The Fairsea holds an important place in the memory of many immigrants to Australia during the post World War II period. She was the first passenger ship of the famous Sitmar Line and the first non-British ship employed to carry assisted immigrants from Britain to Australia.

In Jan 1969 I made what became a final visit to a ship I loved at Sydney; most unusually Fairsea was then relegated to a cargo wharf at the land side east of Woolloomooloo Bay (now a naval berth). This wharf being without passenger facilities, those boarding the ship having to negotiate a tower of steps, enabling access to the deck.

The Sitmar Ships. A fine view of Fairsea in Fremantle (Perth) Australia. Fairsea was another converted C3 class ship, originally named Rio de la Plato, a passenger freighter, ordered by Moore-McCormack Lines. She was built by Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co, Chester USA and launched on March 1, 19 41.

She was the first passenger ship of the famous Sitmar Line and the first non-British ship employed to carry assisted immigrants from Britain to Australia. The Fairsea was a regular sight in Australian waters and made a total of 81 voyages to and from Australia between 1949 and 1969.

Sep 1, 2022 · The Sitmar fleet brought hundreds of thousands of post-war migrants from Europe to our shores using the well-known ships Fairstar, Fairsky, Fairsea and Castel Felice (Happy Castle). These were all pre-loved and well-used ships that had interesting earlier careers with considerable military pedigree.

A complete list of refugee ships found on the ISTG website can be accessed at "World War II Refugees to Australia" This passenger list contains individuals and family groups that immigrated to Australia after World War II from various European Countries including Germany, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, etc.

On July 9, 1969, Fairsea left Panama under tow by the tug Vortice, arriving on August 6, 1969 at La Spezia where the ship was broken up. The Fairsea made a total of 81 voyages to and from Australia between 1949 and 1969.

History of the post World War II Migrant Ship Fairsea. The Fairsea made several journeys to Australia. affected by World War II. She was later chartered by the Australian Government to transport assisted. immigrants from Britain and also New Zealand. World War II period. carry assisted immigrants from Britain to Australia.

Passenger vessel "Fairsea", built in 1941 by Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co, Chester, PA, and launched as a cargo liner "Rio De La Plata" for Moore-McCormack Line (United States). Completed as an escort aircraft carrier "USS Charger". Bought by Sitmar Line in 1949 and renamed "Fairsea".

Once south of Melbourne the ship would enter the narrow stretch of water, known as The Rip, through which they entered Port Phillip Bay. The Fairsea would have then hugged the eastern side of the bay passing Sorrento and St Kilda before reaching Port Melbourne on …