Steve Tacey story.

The Australis painted by Steve Tacey's father.

Above Painting by Steve`s Father.

From Cradle to Grave.

Part two of a two part story by ex-passenger Steve Tacey.

~Taken from the magazine "Sea Lines"~.

Part two-Northbound

After bidding a fond farewell to the Australis, we spent a night in a motel in Auckland before travelling down to Sumner, where we were given a rousing welcome. Very soon we had bought a bungalow and my father had secured a teaching post at the private, boys only, Cathedral Grammar School, in Christchurch. My mother also found a job at a children's creche as a nursery nurse. I went to the school where my father taught, while my sister went to school in Sumner.

New Zealand was indeed a very beautiful country and we spent the summer weekends visiting many of the famous local beauty spots. However, there were many things my parents missed about England that they had taken for granted whilst there. As time passed, my parents became more unsettled and developed a feeling of isolation. The sea journey to New Zealand had been a marvellous experience, as had our time there but my parents' hearts and minds were in England. It was at last decided that we would return home. As we had travelled to New Zealand in the first instance as fare paying passengers, we were free to leave the country at any time. We booked to leave Auckland on the 27th.of January 1976, finding passage again on our old friend, Australis.

Once our passage had been confirmed, we again set about the task of packing and selling the house. My relatives were dismayed at our decision to return to England, when they had settled and appeared quite happy after being in New Zealand for so many years. Curiously though, they had all retained their British passports and always considered themselves British subjects. After saying our good-byes, we caught a plane to Auckland, where we spent the night. Next day we headed for the Overseas Passenger Terminal, at Princes Wharf. As we approached I caught a glimpse of Australis. I couldn't wait to get onboard. Still beautifully maintained by her Greek and Indian crew, she looked a fine sight dressed overall. This time we were on voyage 52 Northbound, departing Auckland on the 27th. of January 1976 and due to arrive in Southampton on the 24th. of February. This time our four berth cabin was number 1007, on "B" deck. The date of our departure coincided with my sister's 10th birthday celebration and at the evening meal a cake and birthday card awaited. The next day was a repeat of the Captain's Welcome Aboard festivities. Within a few days we had crossed the Pacific, The Australis berthed at Tahiti, 31-1-`76.

The Australis berthed at Tahiti, 31-1-`76.

arriving in Polynesia at the island of Tahiti. My one memory of this place was not of beautiful sunny weather and golden beaches but of the torrential rain and black thundery skies. Another memory of this Pacific island was that one of the passengers missed the final call for "on board" from the jetty. He had to be brought out to the ship as she sailed off, by the pilot boat, and was subsequently summoned before the Captain.

I too celebrated my birthday on board-my 14th.-again with a cake and card supplied with the compliments of Chandris Lines. Already we were at the half-way point of the voyage and the next day we crossed the Equator. The crew carried out the traditional Neptune ceremony and that night in the Ballroom the entertainment was the Neptune Show, in honour of the King of the Seas. One source of amusement at these productions was the fact that there were always a large number of bejewelled old ladies sitting in the front rows. Somehow they always seemed to get there in advance of everyone else, grabbing the best seats. Another culinary diversion was the Buffet Magnifique in the main dining rooms. This was held mid-voyage and was a feast for both the eye and stomach. The food produced was an art form in itself, with beautiful white icing sculptures and exquisitely decorated cakes.

On the 8th. of February Australis anchored in Acapulco Bay. We went ashore by tender, using the ship's lifeboats to ferry us ashore. It was hot and humid as we walked around the harbour. There was several fishing boats and around one of them was a small crowd. We found ourselves looking at the corpse of some unfortunate who had drowned in the bay being hauled ashore. Around the harbour side there were numerous street traders trying to make a living from the tourists. The image was one of wealth: after all, Acapulco was the playground of the rich and famous; but away from the main public areas was the reality so common to many Mexicans at the time-a slum existance in shanty towns. Our next port of call was Balboa and the following day we transited the Panama Canal. A buffet had been arranged on the Promanade deck for our passage through. It was certainly a fascinating experience as we passed through various locks, eventually finding ourselves at the other side of the istmus, in the Caribbean, and at the port of Cristobal.

Australis continued another 698 nautical miles on to the Dutch colony of Curacao. The houses were notable for there lovely Dutch style architecture, especially the gables, so common in the Netherlands. Our brief call at San Juan, Puerto Rico was delayed by high winds, which made it difficult to berth alongside the passenger terminal. This was our last stop before Europe. Leaving the Caribbean's warm climate, we headed across the Atlantic. For several days we were at sea, expecting next to berth at Vigo, Spain on the 20th. of February, the Captain issued a special notice to all passengers that due to the prevailing north westerly winds Australis would be unable to visit Vigo and would call at Cherbourg, France instead. The next night saw the Farewell Cocktail parties being held in the main lounge, whilst in the Ballroom, the theme was Hellenic, with the passengers and crew dressed in Greek costume and participating in traditional Greek dancing. Eventually we arrived in Cherbourg, spending a brief afternoon there. The stern deck was piled high with baggage contained in large nets, and ready to be off loaded in Southampton, we were almost home.

Sailing overnight up the English channel, we skirted the Isle of Wight and entered Southampton Water in the early morning. With the aid of tugs, Australis reached her voyage's end, berthing at the Ocean Terminal from which we had sailed some 18 months before. A cold but sunny winter's day greeted us as we stepped ashore. After disembarking, we hired a car for the journey home. We spent part of the day looking around Southampton, savouring the luxuries in the shops and the familiar sights and sounds we had missed so much. Australis continued to ply the world's oceans until it became clear that the invasion of the jet plane could not be halted. On the 18th. of November 1977 she made her last Chandris sailing from Southampton to Sydney and then on to a remote anchorage at Timaru in New Zealand for lay-up. Australis had served Chandris well, making 61 round-the-world voyages, in addition to cruises, carrying 261,865 passengers. Now she was left to face an uncertain future.

The full story can be found in the "Sea Lines" magazines part 1 to 3, issue number 14 through to 16 1999.

Welcome all visitors to the S.S. Australis Website, which has now been online since 1998!

I will continue to update the site if I receive a new story, or if you have interesting photos taken on the ship during your voyage on either the southbound, northbound, or on one of the South Pacific cruises. We used to do those trips several times a year from Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland (New Zealand).

I am deeply moved by the interest and wonderful contributions from the numerous passengers and crew over many years.

You can send an e-mail to me on the link below:

A HUGE THANK YOU

Warm Regards

Ken