valuable experience
We arrived in Fremantle on 24th September 1970. W Australia became our for ever home, my parents decision to emigrate was one of the best things they ever did. There was my Father, Mother my two brothers and myself. We have had a number of holidays in the UK in recent years but I wouldn't want to return to live there.
Came back to the UK in 1966 on board this ship aged 2 and half. First memory of life when I went under the water in the swimming pool.
Thank you for this. I’ve just found a picture of my Grandmother on the RHMS Ellinis, shaking the Captain’s hand. I wish we could upload photos in these comments!
Went to Australia on the Ellenis in 1965 as a Ten Pound Pom. Brought back happy memories
Thanks so much , John for this great tribute. I sailed on her from Sydney Jan 26, 1973 to Southampton and your video bought back many ol;d memories.
as did I and my family , same voyage , love the memories.
I actually sailed on both the original Lurline (Honolulu to San Francisco) and the Matsonia, which became the second Lurline and ultimately the Ellinis. My folks sailed multiple times as well, and also later on on Ellinis, and they said that Chandris kept most of the ship in the same décor. Thanks for the memories.
Thank you very much Mr john for this great video. You have no idea of the importance that has to me. Many,many thanks. John Albanis from Greece
I had my 5th birthday on Ellinis in May 1971, sailing from Southampton to Fremantle. My step-father joined the RAAF and was stationed at Pearce.
1969 a trip from Southampton to Malta in June. such fond memories ...
This tribute is very close to my heart John. I worked on the Ellinis in 1979. Such fond and special memories; I traveled to amazing places (we were sailing in the Mediterranean at that time. I remain best friends with my 1st room-mate/cabin mate and keep in contact with several others. The awesome surprise watching this was the number of photos of some of my friends and co-workers in this presentation...that was a real WOW for me. Thank you for your time putting this together. Should you ever be looking for additional photos of the ship I would be thrilled to share. I also went on to work on the Britanis in the Caribbean for 3 years and love that tribute as well.
I sailed southbound journey 69....that was February 1973. Southampton to Sydney as a Ten Pound Pom, I was just 22 years old. Lucky me
Three biggest memories as a young 1967 Scotland to OZ immigrant. 1. losing in the final of the deck quoits on the upper deck ( I so wanted to win )! 2. Some poor guy being fished out from the bottom of the swimming pool after he passed out during the 'fork collecting' competition (he survived). 3. Watching my recently purchased football sail over the upper deck into the sea while I was alone kicking it about. Still remember looking wistfully from the stern as it floated away.... All in all one of the most enjoyable 4 weeks of my life!
I returned to the UK, from Melbourne Australia on her, memories still with me, I sailed on her 55 years ago.
We left Australia on the 18th April 1967 went to Sydney from Melbourne on to New Zealand also to Tahiti went through the Panama Canal coming back to the UK it was a wonderful time on board this beautiful ship so many memories of a wonderful time living in Australia and then back home to Wales thanks for the video
I have great memories of my trip Auckland NZ to Southampton on board The Ellinis 1972.
What a gem of a find. Thanks for sharing this. I was a child who was on the Ellinis returning to the UK from Australia in 1966. What great memories I had of the trip. Have not seen a moving image of her
Snap! Same year, aged 4, terrified of deck pool thinking it was as deep as the ocean. Brother won fancy dress competition going as Pisces, head to toe in crepe paper fish scales!
Really enjoyed the tribute , sailed as a 12 year old from Sydney to Southampton via the Panama canal and returned one year later via the Suez Canal . Thank You
Thanks very much for taking the time to comment Bill. Very pleased you liked it and glad if it revived some nice memories for you. Thanks again.
Wonderful video. I sailed on the Ellinis in 1966 from Melbourne to Sydney-Wellington NZ-Papeete-Panama-Christobal-Curacao-Southampton....4 weeks & 3 days. What an adventure & having my 19th birthday on her. Still have some wonderful movies of the sail.
If that was March 66 I was aboard too, aged 3, scared I was going to be tipped into the pool crossing the equator, clothes and all.
Haaa yes I have film of that !
My beautiful ship that took me to Australia from Greece in 1964 ❤❤❤
As an excited 22 YO leaving for an adventure of a lifetime on Chandris' 'Ellinis' from Melbourne to Southampton via Auckland, Tahiti, Panama Canal, and Willemstadt (in the Caribbean Dutch Antilles) in August 1964, watching this bought on a nostalgic tear and forgotten memories travelling on this beautiful ship. I had known it was previously a Matson liner but its history and number of years in service were fascinating to learn. The decor at that time I was told, was primarily that from its Matson days. I remember the great meals that marked out the hours of each day of the voyage and the people met on board, as well as the exciting ports of call - especially memorable, were the stopovers in tropical Papette in Tahiti and the wonderfully architecturally Dutch-flavoured city of Willemstadt as well as the fascinating transition through the lochs of the Panama Canal prior to that. For the weeks one was on board, the ship became a 'mother' who provided all comforts. After 17 months in the UK, I returned to Melbourne on the P&O's 'Canberra' via The Suez Canal, Columbo, Fremantle. I have to say it felt a rather sterile ship after the atmosphere of 'Ellinis'! Many thanks for stirring my memories with this video!
youve done a great job John of taking me back 50years. March 13th 1969 sailed from Uk to New zealand with my newly wed wife Anne. It was our honeymoon. What a time we had dancing every night, it was wonderfull, thanks again.
My family were on the same cruise Tony, left Southampton as ten pound Poms on my 14th birthday March 13th. However we were dropped off in Melbourne, and settled in Adelaide. Do you remember the German guy that was involved in everything on board, even making announcements in the mornings over the ship's intercom? That is until they found out that he was a stowaway, and was on Interpol's most wanted list! I still have a few things from the cruise, the daily newspaper, menus, information on the stopover at Las Palmas. Did you go on any tours in Las Palmas and Cape Town?
Wow! I do recall there being a stow away,I hadn't known of the details. I purchased two items in Las palma. A Cannon 35mil camera and a cassette recorder, My new wife and I did a coach tour in cape town, we passed the hospital where the first heart transplant was undertaken. Freemantle was where my family ended there ten pound pom journey in 1954 .My father loved oz but my mum couldn't cope with the spiders so after the compulsory two years they paid their way to N.Z. and never looked back.
Tony Crompton It's quite possible that we were on the same coach tour as well. I can remember we went up to the top of Table Top Mountain, where we stopped for ice creams. Did you do the coach tour in Las Palmas to the top of the extinct volcano?
Gareth the tour in cape town took us along the coast and then inland to a winery, Las palmer we walked for a bit and then found a lovely beach. I do remember dancing every night in the ball room as I said it was my honeymoon and the trip was a great time for us as a young married couple. Sadly my wife has left this planet. I have a son now living in the uk so I return often over the years.
Zenon and Rose, thank you both very much for taking the time and making the effort to comment on here. It is genuinely appreciated. Thank you once again.
My family sailed (my sister 10, me at 11 and my brother at 4) in 1966 from Auckland to Southampton. Five weeks visiting all the places the others have mentioned. I still have a little gold notebook which I won for collecting the most silver paper in a competition! I am writing a family history and just discovered the Ellinis history. Amazing! We had emigrated from Scotland to NZ in 1965 but my parents found it hard to settle.
southampton to auckland new zealand sailed christmas day 1966 had a vonderfull voyage thank you treasured memories
Thank you . great memories
Wow! Had a cruise on the Ellinis departing Melbourne for the South Pacific in (circa) 1977 .... age 12. Just me and my Dad. We had a massive cabin on the port side with 3 massive windows - it was about 5 stories above the waterline. Saw some crazy weather and waves out of them while in the Pacific. It was brilliant. Use to have 'Beef Tea served on deck in the afternoon. I also won the fancy dress competition onboard with another two lads: we got cardboard boxes from the ships galley & crepe paper from somewhere and created a 'Robot and his dog'! Had so much fun on this ship.
This really reminds me of my father who used to work as a waiter at that time. so now I as his son named my daughter ELLINIS SIMORANGKIR
I came to Australia on this beautiful ship in 1972. My parents and my three siblings. My older brother and sister both had birthdays while on there and they had birthday cakes. School on board was fun too. I remember the water in the pool being half emptied for the younger kids. Still have the certificate for attending school on board. Sadly I only one photo from the trip on board and one from a port somewhere with the ship in the background. We stopped in Spain, Cape Town, WA, Melbourne overnight where they only picked up passengers, (our parents must have got off because they gave us potato crisps the next morning and that was the first time we had seen crinkle cut chips) then to Sydney. Seeing the bridge and Opera House was pretty exciting to a ten year old. Family picked us up and took us the Fairy Meadow to the hostel.
Beautiful. Vv🌹🌹🪴
We left Southampton in 1965 on this ship , on the day of my 2nd birthday heading for Auckland.
I traveled from England to Sydney in December 1970 on this ship when I was only 3 years old but I remember our steward 👩✈️ patarakus he was great and the swimming pool I dressed up as a pirate lol
Excellent, thank you. Traveled on her October 72 to Australia,. I just watched this again and read the end where it reads she was scrapped in Taiwan 🇹🇼, guess where I've lived for the past nine years, Taiwan 🇹🇼 irony maybe
Zenon Zolek
Memories oh the memories....
Travelled the globe on this vessel in 1965. Wellington, Tahiti, Panama, Curacao, Southampton. Return leg: Flushing, Holland,, Piraeus, Port Said, Aden, Fremantle, Melbourne. Watched Jason and the Argonauts in B deck cinema, Captain Neptune party as we crossed the equator. The locks of The Panama. Flying fish.
sailed from Adelaide South Australia late '71 back to the UK, had a great time.. made friends with a dude named Steve Drew, always wanted too know what happened to Steve because we returned to Australia end of '72.
I have to agree with everyone, a wonderful, charming film. A delightful tribute to this splendid liner. Sadly, I never did sail on her though.
Probably a bit too late but I did 7 cruises on the Ellinis 1966 / 67 (if memory serves). They flew the entertainment staff out to Amsterdam to pick her up after a refit and find their way about on her way back to Southampton.
She would do Summers sailing from Southampton to the Med. and Africa and then resume Winter trips to Australia taking people out on the £10 one way trip for migrants. About 10 years later our drummer Phil sailed out to migrate to Australia and is still there.
Fabulous ship, lovely crew and some brilliant memories. Like the 6 dancing girls falling over after the fire eater act forgot to tell us not all the 'fuel' was ignited and that it would be all over the floor.... 'Greek Night', 30 foot long buffet tables when in port, icing sugar models of the ship ... green sea breaking over the bows and hitting the bridge ... allowing passengers up to the top deck and not telling them the ship's 'whistle' was actually hugely deafening ....was all great fun
Remember her well. Sailed from Southampton to Freemantle, Western Australia on her via the Suez in 1965.
My mum and dad immigrated to Australia on this ship in December 1964.. 7 months later I made an appearance..
I first learned of the Ellinis when I was given a 1976 Chandris brochure that was more like a magazine than a brochure. The wonderful Ellinis was on the cover. I didn't realize at the time how much history the Ellinis had and that she would be a part of more history.---The song used in the latter part of this excellent video reminds me of a line from Thornton Wilder's play "Our Town". The character Maggie says, "If I could go back for just one day, for just one hour".---I've read that during the years the Ellinis was laid up, and maybe part of the reason she wasn't scrapped earlier, some of her parts were transferred to the Britanis which had been the Monterey then Matsonia then Lurline then Britanis and later Belofin, the name she had when she sank on the way to the scrapyard in 2000.
thank you i came to australia to live on her
Came to NZ on her maiden voyage, 1963. Used to slide down the interior banister to the dining room until I fell two floors and broke my arm. I think the whole ship heard my startled scream
I think she was the handsomest of the refits. The details of the funnels, masts and new superstructure made her quite sleek.
In 1979, my wife, baby, and I cruised the Mediterranean on our first cruise ship voyage. I remember an emergency vertical escape ladder (out of public view) running from the bottom of the ship to the top being filled with rust. The dinning room waiters were not helpful probably because we had a 18 month baby with us. The only other thing I remember is above the ship's wheel was a large wooden sign that said something like, "Eternal vigilance is the price to be paid for safety at sea." Overall, it was a memorable cruise and let me end by saying they don't make cruise ships like the Ellinis anymore with a lack of balconies.
Decent size ship for its age. Went everywhere from I can remember.
Being a Southampton man and have sailed as crew, its sad to see all these ships that was once here, do remember the Ellinis tied up in Southampton on 102 berth and the Marina del mar down on 106, we was on 105 getting ready to leave for 6 mths, we see the mar in monte when we was on are way home. Southampton use to be a wonderful city back in the 70s and before, but the city died with the passenger ships
I returned home to England in January 1970 on this ship
Came to Australia in 1972 on the Ellinis
Very nice tribute
Curacao back to Holland 1976. I was 12 YO . There were people from Australia on board. Some of them died during this voyage and had a seaman's grave during the night.
Sailed from adalaide to southhampton 74 on this great ship I was 10 with the family my favourite film on board was darleks invasion earth great times s mcnulty
I had a cruise on this ship in 1975..
My family returned from Sydney to Southampton on the Ellinis in 1973. We arrived back to a wintry England in early January 1974. I was only 10 but recall New Zealand, Tahiti, crossing the intl date line and having two Christmas Days! I got chicken-pox on board and was quarantined, so missed a lot of the Panama Canal and Curacao. The trip was a joy and although I love flying, this was the best way to travel - no school, but very early kids' breakfasts and lunches and apple pie in the afternoon. We even dropped in at the Azores, but I cannot remember which port it was. Anyone can remember, let me know!
I was working in the duty free shop on that voyage. The port in the Azores was Ponta Delgado.
Che splendida nave.
Sydney to Southampton January 1975 . 13 years old
Magnifique paquebot, et la musique aussi. C'est quel titre? Merci
The memories I have of Ellinis on a passage from Southampton to Sydney in Jan 66 are somewhat mixed. I was a 3yr old child and have had a lifelong post traumatic stress disorder because the nanny in the ships nursery almost suffocated me during an unprovoked attack. She was discovered because of the other children's frightened screaming. She was removed from the ship at the next port.
Does anybody have any memories of that incident? Is there any way I can view the ships log? If anyone can suggest any links etc, I'd be grateful.
There was a day nursery on the 1st deck if i can remember correctly , had no windows , i managed to escape i hated it that was around the same time - early 66 Southampton ,Pireas , Port Said and Aden
The History Of The SS Afrikis:
The SS Française Was Ordered By French Shipyard. He Was Launched On July 12th 1931. The Maiden Voyage Was On May 7th 1932 Arrived New York-Le Havre-Southampton By Edisto Lines. In Late 1962 He Completely Last Voyage In New York After 30 Years In Service He Laid Up In Le Havre On December 12th 1962. In September 1963 He Was Sold To Chandris Lines,Greece Replacing The Burnout SS "England" Renamed As AFRIKIS. The Maiden Voyage Was Entered On December 30th 1963 Between Greece And Australia. In 1978 Arrived Australia-Oceania-Singapore. On January 2nd 1980 Last Voyage In Australia. On January 10th 1980 Laid Up In Eleusis,Greece. On March 1st 1987 An Fire Brokes Out In The Engine Room She Sank Lower. On May 10th 1987 After 7 Years While Laid Up, He Was Sold To Pakistan Breakers,The Ship Was Refloated And Derpart In Piraeus To Pakistan. On June 2nd 1987 He Was Beached In Pakistan And Scrapped
Gibbs designed some of the best liners ever
Quite an amazing job you did sir. But that life span of the ship, or any luxury passenger liner is just about 50-60 years. In no way was her life cut short like so many other liners such as the SS AMERICA, but i guess that was better than the breakers.
Southampton to Sydney via Suez 1966 as a 4 yo
bONJOUR à vous, je suis à la recherche d une video du dernier voyage de l ellinis tahiti en france je devais avoir 13 ANS ET DEMI? SI QUELQU UN L 4AVAIT CE SERAIT GENIAL DE L 4A POSTER§ QUE DE MERVEILLEUX SOUVENIRS
You failed to mention the great Ronnie Biggs who made his get away from Port Melbourne albiet under a fake passport
po rn, but it
Terrible soundtrack
Ruined by the underlying musical scores.
Beautiful tribute. Many thanks for sparking off so many fond memories of the sixties.