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P&O - Orient Lines SS CANBERRA 45,000 tons: printed in Australia
P&O - Orient Lines SS CANBERRA 45,000 tons: printed in Australia

P&O - Orient Lines SS CANBERRA 45,000 tons: printed in Australia

Maker (British, 1960 - 1966)
Date1961 - 1970
Object number00004918
NamePoster
MediumPaper, ink
DimensionsOverall: 612 x 706 mm
Copyright© P&O Heritage
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Nico Peters
DescriptionA poster reproducing a painting of SS CANBERRA titled 'P&O - Orient Lines SS CANBERRA 45,000 tons'.HistorySS CANBERRA was built in Northern Ireland by Harland and Wolff for P&O and launched in 1960. Almost a year later she started her maiden voyage to Australia as part of the fleet to take immigrants from the UK to Australia. A decline in numbers and the rise of the airline trade saw CANBERRA in a difficult position. Faced with declining passenger numbers, P&O took the chance in 1974 of reviving CANBERRA into a cruise ship - specifically for holidaymakers. The move was highly successful and CANBERRA became a popular choice for travellers. In 1982 the Falklands War broke out and CANBERRA was commissioned as a troopship by the Ministry of Defence. Refitted back in England, CANBERRA entered the action and was in San Carols Water whist under attack from the Argentine air force. Relatively unscathed throughout the war, CANBERRA reverted back to P&O and continued as a cruise ship until 1997 when she was sold and scrapped. SignificanceSS CANBERRA had a long association with Australia. The ship's orginal role was to accommodate the migrant route from the UK to Australia. Later CANBERRA evoled into a cruise ship, taking holidaymakers on dream holidays around the world, including Australia.