Cruise Talk: Liner Trivia: After war duty.

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»	Cruise Talk » Ocean Liners and Classic Cruise Ships » Liner Trivia: After war duty.

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Topic: Liner Trivia: After war duty.

Vaccaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 465

posted 07-21-1999 03:32 PM

Hello everybody,

After the liner wich had carried the bulletproof Mercedes of Hitler (last month, DE GRASSE) here's a question about another liner and Churchill.
Wich liner served as a floating headquarters for Wiston Churchill and his staff during the historic Yalta Conference?
Bye.

Posts: 1193 | From: France ...where the greatest liners ever are born, ...by far! | Registered: Feb 99

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 07-21-1999 07:35 PM

WAS IT THE R.M.S. QUEEN MARY?
AFTER ALL HE ATRIBUTED BOTH THE
MARY AND THE ELIZABETH IN THE WAR
FOR THEIR SERVICES.

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 07-21-1999 09:25 PM

Yes, I believe it was the Queen Mary!! In fact, Winston Churchill, planned much of the "D" day raid on the coast from a bath tub onboard the Mary.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99

Vaccaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 465

posted 07-22-1999 02:01 AM

Nice try!...but this is NOT THE RIGHT ANSWER regarding the Yalta Conference. Remenber Yalta is near Mediterranean sea and at the end of the war, QUEEN MARY was especially used to carry troop and families across oceans. This was a smaller liner (there was no chance to be bigger than QM excepted QE).
Before that, it's true Cunard had already hosted Churchill on board the QUEEN MARY on several occasions and that's why Cunard thought of the smallest details. Since the prime minister enjoyed soaking in the oversized tub, a special wooden shelf was erected so that he could attend to paperwork at the same time.
Try again and i'll give the right liner soon.
Bye.

Posts: 1193 | From: France ...where the greatest liners ever are born, ...by far! | Registered: Feb 99

Mark Herman
Just Boarded
Member # 310

posted 07-22-1999 01:31 PM

I think the ship you're after is the Franconia. Queen Mary did not go to Crimea during or after WW II.

Posts: 7 | From: cumming, ga. usa | Registered: Jul 99

Vaccaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 465

posted 07-22-1999 02:02 PM

Mark: BINGO!
Yes this was the FRANCONIA completed in June 1923. With her sister ship, CARINTHIA, they were wellknown for theire luxurious cruises in the 30s when it was hard for liners to earn enought money only on regular trips. Built by John Brown & Company Limited, Clyderbank, Scotland. 20.158 grt, 623 ft X 73ft. Steam turbines, twin screw ,16.5kts, 1.843 passengers.
During WW II she was used as a troop transport, painted in grey. She was called for a special duty at the war's end. Some of her prewar luxury fittings were taken from storage while she was still a gray-hulled trooper and she was again sent to the Mediterranean to await top-secret instructions. Then, ordered to Yalta in the Black Sea, she served as a floating headquarters for Churchill and his staff. A series of suites was arranged for the prime minister and some of his favorite personal effects were brought from London. A staff of over 100 accompagnied him on board, including secretaries, typists, telegraphers and security guards.
Once again, congratulations Mark!
Bye.

Posts: 1193 | From: France ...where the greatest liners ever are born, ...by far! | Registered: Feb 99

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 07-22-1999 04:21 PM

Hello Vaccaro -

I sailed on the R.M.S. Franconia in August 1952 - Quebec to Greenock, Scotland and have an original sailor boy doll from her.

I also travelled on her sister ship Samaria - Greenock to Montreal in '51.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99

mikedparen
Just Boarded
Member # 706

posted 08-12-1999 04:58 PM

What ever happened to the Franconia? I was on her in the mid-60's as a very young child.

Posts: 1 | From: Belmar, NJ USA | Registered: Aug 99

Patrick
First Class Passenger
Member # 364

posted 08-13-1999 01:32 PM

The FRANCONIA was sold in 1982 to Black Sea Shipping Company, Odessa and refurbished extensively in Germany.
It entered in service again as the FEDOR SHALJAPIN and was quite successful under various charters for Western operators.
In 1992 the ship was transfered to Odessa Sun Ltd., Malta, a BLASCO sister company.
Her last cruises took place in 1997 and then the ship was laied up in Ilychevsk for a while before definitely being scrapped last year.

Posts: 1680 | From: OSC Luxembourg | Registered: Nov 98

Vaccaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 465

posted 08-13-1999 02:43 PM

Hello everybody,
Patrick, the FRANCONIA you speak about is the ex-IVERNIA of 1955.
The FRANCONIA i spoke about was the one of 1923 and was scrapped in Scotland in 1956 and 1957.
Anyway, thank you for the last informations about FEODOR SHALYAPIN.
Bye.

[This message has been edited by Vaccaro (edited 08-13-99).]

Posts: 1193 | From: France ...where the greatest liners ever are born, ...by far! | Registered: Feb 99

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