The “Elite Laundry” Calls
In a conversation with the late Ave Quin, I was reminded of an expected clarion call every time Caronia docked in New York. For this story to have the required effect you will need to modify the pronunciation of Elite from “Elle-eat” to “Eeeee-light”.
It was common in several ports around the World, when the ship was docked overnight, that trusted local traders were allowed to tout their wares in the crew quarters. Probably none was quite as distinctive as the LGBT gay guy from the Elite Laundry in New York.
All these years later, a lot of mirth is caused when shipmates meet up and someone decides to announce their arrival, (with mandatory tea-pot pose, one hand on hip, the other emulating the spout!), by calling out in a shrill and very camp voice…
Elite Laundry…
Your mother's here.
Back before you send it!!
Once heard, there was no doubting that you had docked in New York! As this local merchant made, or should I say “minced”, his way round the crew quarters depositing his laundry bags, so his trademark call grew louder.
We'll laugh with some gusto all these years later; but back then the guy knew how to drum up business and he did a roaring trade. A call to New York on board a Cunard ship once he'd retired, would never be the same!
Within hours of it being collected, your laundry was returned all nicely ironed and beautifully wrapped in a neat paper bundle, tied with string and a pink label. Your shirts, for example, would come back to you as if you were unwrapping a brand new one, complete with tissue-paper placed between the folds.
To put this into context, I should perhaps add that as waiters, or even as Commis Waiters, we took great pride in our appearance, both above and below decks. The very idea of wearing anything creased was totally out of the question.
Moreover, the laundry service was dead cheap! At least you could start the next cruise looking smart. Probably the main benefit was not worrying about your “dhobi” . Instead you had more time to go ashore and explore all the delights of New York. Time would always fly by in that port, no matter the duration of your stay.
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