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With
Maritime
Historian
TSS Fedor
Ex RMS Ivernia TSS Franconia
Page
One
(
Postcard of Cunard’s Ivernia
(Author’s
private collection)
In the mid 1970s, the author was an executive of Atlantic &
Pacific Travel International & Shaw Savill Holidays PTY. Ltd, operating the
Russian owned, Fedor Shalyapin. This delightful ship, like her three sisters,
all had a long and distinguished career.
Built as Cunard’s RMS Ivernia, this 21,717
Built by: John Brown & Company Clydebank
Scotland
Launched: 1954
Length: 185.3 m
Width: 24.5 m
Draught: 8.7 m
Displacement: 21,717
Propulsion: 4 Steam
Turbines, Twin Screws 24,500 SHP
Speed: 19.5 knots
Passengers: 925 – 125 First
– 800 Tourist
Crew: 461
These four liners were typical of many new passenger ships of their
day, offering comfortable passenger facilities, as well as having a large cargo
capacity. Each vessel had three holds forward, and
three holds aft. The Saxonia Class Liners were revolutionary for their day, as
they were the first liners to be built, with tourist class occupying the
majority of the passenger accommodations, thus offering greatly improved
comforts. Ivernia, like her sisters, were built within the maximum dimensions,
allowing her to reach
A delightful
(Author’s private
collection)
Ivernia offered all the traditional Cunard standards of luxury and quiet
elegance. This was particularly noticeable in her public rooms having an
ambience closely related to stylish British, yet understated décor.
The largest venue, located aft on Promenade deck, was the imposing two
deck high ‘Amber’ Lounge. Aft of the lounge featured a balcony,
with an elaborate curved Staircase. The bandstand was located on the lower
level forward wall. Moving just forward, on the port and starboard sides were
the Garden Lounge, and the Drawing and Writing Room, both revealing an understated,
yet stylish elegance. The next room forward was the popular ‘City
Cousins’ Smoke Room and bar, being very much the art deco venue. Cocktail
hour had passengers sipping their drinks, whilst the pianist twinkled
the ivories of the grand piano. Forward of promenade deck, overlooking the bow,
was a delightful small lounge, being the ideal lounge for quiet reflection. The
large tourist class restaurant continued the understated British décor of the
day and was a bright and airy room, whilst the first class dining room had an
elegant, intimate ambience. Ivernia, like her sisters featured a fine balconied
amidships cinema. Ivernia was fully air-conditioning, and had stabilisers,
ensuring a comfortable Atlantic crossing.
Ivernia interior
postcards below are part of the author’s private collection
The Garden Lounge
Drawing & Writing Room
The popular ‘City Cousins’ Bar & Smoking Room
Cinema
Restaurant
Ivernia and her sisters plied the
(Author’s private
collection)
Ivernia emerged with a green hull. Her aft section clearly revealed
the added glass enclosures, protecting the new kidney shaped swimming and wading
pool from the wind. On
(Author’s private
collection)
Sadly, for Cunard, this venture did not prove successful, unlike the
larger purpose built cruise ship, Caronia, which also featured the green cruise livery. Both
Index:
Page One … History
page (this page)
Page Two
Page Three … Photo Page & the Final Year
Read about the origin of this class of Cunard Liner
By this author
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Who is the Author of ssMaritime?
Commenced
in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
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