Hi Guys
We seem to be "drifting" off railroad topics, but I have been fascinated by
Donald Scott's posts regarding CP Steamships.
I have had the great pleasure of making four transatlantic crossings with
CP. The first two in 1949 when my Mother and Father and I (then 18 years
old) went on a great European tour. I could go on about that forever, but I
wont.
Donald Scott describes the First Class Cocktail Lounge of Empress of
Scotland, and our ship, The Empress of France (Nee Duchess of Bedford?) had
a similar cocktail lounge. The bar stretched across the bulkhead forming the
division between the cocktail lounge and the first class lounge.
A few day out a very big storm caught up with us. I can't remember the
severity, but with huge waves coming under our starboard quarter causing us
to take green water over the bow, the Captain hove to so that we were facing
the storm, but drifting northeast. The going was much easier, but in the
middle of the night, we heard a huge crash, followed by the patter of
rushing feet overhead. Our steward came and told us all was OK - it was just
the bar in the cocktail lounge had come adrift from the bulkhead, and
crashed down on the floor! What a mess!
We remained hove to for two days, and finally turned and headed for England
going North about Iceland!
I'm sorry about this diversion from trains, but let me add that the train
watching was great!
John Trotter - Saskatoon SK
