AUSTRALIS
26315 grt / 1940 blt / Greece
Leaving Southampton from Hythe Pier – 1.9.1972
Don Smith Collection
Built 1940 as America for United States Lines Inc. New York
Requisitioned by U.S. Navy in 1941 and converted to troopship & renamed “West Point” in 1942.
After the war was returned to owner and reconverted for passenger trade & reverted to original name & Transatlantic service.
1964: bought by Okeania, and renamed Australis
1977: Sold to Venture Cruise Lines and renamed America
1978: Put up for auction in U.S.A., bought by Chandris & renamed Italis under ownership of Okeania S.A.
1980: sold to Cie. Noga d’Importation & d’Exportation (Intercommerce Corp.), renamed Noga
1984: sold to Silver Moon Ferries Ltd., renamed Alferdoss
1992: sold to Thai interests with the idea of converting her to a floating hotel at Phuket. Renamed “American Star” & left Piraeus under tow in December 1993 but broke loose from her tug in heavy weather & ran aground on Fuerteventura, Canary Islands.
