Second voyage around the World RMS Andes (1939)

child evacuees on andes boat deck in southampton on 11 september 1945, celebrating return australia. in centre background, seen on children s heads, 1 of andes wartime anti-aircraft gun platforms.

on 10 september andes reached southampton. 6 years since harland , wolff handed on royal mail lines first ever visit home port. circumnavigation set new record of 72 days, 8 hours , 55 minutes, breaking 9 days previous record set mauretania. andes had sailed 520,000 nautical miles (960,000 km) , carried more 350,000 troops. passengers andes landed in southampton included british child evacuees returning australia.

on 23 september andes left southampton australia. passed through suez canal, called @ port said on 30 september , reached melbourne 17 october. after 10 days in port sailed sydney, arrived on 27 october , left on 2 november. return voyage britain involved calls @ fremantle 7–8 november , bombay 16–19 november. reached home port of southampton on 3 december 1945.

throughout war andes carried cargo troops. uk brought cotton suez, bacon canada, beef , pork new york , oranges , copper south africa. took cargo of south african wine canada. 1 of valuable cargoes gold bars worth $7.75 million new york uk in winter 1944.

although andes built ocean-going ship designed temperate tropical sea , weather conditions between uk , south america, rather cold north atlantic winters. in 1944 on westward crossing suffered weather damage forecastle, lifeboats , other fittings. repairs @ new york cost $46,500.