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Hellenic Prince

Originally built as a seaplane carrier at Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney, the vessel began life as HMAS Albatross in 1928. Through a remarkable career spanning over 25 years, she served as a naval vessel in both peace and war before becoming a significant migrant transport ship in the post-war era.

Launched on February 21, 1928, HMAS Albatross was designed to carry six seaplanes that could be deployed by crane. Despite carrying over 450 officers and ratings, the ship's primary mission was compromised by the rapid obsolescence of seaplane technology, leading to her decommissioning on April 26, 1933.

World War II Service (1939-1945)

Following transfer to the Royal Navy in 1938 as part payment for HMS Amphibious (which became HMAS Perth), the vessel was converted to an aircraft repair ship in August 1939. After a 1942 American refit, she served with the British Eastern Fleet until late 1943. During the Normandy landings, she repaired over 132 damaged vessels while enduring enemy aircraft attacks. A torpedo strike in 1944 sent her to Portsmouth for repairs, where she remained until the war's end.

Post-War Migration Service (1945-1952)

Converted for migrant transport at Bailey's shipyard in Barry, Wales, the renamed Hellenic Prince was extensively modified with accommodation for 1,000 passengers, including a 560-seat dining room, three hospitals, and a cinema. Her first migrant voyage to Australia departed on November 7, 1949, carrying 997 displaced persons to Fremantle and Sydney. She continued regular migration voyages until 1952, when she was briefly used to transport British troops to Kenya.

Final Years

In 1953, Hellenic Prince was laid up in Hong Kong before being sold to shipbreakers in 1954, ending a diverse career that made her the only Australian-built vessel to bring migrants to Australian shores.

Key Facts

Specification Details
Built Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney
Launched February 21, 1928
Gross Tonnage 6,558 tons
Propulsion Twin-screw geared turbines
Service Speed 20 knots
Passenger Capacity 1,000 (as migrant ship)
Original Crew Over 450 officers and ratings