S.A. VAAL final departure from Cape Town

Two great images of the passenger liner S.A. VAAL leaving Cape Town for the final time in October 1977 ending the famous Union-Castle / Safmarine Cape Run. 

Original photographs by Trevor Jones of Durban.

S.A. VAAL and her running mate WINDSOR CASTLE were the last Cape mail liners and their demise in late 1977 resulted from increasing operating costs and the advent of containerization on the Europe - South Africa line. 

Emerging passenger ship owner Ted Arison of Carnival was very interested in both ships for conversion into Caribbean tropical cruising ships, but in the end only purchsed the S.A. VAAL, later converted in Japan into the FESTIVALE, Carnival Cruise Line third ship. He intended to purchase the WINDSOR CASTLE later but it was not to be so as the Greek tycoon Mr. John Latsis bought the final Union-Castle flagship and this fine liner became the MARGARITA L.

Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. Favor não piratear. Respeite o meu trabalho / No piracy, please. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia