To Chandris Lines.
The Australis (26,485 grt in 1965, 723 ft. long), formerly the America of the United States Lines, was completed in 1940. Because of the war her intended North Atlantic service had to be postponed until 1946, when released from troop transport duty and refitted. She was sold to Chandris in 1964. Renamed Australis she operated to Australia and around-the-world until 1977. Then she spent most of the rest of her life laid up under different names until sold to be used as a hotel in Thailand. Whilst under tow for Phuket in 1994 (renamed American Star), she ran aground on Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands in bad weather. She later broke in two and the forward part still remains of the wreck.
The Ellinis (18,564 grt in 1963, 642 ft. long), formerly the Lurline of Matson Lines, in service from 1933. After WW2, she continued on the San Francisco-Honolulu route until 1963, when she was sold to Chandris and renamed Ellinis. She was broken up in 1987.
The Simplon Postcards website has pages on both the Australis (and links to other America/Australis websites) and the Ellinis with many postcards/photos.
You may use my images on another website.
This page last updated January 22, 2005.
Then please credit them as being from the collection of Björn Larsson,
and preferably provide a link to my Introduction page.
Thank you!
