Another area of the Green Goddess that was rarely photographed was her Gymnasium. Situated at the aft end of the Cabin
stairwell, right down on “D Deck”, it was the lowest place on the ship with passenger access. Unlike other
ships in the fleet, there was very little class segregation, though First Class passengers did have quite a walk to get
to and from their reserved sessions.
Inside Caronia's gymnasium
The Gymnasium was probably the most claustrophobic place in the entire ship. This was made all the more evident when the
ship was at sea. This low-roofed metal box of a room acted just like the internals of a speaker, amplifying all the
mechanical sounds associated with the propeller. In a storm, it was probably the most uncomfortable place to visit.
Reginald Gabbe from Australia writes…
When at sea, this room was used for R.A.O.B. meetings. On the 1958 Great World Cruise I remember John Sherman
was R.A.O.B. Master and Crew Writer John Harrison was Secretary. Many a good night was had on a Sunday at sea.
All the “Buffs” went ashore to a lodge meeting in Singapore.
The Dur Yolcu Memorial
Sited at the entrance to the Dardanelles, the English translation means “Traveller Halt!”. These days the
building on the shoreline is almost hidden by trees and a Turkish flag flies high above the soldier's outstretched arm.
My recollection of that day was how appreciative everybody was, both passengers and crew, of the tremendous bravery
and loss of life that took place on this strategic piece of seaway all those years ago. The description of events
given by the Cruise Lecturer Robert Kuhlman, made this a very evocative morning indeed!
Mediterranean 
