The Last Ocean Liners

Chandris Lines

Patris / Ellinis / Australis

 

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The Greek-flag Chandris Lines entered the passenger ship trade in 1959. Their fast success led to a fleet of Chandris ocean liners serving the migrant routes from Europe to Australia via Suez, usually returning via the Panama Canal for around-the-world, transatlantic and various port-to-port passengers.

Their first vessel was the former Union-Castle liner Bloemfontein Castle, rebuilt to increase its capacity from 700 to over 1,000 passengers. It was renamed Patris, carrying migrants from Greece to Australia. Considered luxurious by the standards at the time, Patris featured a full-width main lounge, gallery, smoking room, two dining rooms and a swimming pool with pool bar.

In 1963, the U.S. flag Matson liner Lurline was for sale with mechanical issues. The solidly-built ocean liner was repaired and rebuilt by Chandris Lines, more than doubling its capacity. It was renamed Ellinis or "Greek Lady", and sailed from Southampton via Greece and the Suez Canal to Australia, returning via Tahiti, Panama and the Caribbean to the U.K.

Continuing prosperity led to Chandris putting their largest ocean liner into service in 1965. The U.S. flag transatlantic liner America was no longer needed, and was quickly bought by Chandris. Its large capacity was more than doubled for the migrant and tourist trades and it was renamed Australis, the "Australian Lady". Almost all cabins received extra berths and although Australis had a rather spacious and plush interior, it suffered somewhat with heavy use by over 2,200 passengers.

"Come with us to the call of the sea. To its romance, its adventure and relaxation. To the sanity of having time to acclimatise yourself before setting foot in a new continent, and no time and temperature differences to upset your equilibrium... This then is your holiday at sea which offers so much for such a very reasonable fare. The great sea holiday that Chandris Lines promise you."

Business continued booming for Chandris Lines, such that when Ellinis' sister ship, Matson Lines' ex-Monterey became available in 1970, they bought and rebuilt it in similar manner for the around-the-world service, renaming it Britanis, the "British Lady".

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Sample minimum one-way fares from Southampton to Melbourne: One class $480; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars.

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Go to Chandris Lines sailing schedules or select schedules by ship below:

Patris Chandris Lines Built: 1950 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, N Ireland Gross tons: 16259 Length: 595ft (181m) Width: 76ft (23m) Draft: 29ft (9m) Speed: 18.5kn Power: 20000 bhp Propulsion: Diesel twin screw Passengers: 1076 One-class End of service: Cruising only from 1972; sold 1977 as Mediterranean Star; scrapped 1987 Go to sailing schedules for this ship.

Ellinis Chandris Lines Built: 1933 by Bethlehem Steel, Quincy MA, USA Gross tons: 24351 Length: 642ft (196m) Width: 79ft (24m) Draft: 28ft (9m) Speed: 20.5kn Power: 28500 shp Propulsion: Steam turbines twin screw Passengers: 1642 One-class End of service: Cruising only from 1973; laid up 1980; scrapped 1987 Go to sailing schedules for this ship.

Australis Chandris Lines Built: 1940 by Newport News SB & DD, Newport News VA, USA Gross tons: 34449 Length: 723ft (220m) Width: 93ft (28m) Draft: 29ft (9m) Speed: 22kn Power: 37400 shp Propulsion: Steam turbines twin screw Passengers: 2258 One-class End of service: Laid up 1978; sold 1979 as America then Italis; wrecked enroute to refit 1994 Go to sailing schedules for this ship.