Hello for those that don't know me my name is Darren Byrne and I am your on this fantastic tour of this once famous liner of yesteryear the "SS AMERICA", or as many Australian immigrants new her the "SS AUSTRALIS" but she has had many lives since then as you will soon find out.

Some results from search engines have you landing here as my opening page, if you have not come via my home page may I request that you click here so that your arrival is registered on my counter.

See my model of the Australis - ex travel agents model

Photos of my items on display can be seen here, as a private collector of many Australis / Chandris items, I believe I would have one of the largest private collections in the world. Full of rare items most can be seen in my "museum" link, recognising this, the Sydney Maritime Museum requested a loan of some of my items for a 2 year display on immigration to Australia. Not only was my items collected but an in depth interview was conducted. My interview is also been played in part over Paul Looyens movies of the Australis.

If you would like to know more about me and of course why I am so passionate about this ship please do click on the link, all will be revealed......

Remember there are quite a few buttons on the left, so be sure to use the scroll bar to see them all.

 

I would like to again welcome you to my website. This website began in August 1998 and has grown by the minute, thanks to the encouragement of many people. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following four people Ken Ironside, Steve Mulliss, Doug Griffiths, and Peter Knego who between them have assisted me in the inital stages Doug and I were on the same voyage, on the same deck around the same age, and I have vague memories of Ken when i used to swim in the indoor pool. Ship Historian Peter Knego has kindly allowed me to reproduce reports and use many images from his collections, which may i remind you are copyrighted to him.

So what did happen to this wonderful ship, this nostalgic piece of travel.You will have to follow the complete history to be fully conversant but in 1994 whilst on tow.......

Sorry whats that " what it's like telling you the final page in a book, or telling you the end of a movie I hear you say" okay I will shut up, let you find out for yourselves just how this liner ended up where she is today. Any links you see as are my email links so at any time please email me with questions (firstly check out the FAQ - frequently asked questions page)

Please enjoy :)

 

Before going any further if you have not already read this important info and due to huge amounts of annoying spam emails and attempts of passing on virus's please ensure your subject line contains something relevant like 'ss Australis' , 'ss America' or similar. If you send messages with 'hi' or 'Re' or without a subject title related to this page, it will be unfortunately deleted. I apologise to those that have emailed me and I have not replied. With your help in correctly sent messages I will be able to get back to you, and not delete them by mistake