MAID OF ORLEANS - Passenger Ferry 3796 grt / 1949 blt / UK / 5217543 Leaving Dover - 11.6.1973 Don Smith Collection

AUSTRALIS 26315 grt / 1940 blt / Greece / 5014123 Docked at Southampton - 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.