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The Topaz which was launched in June 1955 as the Empress of Britain is in Piraeus today and tomorrow, 12th / 13th July.
Her present voyage as 'The Peace Boat ' includes calls at Bilbao on the 20th July, Amsterdam on the 23rd July, Copenhagen on the 25th July, Bergen on the 27th July and Dublin on the 31st July.
From Dublin her round the world voyage will take her across the Atlantic Ocean and she is due in New York on the 9th August.
She then sails through the Panama Canal and is programmed to call at several other ports including Vancouver and Alaska before arriving back in Kobe, Japan on the 20th September.
Neil ( Bob )
Topaz Visit NYC
Photos from the visit
Rich
quote:Originally posted by NAL: She was a great "moaner" and "groaner" in heavy seas as I remember.
You're absolutely right--the panelling in her cabins and corridors really creaked in heavy weather--that's a memory I had forgotten. You certainly don't hear those sounds on the modern cruise ships!
guess i should try harder next time
The Empress of Britain, - never sailed her but in October ’69 I sailed her ‘almost twin’ sister - The Empress of England– “Saturday, October 4, 1969 – Montreal to Liverpool.
It was reasonably mild for that time of year – the drop in temperature, almost as soon as we were out of the St. Lawrence, was quite drastic. Within a few hours, icebergs were sighted, most everyone came on deck – awe inspiring, magnificent sight! I know I took pictures but they are now not to be found…….it was the start of a rough crossing, in more ways than one.
I recall the ‘cigarette end’ containers’ -the wood paneling creaking, and how it creaked!!! – the dance floor, down which one could do nothing but ‘go with the flow’ as she rocked and rolled; – the pool closed! ….it was what could be called a ‘rough ride’! ‘Stabilizers’, if they were really there, broke down or were never employed. Guess I have ‘sea legs’ and ’salt water in my veins’ – I never missed a meal!
If memory serves, I posted here about that trip - I wasn’t, at that time, even sure of the ship on which I’d travelled!– ‘ our’ Pam, a fountain of information, came up with the answer.
Now in ‘organizing’ mode, I have in my hand the Passenger List for that crossing. Captain P.A. Denham ‘drove’ the ship – Officers and crew are listed – all the way down to the Dancers and Singers. 71 in First Class – the balance (me included) travelled Tourist Class.
Interesting to recall that my table, for four, was increased to a table for 8 – “it’s too ‘stuffy’ in First Class!”
Memories, memories!!! Perhaps a bit ‘OT’…Joe! - it's your call!
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