Myself and brothers and my Mum sailed on the Northern Star in 1964 from Auckland to Southampton. We joined our Father who went ahead to the UK to set up home in Bournemouth. Remember stopping at Raratonga, Tahiti , Acapulco, throught the Panama Canal to Trinidad, Lisbon and Southampton. We arrived on a very foggy November day my first taste of English Winter weather. All us kids had a great adventure on the ship wandering wild around the decks. Must have been a nightmare for my dear Mum.
As a radio operator I communicated with both ships from 1964 til they disappeared from regular service. Their radio callsigns were Southern Cross/GSWW; and, Northern Star/GHZB. The Northern Star suffered engine troubles and was the first to go.
Signed on the Northern Star as an 18 year old Assistant cook in the summer of 1975, just 4 months before she was scrapped. It was my first time at sea, and it was great introduction to life aboard ship. Great galley crew and good laughs.
Thank you for this wonderful memory. I traveled to UK on the Northern Star with a girlfriend in December 1962 on our big OE. What an adventure - then met my future husband on the way home to New Zealand in April 1964. Shipboard romance and love at first jive in the Tavern, the watering hole of the young and restless. We are now 80 and still adventuring!
They say these romances dont last ! We had 57 years to-gether . I was a young nurse in Melbourne and met him at a ship's party. After two years of infrequent visits and the closing of the Suez canal holding up our wedding day, we wed , I had two months on the Cretic with him. He returned to Scotland ,said his goodbyes and did a one way on the S S Persic. He became maintainence manager of a large Plastic company.
As a lad growing up near the port of Fremantle, Australia in the 1950/60's I was fortunate to see many of the great liners before the airline industry caused their demise; my favourites being the sleek "Galileo"and "Marconi";the stately "Australis and "Iberia";the revolutionary (for its time)"Canberra",and my most favourite looking of all,the beautiful and unique "Northern Star!"In those days security was almost (happily) nonexistent and one could go aboard these marvellous liners for several hours;for me living in an isolated corner of the world in those days,those magnificent ships were a source of mystery and excitement and as I grew older I thought that I would like to become a ship's purser when I reached a certain age;how ironic, because of the airlines superseding travel by ship, I became a flight steward!(which was very exciting in those days).However my true love has always been ocean travel,and in particular the pre and post W.W.2 liners,up until the 1970's.They had a stateliness and beauty,everything that today's oceangoing monstrosities lack. Returning to the "Northern Star";I can just remember visiting its forward lounge and its wonderful sunken swimming pool,;it had a very handsome,sporty looking superstucture with the funnel at aft which for me gave it a "sexy" look!.......,and of course, it's unique "Green Goddess" colour scheme!The "Northern Star " and "Southern Cross" were somewhat overshadowed by the "P.&O" ships in particular,most likely due to their slightly smaller size, and the fact that there were only two of them;they seemed to slip in and out of port rather silently as compared to some of the largerships;still,I thought that the "Northern Star " was a particularly beautiful looking vessel and my very favourite;fortunately, many years later I had the great pleasure of meeting the famous maritime artist, Stephen Card,who I commissioned to create a painting of the "Northern Star" entering "Sydney Harbour "through the heads:;I may be biased however I think that it is one of the most beautiful portraits of a ship that I have ever seen!I wish that a regular passenger ship service could recommence between Australia,N.Z. and Europe as I think that many people would prefer to travel oncemore in a leisurely and comfortable way;I think that many people are jaded with being cramped into an uncomfortable tube;bring back a new "Northern Star" etc.Im sure that it would be a great money earner!
Thanks Rodney for sharing your thoughts on passenger shipping from Fremantle in 50’s and 60’s. Interesting how your love to become a purser at sea, and ended up as flight steward. I joined Shaw Savill in June ‘67 to train as assistant Purser, and joined Southern Cross, younger sister to Northern Star, in December’67, and visited Fremantle fir first time in January’68. I first sailed on Northern Star in July ‘68 but returned to Southern Cross in September, and remained with her for next 4 voyages. Always looked forward to Fremantle for the malted milk shakes in the Terminal building. Always stocked up with cases of Berri Fruit Juice which was most delicious fruit drink . I have some cine film of leaving Fremantle with P&O Chusan ( I think) berthed astern of us. I returned to Southern Cross in 1971, after a year on Arawa , and sailed Med cruises from Liverpool, and final voyage down under till she was withdrawn from service. Transferred to Northern Star for next 18 months then migrated to NZ, where I worked with AirNZ for next 37 years. Retired 2010 but today my life revolves around passenger shipping of 60’s & 70’s. Cheers Jamie, Auckland NZ
@@brandane69 There are web sites that specialize in turning cine film into digital that are quite affordable. It takes a couple of weeks and they return the original cine film.
We sailed back from Australia to U.K on this in 1971, vague memories as I was only 8, just bought a little slide viewer so looked at slides of the trip home last night. Wonderful!
My parents and I sailed on the Northern Star from England to Australia in 1969. I was 6 yrs old and I always wanted to go swimming in the pool. We returned to the UK in 1973 by plane.
My home for 17 months in 1972 and '73, working in the Pursers' Office, on mainline voyages to the Antipodes, South Pacific and Mediterranean Cruises. She was a fine liner with great sea going qualities, even when we hit cyclone Yolande in the South Pacific in 1972, she hove to and handled 10 m waves and more than 100 knot winds, with ease causing little discomfort to our passengers. Sadly she was plagued with engine problems and was sold prematurely to the breakers in Kaohsiung in 1975, just 13 years after her launching.
Britains marchant navy fleet of passenger ships built at this time were wonderful to see I have many favourites. It inspired my passion for ship photography which I did decades ago on rhe Thames near the Royal docks and now in Sydney around it's magnificent harbour. Thanks for posting .
I was on this ship on its maiden voyage was only 2 years old so have no memory of it myself Mum and Dad emigrated to Newzealand arrived on 27th August 1962 in wellington took a bit longer as she broke down on way and had repairs done in Sydney I believe she was plagued with problems most of her working life
I was steward in the Atlantic restaurant, on the maiden voyage. After joining her at the builders yard on the Tyne. We sailed round to the Clyde, where we did speed trials of Arran, before sailing to her home port of Southampton, via a short stop in the port of Liverpool. We did the Directors cruise, then came Storing the ship. Then S T S Northern Star set sail with a full compliment of passengers. On its first round the world voyage. And a very interesting one to, as a young lad I learnt a lot during the voyage.
I loved watching this. So crazy to see a ships funnel a mere 6 decks above the water. She was not a huge ship, but she was of good size and yet looks like a lifeboat next to our ships of today. Such a pity she was a “lemon”. She could have sailed with her sister for years to come. Shaw Savill got skunked with her and Ocean Monarch, whilst Empress of Britain and Southern Cross sailed into the next century. 💔
Sailed on the ship when I was a child, a mediterranean cruise. I remember the large open decks and sizeable public rooms but, the internal finish of the ship was rudimentary in places, particularly in cabins and corridors where there were no ceiling panels, with pipework and services exposed. It was evident that the ship had been built down to a price. She looked like a scaled down 'Canberra', without the finesse. But, we had a good time.
Hi Jack, Appreciate your comments making the comparison of Northern Star and Canberra. Northern Star was built as a one class immigrant liner, carrying migrant families from UK to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, to accompany her revolutionary sistership Southern Cross, both on the migrant run to the Antipodes, before the introduction of long haul aircraft. Neither ship was built for the cruising market, and only because of loss of passenger trade, with the introduction of the Boeing 747 aircraft, when passengers could fly to Australia in 36 hours, instead of 36 days by sea, did Shaw Savill introduce cruising from the early 70's. Northern Star carried maximum 1400 passengers mostly in 4 or 6 berth family cabins without private facilities. In this regard, she was not really suitable for cruising. Canberra was built as a two class passenger liner, offering first class service for over 500 passengers and tourist accommodation for 1600 passengers for the liner trade with P&O - Orient Line service to Australia. With good ensuite facilties. she was more adaptable to cruising , so its unfair to make the comparison, she was not scaled down Canberra, but sister to Southern Cross. Cheers Jamie, Shaw Savill Society, NZ.
@@jamiebrandane7310 Thanks Jamie. I was born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne so there was enormous pride in the ship. We were lucky to have a small outside cabin with private facilities so, it must have been a premium cabin on her Australian service and while rudimentary by modern day standards it was comfortable.. I would have loved to have sailed on Southern Cross and almost did decades later in her guise as Ocean Breeze but no sooner had I considered booking, she was taken out of service. I would probably have been disappointed becasue the interiors were radically modified but, she was a much more successful ship as judged by her longevity.. I agree with you that Canberra was much more suited to cruising, I was referring to Northern Star's outward appearance being similar with engines aft and a high and imposing forward superstructure. She appeared to be much larger than 24,000 gross tons and her deck space and outdoor lido pool certainly made her more suitable for cruising than some of the earlier P&O ships and there were several large public rooms. She was full on that cruise but never felt crowded, except perhaps after hours in the 'tavern'. My understanding is that her early demise, relative to Southern Cross, was a result of poor reliability but whatever, it was a shame because she had much potential for conversion to cruising as fortunately happened with her near sister. Good memories.
Were you working on Promenade deck, starboard side by any chance? I went to Perth on her at that time as a kid with my parents and I remember the steward was called Jim
It’s very possible indeed. She was my last ship, I was 21 and came to Australia after that, for good! I have had a great life here & I hope you have too. Jim.
I was on the Northern Star and the Suffering (Southern) Cross.Awful ships Shaw Saville were without doubt the worst Cruise Line of the Day with Union Castle a close second.
One of the least successful ships of all time. From the very start she was built to a bare minimum budget and her engines proved extremely troublesome. She had a pitifully short career.
I was steward in the Atlantic restaurant, on the maiden voyage. After joining her at the builders yard on the Tyne. We sailed round to the Clyde, where we did speed trials of Arran, before sailing to her home port of Southampton, via a short stop in the port of Liverpool. We did the Directors cruise, then came Storing the ship. Then S T S Northern Star set sail with a full compliment of passengers. On its first round the world voyage. And a very interesting one to, as a young lad I learnt a lot during the voyage.
Myself and brothers and my Mum sailed on the Northern Star in 1964 from Auckland to Southampton. We joined our Father who went ahead to the UK to set up home in Bournemouth. Remember stopping at Raratonga, Tahiti , Acapulco, throught the Panama Canal to Trinidad, Lisbon and Southampton. We arrived on a very foggy November day my first taste of English Winter weather. All us kids had a great adventure on the ship wandering wild around the decks. Must have been a nightmare for my dear Mum.
As a radio operator I communicated with both ships from 1964 til they disappeared from regular service. Their radio callsigns were Southern Cross/GSWW; and, Northern Star/GHZB.
The Northern Star suffered engine troubles and was the first to go.
Signed on the Northern Star as an 18 year old Assistant cook in the summer of 1975, just 4 months before she was scrapped. It was my first time at sea, and it was great introduction to life aboard ship. Great galley crew and good laughs.
Thank you for this wonderful memory. I traveled to UK on the Northern Star with a girlfriend in December 1962 on our big OE. What an adventure - then met my future husband on the way home to New Zealand in April 1964. Shipboard romance and love at first jive in the Tavern, the watering hole of the young and restless. We are now 80 and still adventuring!
And they say shipboard romance doesn't last. Congratulations.
They say these romances dont last ! We had 57 years to-gether . I was a young nurse in Melbourne and met him at a ship's party. After two years of infrequent visits and the closing of the Suez canal holding up our wedding day, we wed , I had two months on the Cretic with him. He returned to Scotland ,said his goodbyes and did a one way on the S S Persic. He became maintainence manager of a large Plastic company.
As a lad growing up near the port of Fremantle, Australia in the 1950/60's I was fortunate to see many of the great liners before the airline industry caused their demise; my favourites being the sleek "Galileo"and "Marconi";the stately "Australis and "Iberia";the revolutionary (for its time)"Canberra",and my most favourite looking of all,the beautiful and unique "Northern Star!"In those days security was almost (happily) nonexistent and one could go aboard these marvellous liners for several hours;for me living in an isolated corner of the world in those days,those magnificent ships were a source of mystery and excitement and as I grew older I thought that I would like to become a ship's purser when I reached a certain age;how ironic, because of the airlines superseding travel by ship, I became a flight steward!(which was very exciting in those days).However my true love has always been ocean travel,and in particular the pre and post W.W.2 liners,up until the 1970's.They had a stateliness and beauty,everything that today's oceangoing monstrosities lack.
Returning to the "Northern Star";I can just remember visiting its forward lounge and its wonderful sunken swimming pool,;it had a very handsome,sporty looking superstucture with the funnel at aft which for me gave it a "sexy" look!.......,and of course, it's unique "Green Goddess" colour scheme!The "Northern Star " and "Southern Cross" were somewhat overshadowed by the "P.&O" ships in particular,most likely due to their slightly smaller size, and the fact that there were only two of them;they seemed to slip in and out of port rather silently as compared to some of the largerships;still,I thought that the "Northern Star " was a particularly beautiful looking vessel and my very favourite;fortunately, many years later I had the great pleasure of meeting the famous maritime artist, Stephen Card,who I commissioned to create a painting of the "Northern Star" entering "Sydney Harbour "through the heads:;I may be biased however I think that it is one of the most beautiful portraits of a ship that I have ever seen!I wish that a regular passenger ship service could recommence between Australia,N.Z. and Europe as I think that many people would prefer to travel oncemore in a leisurely and comfortable way;I think that many people are jaded with being cramped into an uncomfortable tube;bring back a new "Northern Star" etc.Im sure that it would be a great money earner!
Thanks Rodney for sharing your thoughts on passenger shipping from Fremantle in 50’s and 60’s. Interesting how your love to become a purser at sea, and ended up as flight steward.
I joined Shaw Savill in June ‘67 to train as assistant Purser, and joined Southern Cross, younger sister to Northern Star, in December’67, and visited Fremantle fir first time in January’68. I first sailed on Northern Star in July ‘68 but returned to Southern Cross in September, and remained with her for next 4 voyages. Always looked forward to Fremantle for the malted milk shakes in the Terminal building. Always stocked up with cases of Berri Fruit Juice which was most delicious fruit drink . I have some cine film of leaving Fremantle with P&O Chusan ( I think) berthed astern of us.
I returned to Southern Cross in 1971, after a year on Arawa , and sailed Med cruises from Liverpool, and final voyage down under till she was withdrawn from service.
Transferred to Northern Star for next 18 months then migrated to NZ, where I worked with AirNZ for next 37 years. Retired 2010 but today my life revolves around passenger shipping of 60’s & 70’s.
Cheers Jamie, Auckland NZ
@@brandane69 There are web sites that specialize in turning cine film into digital that are quite affordable. It takes a couple of weeks and they return the original cine film.
Ah, memories... Southern Cross Sept '68... if you ever had to tell a small boy to stop running up and down the corridors - that was me !
We sailed back from Australia to U.K on this in 1971, vague memories as I was only 8, just bought a little slide viewer so looked at slides of the trip home last night. Wonderful!
My parents and I sailed on the Northern Star from England to Australia in 1969. I was 6 yrs old and I always wanted to go swimming in the pool.
We returned to the UK in 1973 by plane.
My home for 17 months in 1972 and '73, working in the Pursers' Office, on mainline voyages to the Antipodes, South Pacific and Mediterranean Cruises. She was a fine liner with great sea going qualities, even when we hit cyclone Yolande in the South Pacific in 1972, she hove to and handled 10 m waves and more than 100 knot winds, with ease causing little discomfort to our passengers. Sadly she was plagued with engine problems and was sold prematurely to the breakers in Kaohsiung in 1975, just 13 years after her launching.
OMG!… she was broken up at only 13 years old… What a senseless waste… Looked a fine vessel… They should’ve re engined her…
Our family emigrated to Adelaide in 1972 on the northern star . Great memories
I sailed on her sister ship Southern Cross to New Zealand in 1964, what memories
Britains marchant navy fleet of passenger ships built at this time were wonderful to see I have many favourites.
It inspired my passion for ship photography which I did decades ago on rhe Thames near the Royal docks and now in Sydney around it's magnificent harbour.
Thanks for posting .
Immigrated to NZ in 1966 and thought it was absolute luxury at the time
My uncle, aunt and cousins emigrated to South Africa on the Northern Star in 1963. I was gutted, as we were very close.
I was on this ship on its maiden voyage was only 2 years old so have no memory of it myself Mum and Dad emigrated to Newzealand arrived on 27th August 1962 in wellington took a bit longer as she broke down on way and had repairs done in Sydney I believe she was plagued with problems most of her working life
I was steward in the Atlantic restaurant, on the maiden voyage. After joining her at the builders yard on the Tyne. We sailed round to the Clyde, where we did speed trials of Arran, before sailing to her home port of Southampton, via a short stop in the port of Liverpool. We did the Directors cruise, then came Storing the ship. Then S T S Northern Star set sail with a full compliment of passengers. On its first round the world voyage. And a very interesting one to, as a young lad I learnt a lot during the voyage.
I loved watching this. So crazy to see a ships funnel a mere 6 decks above the water. She was not a huge ship, but she was of good size and yet looks like a lifeboat next to our ships of today. Such a pity she was a “lemon”. She could have sailed with her sister for years to come. Shaw Savill got skunked with her and Ocean Monarch, whilst Empress of Britain and Southern Cross sailed into the next century. 💔
Sailed on the ship when I was a child, a mediterranean cruise. I remember the large open decks and sizeable public rooms but, the internal finish of the ship was rudimentary in places, particularly in cabins and corridors where there were no ceiling panels, with pipework and services exposed. It was evident that the ship had been built down to a price. She looked like a scaled down 'Canberra', without the finesse. But, we had a good time.
Hi Jack, Appreciate your comments making the comparison of Northern Star and Canberra. Northern Star was built as a one class immigrant liner, carrying migrant families from UK to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, to accompany her revolutionary sistership Southern Cross, both on the migrant run to the Antipodes, before the introduction of long haul aircraft. Neither ship was built for the cruising market, and only because of loss of passenger trade, with the introduction of the Boeing 747 aircraft, when passengers could fly to Australia in 36 hours, instead of 36 days by sea, did Shaw Savill introduce cruising from the early 70's. Northern Star carried maximum 1400 passengers mostly in 4 or 6 berth family cabins without private facilities. In this regard, she was not really suitable for cruising. Canberra was built as a two class passenger liner, offering first class service for over 500 passengers and tourist accommodation for 1600 passengers for the liner trade with P&O - Orient Line service to Australia. With good ensuite facilties. she was more adaptable to cruising , so its unfair to make the comparison, she was not scaled down Canberra, but sister to Southern Cross. Cheers Jamie, Shaw Savill Society, NZ.
@@jamiebrandane7310 Thanks Jamie. I was born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne so there was enormous pride in the ship. We were lucky to have a small outside cabin with private facilities so, it must have been a premium cabin on her Australian service and while rudimentary by modern day standards it was comfortable.. I would have loved to have sailed on Southern Cross and almost did decades later in her guise as Ocean Breeze but no sooner had I considered booking, she was taken out of service. I would probably have been disappointed becasue the interiors were radically modified but, she was a much more successful ship as judged by her longevity.. I agree with you that Canberra was much more suited to cruising, I was referring to Northern Star's outward appearance being similar with engines aft and a high and imposing forward superstructure. She appeared to be much larger than 24,000 gross tons and her deck space and outdoor lido pool certainly made her more suitable for cruising than some of the earlier P&O ships and there were several large public rooms. She was full on that cruise but never felt crowded, except perhaps after hours in the 'tavern'. My understanding is that her early demise, relative to Southern Cross, was a result of poor reliability but whatever, it was a shame because she had much potential for conversion to cruising as fortunately happened with her near sister. Good memories.
This is a proper ship. Love it. Aussie Bob 😊😊😊
Good to watch did a round the world trip in 1971 as an ordinary seaman
I sailed on this ( Southampton?) cannot remember the year 1970 ish. Cruise to western Med
A name from the past. Went to college with a few cadets from Shaw Saville.
A beautiful ship
Wonderful .
Sailed on her for 2 voyages and best achievement was revolutionising how the Purser's Bureau handled money!!!!
I was a steward on her in 1963 and also on Southern Cross in 1962/3. She was my last ship.
Were you working on Promenade deck, starboard side by any chance? I went to Perth on her at that time as a kid with my parents and I remember the steward was called Jim
It’s very possible indeed. She was my last ship, I was 21 and came to Australia after that, for good! I have had a great life here & I hope you have too. Jim.
She was scrapped after only 13 years. Such a shame.
I sailed on her sister ship the Southern Cross, renamed the Azure Seas. This was in about 1980.
I worked on her on her last passenger carrying voyage before she went off to the breakers in 1975.
Magnifique
I was on the Northern Star and the Suffering (Southern) Cross.Awful ships Shaw Saville were without doubt the worst Cruise Line of the Day with Union Castle a close second.
Shame it was scrapped so soon after launch.
Wow, 25,000 tons and 1400 passengers?! Sounds cramped by today's standards.
Salty boo codger😊😮😅🎉
Goofy looking with the funnel in the back.
Next: Oranje.
One of the least successful ships of all time. From the very start she was built to a bare minimum budget and her engines proved extremely troublesome. She had a pitifully short career.
I was steward in the Atlantic restaurant, on the maiden voyage. After joining her at the builders yard on the Tyne. We sailed round to the Clyde, where we did speed trials of Arran, before sailing to her home port of Southampton, via a short stop in the port of Liverpool. We did the Directors cruise, then came Storing the ship. Then S T S Northern Star set sail with a full compliment of passengers. On its first round the world voyage. And a very interesting one to, as a young lad I learnt a lot during the voyage.