EAW035611 ENGLAND (1951). The Festival of Britain Exhibition Ship (HMS Campania) moored alongside the Passenger and Goods Shed No 101, Southampton, 1951

The HMS Campania - an ex-cargo ship converted for wartime use into an aircraft carrier. After the war was over some escort carriers went back to, or into for the first time, merchant service, some went to reserve, most to the breakers. Campania however had a few special services yet to perform. The Festival of Britain organisers were keen to reach as wide a section of the public all over Britain as possible, the Campania seen here, toured different ports around the coast, carrying an exhibition display by James Holland, an RCA contemporary of Sorrell’s.

When the Festival was over Campania was refitted yet again to support the British atomic bomb test in the islands west of Australia code name Operation Hurricane a task for which she turned out to be relatively ill suited.

After the test Campania was decommissioned and scrapped in 1955.



Photo shows deck plans for the '51 Festival.

Berth 101, Western Docks, Southampton, 12/02/2015