SS Sunnyside Park

[Laurina1]

:)Hello my name is Laurina from Australia & I am looking for any information on my late father who was a Canadian.He came to Australia on the SS Sunnyside Park in June 1945 and stayed in Australia until his death in 1988.
His name was Gordon Beecham aged then 26yrs old.I think he was a Merchant Seaman.I would be happy if I could even get a photo of the ship.It was owned by the Union Steamship CO. of New Zealand.
Thankyou for any help or advice you can give me.
Laurina1 :)

[herakles]

G'Day Lauria!

Welcome to he forum. Enjoy your stay.

Hang around for a bit. It's possible someone will be able to answer your questions.

[cissystar650]

Hiya...

Not so much out there on 'Sunnyside Park' but I did find out she was renamed:

Vessel Details ( 5 of 5 )

Vessel Name: SUNNYSIDE PARK
Vessel ID: 550030073
Vessel Type: Cargo ship
Owner: Union Steam Ship Company
Where Built: Canada
Vessel Abstract: WAITOMO was previously the SUNNYSIDE PARK and a Canadian built Victory ship. Author of the letter served on her 1950-1951 on the trans-Pacific run.
Significant Date: 1950-1951


Source: New Zealand Marine News 2002 Volume 50 Number 3 Pages 134-135 ( Reference ID 5003009 )
Article Title: Mail Barrel: A Question of Identity [1] ( Henderson, Murray J. )
Article Abstract: Refers to article by Don Hamer in Vol.50 No.2 "Victory Ships" to America, and mainly discusses the possible identity of the square-rigged vessel passed in the Pacific 1953 or 1954. A number of suggestions are made and mostly dismissed.


Can't find any pics yet though

Cissy

[cissystar650]

Then I found this: http://fortships.tripod.com/Parks%20O-Y.htm

Sunnyside Park

Type: Victory

Delivery Date: 20/04/44

Builder: West Coast Shipbuilders Ltd., Vancouver, BC
Nom. Manager: Canadian-Australasian Line Ltd., Vancouver

History: 1946: Waitomo, Canadian-Australasian Line Ltd.

1963: Blue Shark.

1967: Scrapped in Taiwan.


There is some history out there, but I couldn't find any pictures.

Cissy

[herakles]

Well done cissy! That's fantastic work.

[John Brown]

Laurina

Welcome to the site.

Stay tuned.....Bastiger will be along with a photo soon:)


Regards..John

[herakles]

Take your time Bob. She'll be well and truly asleep by now!

[The Sailor]

What is going on? Blonds with brains?

Hello Laurina. Nice name. I thought it was the name of a ship someone was searching for and I didn't click on it right away.

[cissystar650]

[QUOTE=The Sailor;3986]What is going on? Blonds with brains?

QUOTE]

Yeah but now I've used my brain, I have to lie down in a darkened room for a few days! :p

[Laurina1]

Recently I asked if anyone knew anything about the SS Sunnyside Park which my father was on when it came to Australia in 1944.Well I have been in touch with the New Zealand Maritime Musuem and they have kindly sent me a photo of the ship, it was renamed the Waitomo as stated by some of your members, the photo I have is same ship, different name, but I am quite happy with that. Thankyou all for your help.
Laurina1:)

[herakles]

That's great Laurina. Glad it worked out for you.

[mush-a-mushBridge]

Good Morning, I reside in Nova Scotia Canada and I am a collector of militaria, particularly badges of the second war period thatn were issued to armies of the commonwealth. Recently I purchased a group of badges and other militaria (manuels, pictures. etc.) Among these items was the following.

Framed Photo Identified as follows:
S.S. "Sunnyside Park" -- A.R. SMITH (Master)
VICTORY DAY, AUGUST 15TH., 1945, HOBART, TASMANIA

10,300 Ton Cargo Ship. Length, B.P., 416 ft.; Beam 56ft.10 1/2 ins.;
Depth, 374 ft.;Gross Tonnage, 7,165; Net Tonnage, 4,237

Photo taken by one: J.J. Barnett

If you are interest in aquiring this photo please advise with your address.

[CCGA235]

My father and uncle served aboard the vessel in WWII. I will ask my dad if he remembers yours Laurina.

Is it possible to post a picture of the vessel or email it.

If you can send a PM to the member to get their email address.

Edited by moderator. Pls read my PM to you.