RMS Caronia Timeline

Assorted Crew Pictures - Page 2

A Haircut for Charity

We begin this page with a story. On the transatlantic crossing just before the Great World Cruise of 1966, the chap being shorn in this photograph had had a major falling-out with one of the Head Waiters in the Balmoral Restaurant. Apparently he was being given a hard time, in fact it almost came to blows in the galley. However, the guy wasn't going to get himself sent home from New York by going that far!

I'm hoping someone else will recollect this part more clearly, but from memory, I believe that the RAOB were doing their thing with raising funds for charity. So, this guy seized his opportunity by getting his head completely shaven and being sponsored to do so.

Of course, there was no way that his new hairstyle would be acceptable in the 1st class restaurant, so once the Chief Steward got to hear of his antics, he was moved out and placed onto “the gang”.

These were guys that did the behind the scenes chores, especially with maintaining the ship's stores and general portering. I do hope that someone will be able to identify these two.

[Photo: Courtesy of Margaret Bell]

Can you add more information or identify anyone depicted here?
If so, do please get in touch!

Your Personal Space

On board Caronia as a crew member, despite its vast size, your own allocated personal space was six feet long and about three feet wide - yes, your bunk. The steel bulkhead, painted in Cunard “Cruising Green” beside it would be the place to put up calendars, pictures of loved-ones and other trophies, such as pennants from each of the exotic ports visited.

[Photo: Courtesy of Joan Cockell, via Ave Quin]

[Photo: Courtesy of John Redhead]

[Photo: Courtesy of Pete Davison]