Canberra
I got a call from Philip Naylor of P&O Canberra Cruises in the early part of 1989 to ask if I was available as a guest speaker on Canberra during her world voyage. I would be flown to Singapore, to join the ship and hold three one hour talks about the Maldives enroute from Colombo to Male, the Capital of the Maldives. The theatre on board was able to hold 400 people and...she had 1,700 passengers.
I asked P&O if very good friends of mine Peter and Carol Cameron could be my guests. Peter was Defense Advisor to the British High Commission.
On the evening of the 21st May 1982 Peter was the British aircrew's Commanding Officer in the Falklands. Gazelle pilots and one aircrewman were flying their rocket and machine gun equipped helicopters when they were shot down and killed by an unknown retreating enemy infantry force out of Port San Carlos. In the early hours of that same day whilst establishing the Bridgehead ashore, the crews concerned were bravely undertaking the most hazardous task of providing armed helicopter escorts to the larger Sea King helicopters. They were attempting to get the guns and Rapier anti aircraft systems in place ashore as soon as possible shortly after dawn and before Argentinian fighter ground attack aircraft arrived. Their combined actions that day are recognised as being a vital contribution to the liberation of the Falkland Islands. Subsequently, four Mentions-in-Dispatches were awarded to the key aircrew involved and Peter was awarded the Military Cross. During the time of the conflict the Canberra cruise ship had been officially ordered to join the arena of war by the Misitery of Defence.The Canberra was nicknamed as the Great White Whale for her size and white colour. She was tasked with transporting troops and also sadly burying a number of dead from HMS Ardent sunk by enemy action. The connection of history with the Canberra cruise ship and Peter's heroism, meant P&O kindly agreed to Carol and Peter Cameron being guests aboard.
My talks during the voyage were deemed a great success as so many would not leave the theatre, all were wishing to hear it again, but I fled to lunch! I was asked if I would mind giving a fourth talk to appease the passengers. A cocktail party was held for V.I.P's and at 10pm I gave another talk to the crew also arranging for 20 of them to dive on their arrival in Male.
Totally exhausted I headed for bed, only to get a call to kindly go to the bridge! The Captain asked me 'what time will the Pilot boat be joining to bring them into Male?' I had very bad news for them. "We do not have a pilot boat!" Maps were pulled out and I was on the bridge until we dropped anchor! Passengers who had chosen to visit two of the resort islands were having an early breakfast. I was to speak through a mouthpiece that was piped through the entire ship, announcing the names of the two Resorts. Kurumba and Villingilli. At this point complete fatigue had set in but mercifully I had not lost my sense of humor as I turned to a Captain and said "I think I will say abandon ship".
I made arrangements for a Television crew to board and a short reception was held where gifts from both Canberra and Maldives were exchanged. All in all it was a very successful event. Sadly it was the end for Canberra. She was taken to pastures new.
I asked P&O if very good friends of mine Peter and Carol Cameron could be my guests. Peter was Defense Advisor to the British High Commission.
On the evening of the 21st May 1982 Peter was the British aircrew's Commanding Officer in the Falklands. Gazelle pilots and one aircrewman were flying their rocket and machine gun equipped helicopters when they were shot down and killed by an unknown retreating enemy infantry force out of Port San Carlos. In the early hours of that same day whilst establishing the Bridgehead ashore, the crews concerned were bravely undertaking the most hazardous task of providing armed helicopter escorts to the larger Sea King helicopters. They were attempting to get the guns and Rapier anti aircraft systems in place ashore as soon as possible shortly after dawn and before Argentinian fighter ground attack aircraft arrived. Their combined actions that day are recognised as being a vital contribution to the liberation of the Falkland Islands. Subsequently, four Mentions-in-Dispatches were awarded to the key aircrew involved and Peter was awarded the Military Cross. During the time of the conflict the Canberra cruise ship had been officially ordered to join the arena of war by the Misitery of Defence.The Canberra was nicknamed as the Great White Whale for her size and white colour. She was tasked with transporting troops and also sadly burying a number of dead from HMS Ardent sunk by enemy action. The connection of history with the Canberra cruise ship and Peter's heroism, meant P&O kindly agreed to Carol and Peter Cameron being guests aboard.
My talks during the voyage were deemed a great success as so many would not leave the theatre, all were wishing to hear it again, but I fled to lunch! I was asked if I would mind giving a fourth talk to appease the passengers. A cocktail party was held for V.I.P's and at 10pm I gave another talk to the crew also arranging for 20 of them to dive on their arrival in Male.
Totally exhausted I headed for bed, only to get a call to kindly go to the bridge! The Captain asked me 'what time will the Pilot boat be joining to bring them into Male?' I had very bad news for them. "We do not have a pilot boat!" Maps were pulled out and I was on the bridge until we dropped anchor! Passengers who had chosen to visit two of the resort islands were having an early breakfast. I was to speak through a mouthpiece that was piped through the entire ship, announcing the names of the two Resorts. Kurumba and Villingilli. At this point complete fatigue had set in but mercifully I had not lost my sense of humor as I turned to a Captain and said "I think I will say abandon ship".
I made arrangements for a Television crew to board and a short reception was held where gifts from both Canberra and Maldives were exchanged. All in all it was a very successful event. Sadly it was the end for Canberra. She was taken to pastures new.
