A Delay
With Caronia's funnel now known to act as an unwanted sail at low speeds, leaving the docks and negotiating the narrow channels of Southampton Water was no small consideration. It was the call at Le Havre to collect passengers and a dropping tide that decided the final departure time, storm or not.

A Bit of a Damp Start
The musicians’ quarters on board ship were near the stern on the starboard side of “B” Deck. Well before departure there would have been Bridge issued instructions that deadlights on “Restaurant” Deck and below be closed. Responsibility for this would be down to the occupants once told by their steward.

Deadlights are heavy cast-iron porthole covers. They are usually hinged at the top and have two or three huge securing lugs. They are designed to provide protection for the porthole glass by providing an airtight seal behind that helps the glass resist the huge forces of the moving water.

It seems that whoever received the message didn't act upon it right away, and as Alan describes, there will be two 12inch diameter holes through which a remorseless amount of water can be thrown by a rough sea. It'll take just a single wave to cause absolute chaos.

The leaving open of deadlights on these lower decks caused issues a few times in Caronia's career. On one occasion it was Southampton Fire Brigade that were called to pump out water because there was flooding through overwhelmed scuppers.

James Robertson Justice was a British actor probably best remembered for portraying pompous authority figures in film comedies including those in the “Doctor” series.

Bob Boothby, who wasn't raised to the Peerage until 1958, was a Conservative politician who lived quite a colourful life. While campaigning to legalise LGBT homosexuality in Parliament on the one hand, it is said he had many connections to the “underworld” on the other, including the Kray Twins.

Tossing a coin for heads or tails often confirmed decisions that could possibly lead to conflict. Alan and the band dine at the forward end of the Sandringham Restaurant on the starboard side. Another anomaly was that he usually attend the passenger boat drills and crew boat drills when the ship is in port.

In July 1954 Britain had just relinquished use of ration books. Can you imagine what his wife felt like as Alan describes his meal? It's certain that Turbot was not on the slabs of too many fishmongers ashore, simply because no-one could afford it!