CANBERRA: 1961 - First & Tourist pre-maiden deck plans from 1960

P & O Orient Line:  First Class and Tourist "provisional" deck plans for the CANBERRA issued in December 1960, six months before her June 1961 maiden voyage. Both plans open to 28" by 32".  The First Class plan shows part of eight decks while Tourist shows ten.  Interesting to note one of the CANBERRA's advanced features - her lifeboats were fitted mid-way down her hull instead of up top, creating a Promenade Deck with public rooms that was underneath several full decks of cabins.  While very unusual at the time, today's ships copy this arrangement.  The CANBERRA almost was scrapped at the young age of twelve when the oil crisis hit in the early 1970s.  Fortunately P&O decided to put her into full time cruise service from Southampton and she sailed on until 1997 when she was retired at the old age of thirty-six.   Excellent condition.