My family and I left Tilbury Docks, near London, aboard the Iberia on the 13th September 1963. At the time I thought the ship was called the RMS ( Royal Mail Ship) Iberia. My parents, my sister and I were off to a new life in Australia. As a nine year old it was a big adventure, and I have some good and bad memories of the trip. As assisted passage passengers (Ten Pound Poms) we were not all put into one cabin, my father and I were in a cabin with another father and his son, while my mother and sister were in a larger cabin with other women and their children. Both cabins were also in the 'bowels of the ship. Here I am close to sixty years later, retired on Sydney's Northern Beaches, wondering what my life may have been if we hadn't made that trip. I'm glad we did!
Sailed on her in 1966 when I was five-years-old. The family (four of us) were in tourist class in an inside cabin with four bunks (two up, two down) and a sink. We were in the bowels of the ship near the engines and I remember it being really hot and looking like the inside of a submarine with big steel doors and pipes everywhere. Mother bought a load of cane furniture in Maderia that had to be put in the hold until we got back to Southampton. I will always remember the name of our waiter in the dining room: Pius.
I also sailed on her in 1966 when I was 8 years old. Was on an Alpha Phi tour group. Have made friends with Rick Frey who wrote the book Six Days on the Throne, which tells of his stowaway journey on Iberia in the 1966 Around the world Cruise.
Was on that ship as a nine year old the family 5 members left Dutch New Guinea, but first for 6 month holliday in australia "manley beach" affordable at that time, for Holland on the Iberia P&O lines nov 18th '62 embarked in sydney and arrived dec 23th Harwich uk after a marvelous world trip through the Panama canal.
Thanks for comments Jim - actually this music is Manuel de Falla - Nights in the Gardens of Spain - it is highly evocative and suitable and should grow on you the more you hear it.
My family and I left Tilbury Docks, near London, aboard the Iberia on the 13th September 1963. At the time I thought the ship was called the RMS ( Royal Mail Ship) Iberia. My parents, my sister and I were off to a new life in Australia. As a nine year old it was a big adventure, and I have some good and bad memories of the trip. As assisted passage passengers (Ten Pound Poms) we were not all put into one cabin, my father and I were in a cabin with another father and his son, while my mother and sister were in a larger cabin with other women and their children. Both cabins were also in the 'bowels of the ship. Here I am close to sixty years later, retired on Sydney's Northern Beaches, wondering what my life may have been if we hadn't made that trip. I'm glad we did!
Sailed on her in 1966 when I was five-years-old. The family (four of us) were in tourist class in an inside cabin with four bunks (two up, two down) and a sink. We were in the bowels of the ship near the engines and I remember it being really hot and looking like the inside of a submarine with big steel doors and pipes everywhere. Mother bought a load of cane furniture in Maderia that had to be put in the hold until we got back to Southampton. I will always remember the name of our waiter in the dining room: Pius.
I also sailed on her in 1966 when I was 8 years old. Was on an Alpha Phi tour group. Have made friends with Rick Frey who wrote the book Six Days on the Throne, which tells of his stowaway journey on Iberia in the 1966 Around the world Cruise.
Was on that ship as a nine year old the family 5 members left Dutch New Guinea, but first for 6 month holliday in australia "manley beach" affordable at that time, for Holland on the Iberia P&O lines nov 18th '62 embarked in sydney and arrived dec 23th Harwich uk after a marvelous world trip through the Panama canal.
Sailed on her in 1968. Southampton to Los Angeles via Panama canal. Great video and and great memories.
SS Iberia, what the heck is TS? This old lady was my home for three years in the late sixties/ early seventies!
I think TS means Turbine Ship.
I think TS means Turbine Ship.
she was also my home we were floating hotel for 1964 olympics
De Falla’s music suits the Spanish / Portuguese name of the ship. I saw her many times in different parts of the world. Ex seaman.
Its crackly because its the Oceangate orchestra
Pretty ships
Looks the the Arcadia
Could do without Debussy L.P., very crackly.
Thanks for comments Jim - actually this music is Manuel de Falla - Nights in the Gardens of Spain - it is highly evocative and suitable and should grow on you the more you hear it.
The record is by Oceangate orchestra
Its crackly because its the Oceangate orchestra