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With
Reuben Goossens
Maritime
Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer & Author
SS
America / SS Australis
Later:
America – Italis – Noga – Alferdoss –
American Star
Inside
front cover photo of SS Australis found in her official 1967
brochure
Author’s
private collection
This
Page covers a great American liner, the SS America, (renamed
West Point for five year during her wartime service) later to
become the much loved Chandris Liner SS Australis. It
covers her glory years as the America, West Point
and Australis. However, her final years were tragic to say
the least.
This
page has five parts. 1, SS America & West Point. 2, SS Australis.
3, SS America. 4, SS Italis. 5, Her final years as the Alferdoss,
Noga and American Star.
Part
One
United
States Lines
SS
America
West
Point during wartime service
SS
America departs New York for Southampton
Langsdale
Library
SS
America predates a ship that became America’s greatest
maritime achievement the SS United States. The America
was designed by William Francis Gibbs, who also designed the United
States (lovingly known as the “Big U”) which
obviously looked similar to the America, but the Big U
was larger and became the fastest liner ever built. Architects
chosen to design her interiors were Eggers & Higgins NY, and Smyth,
Urquart and Marcwald NY was commissioned to complete her décor.
America’s
keel was laid on August 22, 1938 at the Newport-News Shipbuilding
and Dry-dock Company. At 11.45a.m, on August 31, 1939, hull #1
was launched by Mrs Franklin Roosevelt, which just happens to be
one day before Hitler invaded Poland. She was completed in July
1940, but she was unable to operate a Trans-Atlantic service as
World War II had already commenced. The United States Line
decided to place her on cruise duties. SS America departed
New York on August 10, 1940 for her maiden voyage (cruise) to the
Caribbean a service she continues over the next twelve months.
During her first few cruises it became quite clear that there was
a design problem relating to her aft funnel, as volumes of smut
was falling on her afterdecks. Although her forward funnel was a
dummy, United States Line decided to raise both funnels by 5m (15ft),
giving her a well balanced look.
As
built SS America accommodated 543 passengers in Cabin
Class, 418 in Tourist Class, and 241 in Third Class making a
total of 1,202 passengers.
SS
America was built with a partial US government subsidy which
meant that the Government take her for wartime duties should it
be needed. In July 1941 this became a reality as she was handed
over to the US Navy. Renamed West Point and was converted
as a troopship, which was completed in November. For her first
war time voyage she joined a convoy from Halifax which was due to
go to Egypt, but, was rerouted to Singapore sailing via Cape Town.
West Point had an eventful war service having been attacked from
the air many times.
SS
West Point
Author’s
private collection
As
a troopship she called on Australia to collect Australian
soldiers bound for Singapore. West Point also called on New
Zealand to collect American troops bound for Noumea. This great
ship covered much of the world, Europe, South America, the
Pacific, Australasia, Asia, and Africa. In fact she sailed well
over 550,000 miles having transported over 500,000 persons.
SS
West Point was returned to the United States Line on July 22,
1946 and she was sent back to Newport-News Shipbuilding and
Dry-dock Co to be refitted. Upon completion SS America was
able to accommodate 516 First Class passengers, 371 Cabin Class,
and 159 Tourist Class, reducing her original passenger capacity
by 156.
SS
United States seen after the war
Author’s
private collection
On
November 14, 1946, she departed New York for her maiden
Trans-Atlantic crossing as a passenger liner with 972 passengers
on board. She called at Cobh, Southampton and Le Havre, a service
she continued until October 1951 when Bremen was included as an
occasional port of call. She was the company’s flagship
until July 1952, when the great 44,893-ton SS United States
entered service. Together they operated the Atlantic for the next
12 years.
America
seen at Southampton
Author’s
private collection
With
declining loadings it was decided in 1961 to convert the America
into a two class liner combining Cabin and Tourist Class into a
single class which could offer a new level of lower fares to
encourage sea travel. In this new configuration she now
accommodated 530 Tourist Class passengers.
A
German United States Lines poster
Author’s
private collection
On
September 14, 1963, a union dispute stopped the ships departure
from New York and there were no signs of her departing in the
near future. The United States Line had her towed to Hoboken
where she was laid up until February 1964. She recommenced her
Trans-Atlantic service on February 7, and was to operate a
regular service and summer cruises; however, the inevitable
happened as the SS America became unprofitable to operate
with a host of newer ships competing on the Atlantic. She
departed New York on October 9, 1964, for her final return voyage
to Europe and she returned to New York on October 27, and
returned to Newport-News Shipbuilding Yards.
During
her commercial service she made 288 voyages carrying a remarkable
476,462 passengers.
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Part
Two
Chandris
Lines
SS
Australis
Ex
America, West Point, America
SS
Australis takes to sea
Author’s
private collection
SS
America was sold to Chandris Lines on October 5, 1964, and
was handed over 12 days later when she was transformed externally
with her funnels pained blue emblazoned with the famed Chandris
large white –X-. On the same day SS America was
renamed Australis. With the Greek flag flying from her
stern, she departed New York on November 18, to the Chandris
Shipyards at Piraeus to be converted to a liner for the UK to Australia
and New Zealand service. Her accommodations were substantially
increased now accommodating 2258 passengers in an all Tourist
Class configuration. In addition both Upper and Main Decks were
extended aft, replacing several Tourist Class lounges with
cabins. In addition her hull was pained white with a blue ribbon.
The
superb grand Ballroom
A
postcard provided by ex steward Amos Ramponi
The
Smoke Room
A
postcard provided by ex steward Amos Ramponi
SS
Australis departed Piraeus for her maiden voyage to Australia
on August 21, 1965, sailing via the Suez Canal, and arriving at
her destination, Sydney on September 15. She departed Sydney
heading for Southampton, sailing via New Zealand and Tahiti, the Panama
Canal, and Port Everglades. Her next voyage from Southampton to Australia
was in reverse, sailing via the Panama Canal and returning to Southampton
via the Suez Canal. Thereafter she sailed mostly to and from Australia
via the Suez Canal until it was closed in 1967 due to the Middle
East war and began sailing via Cape Town and Durban. SS Australis
was the largest of all Chandris liner and she became a popular
ship with Australians and New Zealanders. For this reason
Chandris decided to commence operating cruises out of Australia
during the summer of 1967.
A
wonderful photograph from her official 1967 brochure
Author’s
private collection
In
1968 several exterior changes were made, with her hull being
painted a light grey, and her mainmast was removed. In 1967 she
was reregistered in Panama, however, one year later Chandris
Lines returned her to Greek registry.
SS
Australis seen after the 1968 refit
Author’s
private collection
1971
Chandris schedule
Author’s
private collection
In
1970 Chandris obtained the much sought after contract to bring
British migrants to Australia. But on October 22, 1970, whilst
sailing between Auckland and Suva, a fire broke out which damaged
some 40 cabins as well as the famed red and gold Ballroom. In Suva
minor repairs were made and she was able to continue eight days
later. She continued on her Southampton to Australia service (as
well as cruise duties) from both Brotain and her popular cruises
from Australia of the Pacific and New Zealand.
One
of ssMasritime staunch supporters Mr. Stan Evans under took a
cruise on the Australis and provided the following photographs of
the ships taken during his cruise.
The
brass and glass doors of the main Lounge as seen from the
Mezzanine level
Boat
Deck
Here
we Stan alongside the SS Australis at Suva
Passengers
exploring the market stalls
The
four photographs above are all © Stan Evans Newcastle Australia
She
continued her voyages and cruises until she arrived in Sydney on
December 17, 1977. She was scheduled to undertake another cruise,
however this was suddenly cancelled, and she sailed for Auckland
where she arrived on December 20. After her arrival she was laid
up at Timaru, New Zealand.
Note
her aft funnel smoke uptake
Author’s
private collection
A
superb model of the SS Australis
An
unknown source
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Part
Three
Venture
Cruise Line
SS
America
Chandris
sold her America Cruise Lines, thus, four months after her lay up
SS Australis departed New Zealand for New York, arriving
there on May 19, 1978. Her new owners placed her in dry-dock,
where her hull was painted dark blue, as were her funnels but her
band atop was pained red. Externally she looked a little like her
original self. America Cruise Lines decided to rename her America
once again, hoping to cash in on patriotism. Due to some
confusion regarding the company’s name, they changed it to
Venture Cruise Line.
SS
America, looking good, but only for a few months
On
June 30, 1978, SS America departed New York for a mini
cruise with 950 passengers on board. However, as renovations had
not been completed, a large team of workers remained on board to
make her - well the only word I can use is “habitable.”
Many passengers rebelled due to the ships poor condition and soon
there was chaos on board. It was a bad start, as passengers from
the moment they boarded did not feel like this was a cruise ship
ready to sail. Six hours after her departure she turned back to New
York and anchored off Staten Island where 250 unhappy passengers
disembarked and taken ashore in lifeboats.
Passengers
stated that she was filthy and rubbish was scattered around the
ship, this included old mattresses, linen and bags full of
rubbish etc. But, they stated the worst was a stench that filled
the ship. The bad odour was apparently due to a large blocked
toilets on the lower decks, but worse still much of it came from
the ships galley.
There
was no doubt, when Australis was sold she was in a run
down state as Chandris had kept maintenance to a minimum during
her last year. Tragically her decks were suffering, as no corking
or sanding had been done for a number of years. Rust was to be
found everywhere, especially in her forward “dummy”
funnel. The list was endless. It is sad to say, but this was not
exactly Chandris’ highpoint considering their past record.
Obviously, Venture Shipping Line should have given her an
extended refit and a complete maintenance regime at a major
shipyard before commencing cruising.
Upon
her return three days later, she departed for her second cruise
with 640 passengers on board, but it was decided during this
cruise that due to the ongoing problems, all future cruises would
be cancelled. Sadly the revival of the SS America proved to be a
total disaster for Venture Cruise lines who soon filed for
bankruptcy.
From
ashore SS America seemed to look fine
Photograph
from an unknown source
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Part
Four
Chandris
Cruises
SS
Italis
SS
Italis looking somewhat sad without her forward funnel
Author’s
private collection
SS
America was sold at auction back to Chandris who purchased
her for just $1 million, being 4 million less then what they had
sold her for just four months earlier. With a small number of
crew on board she departed New York on September 6, 1978, bound
for Piraeus, where Chandris gave her an extensive a refit making
her ready to become a full time cruise ship. Her hull was
repainted in a lighter shade of blue, which suited her, but
sadly, this refit saw one other change to her well balanced
external appearance, her badly rusted forward “dummy”
funnel had to be removed, as it had become a danger due to the
massive corrosion that had taken place over the past years,
something Chandris knew very well before they sold her. No, not
all things about Chandris Lines in their latter years could be
considered as great. In the past I greatly respected Chandris as
a company, having worked closely with hem, having been the Queensland
(Australia) General sales Agent!
Upon
completion, she was renamed Italis and she was now ready
to commence Mediterranean cruises out of Genoa. She was marketed
as the “Italian lady.” SS Italis departed Genoa
on July 28, 1979, for her first cruise, but just two months later
she was permanently withdrawn from service. She was laid up at Eleusis
Greece. Her 1980 cruise schedule was transferred to her ex
running mate, RHMS Ellinis.
After
her second, very short career with Chandris, this once great
liner would never carry passenger again, however, unlike other
vintage ships in her position, amazingly she remained afloat for
well over a decade, but it has to be said, throughout those years
she was in a disgusting condition.
Italis
seen laid up at Eleusis Greece
Author’s
private collection
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Part
Five
The
final years
In
May 1980, she was sold to the “Inter Commerce
Corporation” for “Noga d'Importation et
d'Exportation,” who renamed her Noga. But again she
remained idle. In 1984 Silver Moon Ferries Ltd purchased her and
she was given an Arabic name Alferdoss, meaning
“paradise.” Well, she may have been named
“paradise,” but onboard it was more like hell remaining
laid up. Then in October 1988, one of her bilge pumps had rusted
so badly her engine room flooded resulting in her listing to
port. It was decided to beach her and pump her dry.
Eventually
a ship breaker purchased her for $2 million, placing half as a
deposit. As soon as they could they began to partially dismantle
her, but soon it became clear with the breakers defaulting with
the final payment, demolition work was immediately halted. The
question is, was this great liner fighting back?
The
end of the old girl
There
was a move in Australia to purchase her and have her permanently
berthed on Melbourne as a tourist facility. This would have been
ideal as she brought countless thousands of European and British
migrants to Melbourne and had become much loved ship by all.
However, before a deal could be completed another company entered
the scene as the Alferdoss was purchased by a Thai company
in 1992.
The
intention was to renovate her to become a floating hotel in
Phuket. In order to prepare her to be towed to Asia she was
dry-docked for two months, after which she was to be towed by the
Ukrainian tug Neftegaz 67 for the 100 day voyage to Asia.
Renamed
American Star she departed Piraeus on December 24, 1993,
however due to extreme weather conditions Alferdoss had to
return to port the next day. Six days later on New Years Eve she
recommenced her journey and passed Gibraltar on January 12, 1994.
But
trouble struck the ill-fated ship. On January 15, during a severe
storm she broke loose and remained adrift with four salvage crew
still on board. Several attempts were made to take her under tow
again, but this failed. The four crew members were winched off
the ship by helicopter, and she was left adrift. On January 17 American
Star ran aground on the west coast off Fuerteventura in the Canary
Islands. Then 48 hours later with massive waves pounding her she
broke in two. American Star was officially declared a
total loss six months later in June. Eventually due to the
elements, her stern section collapsed into the sea. Today her
bow, part of her forward superstructure and the lower section of
her funnel (the top having fallen into the sea recently) remains.
As can be seen from the photograph below, the bridge is also
slowly collapsing, and soon the sea will finally claim her.
The
end of a great liner - American Star is slowly disappearing into
the sea
Update:
It
is now 67 years (October 2006) since SS America was
launched, and for 39 years she faithfully transported passengers
on line voyages and on cruises, as well as carrying troops during
the war. In addition she was laid up in Greece for 14 years and
she has sat defiantly on the beach for another 13 years. This old
girl certainly has not given up easily, but, I have to say that
her end is now close as stated earlier, she is deteriorating
rapidly. All this proves that she was a strong and a well built
ship, one America can be proud off, and I hope that Americans
will take a stand, and prove their pride in remembering the great
shipbuilding days of the Unites States. SS America has
gone, but the SS United States remains and she should be
retained by America and place in New York as a reminder of America’s
great maritime history!
March
2009: As can be seen from the photo below the American Star
has slowly succumbed to the sea and will soon disappear
altogether. It is amazing how she has stood the forces of the
ocean for this long!
The
American Star, once the much loved Australis & America is
arriving at her final hours!
Photograph
from an unknown source
I
am well aware that the once great SS America will remain
in our memories, as thousands of Americans, English and Europeans
have sailed her. Then, as the beloved Chandris flagship SS
Australis she provided a service countless thousands will
never forget, be it as passengers that came to Australia and New
Zealand as migrants, or as holiday makers to and from the UK as
well as on Pacific cruises. For 39 years she served the United
States Line and Chandris Line well.
I
trust that ex passengers and those who admired her whilst she was
in port have enjoyed this feature on the great SS America
and SS Australis, a ship that will not be forgotten by all
who sailed on her!
As
stated earlier, I was the General Sales Agent (GSA) of Chandris
in Queensland Australia and was fortunate to sail on all the
Chandris liners more than once. My company (Australian Express) operated
the annual “Round the World Tours,” sailing to and from
the UK, and touring the UK and Europe. Each departure saw around
800 passengers depart Sydney heading for the UK, and believe me
at times this was a logistical nightmare.
My
memories of the Australis, as well as the Patris, Ellinis
and Britanis are memorable, especially the many
friendships made with the always happy Greek crew!
Cover
of the official 1967 Chandris brochure
Author’s
private collection
INDEX
SS
America – Australis Main Page
SS Australis 1967 brochure and photo page 1
SS Australis 1967 brochure and photo page 2
Also
visit the following Chandris features online
SS
Ellinis
SS
Patris
SS
Britanis
**************************************************
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Who is the Author of ssMaritime?
Commenced
in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
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Photographs
on ssmaritime and associate pages are by the author or from the
author’s private collection. In addition
there are some images that have been provided by Shipping
Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is
given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs
provided to me without details regarding the photographer/owner
concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so
kind to make them-selves known to me (my email address may be
found on www.ssmaritime.com
only), in order that due credit may be given. I know what it is
like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other
sites, yet these individuals either refuse to provide credit or
remove them when asked, knowing full well that there is no legal
comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show these
charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit
where credit is due!
This
notice covers all pages, although, and I have done my best to
ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this
notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is
updated!
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