Dinner menu for the SS CANBERRA
Illustrator
Mark Severin
(1906 - 1987)
Date1962
Object number00015987
NameMenu
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 255 x 177 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Don McCulloch
DescriptionA dinner menu for the SS CANBERRA, 13 May 1962. Designed by Mark Severin, an illustrator and engraver.HistoryThe SS CANBERRA was built for P&O and was destined for the Britain - Australia route. She took her maiden voyage in 1961 and was equipped with turbo-electric transmission which gave her a speed of around 27 knots.
As demand for the Australia route dropped off, the CANBERRA became a cruise ship in 1974 and took advantage of the growing popularity of holiday cruising.
In 1982 she was requisitioned by the British Government for use as a troopship in the Falklands War. She undertook this role throughout the war until July of that year when she was refitted and later resumed her cursing life. This she did for the next 15 years when finally, due to rising running costs, P&O sold her to be scrapped.SignificanceShipboard menus were the most common type of souvenir collected by passengers. They tended to have decorative covers featuring exotic holiday destinations or native flora and fauna. It was also popular to have fellow passengers to sign them. In this instance the cover is designed by the famous Belgiun engraver, Mark Severin.