A Temporary Structure
Built 1949
It was Captain Sorrell, way back in 1949, who sought to construct a “temporary” swimming pool for the crew on the port side of the foredeck. Not only that, the solid wooden frame with a treated canvas lining would become the scene of many ‘atrocities’ enacted when Caronia “Crossed the Line”.
Caronia suffered quite severe damage to her foredeck on two separate occasions toward the close of Mediterranean Cruises. The first was on leaving Gibraltar last month, heading to Lisbon. The second whilst heading North through the Bay of Biscay in 1967.
The “temporary” crew pool during the 1959 Crossing the Line
ceremony
[Photo: Courtesy of Roger Debbage]Several Rebuilds
The pool was an early casualty in both these storms, as it floated off the foredeck, carried like the empty box that it was, straight over the side. It was always drained overnight and not refilled if inclement weather was forecast, which left it vulnerable. Over the lifetime of the ship the pool was rebuilt several times.
Of course, the pool was the centrepiece for the “Shellback Ceremony” on the only 2 occasions annually that the ship sailed that far South. Directly behind the deckhouse another platform and stage was erected with steps, gangway and a ramp leading to the pool.
This structure was dismantled and stored in the hold soon after the close of ceremonies. Whilst being on watch from the crow's nest was often a lonely job, it had its occasional distractions like the scene depicted here.
To see the complete picture, head to the Crossing the Line feature.
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