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Well, one can visit the Queen Mary at Long Beach, California. I assume Queen Elizabeth was in many ways similar with her interior design, etc., or, am I right? They have of course changed many things in the present day Queen Mary. Still one can see the promenades and many first class lounges (much) in the original appearance. The 2nd class/ tourist class (?) areas aft are now all changed (was there a 3rd class?). And the long corridors running almost the entire length of the vessel on cabin decks are like they used to be. One can stay overnight there.
They tell that there are "ghosts" on Queen Mary, that's one of the themes tourists may find out, when visiting the vessel. How about Queen Elizabeth, were there stories of ghosts?
How about the Seawise University, was she supposed to be catering for US markets or internationally? Did they plan to convert the whole vessel or were they putting the students to the former cabins? There have later been several "floating universities" sailing around the world. I think a floating university is generally speaking a very good idea. Wish I could have attended one.
CliveH, sorry that I haven't read your book.
I found Queen Mary very nice. As I went there it was pretty empty and I had almost the full ship "for myself". The stores were open and I ate a pizza in the boat deck diner. And the city of Long Beach offered a fully free bus shuttle from the downtown Long Beach to the ship. On the way back I got lost in the public transportation system of Los Angeles (after dark), but at the end found my way fortunately to my hotel.
They tell that there are "ghosts" on Queen Mary, that's one of the themes tourists may find out, when visiting the vessel. How about Queen Elizabeth, were there stories of ghosts?
How about the Seawise University, was she supposed to be catering for US markets or internationally? Did they plan to convert the whole vessel or were they putting the students to the former cabins? There have later been several "floating universities" sailing around the world. I think a floating university is generally speaking a very good idea. Wish I could have attended one.
CliveH, sorry that I haven't read your book.
I found Queen Mary very nice. As I went there it was pretty empty and I had almost the full ship "for myself". The stores were open and I ate a pizza in the boat deck diner. And the city of Long Beach offered a fully free bus shuttle from the downtown Long Beach to the ship. On the way back I got lost in the public transportation system of Los Angeles (after dark), but at the end found my way fortunately to my hotel.
OK CliveH, thanks for message, perhaps the ghosts were invented in California (Hollywood is nearby)...
P.S. For the floating university activities there is actually a good wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semester_at_Sea
Having seen these Semester at Sea vessels myself, I just learned about the thing more. It seems to be all coordinated as the same activity from the days of the project Seawise University. By the way, a very good idea although the semester fees are probably quite high...
P.S. For the floating university activities there is actually a good wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semester_at_Sea
Having seen these Semester at Sea vessels myself, I just learned about the thing more. It seems to be all coordinated as the same activity from the days of the project Seawise University. By the way, a very good idea although the semester fees are probably quite high...
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Made two crossings in the ELIZABETH in 1968. Twenty Sea Cadets from Bermuda heading to Whale Island for 'Square Bashing'. Sailed from FRANCONIA Bermuda to New York. Five days at Floyd Bennett Air Base as guests of the US Navy.
First day at the Air Base the USN Petty Officer gave us a grilling. "There is a beer machine in the canteen." We are told it was off limits. (ages between 14 to 16) "If any of you are caught you will have to wake up during the night at every hour, on the hour. Get in full uniform, march over to the Canteen and drink a beer and then march back to the barracks. I warn you!" The 'mudian cadets thought it over and our leader (me... Petty Officer) said , "Who pays for the beer?" Well, we were a lost cause!
After 5 days at NY we boarded QUEEN ELIZABETH for crossing to Cobh, Cherbourg and Southampton. Tourist Class passengers, but had the run of the ship. Some of us managed to convince some of the bar stewards in the Observation Bar to give us a few beers. Our Lt. went to the Chief Officer and said, "Twenty boys able to work... for free!" On sea days they gave up afternoons to work after lunch. Scrubbed the bridge, polished all the brass and generally keep busy. We all had a short 'trick' at the wheel. Even did a bit of lookout.... all the way up 118 steps up the Crow's Nest. Next two days we spent holystoning the starboard side of the Boat Deck and the after mooring deck. The last sea day.... sweeping... the whole length of C Deck Working Alleyway.
The only problem on the voyage. The passengers saw us working on deck... in our No. 8 gear. They simply thought we were deck crowd. Evening we were in best No. 1 blues... in the restaurant and then roaming the lounges. Passengers complained to the Purser that "Crew are using our lounges!" When told who we were... no problem. A bit of laugh.
On arrival So'ton... a week to HMS EXCELLENT at Whale Island. Great time. Spent a week at HMS DOLPHIN and some time at R.M. Eastney. A day on board HMS BELFAST and also HMS DRYAD... school for damage control. After week headed to Surbiton for a weekend the Sea Cadet's boating school 'Raven's Ait'.
Then up to London for two weeks at T.S. CORWALL, SCC at East Ham. Tours of London... as any youngsters on holiday. At the Tower we met a fellow who was the Queen's physician. He had a connection with Bermuda and he arranged so we could spend the evening in the Tower and see the 'Ceremony of the Keys'.
One of my most important days on my own, planned .... went down to Tilbury to go on board the m.v. ANTRIM. Up to the Pilot's Cabin for a two hour interview with Captain Coats, Marine Superintendent with Trinder Anderson. A bit of a grilling... not that bad. I was just 15 so still two years to finish up school and GCEs etc. In the end... J&J Denholm. Close call.... I would have ended up with P&O.
Initially we were then to head back to Bermuda in the FRANCE. For some reason that was cancelled so we remained in London and then down to Southampton to join QUEEN ELIZABETH.... in Second Class. Liz Taylor & Richard Burton on board... turned around in the Cinema and they were sitting behind me.
On the westbound voyage... via Le Havre we were given the run of the ship. Not so much 'working', but touring the ship and seeing there was to see. Engine Room from aft to all the way through to No. 1 Boiler Room. Last meeting on board, the 20 cadets with a serious and welcome chat with the Master, Commodore Geoffrey Marr. Told us about all what was required for a life at sea. It was what I wanted, but out of the 20 boys I was the only went away to sea. One went into the church and a few went into the army.
Arrival New York... sent again to Floyd Bennett Field for five days. Did the tourist thing of New York with guests of the US Navy.... including a one hour flight in an old transport. My first time in an aircraft.
Eventually back to FRANCONIA and sailed down to Bermuda. Over two months away. First Class experience so I obviously I have a soft spot for QUEEN ELIZABETH and FRANCONIA. I guess the thought today set off about steering the ELIZABETH. Thankfully I kept notes from those old days.
Stephen
First day at the Air Base the USN Petty Officer gave us a grilling. "There is a beer machine in the canteen." We are told it was off limits. (ages between 14 to 16) "If any of you are caught you will have to wake up during the night at every hour, on the hour. Get in full uniform, march over to the Canteen and drink a beer and then march back to the barracks. I warn you!" The 'mudian cadets thought it over and our leader (me... Petty Officer) said , "Who pays for the beer?" Well, we were a lost cause!
After 5 days at NY we boarded QUEEN ELIZABETH for crossing to Cobh, Cherbourg and Southampton. Tourist Class passengers, but had the run of the ship. Some of us managed to convince some of the bar stewards in the Observation Bar to give us a few beers. Our Lt. went to the Chief Officer and said, "Twenty boys able to work... for free!" On sea days they gave up afternoons to work after lunch. Scrubbed the bridge, polished all the brass and generally keep busy. We all had a short 'trick' at the wheel. Even did a bit of lookout.... all the way up 118 steps up the Crow's Nest. Next two days we spent holystoning the starboard side of the Boat Deck and the after mooring deck. The last sea day.... sweeping... the whole length of C Deck Working Alleyway.
The only problem on the voyage. The passengers saw us working on deck... in our No. 8 gear. They simply thought we were deck crowd. Evening we were in best No. 1 blues... in the restaurant and then roaming the lounges. Passengers complained to the Purser that "Crew are using our lounges!" When told who we were... no problem. A bit of laugh.
On arrival So'ton... a week to HMS EXCELLENT at Whale Island. Great time. Spent a week at HMS DOLPHIN and some time at R.M. Eastney. A day on board HMS BELFAST and also HMS DRYAD... school for damage control. After week headed to Surbiton for a weekend the Sea Cadet's boating school 'Raven's Ait'.
Then up to London for two weeks at T.S. CORWALL, SCC at East Ham. Tours of London... as any youngsters on holiday. At the Tower we met a fellow who was the Queen's physician. He had a connection with Bermuda and he arranged so we could spend the evening in the Tower and see the 'Ceremony of the Keys'.
One of my most important days on my own, planned .... went down to Tilbury to go on board the m.v. ANTRIM. Up to the Pilot's Cabin for a two hour interview with Captain Coats, Marine Superintendent with Trinder Anderson. A bit of a grilling... not that bad. I was just 15 so still two years to finish up school and GCEs etc. In the end... J&J Denholm. Close call.... I would have ended up with P&O.
Initially we were then to head back to Bermuda in the FRANCE. For some reason that was cancelled so we remained in London and then down to Southampton to join QUEEN ELIZABETH.... in Second Class. Liz Taylor & Richard Burton on board... turned around in the Cinema and they were sitting behind me.
On the westbound voyage... via Le Havre we were given the run of the ship. Not so much 'working', but touring the ship and seeing there was to see. Engine Room from aft to all the way through to No. 1 Boiler Room. Last meeting on board, the 20 cadets with a serious and welcome chat with the Master, Commodore Geoffrey Marr. Told us about all what was required for a life at sea. It was what I wanted, but out of the 20 boys I was the only went away to sea. One went into the church and a few went into the army.
Arrival New York... sent again to Floyd Bennett Field for five days. Did the tourist thing of New York with guests of the US Navy.... including a one hour flight in an old transport. My first time in an aircraft.
Eventually back to FRANCONIA and sailed down to Bermuda. Over two months away. First Class experience so I obviously I have a soft spot for QUEEN ELIZABETH and FRANCONIA. I guess the thought today set off about steering the ELIZABETH. Thankfully I kept notes from those old days.
Stephen
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