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MIGRATION · JOURNEY

The Fairsea's maiden emigrant voyage, Naples to Melbourne, 1949

Naples → Port Melbourne

The Fairsea had been the escort carrier HMS Charger and then USS Charger before she was bought in 1949, renamed and rebuilt at Genoa for about 1,800 passengers in open dormitories and chartered by the International Refugee Organisation. She left Naples on her maiden emigrant voyage on 11 May 1949 with 1,896 displaced persons and reached Melbourne in early June; the two Australian sources give 8 and 9 June.

1949

The ship is rebuilt at Genoa for about 1,800 passengers and chartered by the International Refugee Organisation

Genoa

Sources

Greta Migrant Camp 1949-1960

11 May 1949

The Fairsea leaves Naples on her maiden emigrant voyage with 1,896 displaced persons

Naples

Sources

MV Fairsea and fire at sea

International Refugee Organisation group resettlement to Australia: Fairsea passenger lists

8 or 9 June 1949

The ship reaches Melbourne; the two Australian sources differ by a day

Port Melbourne

Sources

International Refugee Organisation group resettlement to Australia: Fairsea passenger lists

MV Fairsea and fire at sea

Sources

MV Fairsea and fire at sea

International Refugee Organisation group resettlement to Australia: Fairsea passenger lists

Greta Migrant Camp 1949-1960