In 1954 the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh made their first visit to Western Australia, arriving at Fremantle on the Royal Yacht Gothic.

Shaw Savill's Gothic was launched in 1947 and had accommodation for 85 first class passengers. She operated on the England - New Zealand run with Ceramic, Corinthic and Athenic. In 1951 the liner was selected to serve as the official ship for the 1952 Commonwealth Royal Tour. She underwent a comprehensive refit and was despatched to Jamaica to await the Royal Family. The tour was cancelled on the sudden death of King George VI in February 1952. It was some 21 months later, again in Jamaica, that Gothic embarked Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh for the onward voyage to Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. Following the 1954 tour Gothic recommenced her line voyages. In 1968 the liner was swept by fire while steaming off the coast of New Zealand. Seven lives were lost in the inferno. She returned to England after temporary repairs, however her career was sadly over. She sailed to the shipbreakers in Taiwan in July 1969.

Arrives at the new Oil Refinery Jetty, January 1955.

Battye Library 816B/C1856

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