Britanis Cruise Liner Chandris Lines

Here's a small section of a home movie my uncle made of the ship 'Britanis', owned by Chandris Lines.
I was a 7 year old on that ship as she was about to set sail in August 1971 for Southampton taking passengers to the UK from Australia. She was regularly used for the transport of immigrants to Australia in the 60's and early 70's from the UK and Europe before being converted into a cruise ship in her later years.
She sank in 2000 off South Africa whilst being towed to be scrapped. A sad ending to a great ship.. This footage was taken August 5th 1971. The music is from the Mike Oldfield album 'QE2'.

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[fullonmopar]

I sailed on the Britanis on her maiden voyage after her re-fit. From memory she left Southampton Feb 14 1971 and arrived in Adelaide March 21st. I was only 12 years old but I have many grand memories but I have to admit I was a bit of a rat bag at times. One mistake was playing near were the night crew were sleeping, they were not impressed. Calling into Cape Town was great. I accidently met our wonderful waiter working in a hotel in Athens in 1990. Sad seeing pictures of her being scuttled.

[bonearrowgroup]

@fullonmopar

Great story and memories. Amazing how much fondness there was for her all these years later.

[MissJAdams]

I emigrated on the Britanis from Southampton to Australia in November-December 1973. My Dad took some colour Super 8 footage of the Christmas fancy dress party for the children - and the boat going past Cape Town, en route to Fremantle. I promise when I get back to Australia I will upload it to YouTube and show you!

[bonearrowgroup]

@MissJAdams

Hi

Thanks for the comment. I would indeed be most interested in looking at your footage of this great ship.

[Conrawrborg]

Sailed from Southhampton to Melbourne aboard the beautiful Britanis as a 9 year old December 1973 arriving January 1974. We had a whale of a time my 5 siblings and I as the boat had more children than adults and we were left to our own devices for much of the time. The cinema had 2 movies playing alternate days - Gigi and Sinbad the Sailor - we never missed a screening as it often ended in everyone being ejected - hilarious!!!! Truly one of the favourite times in my life!!

[bonearrowgroup]

@Conrawrborg

yes I remember the cinema. I crept in the adults show, I'm sure it was Get Carter they were showing at the time.

I enjoyed my time on her very much..such a shame to think she's lying on the bottom of the Atlantic..

[sharon130906]

Yes, I remember the cinema too, The Piano, was playing. I sailed out of Ft Lauderdale under Fantasy Cruise Line in the 90's.

[bobechops]

Thanks for posting this. We left England on the Britanis and arrived in October 1974. I was seven and it took around a month to get to Melbourne. Cheers !!

[sheronaone]

This is so weird but, after hearing tonight an old friend passed away, started thinking about how we first met, my first job away from home was on the S/S Britanis we were opening the Casino my friend Dale and myself were like the Casino Rookies, we had so much fun!! Thank You for posting this great video ( love the music too) oh last thing, i am now living in Las Vegas but i am from.....Freemantle Southampton,England. I KID YOU NOT !!!????

[MissJAdams]

I emigrated on the Britanis from Southampton to Australia in November-December 1973. My Dad took some colour Super 8 footage of the Christmas fancy dress party for the children - and the boat going past Cape Town, en route to Fremantle. I promise when I get back to Australia I will upload it to YouTube and show you! Here's the strangest thing of all - years later I started working on a travel website and book called Holiday Goddess. One of our editors turned out to be another Britanis 73 girl!

[DaPudster]

I came from Southampton to Fremantle on this ship in July 1971 when I was 9 years old. I have fond memories of everything but being seasick and having to go to school to learn about Australia.

[7EMERSON9]

@cakrwds Captain was a Greek by the name Panagiosakis, or something like that. At least was so in '92; he had the hots for my mom and I managed as a twelve year old to make it onto the bridge! We even "won" tickets onboard for another cruise which were accompanied by a bottle of wine, though we never used them, sadly. She's at the bottom of the sea now, fitting I guess for the last of the old liners to go that way instead of being broken up.