We have film of the third Empress
of Britain to bear that name. Her 42,000 ton predecessor
was the largest British merchant ship to be lost in World
War Two. This ship was launched in 1955 and was engaged
for most of her Canadian Pacific service on the Liverpool
to Montreal route.
In 1964 she was sold to the Greek
Line and renamed Queen Anna Maria. She sailed
on North Atlantic routes and cruised in the Mediterranean.
In 1975 she became the Carnival cruise ship Carnivale
and moved to the Caribbean. Subsequently known as Fiesta
Marina, Olympic and Topaz, she continued
cruising until 2003 when she was chartered by the Japanese
Peace Boat organisation. She currently voyages around
the world staffed by volunteers and peace activists.
We start in Liverpool. Passengers
crowd the dockside and start to board the ship. We move
on board and watch passengers enjoying the warm weather
on the open decks. Icebergs are seen to starboard and
every vantage point along the rail is crowded with onlookers.
Finally, the ship enters the St. Lawrence river and nears
the end of its voyage. We end with some more scenes of
the Empress of Britain berthed in Liverpool
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