RMS Empress of Australia Archival Collection

Empress of Australia (1914) Canadian Pacific Line

This Ship Sailed as the RMS Empress of Australia from 1922–1952

Built by A. G. "Vulkan" Werke, Stettin, Germany. Tonnage: 21,833. Dimensions: 588' x 75' (615' o.l.). Twin-screw, 19 knots. Steam turbines. Two masts and three funnels. Passengers: 400 first, 150 second, 630 third. Services: (a) Trans-Pacific, (b) Trans-Atlantic. Made her first Southampton-Cherbourg-Quebec-Montreal sailing in June 1927. Note: Launched as the Tirpitz (Hamburg-American Line), December 20, 1913. Construction work was held up during the first part of First World War, but in 1916 the Kaiser ordered her to be completed as a royal yacht in which to receive the Allied naval fleets in the event the Germans were victorious. However, such not being the case, this beautiful liner was ceded to Great Britain in 1919. Sale: Sold to Canadian Pacific Line in 1922. After being re-engined was able to make 22.4 knots. Passengers: 400 first class, 150 Tourist Class, 635 third class. Crew: 520 Officers and Crew Members.War Service: Converted to Troopship during World War II. Korean War Service: Operated as Troop Ship until 1952. Fate: Sold to British shipbreakers in May 1952. Previously Named: Ex-Empress of China (only for a brief time in 1921), ex-Tirpitz (1914-1921).

Empress of Australia (1924) Canadian Pacific Line

This Ship Operated as the RMS Empress of Australia from 1953–1956

Built by Cammell, Laird & Co., Birkenhead, England. Tonnage: 19,665. Dimensions: 552' x 71' (574' o.l.). Twin- screw, 16 knots. Steam turbines. Two masts and one funnel. Passengers: 220 first, 444 tourist. Note: Purchased as a replacement for the destroyed Empress of Canada. First voyage: Liverpool Quebec-Montreal, April 28, 1953. Sale: Sold to Grimaldi Line. Fate: Wrecked of the Coast of France near Cannes, Refloated and broken up at La Spezia, Italy in 1962. Renamed: Venezuela (1956-1962). Previous Name: Ex-De Grasse (1924-1953).

Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Canada, Glasgow-Canada, and Southampton-Cherbourg-Canada, from 4 May 1928 to 13 July 1928. Ships included the Duchess of Bedford, Empress of Australia, Empress of France, Empress of Scotland, Marloch, Melita, Metagama, Minnedosa, Montcalm, Montclare, Montnairn, Montrose, and Montroyal. SS Minnedosa Cabin Passenger List, 4 May 1928. GGA Image ID # 212cbb151c

Sailing Schedule, Southampton, Cherbourg, Liverpool, Hamburg, Antwerp, Glasgow, Belfast, and Cobh to Québec and Montréal, from 18 August 1928 to 23 November 1928. Ships Included the Duchess of Atholl, Duchess of Bedford, Empress of Australia, Empress of France, Empress of Scotland, Melita, Metagama, Minnedosa, Montcalm, Montclare, Montnairn, Montrose, and Montroyal. SS Empress of France Passenger List, 18 August 1928. GGA Image ID # 1eb3a5e27f

Sailing Schedule, Montréal and Québec to Cherbourg, Southampton, Hamburg, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Antwerp, from 18 August 1928 to 9 November 1928. Ships Included the Duchess of Atholl, Duchess of Bedford, Empress of Australia, Empress of France, Empress of Scotland, Melita, Metagama, Minnedosa, Montcalm, Montclare, Montnairn, Montrose, and Montroyal. SS Empress of France Passenger List, 18 August 1928. GGA Image ID # 1eb3cead39

Advertisement: Canadian Pacfic 1927-1928 Cruises. Around the World Cruise on the Empress of Australia, Mediterranean Cruise on the Empress of Scotland, West Indies, South America, and South Africa Cruise on the Empress of France, and Two West Indies Cruises on the Montroyal. SS Montrose Cabin Passenger List, 18 February 1927. GGA Image ID # 212da87e32

Advertisement: Empress of Australia Around the World Cruise from New York, 2 December 1931 -- 137 Days. Other Cruises Include Mediterranean (Empress of France) and West Indies-Panama (Duchess of Bedford). SS Empress of Canada First and Second Class Passenger List, 12 June 1930. GGA Image ID # 2174d7a5a4

Advertisement: Canadian Pacific Cruises for 1938-1938. Ships Included the Montcalm, Montclare, Empress of Australia, Empress of Britain, Duchess of Richmond, and Duchess of Atholl. SS Duchess of Richmond Cabin and Tourist Class Passenger List, 17 August 1937. GGA Image ID # 21310c993c