Log Abstract… At: 5.36am (LT) Rio de Janeiro arrival Weather: Light var airs, rippled sea, cloudy, some light rain Passage: 1 day, 15 hours, 24 mins. Voyage Distance: 748 miles Average Speed: 18.98 knots
Rio de Janeiro Arrival
T.R.S…
After two very hot nights and an uneventful day aboard ship, all passengers arose early on Friday, 18 January, to an
entry into the harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tall modern buildings extend all along the bay shore. Like New York,
Rio is built on solid granite and the shoreline along the wharf steps off into 100 feet of water. Hundreds of ships of
all types and sizes ride at anchor in the bay.
An airport of about 40 acres juts out into the bay where air transports take off in all directions at an average of
about 100 planes per hour. Took a motor trip around the city - visited giant new stadium of solid concrete, the zoo,
botanical gardens, then swung away from old Rio, out along a five-mile stretch of closely-compacted apartment buildings,
all 10 to 15 storeys tall, mostly new and well occupied.
Rio de Janeiro seen from Sugar Loaf area
[Photo: Caronia 1952: The Blouin Collection]
These buildings face the ocean front and a heavy surf comes pounding up on the perfect sand beach where thousands of
people are swimming and dozing about in the sand. Hundreds of new apartment buildings are in course of construction -
even with cement at 100cz. (about $4) per 120lb. bag.
Exchange value of money varies. If you are in a rush or encounter an emergency, the dollar is worth about 20 cruzeiros,
but to clinch a sale, a vendor will accept American dollars at 30czs. each. The normal rate is about 25czs/4cents each.
Aerial view of Corcovado and Rio Bay
[Image: GFB Postcard, Courtesy of George Peterson]
Ashore in Rio
T.R.S…
Wide, clean avenidas are full of people and cars. A great luxury of shade trees and landscaping beautifies downtown
thoroughfares.
Off to the south is famous Sugar Loaf Mountain accessible by small hanger-cars suspended on inclined cables. Hundreds
of sightseers make the trip daily. To the west another mountain peak is topped by a 120feet statue of Christ
- very impressive.
On the return to the ship for luncheon, we received letters from home and statements from the office. I can't understand
how they get along so well without me there!
Ashore again - visited a rocky and rugged sea jetty where 100-foot waves hit rocks and churn milk-like foam - also an
ancient Indian fortress back in the foothills, consisting of immense boulders laid up by nature, creating endless
caverns capable of shielding thousands of people from hostile attack.
Rio is an architectural gem. In spite of intense religious fervour, its natives are very superstitious and live by lax
moral standards. Crime and dishonesty are accepted human frailties, soon forgiven, quickly forgotten and seldom punished.
About the Brazilian Peoples
T.R.S…
Brazilians are very indifferent to Americans and make no pretense of extending the hand of welcome. They rate all
Americans as millionnaires and expect them to pay in full.
Botafogo Beach and Sugar Loaf, Rio de Janeiro
[Image: 1950s Postcard]
Natives are clean and neat and happy-go-lucky by nature. Live only for today and tonight with no thought of tomorrow.
Illiteracy is high. English almost unknown. Education is mostly by private schools. Public schools exist, but
attendance is not compulsory.
A couple of good old-fashioned American winters would be beneficial to habits and morals. Cost of living is as high as
in Ohio - but wages are about one-third as much. Of course, little fuel or shelter is needed.
Rio de Janeiro Image: 1952 Africa-India brochure
Poor people “squat” on land of the rich and live in palm-leaf thatched, self-built hovels. When ousted,
they simply “squat” somewhere else. Accepted rent control solution: Pay nothing!
“Good” Brazilian coffee tastes like quinine and when sweetened is thick as a syrup. Native gem speciality
is aquamarine, a pale blue jewel available in many shops and sized up to 100 carats - price about $10 to $15 per carat.
Topaz and amethyst also abundant. Mountings are mostly cheap and flimsy. A large Brazilian mural in the National City
Bank of New York branch is an outstanding attraction in Rio.
T.R.S…
Saturday night we had cocktails and dinner with some fellow passengers at famous Copacabana Hotel - a gay spot. 'tis
said natives bring their mistresses here on Saturday evenings and their wives on Sunday. If true, we saw some very
attractive mistresses and their manners were impeccable.
Dance band played typical Carioca music continuously from 9pm till 2am. Musicians exchange places at frequent intervals
without skipping a note, and swing from one popular number into another without interruption. Entertainment and food
both good.
Front of Quitandinha Palace hotel at Petropolis
[Photo: Caronia 1952: The Blouin Collection]
Promptly at 5pm. Sunday (January 20) the Caronia crew heaved anchor, three tugs with heavy cable lines hitched fore and
aft pulled vessel away from wharf, and in 10 minutes we were headed out to sea under our own power en route to St.
Helena, five days away. Sun shining bright, with shoreline and skyline of Rio forming gorgeous backdrop for our departure.
20 January 1952
Sunday At Rio
Log Abstract… At: 5.48pm (LT) Rio de Janeiro departure
Log Abstract… At: 12 Noon Position: 17.13S | 11.22W Travelled: 469 miles
Light to mod E. breeze, slight sea & swell, cloudy, occasional showers
333 nmi to St Helena
