Ocean Monarch
The Ocean Monarch began life as the Empress of England, one of three 25,000-ton sister ships built for Canadian Pacific's postwar fleet renewal program. Launched on May 9, 1956, by Lady Eden (later Baroness Avon) at Vickers, Armstrongs Ltd., Walker-on-Tyne, she was completed in April 1957.
Canadian Pacific Service (1957-1968)
As Empress of England, the vessel operated on Canadian Pacific's Liverpool-Montreal route alongside her sister ship Empress of Britain (2) and several smaller liners, competing directly with Cunard's Saxonia class vessels. Her maiden voyage departed Liverpool on April 18, 1957. During the 1960s, declining revenues due to air travel competition led Canadian Pacific to reassess its services. In 1968, the ship was withdrawn and laid up at Liverpool.
Shaw Savill & Albion Service (1970-1975)
In February 1970, Shaw Savill & Albion purchased the vessel as a replacement for their Southern Cross, renaming her Ocean Monarch. Following her inaugural voyage from Southampton to Sydney, she underwent a 12-month refit at Gammel Laird's yard in Birkenhead. The refit converted her to a dual-purpose liner/cruiser, removing aft machinery and cranes while extending the uppermost stern decks for sun deck space. Her passenger configuration was changed from the original two-class arrangement to a single class accommodating 1,372 passengers.
Beginning November 5, 1971, Ocean Monarch operated Southampton-Australia services via Cape Town and Auckland, returning via the Panama Canal, working in partnership with the Northern Star. She also conducted Pacific cruises to New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Samoa between line voyages. In 1974, her public areas received a refurbishment in Auckland with New Zealand-manufactured carpeting and furniture.
Final Fate
Despite being only 17 years old, persistent problems with her boilers and propulsion machinery led to her sale to Taiwanese breakers in early 1975. She departed Southampton for Kaohsiung via Cape Town on June 13, 1975, ending a brief four-year career with Shaw Savill. The Russian ship Fedor Shalyapin replaced her on Pacific cruise duties.
Key Facts
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | Vickers, Armstrongs Ltd, Walker-on-Tyne |
| Gross Tonnage | 25,971 |
| Length | 640 ft (195.1 m) |
| Beam | 85 ft (25.9 m) |
| Draught | 29 ft (8.8 m) |
| Propulsion | Twin D.R.G. steam turbines (30,000 SHP) |
| Speed | 20 knots |
| Passenger Capacity | 1,372 (one class) |
| Crew | 460 |
| Livery | White hull & superstructure, buff funnel, red boot topping |