One of the Cunard menu covers used on board the “Green Goddess” featured a bridge wing which at first sight,
from the livery, could be confused as being that of the Caronia. The give-away is the curve on the forward edge.
The menu actually depicts the bridge wing of the RMS Mauretania which received the Cunard Cruising Green livery in 1962.
Although Caronia was initially conceived as a sister ship to the Mauretania, the delay caused by WWII in building
Caronia ensured that there were few similarities between the two ships.
Prior to the war, it was believed that two ships were needed to help fill gaps when either of Cunard's Queens were in
overhaul. The Mauretania, although slightly larger than the Caronia, had a profile similar to that of the much larger
RMS Queen Elizabeth. Caronia, particularly with her huge single funnel and no fore and aft masts, would always be
easily distinguishable from her fleet-mate.
Caronia's port side bridge wing
Thanks to former AB Roger Birch, I'm now able to show Caronia's port side bridge wing. Quite apart from
the front curve, the main difference is that none of the woodwork on board Caronia, deck or handrails,
appears to be varnished. Another is the shade of green used on the front cowling.
What's also clearly visible is the lighter-shade deck planking aboard Caronia. Because of a shortage of bulk hard-woods
so soon after WWII, European Larch was used instead of Teak, as seen on the “Morrie”.
Behind the officer is one of Caronia's several floodlights that illuminated the boat deck below. The photograph
was taken on the approach to Merok in the Geiranger Fjord on the 1964 North Cape Cruise.
Log Abstract… At: 12 Noon 01:00 (GMT) Position: 33.29N | 165.48E Travelled: 456 miles
Gentle to strong Easterly winds, mod. to rough sea, mod. swell, overcast
Clocks advanced 1 hour at Midnight
05 April 1962
At Sea
Steaming East Yokohama to Honolulu 3,400 miles
Log Abstract… At: 12 Noon 00:00 (GMT) Position: 31.49N | 174.24E Travelled: 446 miles
Moderate to gale force Easterly winds, rough sea, moderate swell, cloudy
Crossed International Date Line
05 April 1962
At Sea
Day gained for Eastbound crossing of International Date Line
Log Abstract… At: 12 Noon 24:00 (GMT) Position: 29.22N | 177.01W Travelled: 467 miles
Moderate to gentle Northerly winds, mod. to slight sea, mod. swell, cloudy
Clocks advanced 1 hour at Midnight
06 April 1962
At Sea
Steaming East Yokohama to Honolulu 3,400 miles
27 April 1962
28 April 1962
29 April 1962
30 April 1962
At New York
Sunday
Crewman Thomas Morris (21), a cook on the Caronia was shot and wounded on Saturday 28 April whilst
enjoying a sightseeing trip with Phillip Baxter (22) on the main deck of a Hudson River Day Line
Boat. He was taken to hospital, where his condition was reported as not serious.
photo-strip 