LURLINE

[Keelman]

Receiving attention at Smiths Dock, North Shields, in the early 60's if I remember correctly.
Unfortunately the original Kodachrome slide is now showing signs of deterioration.

[magoonigal]

Built as the LURLINE in 1932 by Bethlehem SB Corp, Quincy.

18,021 Gross.
Geared Stem Turbines developing 28,500 SHP giving 20.5 kts (Max 22+)
550 1st Class. 250 2nd Class. 360 Crew.

1963 Sold to Dimitri Chandris, Piraeus and renamed ELLINIS.
Registered in the name of Marfuenza Cia Mar SA.
Refit by Smith's Dock Co at North Shields which lasted until December 1963.
1,668 Passengers in one class.

Subsequent History:

63 ELLINIS

Disposal Data:

BU Kaohsiung 15.4.87 [Groupship Iron & Steel Enterprise]

[northeast]

Here's a puzzle, she was one of my more exciting sightings from the sea front at Redcar, passing northwards on 27/09/1963 some way out but clearly visible due to her size and white hull. She arrived on the Tyne the next day. But I recorded her as ELLINIS ex LURLINE, presumably picked up from shipping movements reports, so was she renamed before arrival, or not?

[teesships]

That source of all knowledge, Wikipedia, states: The Lurline was bought by Chandris Lines in September 1963 to replace the SS Brittany, wrecked by fire earlier in the year. The Ellinis sailed under her new name from California to North East England for repairs in North Shields and was refitted with increased accommodation for 1,668 passengers in one class.

Wonder if Keelman can check his original slide to verify he also saw her as ELLINIS, ex LURLINE? From the enlarged image (click thumbnail, then click resultant image), I have a feeling the name on her stern does start with an E, rather than L .... but cannot be certain!

I was also reminded about those notices that often appeared in the shipping papers titled Proposal to change a ship name. I think this was just British ships, but there was often then quite a gap before the ship appeared under her new name ... but could have been trading as such??

Ron

[Keelman]

Unfortunately some of my notes reffering to my shipping slides were lost many moons ago, including any info I might have had on LURLINE/ELLINIS. Although my slide is marked LURLINE it could well be that this is incorrect and in fact she had by this time been renamed.

[magoonigal]

Klundas does not give exact dates for the name Changes but I suspect she was renamed on paper if not on the ship in September 1963 as Matson required the name LURLINE for the MATSONIA.

[magoonigal]

Quote from The Chandris Liners by William H Miller...........

Photo caption "With the Matson M's removed from the stacks and with the name ELLINIS stencilled on the bow, the former LURLINE departs from San Francisco for the last time, on September 6th 1963."

[northeast]

Thanks to all, seems my logging of her as ELLINIS is correct!

[TEESMAN]

TWO views of her as the ELLINIS at Southampton

September 1972 with tug NORTH ISLE in attendance Photo Michael Green Collection

December 1975 Photo Michael Green Collection

[Dennis Maccoy]

As Ellinis at Smith's in November 1963.