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With Reuben Goossens
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Author, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer and Maritime Lecturer
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the are seeking, but above all a great deal of pleasure!
Orient
Line / P&O Lines
S.S. Oronsay
Rick’s
1962 World Voyage
Sailing
Westward from San Francisco to London
With
Rick Danley
SS
Oronsay at anchor
This
page contains Rick’s story regarding his seven-week long voyage on the SS
Oronsay. He compiled it some time back and is it based he tells me from his
memories combined with Oronsay’s daily “Good Morning Today
Events” sheets and the vast amount of memorabilia that he has retained
from this memorable voyage. I am sure that we will not only enjoy Rick’s
story, but also savour the many photographs, menus and other items of
memorabilia to be found on this and the following pages.
Please Note:
All photographs and images on this and associated pages related to this story
were taken by or provided to ssMaritime by Rick Danley. They are protected by ©
and may not be copied for any use, personal or media without prior written
consent.
Reuben Goossens
Maritime
Historian.
*******************************
Page One
Across America
/ San Francisco to Hong
Kong
My Father Joe was very creative with family
vacations. Every other year, my Dad, Mom and I would go on a long journey to
far away places. This summer would be
the grandest of all.
“Landfall
and departure mark the rhythmical swing of a Seaman’s life and of a
ship’s career.
From
land to land is the most concise definition of a ship’s earthly fate.”
Conrad,
The Mirror of the Sea - Printed on SS Oronsay’s “Landfall
Dinner” menu on July 9, 1962.
Thursday
June 21.
An overnight on Pennsylvania Railroad’s
“The General” - the first leg of our 2,500-plus miles westward trek
to San Francisco
where we will join SS Oronsay. This was another of my long train trips, and
second on “The General.”
Friday June 22.
Arrive Union Station, Chicago in the morning
and depart at 3:10 PM aboard the spectacular “California Zephyr”
for our three day cross country journey.
Follow
this grand cross USA
journey by rail on the “California Zephyr”
Monday
June 25.
After three days with sweeping
Vista-Dome views of the snow-capped Rockies and Feather
River Canyon, we
arrive at 3rd and Townsend Streets, San
Francisco in late afternoon. My first glimpse of the
Oronsay is during the cab ride to the hotel. She has been in port since the
23rd. We make a brief stop to drop off luggage. Though the bulk of the Oronsay
is hidden from sight, her funnel with name emblazoned beneath seems to tower
overhead. This is certainly not an insignificant ship, I thought.
Our tickets and boarding pass are all ready
for tomorrow.
The
Danley Family P&O ticket
Tuesday
June 26.
We board the ship around ten in the morning.
For the next seven weeks, cabin B-32 on Oronsay will be my home. I have a small
cabin to myself as my Mom ‘n’ Dad have chosen cabin B-36 that is a
little more spacious and it has a private toilet! Their cabin is located down
the next hall. My First Class room is pleasant, inside, no window or porthole,
nor a toilet and shower. Still, it is mine and the toilets and showers are just
forward up the hallway. But my cabin does have, in addition to
the bed, a chair, telephone, a bureau, closet and a sink. A small rug covers
some of the linoleum. The full room lighting is rather unflattering, but the
reading lamp above the bed is much nicer. The lights in the hallways are also
very clinical as it reflects off the linoleum floors.
Just
aft is the large central and main First Class foyer on B-deck and it is home to
the Purser’s Bureau and the famed Cabin B-61, that is known as “The
Flat, being a very special Suite, it is Oronsay’s most celebrated
accommodation. Happily my cabin is well forward of the often congested foyer.
I store my two suitcases beneath the
bed. I had a rather meagre wardrobe to unpack. Much unused space in the bureau
drawers remains. But, my Mom had urged
me to leave room for souvenirs, and especially a new sport coat from Hong Kong. So I
took her advice to heart and scrimped. Enough shirts, but not
so many pants or shorts. A couple pair of deck pants - some might call
them clam diggers - make a nice compromise. I also had two new pairs of
swimming trunks which I had anticipated putting to heavy use. Footwear takes
minimal space as I bring only what I wear at the moment – a decent
rubber-soled pair, comfortable for walking, passable for dress-up; and, in my
suitcase, my favorite sneakers – a low-cut pair
that could challenge at an ugly sneaker contest. These are, regrettably, not
beloved by my parents, who will be especially irked since I included them at
the expense of a newer pair of high-tops. In fairness to Mom ‘n’
Dad, you can see a few of my toes through the frayed holes.
Additionally, there are rubber flip-flops
which I absolutely hate and which I don’t count
as footwear. I put them in only because my Mom insisted I wouldn’t
want to go barefoot much - something I felt very differently about. I may throw them overboard to avoid any
temptation to actually wear them.
My favorite personal
item is my camera, an aging Kodak folding rangefinder model. My Father had
acquired it shortly after World War 2.
It uses a 620 roll film that is not much different from 120 and produces
negatives 2 1/4 by 3 1/4 inches, eight images to a roll. I had to set both
exposure and shutter speed and I had become adept at it. I’d
not scrimped on film and had with me many rolls of color
as well as a few of black and white. I carry it all in a small leather case
which is never far from my sight.
Oronsay’s
daily planner
Having read “Today’s Events” I head up on deck for
the noontime departure. One awaits
the supreme moment. The lines are away and the tugs are churning, the whistles
are bellowing. Uncertainty dominates. Like the huge machine that she is,
Oronsay’s power awakens slowly. One feels first motion as fulfilment
rather than euphoria, sensing it before seeing it. Now is the true beginning.
Thereafter, movement becomes more and more
pronounced until finally the tugs back off and the ship sails. The already
distant Oakland Bay
Bridge recedes further behind…er, aft; Alcatraz slides by on the right…er, starboard; in front…er,
forward is the Golden Gate
Bridge looming ever larger. I have
shipboard terminology to master now.
SS
Oronsay is seen here decked with flags, looking festive!
Looking
towards San Francisco
as we depart
I
am up forward taking this shot of her fore decks with the Golden gate
We
are heading into the open sea as we leave the Golden Gate
behind us
People who saw
passengers off at the wharf have raced to the Golden Gate
to wave a final farewell. Even though none of them are
there to see me, I vigorously wave back from the Sun Deck, Oronsay’s
uppermost. Her funnel, capped by its distinctive “Welsh Bonnet”,
clears the span with room to spare. Ahead lies the
open sea. It’s a beautiful breezy day. Whitecaps
are prevalent.
Although only 13 years old, I had already
sailed on four ships, the SS Queen of Bermuda (Furness), SS Media (Cunard), SS
Augustus ( Italia), and SS Del Sud (Delta and what a ship!). And now, Oronsay
(P&O-Orient) at 28,000 tons and 708 feet she was the largest of the group,
although she is due to be well topped during our voyage home from England to
New York on the Cunard liner RMS Queen Mary.
Despite the mid-day sailing, passengers are
not left wanting for shipboard events. Two “Interest Films” on
southern California
are shown in the ballroom at 2 and 3:05; lifeboat stations are at 5. There will
be dancing to the ship’s orchestra in the ballroom at 9:15 and Housie
(Bingo) will be played in the Lounge at 9:30. Bingo/Housie Cards are two Shillings
each. Besides port and starboard, I also have to get used to shipboard
currency, as well as the currency of every country we are about to visit.
In the Dinning room we were seated at a table
with a Mr. Peartree who was the 3rd officer. Also on
the table that evening were a few people who had
boarded in Vancouver and who are leaving
tomorrow morning in Long Beach.
I immediately thought of Mr. Peartree years later
when watching Ioan Gruffudd
portray Horatio Hornblower. Our table steward is
named Phillip, a very personable and conscientious young man. He seems way too
young to have been at sea for long. In retrospect, I wished I’d
talked to him more.
Wednesday June 27 - Long Beach (Los Angeles).
This
is our first port of call and the Queen Mary is still a quite few years away
from becoming a harbor fixture here. Mom
‘n’ Dad and I choose an Oronsay featured excursion to Disneyland costing $4.00 each for the tour with an extra
$1.60 each for admission to the park. This is my second visit to the Magic Kingdom
and if I’m not mistaken, the Matterhorn
and the submarine trip are new features since my earlier visit.
My
Mom, Mary Ellen, and I seen at Disneyland and
we all have just been on the Jungle cruise
Oronsay
sails for Honolulu
at midnight. When I awake the next morning, I am truly at sea for a full day!
Thursday June 28.
My life, certainly within wide
and enjoyable parameters, is within the hands of the P&O-Orient Line. Not
just where the ship takes me, but what I eat and what will occupy my time
aboard. The crew is a well-practiced one. They have an Orient Line style and
discipline and they are all British. However, some discipline is expected of
the passengers above and beyond getting to the ship on time.
Around seven each morning, my cabin steward,
Trevor, in one fluid motion knocks on my door, opens it, switches on the
overhead light, takes three steps and
serves me a tray of tea and biscuits. On the tray is my copy of
“Today’s Events”, Oronsay’s daily planner.
Getting passengers up and primed for breakfast
is not merely a P&O courtesy, although turning on that light to rouse one
from sleep hardly seems to be courteous. Trevor has much to do in the early
morning, and he needs you out of bed and around. The ship’s cabins are
inspected by senior officers between eleven and noon. A cabin steward cannot
afford to slack off. Not many days later, I was in my cabin during the
inspection. Afterwards, I was sternly admonished by Trevor about this faux
pas. Maybe it was because I was a kid.
Our dining table is now complete with folk
that we would dine with all the way to England. An elderly couple and a Russian
lady joined us and Mr. Peartree of course. The
Russian lady acts embarrassed to be from Russia, the Cold War never being
far below the surface. The elderly wife brushes it aside, “It’s the
government…” Nonetheless, the Russian lady keeps very much to
herself. She often has her head down. She seems very mysterious and I don’t pry. We will all be aboard for a while and the
food is excellent.
The menus, themselves, are most interesting.
There are two sets. One features handsome watercolor
images of the various local sea craft the Oronsay encounters. The other, has
whimsical depictions and descriptions of the different events such as horse racing, fancy dress ball, etc, as they occur aboard
the ship. We are at the first sittings for
meals: breakfast is at 8:15, lunch at
12:30, and dinner at seven. Tonight is the
Captains official Welcome Aboard party before dinner.
Joe
and Mary Ellen Danley meet Captain Ayles
The movie tonight is
Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”. Though it is already around
a decade old, I was unfamiliar with the film (quite possibly because it didn’t feature a werewolf). Consequently, I found it
thrilling despite it being in black and white. Some years later, I saw this
same film again, but in its original color version
and realized how out of date Oronsay’s copy had been.
Friday June 29.
Oronsay, unlike the great
trans-Atlantic liners, is not laden with expensive art though there are some
pleasant murals here and there. The furniture in the public rooms is most
comfortable, but hardly plush. I find the ship easy to navigate. I was finished
with exploring after departing Long
Beach. I already know my way around while my parents
remain confused.
There is ample room, and everything is light
and airy. One rarely feels crowded, an obvious advantage to sailing First
Class. Also it is relatively informal. I do wear a jacket and tie for dinner,
but I can’t think of when else. There are some
adult events such as the Captain’s Cocktail Party where formality reigns.
Everything else seems very un-stuffy although, that night, I was curtly advised
that the continued lack of footwear in the lounge, especially after dinner, was
not acceptable. Someone had brought the
matter to the attention to one of the stewards.
I was taken aback. On the SS Del Sud to South America two years earlier, no one cared. Why should
Oronsay? (Author’s Note: P&OP is British, that’s
why). My Father acts insulted that the steward found it necessary to issue me
“a reprimand”. Footwear, or the absence of same, would an issue
rearing its head from time to time throughout the voyage.
Competitions in deck quoits and table tennis
commence this morning. The pre-recorded ‘Interest Talk’ is on
(yawn, so boring) “Stabilizers” (and they were really coming into
vogue on ships at this time). There is cricket and Mr. Peartree
is a champ and tonight in the ballroom the film “Roman Holiday” is
shown with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
Post-film, I note a female resident of “The Flat” return to
her rooms emotionally bawling her eyes out. I’d
have gone to comfort her, but at 15, she was way too old for me.
I actually got to visit “The Flat”
several times. There were three kids in the family. Though their Mom was there
from the beginning, the Father wasn’t joining
them until Hong Kong. As I recall, the
adjacent cabin, B-63, was incorporated into The Flat for this trip. This
provided a second bedroom and bath for the kids. I loved the many large
rectangular windows in the sitting area. The view of the sea was marvellous - a
perfect height above the water. I imagined spending hours watching the ocean.
But, it would probably have not been peaceful
viewing amongst this clan. The Flat always seemed a mess. Strewn clothes, open
magazines, displaced cushions and unmade beds were all part of the landscape. I
am sure it must appear pristine after the steward had been in, but the kids and
their friends quickly give it that ‘lived-in’ look.
As opulent as “The Flat” is, its
location isn’t particularly desirable. The
entrance is in the large central foyer of B-deck, across from the
Purser’s Bureau. Additionally, there is a large bank of telephones not
far from the door. The foyer is frequently congested. While few ever see me
coming and going from my little cabin, there is no privacy at all outside
“The Flat.”
Saturday June 30.
More deck competitions; today,
Deck Quoit Tennis is joined. Tonight, there is a gala
event: The “Pacific Winding Race Meeting.” On other ships, horse racing was a common pastime, but on Oronsay, it
happens only twice during our seven weeks. “This has always been
considered one of the highlights of the voyage” emphasizes Today’s
Events. The large glass-enclosed, but open-roofed, Arena, forward on the
Stadium Deck is the locale. Most ships use a simple six-horse field and then
roll a half-dozen dice. Oronsay is far more complicated. Skill is vital. Horses
are bought in advance and the owner, usually a husband chooses the jockey that
is usually his wife. The wooden thoroughbreds are pulled the length of the
Arena by way of a large fishing reel held by the jockey, hence the name
“Winding Race Meeting.” Several turns will only move a
jockey’s horse a few inches and it is easy to get the line twisted
causing a falter. My Father is the starter for each race. There are five races
and then one grand finale featuring the winners. The horses are named, for
example, “Stung” by Bee out of Hive, “Old Story” by
Motor Car out of Petrol, “Blondie” by Bleach out of Bottle. The
list goes on.
A
horse race ticket purchased on June 30
Sunday
July 1.
There will be an
inter-denominational service in the Ballroom at 10:45. Recorded music of
Beethoven’s “Emperor” piano concerto as well as some
Tchaikovsky is played at five in the starboard gallery.
I recall spending the bulk of the day, as I
have done every day, by the pool with regular forays to the Sun Deck or Arena
for games. The pool is many sizes
smaller than an Olympic pool (though barely large enough not to be compared to
a bathtub) and is filled with ocean water (opening one’s eyes beneath the
surface was a courageous act). But, it is a magnetic locale during the day.
Neither do I have to change for lunch either as a terrific buffet is set up
under the verandah next to the pool. This is much better than the dining room.
In fact, the routine has become so intoxicating that the stop tomorrow in Honolulu seems almost an
intrusion.
Monday July 2 – Honolulu.
The
approach is most memorable. The pilot boards about seven as Oronsay rounds
Diamondhead. Thick clouds obscure the inland mountains. Waves of warm, humid air drift across the
decks. Land does have a smell, but I think Hawaii’s is probably very special.
SS
Oronsay arrives in Honolulu
I
watch the scene unfold with two friends, brothers who live in Hawaii and are soon to debark. We are all
barefoot. They were impressed I had gone to the movies without shoes, and I didn’t want to ruin my image with them. They told me
of being allowed to go to school barefoot.
Fascinated, I try to envision how different school would be for me. I
think I might like it a lot more. Of course, where I live, during winter, it
snows; where they live, more orchids drop their petals. Still, I wish very much
I could experience what it would be like. For now, the big difference is merely
that when they go ashore, they get to remain barefoot. I, on the other hand, to
satisfy parental decree, must obediently put shoes and socks on. We will be
guests of friends during the day. I need to look my best.
We dock at Pier 11 not far from the Aloha Tower at eight. Oronsay will depart at midnight. Upon
docking, we are greeted by our friends, a U.S. Navy couple. A terrific day is
spent seeing the sights including a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial (with the
aircraft carrier “Kitty Hawk” docked nearby), Punchbowl
Cemetery, Pali,
Waikiki Beach,
and some stellar views of Honolulu
from mountain roads. Rain squalls, some heavy, are
frequent, but short-lived. I have this bad habit of not getting out of the
rain. As long as my camera stays dry, I don’t
care. Besides, the Hawaiian rain is inviting. Sometimes it’s
more of a mist. Once it passes, a rainbow follows in the warm sun. The process
then repeats itself, perhaps, a mile away. We spend the late afternoon and
evening at our friends’ idyllic navy-issue house in Pearl City on the shore of Pearl Harbor. Swimming in
their freshwater pool after Oronsay’s salt water is a breathtaking
sensation. After dinner, I lie back in the pool and watch a sunset over Pearl Harbor which I’ll never forget. Didn’t
all 13 year-olds get to do this? Oronsay is nice, but this is truly the good
life. We hate to leave and are forced to break some local speed limits to get
back aboard Oronsay before the midnight sailing.
Upon sailing, I accompany my parents below
and, after wishing them a good night, go to my cabin. It is pushing one in the
morning. However, I lie awake. I don’t want to sleep. I think of my friends going to
school barefoot. I really would rather go to their school.
A wave of confidence surges through me. I don’t have to be in my cabin. Mom ‘n’ Dad won’t know and it wouldn’t matter if they did. I
don’t have to lie awake in bed and be bored.
After a further appropriate wait, just to be on the safe side, I arise and
venture up to the Sun Deck. I am not the only one up and around – not
even the only kid.
I wander Oronsay’s decks, stopping now and
then to gaze over the railing, occasionally being acknowledged by other night
roamers, even having friendly conversations: Do my parents know I am up so
late? How long am I aboard for? Have I ever been on a ship before? I sound very
confident. I am a lot more experienced with ship travel than most everyone I
meet. Still, I avoid the Lounge, the Ballroom, the
Bar, all on the Verandah Deck. I know this ship. I know the quiet places. I
know where the wind howls. I know where I won’t
run into stewards.
Eventually I come to rest in the Forward
Observation Lounge on the Stadium Deck. Few remain above deck now. The lounge,
in front, is all glass providing a spectacular forward view over the bow. Its
back opens onto The Arena, Oronsay’s outdoor amphitheatre.
To tell the truth, I really need to get below.
But, I am settled too comfortably in a wicker chair. With my legs propped up on
another, I keep dozing off. It is nice here. Sometime around three, I’m awakened by warm breezes and a sound encountered
earlier in the day but not yet on Oronsay: rain. Its patter becomes hypnotic.
Finally, I force myself from the trance. I stare through the darkness at the
puddles forming on The Arena’s deck. Once the rain beats down in earnest,
I can’t resist. I have no camera to protect now.
I fling my shirt over a chair back and do a hop, skip and jump to the middle of
The Arena. I feel a shock at getting wet. I think I may have screamed. The rain
isn’t cold, but neither is it the warm mist of
the afternoon storms. This drenches with big drops. It continues ever harder.
But, once I’m soaked, it matters not. Irun
around the Arena a few times and lie down in the
middle. Had this been snow, I’d be making a snow
angel. The rain is pelting down so hard, it stings. I open my mouth to scream,
but rain fills it within seconds. I can’t open
my eyes. I jump up and run around some more.
When I feel the drops begin to lessen, I stop. I feel enormously tired.
I also have a nervous feeling that maybe I’ve
been making a fool of myself. I hadn’t looked,
I’d just assumed no one was there. The Bridge, though, looks right down
onto The Arena. I always hoped the rain obscured their view. Waterlogged as I
now was, the air wasn’t feeling so warm any
more. I better get to my cabin and a towel.
Tuesday July 3.
Back to sea for the longest
stretch of our voyage as we had seven days at sea before arriving at Yokohama.
Coincidently, “North By Northwest” is
tonight’s film. Thank God for the pool as the sun really beats down.
Wednesday July 4.
America’s
Independence Day is celebrated by two significant events. During the day, there
will be aquatic sports at the pool: diving for spoons, pillow fighting,
obstacle races, and a “pyjama race” (“entrants have to be in
possession of a pair of pyjamas to take part”). I do the pillow fighting.
The two combatants straddle a slippery horizontal pole placed a few feet above
the pool and whack each other with pillows until one falls in. Since I am but a
teenager, the ship won’t let us use real
pillows. Instead, we use balloons inside a cloth bag. I win once and then lose
(he was much bigger!) and am eliminated.
Rick
is on the left and he won this pillow fight, but lost the next
The
other celebration is summed up in “Today’s Events.”
“The United States Atomic Energy
Commission” announced their third attempt to explode a nuclear device at
high altitude is scheduled for 10 o’clock tonight.
“Passengers are advised that, if
successful, this shot should be visible on the port beam and that they are advised
against the use of binoculars or telescopes to watch it as this could cause
injury to eyesight.”
It may have gone off as planned. I was surely
awake and out on deck at ten and beyond. But, I recall no great flashes in the
heavens and my eyesight remains intact to this day.
The 4th of July Dinner offered a choice of:
Broiled Mahimahi
Sauté
of Duck
Pork
Hawaiian Style
Tom
Turkey
Baked
Sugar Cured Ham (w/candied yams)
Sirloin
Steak
Lamb
Chops
Thursday
July 5.
A game of Progressive Housie is currently
underway in “Today’s Events” with 20 numbers published each
morning. Emergency boat stations for the crew at 10:30: the Stadium Deck and
Purser’s office will be closed during the exercise. Deck sports’
competitions continue; 4 travelogue films on Japan are shown in the Ballroom in
the afternoon and Housie is played in the Lounge at 9:30.
“Children 11 and under are advised that
they may use the pool ONLY(!) from
9:30 to 10:30 and 2:30 to 3:30”. Fortunately, I am 13. An hour of pool
time in the morning and afternoon would not do it for me. Besides, the water
level is lowered for them. There’s a wading pool
in the Children’s’ Play Area. Why don’t
they just use that one, anyway?
I should mention the Housie which, along with
films and dancing, are the staple evening entertainments. Housie, of course, is
Bingo without the B-I-N-G-O in front of the number. In other words B-11 becomes
“Betty Grable’s legs – 11”,
N-57 becomes “All the varieties – 57”. Our host is THE
perfect English gentleman with a fabulous moustache. He places a quaint little
phrase before each number: “The Downing Street
number – 10”; “Life begins at – 40”. As the game
progresses, he calls out numbers with an increasing sense of drama. “ALL the sixes”.
He pauses expectantly. “66”, he hisses, drawing out each
syllable. Additionally, he holds the tiles in a small bag and periodically
announces, “And, we’ll…”. “…Shake the bag!!!” respond
the obedient Housie-players (with gusto!). And then he…shakes the bag
(with gusto!).
No Friday July 6.
There is no July 6th as we have
crossed the International Dateline. I go
to bed on the night of Thursday July 5th and awake the morning of
Saturday…
Did
I loose a day of my life?
Saturday
July 7.
Today’s talk is about
“Freak Ships”. There is bridge in the Ballroom during the
afternoon, and at night “Lover Come Back” with Rock Hudson, Doris
Day and Tony Randall.
By this point, clever 13 year old that I was,
I had learned how to keep parental contact to a minimum. There wasn’t much I could do about breakfast and dinner. We
all went to the Housie games and other lounge events. But, otherwise, I saw
little of Mom ‘n’ Dad. They were not swimmers. They didn’t play strenuous games (my Mom played Bridge).
They liked to sit on deck or in the lounges and go to bed not long after the
evening’s entertainment.
Housie/Bingo
cards – But they did not win!
I was part of a
cadre of kids that ran rampant throughout the ship. There were a lot of us.
Deck Quoit Tennis on the Sun Deck was fantastic. Most adults found it too strenuous a game
especially up there in all that sun. My friends and I would play a few games,
then run down to splash in the pool after the kiddies had their hour, then go
play ping pong, go back to the pool, go up to the Sun Deck, ad infinitum.
At lunch, we’d stuff ourselves at the buffet by
the pool. Maybe I’d run into my parents for a
few minutes then. But, I’d be off soon to some
place they weren’t. Oronsay was a big ship.
If there was a movie after dinner, I’d sit with friends and wave to Mom ‘n’
Dad if they came in. As long as I joined them for regular lounge events
specifically wearing the shoes, not the flip-flops, nor the sneakers, and as
long as I was in my cabin when they retired, all was calm.
Of course, I was rarely ready for sleep when
they were. This was too early. Still, their predictability made my life easy.
Once they went to their cabin, they were out until morning (my Mom might read
for a while).
Not having their own cabins, most of my
friends would not be up late. There was one sharing a cabin with a younger
sister who I might run into. Otherwise roaming the decks at night was a very
solitary activity. Most people on deck then wanted it that way. Yet, I was
usually back in my cabin before one. Over time, however,
I would become obsessive about the vastness of the night time
sea. Even midnight would find the decks too crowded for my tastes.
Sunday July 8.
Today they had that
“Stabilizer” talk once again, cricket, and Tchaikovsky’s
First Piano Concerto on tape. The entertainment in the Lounge tonight is the
“Syndicate Quiz,” a trivial pursuit type of event. Each syndicate
consists of 4-6 persons, and there will be 40 or more syndicates competing.
“This is NOT a serious quiz”, declares Today’s Events.
Indeed? My Father gets irked because a question is asked about Winston
Churchill’s hobby. He answers “artist” for our group, as do
many other syndicates. But, the answer is not accepted as correct. Churchill
was a “painter”, “artist” being too broad. My dad still
rails about this injustice the next day. Other questions are, for example:
“Name the Seven Seas” (most are stumped not realizing that the
North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, and South Pacific are considered
separate oceans); and “Who originated the saying ‘Chop and
Change’?”. This was my chance to shine. It was suggested that as a
strategy each syndicate appoint a “listener” to eavesdrop on
discussions by nearby syndicates. It’s all very
stealthy as knowing that there are listeners around and thus each syndicate
discuss their answers in hushed tones. Nonetheless, when I hear someone in
another group whisper “Henry the Eighth”, I dutifully report this
which, to my delight, turns out to be the correct answer.
Monday July 9.
Tomorrow begins the serious shore
excursions as our week at sea comes to an end in Yokohama. The Landfall dinner that evening
offers a choice of:
Poached Halibut
Fricassee
of Chicken
Prime
Rib
Rump
Steak
Lamb
Chops
Tuesday
July 10 – Yokohama.
My third week on board begins in Japan. Oronsay
arrives at quarantine around 6 AM. Yokohama
necessitates an early morning cattle call to go through customs.
The
band plays as we arrive at Yokohama
Japanese
Immigration is “required to interview all passengers” before the
Oronsay can dock. This trip was exciting because, for the first time abroad, I had
my own passport. At the pier, the sleek President Roosevelt of the American
President Lines is berthed beside us. A band greets our arrival and the Lord
Mayor of Yokohama
and Miss Yokohama come aboard to welcome the passengers. Oronsay will not sail
until 1:00 PM tomorrow, thus we have sufficient time to visit Tokyo.
Although the ship offers a number of
excursions in Japan, but at
the suggestion of two Japanese gentlemen who were aboard ship we decided to
make our own way around both here in Tokyo and when
we are in Kobe.
Today, we immediately set out for Tokyo
by train. World War Two had ended a decade and a half earlier, yet the Japanese
citizens on the train intently scrutinize us. Westerners apparently were still
uncommon travelling in anything but large groups. I feel their eyes the entire
trip.
Mom
and the two Japanese chap’s who gave us good advise
on how to discover Tokyo
Tokyo, itself is sprawled about. Naturally, the best view was had from
the Tokyo
Tower. The Diet, the Imperial Palace,
and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel were all on our itinerary. In
fact, I recall lunch at the hotel.
I buy a transistor radio, a Sony as my
souvenir of Japan.
It was slightly smaller than a pack of cigarettes,
this was real cutting edge technology at the time. Something like this wouldn’t be available in the US yet and not for under $25 as
here. It became a prized possession.
The
view from Tokyo
Tower
Our
Japanese-style dinner was at the well-known Chinzan-so and the grounds appeared to be magnificent, but
it is dark. I suppose the food was fine, but I am certainly not too adventurous
when it comes to eating.
A
fine view of Oronsay’s bow in Yokohama
Wednesday
July 11.
Since Oronsay sails at one, we
take the ship’s shore excursion to Kamakura
and the Great Buddha costing $4.00 each again. A tiny bowl of fruit sits at the
base of the huge figure. I have yet to come to grips with this contrast.
Shortly before we sail, I witness a
hair-raising performance in Oronsay’s Arena: “The Art of Sword and
Japanese Sword dancing”. At first, I was puzzled why this
“master” swordsman never seemed to quite cut clean through objects,
a fruit or vegetable
with his razor-sharp blade.
There was always just a tiny bit uncut.
Then, I learn why. The Master puts a banana on his bare forearm and
brings the sword robustly down cutting the fruit in two except for a few
fibres. The sword leaves nary a mark on his arm. Then, he does the same thing
on a man’s bare stomach. Again, only a few strands of banana separate the
man from the blade. I am very glad The Master brought his own volunteers.
Above
and below: The Japanese Sword and Dance performers out on Arena deck
And,
shortly after sailing, I take advantage of my new radio as islands and Japanese
shoreline glide past on our way to Kobe:
high on the Sun Deck, I pick up the Major League Baseball All-star game via
Armed Forces radio. The National League wins 3-1. What a treat!
The day is capped by a showing of
“Pillow Talk” with Rock Hudson and Doris Day.
Thursday July 12 – Kobe.
Oronsay
docks in Kobe around eight and we are soon on
our way by train to Kyoto.
The trip takes little more than an hour. I visit the Golden Pavilion and
numerous shrines. What stands out, however, is the kindness of a young Japanese
man of whom we asked directions. Rather than attempt to explain in non-existent
English, he walked with us four blocks until he was sure we had found our
destination.
This
is a typical Kobe Street
scene
At
the age of 13 all those gardens and shrines are a bit much to comprehend.
Meditation and contemplation have proven to be foreign concepts. Perhaps if “Shogun” had been a mini-series in the early
60s instead of later. On the train back to Kobe, I feel exhausted. and
I am glad the day is over. I no longer care if the Japanese wish to stare at me.
Friday July 13.
Oronsay sails at five P.M., so
we spend the day around Kobe
sightseeing and shopping. It rained most of the night and morning anyway. For
myself, just before the ship sails, I get a decent pair of 7x35 binoculars from
a pier side merchant for less than $10.
SS
Oronsay departs Kobe and sets sail for Hong Kong
Saturday
July 14.
Two days to Hong Kong.
Two more wonderful days lazing on deck. We can still
see land as we sail through the Osuni Strait
in the morning. Deck competitions begin
anew. “Tonnage” is day’s recorded Interest Talk. Is it
possible they have finally found a subject as moribound
as “Stabilizers”? There’s also documentary
films on Hong Kong, Beethoven’s
Pastoral Symphony, and yes “Housie.”
Sunday July 15.
A Divine Service in the
Ballroom at 10:45 for the 4th Sunday after Trinity. I attend with my Mom. It’s rather
short so I don’t miss too much pool time. We sing “New Every
Morning is the Love” among other hymns. During the last, a collection is
taken “in aid of Marine Charities”. The service ends with
‘God Save the Queen”.
On today’s schedule there is Bridge,
cricket and tonight the film “The Absent-Minded Professor” with
Fred MacMurray and Tommy Kirk (Tommy had been a favorite Mouseketeer).
Tonight’s dinner menu offers:
Grilled Suprême
of Turbot, Cecilia
Leg
and Shoulder of Lamb with Anna Potatoes and Mint Sauce
Chic-Chicken
with Bacon and Bread Sauce
Steak
Diane (cooked to order)
Calf’s
Sweetbreads
Potatoes
roasted or boiled.
Arrival
notice for Hong Kong
Monday July 16 - Hong Kong.
Oronsay’s “major” port-of-call. I am on deck before six to experience the arrival. Ships of all types and sizes ply the
channel. Lush green hills on either side
glide past as Oronsay sails at a stately pace. Onshore civilization increases
in density. I know we have reached Hong Kong
when I see the airport jutting out into the water. Oronsay berths at Pier 5 on
the Kowloon
side about 9 AM.
A
wonderful view awaits us as we enter Hong Kong
harbor
I
have never seen so many ships. The harbor teems with
craft. It is like nothing I could ever have imagined. President Roosevelt is
just down the way and soon we will be joined by P&O’s SS Arcadia and
Royal Interocean Lines almost yacht like ship the MS Tjiluwah that serves
between Australia and Asia. The Oronsay has barely tied up when painters swarm
all over her hull giving the ship a new coat of its distinctive
“corn” color. Personally, “corn”
doesn’t seem particularly accurate. Nonetheless,
she looked far more distinctive than when her hull was painted white a few
years later.
SS
Arcadia and the SS President Roosevelt
are also both in port
Oronsay
is docked beside the RIL ship MS Tjiluwah
Even
after a half century, Hong Kong remains vivid.
The poverty: “Don’t give the beggar-children any money. They will
tear each other apart to get it, if you do”, we are told while viewing a literal
river of small rotting boats floating atop nothing more than an overflowing
cesspool. However, not far away from
this acute impoverishment are two swank floating restaurants charging, we are
told with obvious pride, exorbitant prices for meals. At Lok
Ma Chou frontier, I can look into distant Red China with my new binoculars and
see people in the fields beating rice. “You can bet they are watching us,
too,” warns my Father enhancing the moment with cold war drama. Just to
be on the safe side, I return my binoculars to their case. Tiger Balm
Gardens is colorful
though quite unlike any western park. From The Peak, the vast expanse of the harbor with its hundreds of ships is mesmerizing. Beautiful
resorts dot the coasts. “Heyyy…Reek-shaw”.
A
rather nice view of the Tiger
Balm Gardens
A
superb view from Hong Kong Island toward Kowloon
Oronsay’s
yellow funnel can just be seen where the ships are berthed on the right
A
Hong Kong sunset as seen from the ship
Above
and below: Dinner menu for 18 July whilst in Hong
Kong
Thursday
July 19.
Sailing time is noon. The painters have finished and Oronsay
gleams. Perhaps the British produce a
different color corn from that in North
America. All the rust streaks have disappeared until the next time
the anchor is raised and the bilges emptied.
Alone, I walk a few short blocks to a tailor shop to pick up a nice
sports coat for which I had been fitted soon after Monday’s arrival (and
which I will quickly outgrow). I was not
tuned into this at the time, but ‘Hong Kong
tailors’ seemed a magic phrase to westerners. It was also important that I wear it as that
made a difference in the duty upon arrival back in the U.S. Nonetheless, it was from
Hong Kong and didn’t cost anywhere near what it would have in the U.S. Yet, while returning to Oronsay, I marvel at
the fact that I am walking alone through the streets of Kowloon at the age of
13. None of my friends back home would
ever be able to claim such an experience.
The jacket and a chess set (another $10 item) both require a certificate
of authenticity testifying that they were made in Hong Kong and not communist China. At the time, items made in China were strictly forbidden in the U.S.
19
July Hong Kong
departure notice
An
hour before Oronsay sails, we are serenaded by the Pipes and Drums of the
2nd/6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha
Rifles. I learn about the Gurkha’s reputation as ferocious soldiers, though the
ones in the band seem very nice. I am
becoming rather impressed by the arrivals and send-offs accorded Oronsay.
Above
and below: The famed Ghurkas perform
dockside as we ready ourselves to depart this fascinating port
An
hour after sailing, Oronsay enters the China Sea with the knowledge that we
will be in Manila tomorrow evening.
But tonight there is Housie (Bingo) and a British film entitled: “On The
Fiddle” with Stanley Holloway.
In Page Two: Manila to Port Said and
visiting Cairo.
**********************************
INDEX:
Part One:
SS Oronsay: This Page covers RMS Oronsay’s complete history.
SS Oronsay: Page Two contains this fine
ships complete Deck Plan!
Part
Two:…………….Rick
Danley sails on SS Oronsay’s
World Voyage in 1962.
Page One: Across America / San Francisco
to Hong Kong.
Page Two: Manila to Port Said.
Page Three: Port Said to London &
Epilogue – RMS Queen Mary Trans Atlantic crossing
Page Four: Voyage memorabilia, menus
and other items – further items to come online soon!
Watch the following Pathe films:
www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=74942
This film shows SS ORONSAY during her very
early days!
www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=74947
This
is the continuation of the above film
I
highly recommend this superb Book …
“Orient Line – A Fleet
History”
It is
available for £23.50 plus p&p from “Ships in Focus”
Email: sales@shipsinfocus.co.uk
*******************************
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