Immigrating from England to Australia - Castel Felice

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Immigrating from England to Australia - Castel Felice - 1964

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Күн бұрын

In 1964 our family immigrated from England to Australia on the Sitmar ship the Castel Felice.
Our course took us along the cost of Spain and east into the Mediterranean. Our first stop was Port Said in Egypt. Unfortunately we weren't aloud ashore, although we spent all day moored in the port. It was here my dad bought a 8mm movie film camera and a four minute roll of Kodak movie film. That four minute film lasted all the way to Australia.
The majority of the footage was taken at Aden, where we spent a day looking at some of the sights. During our journey across the Indian Ocean dad took some more film, this time in the ships swimming pool.

Пікірлер: 74

@TheBabe61 Жыл бұрын

My family and I sailed on that ship in 1971, I was nine and learnt to swim in that pool. What a long six weeks it was, we settled in QLD. Thanks for the memories

@ColinEwington Жыл бұрын

It was a long way down to the water. Being a Ten Pound Pom I would love to go back to England for a holiday for the cost my mum & dad paid to get out here.

@user-pb8vc8vp8w 22 күн бұрын

Castel Felice was our taxi to Melbourne July '62. I was 12. Dad bought me a small transistor radio in Aden. As I walked off the ship in Melbourne my radio played "Stranger on the Shore" by Acker Bilk. I never looked back. I'm 74 now,an Aussie citizen,2 kids,5 grandkids.I've never wanted to go back.As of now (8/24) the UK is finished.Things are hard here,but nowhere on the planet is better. Ten quid ? Bargain. Mum,Dad,me £30. Oh,& £42-10 for my cat. Thank you for these memories.

@59jalex Жыл бұрын

Australia was so desperate for us to get there quickly, they flew us out 😄 Stayed in Fairy Meadow hostel in Wollongong. Dad worked at Pt Kembla foundry before we moved to Adelaide. I've moved between England and Australia for much of my adult life, because I love both countries. I'm moving back to Adelaide next March. We oldies love the memories.

@ColinEwington 2 ай бұрын

@@59jalex My Grandmother came out by plane and stayed out here for a few years, but went back to live, by coincidence sailed back on the same ship we came out here on. Thanks for the comment.

@dimratti 3 ай бұрын

Magnificent film. I emigrated with my mother and 3 brothers one sister on the Castel Felice in 1958 from Piraeus, Greece to Melbourne, Australia via Port Said,Egypt -Djibouti, Somalia -Aden, Yemen -Fremantle Australia. First time I found a film of this beautiful ship. I cannot recall much of the ship as I was only 5 years old.My subsequent trips between Greece and Australia were on the Patris of the Chandra's Lines of which I have very fond memories.

@ColinEwington 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment. You stopped at a lot more ports than we did. Did you go ashore at many of those stops?

@alextaylor3015 4 ай бұрын

My Mum and Aunt moved from New Zealand to the UK on this ship in 1968. So interesting to be able to see what the ship was like, thank you!

@ColinEwington 4 ай бұрын

Actually my grandmother came out here for a few years then went back to London on the same ship we came out here on. We have a picture of her sitting at the same dining table that my mum & dad sat at, just a few year earlier.

@lizalbuckley7921 23 күн бұрын

Well done Colin. I was a P&O officer on board Oriana and later on Container ships regularly to Australia. My parents almost emigrated in 1960 but family ties at home were too strong. My uncle was a ten pound pom and settled near Wollongong. I loved Australia and should have emigrated. Once again my wife had strong family connections and it never happened. All the best mate.

@ColinEwington 22 күн бұрын

I was only 12 when I left England. My parents didn’t have any family in Australia, they all lived around London. I remember it was partially hard for my mum leaving her family. As for dad he was in the Royal Navy during the late 1940s so adventure was in his blood.

@stevehughes2133 4 ай бұрын

My family left the UK in '65 but we went the other way to Canada, sailed on the Carinthia to Montreal and from there by rail to B.C. I was 12 at the time, what an adventure!

@ColinEwington 4 ай бұрын

When my parents applied to emigrate from England they applied to Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Australia agreed first and that’s how we ended up in this country.

@davidturner5418 5 ай бұрын

We came out on this ship to Australia in 1968. The Suez was closed then so we traveled around the Horn of Africa, I was 7.

@ColinEwington 5 ай бұрын

I was sea sick so often that I dread to think what it was like coming around the Horn. Where in Australia did you end up?

@davidturner5418 5 ай бұрын

@@ColinEwington We ended up in Tasmanina. I've done some searching and I can't seem to find a sailing date for our trip or photos of it. When did you arrive?

@ColinEwington 5 ай бұрын

@@davidturner5418 We arrived towards the end of May 1964 and stayed at the Nunawading Hostel in Melbourne. A few years ago I managed to get the passenger list and found our family on it. Try the Emigration Museum in Melbourne they maybe able to help you.

@agordon47 2 жыл бұрын

The Castel Felice and it's sister ship, the Fairsea served as student ships during the summers of 1965 and '66. I travelled with about 20 other students from Nasson College along with many other students from other US colleges from New York to Southampton, UK and then on to LeHavre, France. Our group was on our way to a study abroad program in Vienna, Austria. It was a wonderful time. My wonderful memories were refreshed while watching your video. Thanks.

@bar10ml44 7 ай бұрын

Oh my oh my. This mimicked our journey in 1964 on the Fair Sky. I remember a rainy Wednesday afternoon as the ropes slipped off and we headed out. My dad and I sat over the cabin sink as we tossed through the rough sea. When I woke a few days later the sun was shining. I still can’t believe it all happened. I had a difficult time settling in but spent 48 years before returning to the UK. I always get sentimental when I see clips from Oz. I know it well having lived in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart and Perth. I saw it grow from a sleepy backwater to full international super star. Thank you for such an emotional and very appreciated journey.

@ColinEwington 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment. 48 years, well you certainly gave Oz a go. I'm still here. Hope UK is working out ok for you.

@user-pb8vc8vp8w 9 күн бұрын

Mum,dad & I migrated from the UK on this tug in 1962. I thought it was small because at Southampton it was tied up next to the The Queen Elizabeth (the first one). She was almost 8 times the tonnage of the Castel Felice. She really did look the Queens tender ! She got us to Melbourne. We left on 13/6/62 & arrived on 14/7/62. Best thing we ever did.

@ColinEwington 9 күн бұрын

@@user-pb8vc8vp8w “Best thing we ever did.” I have repeated those words so many time since we arrived in 1964. As a boy of twelve I was always afraid that I would wake up and discover the good times I was having in this country was only a dream. Now in 2024 I still have no desire to live anywhere else.

@colinj58 2 жыл бұрын

Travelled on that ship in 1962 to Fremantle, memories

@user-pb8vc8vp8w 22 күн бұрын

colinj.......me too,June/July '62. Landed Melbourne July 14,'62. Small world !

@dodgeboy9052 Жыл бұрын

Well... Not the Castel Felice ... BUT 1968 ... MV Flavia from Southampton to Sydney..five weeks at sea for a kid from Nottingham .. who had never had a holiday . within three weeks I was sailing thought the Panama Canal... I couldn't believe it... by myself and it was just magic... like a movie ..when I left home mom said your breakfast is on the stove and went out .. Never said Goodbye ... then after 53 years on my sister told me why .... Sorry MOM.... still here on the Gold Coast .. 55years now with two Aussie son n daughter living in London ....so much water under the Bridge.... THANKS for the Memories Colin.. and since 1968 i never. stopped travelling Australia gave me the chance...

@ColinEwington Жыл бұрын

Hi Dodgeboy. Whatever way you got out to Australia in the 60s & 70s, always took so long. Like you I love this country. My KZfaq channel is populated with journeys I have done over the years, especially during the 80s & 90s.

@dodgeboy9052 Жыл бұрын

@@ColinEwington You Know Colin .... considering .... its all about .. do you have a story to tell... since 1968 ... I have many .. cheers Colin ..

@grahamwood156 2 ай бұрын

we came in 1966 on the fair star great memories

@ColinEwington 2 ай бұрын

@@grahamwood156 One day I might look up the history of the Sitmar Line. Three families that were friends of my mum & dad came out to Australia within months of my family, each family on a different Sitmar ship. Thanks for the comment.

@PaulDarbyshire-kx5ln 4 ай бұрын

My family and I came on the Castel Felice in 1970.I was 12 at the time and I think I was sea sick all the way. Suez cannel was closed so we went to Canary Islands, Cape Town then across to Perth. Missed Adelaide due to dockers strike and on to Melbourne. Adelaide migrants had to catch the train back to Adelaide .Stayed at the Marinong hostel for a couple of weeks then moved to Eastern suburbs . Melbourne Thanks for the post

@ColinEwington 2 ай бұрын

@@PaulDarbyshire-kx5ln Eastern suburbs, that were we have lived since 1964. Thanks for the comment.

@ColinEwington 2 ай бұрын

@@PaulDarbyshire-kx5ln Eastern suburbs is where our family ended up.

@MsSteveeverett Жыл бұрын

My family did the same journey in 61 , remember that camel market , carried on to Brisbane to our migrant camp at wacol mum and dad hated it but I loved it big adventure for an 8 year old moved to a house in Inala ,lived there for 3 years then dad succumbed to mums homesickness and we left back to UK on the fair sky , have visited Brisbane in 89 and visited my brother in Perth in 96 he had a Aussie passport as he was born there , when I think back it's like we were early settlers very basic how it's all changed ,great you have the video as a reminder 🤠

@ColinEwington Жыл бұрын

So much of your family history is mirrored in my own story. We lived in the Nunawading Hostel for six weeks, mum hated it and was also homesick. My sister and I loved our time there. Our family never returned to UK but our next door neighbours sailed out to Australia on the Fair Sky.

@AmandaRegelous-ii8ej Жыл бұрын

We were on that ship, mum dad and 5 of us children, would love to hear more. Thank you for sharing

@dsparks9948 Жыл бұрын

Thankyou for your story my family were on that ship 😊

@AmandaRegelous-ii8ej Жыл бұрын

We were on that boat too!!!!

@scottlewisparsons9551 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video. My sister traveled from Wellington to the United Kingdom in 1959 on this ship. She loved it.

@ColinEwington Жыл бұрын

Glad she enjoyed my video. I'm really surprised by how many people have commented so far. I thank everyone so much.

@frankgatt 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Col, enjoyed and brought back some memories. I did similar trip but a round trip leaving from Melbourne (and also had thousands of streamers at Station Pier on departure) then to Malta returning with the same port stops and also in 1964.

@glenmale1748 Жыл бұрын

Bloody long climb down to the pool!

@britinoz4305 Жыл бұрын

I was 9yo when we left UK. Feb 9, 1966 on the MV Fairsky. After a short stay in the immigration hostel under the Story bridge, we were housed in beautiful downtown Acacia Ridge. Always remembered my mum, she never got used to the goannas around the outhouse when nature called.

@ColinEwington Жыл бұрын

I've been told the Red Back spiders also liked the Aussie Outhouse as well. Ah the “good old days.”

@janruardy1056 2 ай бұрын

I was on that same ship, just me on my own and fresh out of school. The straights of Gibralter were a bit rough so the crew put ropes around so the passengers could hold on to them. Piles of plates came crashing down and most people went to their cabins to hide or be sick. I left the ship at Port Said and stayed at The Mena House Hotel in Cairo which was a real eye opener. Arriving at night I was completely blown away by the sight of the pyramids in the morning not far away outside my large bedroom windows! I rejoined the ship at Aden and continued on to Sydney. The awesome sight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is something I will never forget and I often say that, that ten quid is the best ten quid I have ever spent!

@MarcLaneAus 2 жыл бұрын

very interesting thx for sharing.

@colinsmith2005 Жыл бұрын

Mum and Dad had 2 boarders, lodgers in the mid late 60s, English lads in Sydney who came through the 'big brother movement' ? David Rigby was their favourite so I remember his name, and remember him leaving, just. Archie was another.....homesick. Nice teenage ish guys was my impression, i Hope they did ok. Up untill the early 70s they kept a room, my Dad was a Scot, I think it reminded him of home. Cheers

@blackdogRexy Жыл бұрын

An old teacher of mine who emigrated during the Suez crisis had to go the long way and was amazed that during the Cape Town stopover that many of the passengers were given huge offers of housing and employment to stay in South Africa to bump up the white population. She always rated her decision to keep refuse the offer and keep going as one of the best she ever made.

@ColinEwington Жыл бұрын

I read about the Suez crises and once saw a picture of a tank overlooking Aden at the spot our taxi driver stopped to show us the view. Six weeks on that ship was long enough for me.

@geoffmower8729 11 ай бұрын

Hi there my family came out to Australia on the Fair Sea in 64 and I was 4 on the ship. We settled in Adelaide South Australia. My father started work in G.M.H General Motors Holden and our first house was in Elizabeth Vale. We latter moved to Elizabeth West. Out of the original six family members who came to Australia only my sister and I are left.

@ColinEwington 11 ай бұрын

The Sitmar Line in those days were busy transporting us pommys out to the colonies. Elizabeth is that north of Adelaide? I beleive that was a new town in those days, modeled on some of the new towns just north of London. We lived in Harlow New Town before coming out here.

@geoffmower8729 11 ай бұрын

Hi Colin yes Elizabeth is north of Adelaide I believe they started building it in the late 50s there is a video done in 1960 on KZfaq called Elizabeth a place to grow. My family arrived in 1964. Elizabeth has grown massively since then but the beautiful rose gardened front yards are all now long grass and old car body's. Elizabeth has gone down hill since the closing of GMH in 2017. I live in Findon now only 10 minutes from Adelaide and the beach and from time to time I have to pass through Elizabeth and it break's my heart every time. In my head I see the Elisabeth I grew up in with my family and through my eyes I see a once great town turned to the dogs and the unemployed. @@ColinEwington

@ColinEwington 11 ай бұрын

@@geoffmower8729 Hi Geoff, I recently watched a video about my home town in Harlow, not sure when it was filmed but it too reflected on “change” That town also went “down hill” in the 70s. Nowadays I find myself living in the past, especially the 1980s when I did a lot of trips to all parts of Australia.

@geoffmower8729 11 ай бұрын

It must be a part of getting older 👴🏻 I find myself looking on ebey at cars, things and toys I once owned. I remember like you mentioned in the video about the sewers canal when our ship past through the canal. All these Arab blokes came up along side of the ship in small boats. My mum was looking at some new shoes and the size was too small so she motioned to the Arab larger. So the basket went back down and another box came up but this time when mum opened the box along with the shoes was bloomin big scorpion. Mum screamed and a bloke standing next to her picked it up by the tail and tossed it overboard.🤣🤣Dad bought me a tin battery operated toy jeep. Only a few years ago I found what used to be the steering wheel in a box of bits of junk that...🤔might come in handy one day. So I looked on ebey found one in Italy of all places fixed it up and now its proudly displayed on a shelf in the lounge room to my wife's disgust.😂😂 @@ColinEwington

@ColinEwington 11 ай бұрын

@@geoffmower8729 Brilliant 😂

@DavidDelli Жыл бұрын

My Pop-Pop took the same ship from Naples to Venezuela in 1953. He was a young italian immigrant at that time (he was just 18). Holy Mother!

@ColinEwington Жыл бұрын

Hi David, That ship certainly punched up some sea-miles in the time it was in service.

@DavidDelli Жыл бұрын

@@ColinEwington absolutely

@daveevans1236 Жыл бұрын

Made the same journey in 64 as a 12 year old with my family aboard the same ship. Can't recall the month but this brought back memories. My dad got a movie camera in Oz. Still have the movies (somewhere ) of the family at the beach in Cottesloe WA.

@ColinEwington Жыл бұрын

@@daveevans1236 I may have mentioned on the video my dad bought a movie camera in Aden and one roll of four minute movie film. When we arrived in Melbourne he still had about a minute of film left. He used the rest at Watts River in Victoria. It's amazing, now in the digital age we use our smartphones on any little event we see in front of us.

@kymholwerda1014 Жыл бұрын

Hi, what particular sailing was that on? We came out on the same ship, same year. We left Southampton in January and arrived in Sydney of the 11th of March. Was that the voyage you were on?

@ColinEwington Жыл бұрын

Not sure what time we left Southampton but I believe it took six weeks to sail here via the Indian Ocean to Fremantle and arrived in Melbourne in the middle of May 1964.