The "Sylvania" was built by John Brown & Co Ltd, Glasgow in 1956 for the Cunard Line. She was a 21,989 gross ton ship, length overall 608.3ft x beam 80.3ft, one funnel, one mast, twin screw and a speed of 21 knots. She was fitted with stabilisers and had accommodation for 154-1st and 714-tourist class passengers. Launched on 22nd November 1956, she sailed on her maiden voyage from Greenock to Quebec and Montreal on 5th June 1957. On 26th June 1957 she started her first Liverpool - Greenock - Quebec - Montreal voyage and on 28th November 1958 her first Liverpool - Cobh - Halifax - New York voyage. She made the last voyage of Cunard's service from Liverpool to Cobh and New York on 24th November 1966. Her last Southampton - Quebec - Montreal - Greenock - Liverpool sailing commenced on 20th October 1967 and her last regular passenger sailing was on 30th November 1967 when she left Liverpool for Halifax, New York, Halifax, Cobh, Havre and Southampton. She was subsequently used for cruising until making her last Cunard sailing on 24th April 1968 when she left Gibraltar for Southampton. Sold to Fairwind Shipping Corp, Monrovia she was renamed "Fairwind" and was intended for the Southampton - New Zealand service of the Sitmar Line but was laid up at Southampton. In 1970 she arrived at Trieste for conversion to a cruise liner and in 1977, after further rebuilding to 16,667 tons was used for cruising from US ports.
Updated: April 20, 2003
