This is the 2nd page which transcribes some of the adverts and text from a 12 page special supplement inserted between the cover of the “Ocean Times” distributed on the 2nd day at sea of Caronia's Maiden Voyage. Below is the banner header of the supplement's front page…
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As the finest shipbuilding achievement of today it is interesting to compare the “Caronia” with the last of her name built in 1904, when straight stem and counter stern were the standard thing. The “Russia” in 1867 was the last previous Cunarder built like the new “Caronia” with a clipper bow.
The vessel's curved, well-raked stem is reminiscent of the stately bows of the Clipper era
Only 20,000 gross tons against the new ship's 34,183, the previous Caronia needed thirteen coal-fired boilers to generate a pressure of but 200 pounds, while six oil fired boilers today deliver steam at 600 pounds pressure at 800°F. to the twin-screw geared turbines. This is reduced to propeller speed of 140rpm by double reduction helical gearing.
All auxiliary machinery serving the main machinery, except the turbo feed and extraction pumps, is electrically driven.
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Steam passing out from the turbo generators is, for the first time in a ship, used to supply thermo tanks, galleys, and engine room low-pressure auxiliary services.
The Cruiser stern has replaced the Counter of the previous Caronia, built in 1904
The ship's power station, situated forward of the boiler room, produces 4,400 kilowatts. Indirect fluorescent lighting figures largely in the public rooms, employing 2,500 tubes, but this system has its own power plant. In all, the ship contains some 500 electric motors from one-quarter to 236hp, totalling about 6,500hp.
There are over 10,000 electric lamps. All deck machinery, steering gear, windlass, capstans, baggage and boat winches are electrically operated, and all cooking is by electricity.
The wheelhouse is equipped with the latest radar installation, also instruments to show the exact depth of water beneath the keel. The bridge houses a searchlight projector, two gyro-compasses and has telephone communication with any part of the ship.
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Many onlookers witness the spectacle of fitting the top ring to Caronia's huge funnel
For the air-conditioning, air is drawn through slats in the fan-room, surrounding the funnel casing. Inside the enormous funnel are the smoke uptakes from the six boilers, draught fans and collectors for washing soot from the boiler-smoke.
Also, there are exhaust vents for air, the main part of the two powerful whistles, and the internal stiffening to avoid the use of supporting guys for the funnel itself. A series of ladders and platforms gives access to different levels.
The tripod mast abaft the bridge helps to clear the decks, where so much of the ship's life moves on cruises. In addition to motor lifeboats, of orthodox pattern, there are six single-screw, nine-knot diesel-driven launches, fitted with deck-shelters, for landing when the ship is anchored, each taking 60 passengers.
Swallow
Electric Food Machines
Helping to ensure perfect
cuisine on board the
R.M.S. Queen Mary,
Queen Elizabeth
and now - Caronia
Swift & Swallow
Century Works
Lewisham
finest quality carpets
for
Caronia public rooms
The two restaurants were named Balmoral and Sandringham in recognition of both Royal and Scottish associations with the ship. Almost identical in design and similar in decoration, each seats 280. Rising through two decks in the centre the raised roof of the Balmoral is formed by a series of shaped panels, veneered in a finely figured quilted birch, pale gold in colour.
At the after end, within a framing of semi-direct lighting, is a centre-piece in “gesso”, metal and colour, complementary to glass panels, wheel-cut and embossed in acid, “Day” and “Night” figures in the classical manner, which are centrally placed each side.
The fitted furniture is carried out in maple burr and mahogany, relieved with silver and golden metals, and the chairs are in toned sycamore upholstered in blue and grey leather.
The Sandringham, aft, contains a most striking decoration at its forward end, showing a clock having an aura of flame across which rides the Sun God in his chariot. This is sandblasted into mirror and filled with gold leaf.
ENTERING the main entrance hall from the Promenade Deck one ascends about three feet to the Cocktail Bar, and further forward, the Observation Lounge, which follows the curve of the bridge with views forward over the bows. Motifs in cast bronze in dull golden panels in the service recess have masques of Neptune with playful bacchantes and fawns. A light balustrading of decorative silver metal edges a low balcony in the Lounge.
Abaft the (Forward square on Prom Deck) main entrance hall and main lounge hall, which gives access to the main shop and radio reception office, is the Main Lounge with doors and screen of silver bronze with golden metal grilles.
Seventy-two feet long, with a high central roof, the panelling, in pale golden mottled Canadian maple, rises the full height of the wall at the after end to frame a portrait of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Over the door screen at the opposite end this panelling is repeated and decorated with a work in lacquer and gesso by F. H. Coventry entitled “Horses Released from Work”. Green, peach and fawn are used contrastingly in chair coverings, while a light apple green is used as a foil to the golden velvet curtains.
24 Buckenham Gate,
Access to the Theatre is from the amidships entrance hall. The sloping auditorium seats 285 and is a wide egg-shaped amphitheatre rising through two decks. Individual tip-up arm-chairs are liberally spaced in rows forming wide arcs, and seats, backs and armrests are deeply sprung. Cabin passengers have the use of the theatre at certain times on the North Atlantic passage.
The Cabin Class LoungeFurther aft on the Promenade Deck the Cabin Lounge, for the use of cabin passengers when the “Caronia” is on the North Atlantic run, is panelled principally in thuya burr of fine figure and colour. The general scheme is fawn, rust and green. Six hundred volumes are stored in the deep bookcase alcoves.
“The Spirit of Youth” might be the title of the green bronze figure by Barney Seale over the fireplace, while the idea of youth is continued in the marquetry by John Pringle, representing flowers.
The Verandah Café, situated on the Sports Deck and approached by the amidships staircase, has cast decorative silver bronze double doors, while wide metal screen doors overlook an outer deck space. These screens can be opened up to allow, with a central band platform, dancing both under cover and on deck.
Two mural panels by Miss Margaret Blundell represent a mid-European country dance group for “Summer” and a hunting scene in similar setting for “Winter”. Their bright colours are emphasised in the long green curtains with a vivid pattern of red, cream and black. A parquetry dance floor is laid under the pale green carpet with its grape-vine pattern in red and black.
The deck outside with its outer ladderways to the Sun Deck can be completed for cruising as a Lido with standard lighting and festoons of coloured lights. Lower still on a subsidiary deck is the open swimming pool which is covered with deck boards when not required.
The pool slopes from 5 to 7 feet in depth and is 24 feet by 16. It is surrounded by grey-green Westmorland stone and has bottom and sides lined with ivory-glazed briquettes.
The Cabin Smoking Room and Cocktail Bar, at the aft end of “A” Deck, contains a fireplace, built of narrow brick and tile, with a cast bronze decorative grille to the fire recess. The bronze panel above by C. Cameron Baillie shows Sir Walter Raleigh in silver metal of low relief.
An amusing mural over the cocktail bar in three colours by Nicolas Bentley depicts a Victorian scene with emphasis and mannerisms peculiar to the time.
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Page last updated on Mon, 02 Jun 2025
