GRIMALDI-SIOSA LINES. NOW FROM MONTREAL AND QUEBEC

This superb liner and cruise ship, the ‘Irpinia’ was, built as the SGTM liner SS Campana in 1929 by Swan, Hunter on the River Tyne. She sailed from Marseille to the East Coast of South America, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires. After the fall of France in 1940, the Campana was laid up in Buenos Aires, but in July 1943 she was commissioned by the Argentineans, for whom she ran some voyages to New York and back, having been renamed ‘Rio Jachal.’

SS Campana is seen after she was returned to SGTM in 1946

In 1946, she was returned to SGTM, and she recommenced on her regular South Atlantic duties, until being chartered out, when she commenced voyages via the Suez to Indochina (Vietnam), until late 1954 and she was placed on the market, but still in top condition!

From SS Campana to TV Irpinia:
In March 1955, the SS Campana was obtained by the Italian brothers Grimaldi who had created the Sicula Oceanica, PalermoItaly, and the ship was renamed ‘Irpinia.”

An advance highly stylised illustration depicting the new T/v Irpinia

She was purchased to be operated on the Trans-Atlantic service. She headed for Italy where she was given an extensive refit and a partial rebuilding. This included extending her aft decks as well as nicely raked bow, whilst her forward well deck was enclosed. Internally her facilities were upgraded as she was to become a two-class liner with 187 First Class passengers and 1,034 in Tourist Class A & B, in addition two swimming pools were installed as well as all public venues being upgraded. Her six passenger Decks were designated as follows; Boat, Lido, Promenade, A, B and C De
TV Irpinia 1960 Schedules:
The Irpinia operated on a variety of services between 1956 and 1962, as she first operated as a liner, in a first and a Tourist Class A & B for the migrant service from Italy to South America. The she was placed on the Naples, Genoa, Cannes, Barcelona Tenerife, Guadeloupe, Martinique La Guaira and Trinidad service, which was followed by the Palermo, Naples, Genoa, Halifax to New York service, although on her return voyage she would omit Halifax.

Then she operated on the; Palermo, Naples, Genoa, Quebec to Montreal service, yet during her return voyages she would call at Cannes before arriving in Genoa. Just during one summer return voyage she also called in at Gibraltar.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE POSTERS ACCORDING TO THEIR CONSERVATION (in bold the one corresponding to this poster):

A+ Is a flawless example of a poster rarely seen in such fine condition.

A  Designates a poster in very fine condition. There may be some tears on the margins, but not noticeable. No paper loss. Colours are fresh and has no blemish.

A- There may be some slight fold marks, tear or other minor defect, but most unobtrusive. Successful restoration if restored.

B+ If some restoration it is not immediately evident.

B  Designates a poster in good condition. There may be some tears. Blemish or paper loss, but not in any crucial design area. Colours are fresh and the poster has a very good appearance.

B- Restoration may show some defects. Colours along the fold marks are faded.

C+ Restorations are visible.

C  Designates a poster in fair condition. Tears, blemish, fold marks and or paper loss are more pronounced or may slightly affect the image of the poster. Colours may be faded.

C- Requires restoration.