RMS Caronia Timeline: Virtual Spring Mediterranean Cruise

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Gibraltar Arrival

15 May 1966

Sunday Arrive Gibraltar 8am - Depart 12.30pm

15 May
programme

At Sea
Steaming Gibraltar to Tangier 30 miles

Arrive Tangier 3pm

The brochure extols…
The Rock of Gibraltar, 1,396ft. high, is situated on a peninsula inside the Mediterranean end of the Strait, and is considered to be one of the two legendary Pillars of Hercules. Its present name, meaning “Tarik's Mountain”, commemorates its capture in the year 711 by the Moors under the leadership of Tãrik ibn Ziyãd.

No organised Shore programme will be offered at Gibraltar but passengers will have an opportunity to go ashore to visit the many shops offering luxury goods from all over the world at free-port prices, or browse around this charming little town.

Gibraltar and Tangier

Gibraltar 1959

Gibraltar, 1966

Gibraltar, A Proud History

In the year 711 A.D. the Arab conquerors of North Africa crossed the Straits to the European mainland under the command of Tãrik ibn Ziyãd and occupied the heights above and around Algeciras including the Rock.

It became known as the Gibel Tarik, or Hill of Tarik. The castle built by the Moors still stands as a reminder of those bygone days.

For seven and a half centuries the Rock was in Moorish hands but was recaptured by the Spanish in 1462. Spain held the Rock until the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704.

Gibraltar's Water Catchments
The steep flanks of the Rock of Gibraltar support
paved “catchments” for collecting rainwater
[Image: 1964 Shore Tour Brochure]

An Anglo-Dutch fleet under the command of the English Vice-Admiral Sir George Rooke captured the Rock in 1704, and despite various attempts by the Spanish to regain possession it has remained since the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, a British Colony.

Gibraltar Map

The historic rock, a spur of Jurassic limestone rises from the Mediterranean, an impressive steep wall, joined to the mainland by a sandy spit of land. It has been employed as a formidable fortress and the defence works have been constantly strengthened. In an age of submarines and aircraft, however, although still an important commercial port of call, it is no longer the “key that locks the Mediterranean”.

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Gibraltar: General Information

Language

English and Spanish

Landing Place

The ship anchors off shore. Passengers are transported ashore by large shore tenders. The tenders arrive and depart from the Passenger Wharf and tourist bureau. Times of tenders will be advised in the daily programme of events.

Currency

One Gibraltar £ = £1 (Sterling)
One Gibraltar £ = approx. $2.80 (U.S.)

Situation

Gibraltar is a promontory jutting out from the south west coast of Spain with a total area of 2.1 sq. miles. The highest point on the “Rock” is 1,396 ft. above sea level. The town is built on the western slope facing the bay and faces the Spanish port of Algeciras.

Climate

The climate is very mild and temperate.

Average temperature

60°F - 70°F

Transport - Taxis

For one or two passengers 2/- for first mile then 6d. each additional quarter mile.
Every passenger over two additional 1/- each.
All taxis on meter system
Taxis may be hired by the hour by agreement between driver and passenger the rate being approx. £1. lOs.

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Hotels and Restaurants

Rock Hotel, Europa Road
Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay
Queens Hotel, Grand Parade
Bristol Hotel, Cathedral Square
Mediterranean Hotel
Copacabana Restaurant, Main Street
El Sombrero, Cornwalls Parade
Fox and Hounds, Irish Town
Ascot, Main Street
The Mermaid, Catalan Bay
The Casino:
A new International Sporting Club with a fully equipped Casino, night club, shops and restaurant overlooking the bay

Shopping

Gibraltar has many well stocked bazaars and shops. The principal shopping centre is Main Street. As there is no local purchase tax, such items as Swiss watches, German cameras, lighters, transistor radios, binoculars, perfumes, tweeds, etc., attract buyers from afar.
Also to be found in the Indian bazaars and the European shops are Spanish pottery, mantillas, fans, Indian ivory, Chinese jade and Italian embroidery. Saccone & Speed Limited in Main Street are the chief suppliers of wines, spirits and tobaccos.

Bathing facilities

Small but good beaches to be found Catalan Bay, Sandy Bay and Eastern Beach on the eastern side, Camp Bay on the western side. The Montagu Sea Bathing Pavilion situated in Queens Way is open during the season - May through to October.

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Places of Interest

The Apes: Normally roam the Upper Rock which is accessible for cars. Photographing and sketching are permitted. Hang on to your handbags and other property!
Catalan Bay: A small fishing village on the eastern side only accessible by vehicle through tunnels hewn out during the war.
Europa Point: Lighthouse situated on the southern tip of the promontory. The tower is 160 ft. above sea level and its light is visible for about 30 miles.
St. Michael's Cave: The largest cave in the Rock approximately 1,000 ft. above sea level with an area of 20,000 sq. ft. Has very fine stalactites and stalagmites.
Moorish Castle: Built by Tãrik ibn Ziyãd in the year 711 A.D. The tower of homage, terraces, battlements and walls still bear the scars of many sieges.
Alameda Gardens: Beautiful flowers, lovely walks and fine views of harbours and bay.
Gibraltar Museum: Many of Gibraltar's most historic and valuable relics including a large model of the Rock in 1865.
The Galleries: Hewn and blasted out of the Rock during the Great Siege the galleries are of vast size and said to be unsurpassed in any part of the World.

RMS Caronia Timeline

1966 Virtual Spring Cruise

Gibraltar
15 May 1966

Luxurious ocean travel aboard a world-famous British cruise liner

Gibraltar Arrival

15 May 1966

Gibraltar, A Proud History

Gibraltar: General Information

Places of Interest