IVERNIA was launched by John Browns yard at Clydebank in 1954, entering Cunards service the following year. In 1962 she was sent back to her builders to be fitted for cruising, re-entering service with her hull painted in Cunards cruising green and with a lido installed on her aft deck, which replaced her aft cargo hatch. Her name was changed to FRANCONIA.
From 1963-67 she sailed on UK-Canada service in the summer months but went cruising during the winter months.
In 1967 she was withdrawn from Atlantic service and after a refit from which she emerged with a white hull she engaged permanently in cruising.
She was sold out of Cunard service in 1973 and then sailed as FEDOR SHALYAPIN until her demolition in 1999.
Perhaps someone can remind me when it was that she visited Smiths Dock, North Shields. Was it for refitting in 1967 or when she was leaving Cunards?
I presume the picture was taken during a W.S.S. visit to Smiths.

If it's a clue, ENGADINE alongside was a 1967 completion by Henry Robb. So probably later than that?

Just checked the recent Cunard book.
FRANCONIA left lay-up in the Fal 14/08/73 and was refitted for the Russians by Swan Hunter, sailing from Tyne 20/11/1973 as FEDOR SHALYAPIN.
Sister CARMANIA ditto, dates 30/08/1973 and 26/02/1974 as LEONID SOBINOV

I was working at Smith's when they were being done.

Our intrepid reporter 'Quaysider' does not mention the exact date of the visit to Smith's Dock. Its just down as 'One evening in August'.

Strangly enough the ex-Cunarders do not get much of a mention in Sea Chest. The vessel you took the picture from was the 'HOEGH TRAVELLER' which started life as the Royal Mail Line ARAGON.

On the other hand your picture of the DANMARK which first appeared on the cover of Sea Chest 52 does get a mention in Issue 53, with many readers requesting more information.

Thanks for your replies gents. This old grey matter of mine seems unable to recall events such as this, from the 'good old days'.

This ammused my from a Christmas Cruise Information Booklet for Cunard's CARINTHIA:-

"Enjoy your holiday. Make the most of your time by using as many of the facilities offered aboard this ship as you feel inclined.
Should we fall short of our to make your trip enjoyable, then please, without hesitation contact either the Purser or Chief Steward or Cruise Director who will make it his pleasure to give you satisfaction. If further comments seem appropriate please write in due course to Hotel Director, Cunard Line Limited, South Western House, Southampton.

The Captain will endeavour to welcome and meet socially, both at organised parties and informally, every passenger at sometime during the cruise. Passengers will understand that should the Captain be detained on the bridge on occasions then he will delegate his social duties to the Staff Captain or one of the senior Officers."

Those were the days!!

In her pre-Cruise days CARINTHIA carried 174 1st Class and 682 Tourist Passengers.

Franconia and Engadine, soon after Franconia's arrival - taken on 20 August 1973.
See ENGADINE at: viewtopic.php?f=129&t=21011

By now renamed, Franconia as Feydor Shalyapin on 10 October 1973, with Carmania inboard.

50 YEARS AGO TODAY!

FRANCONIA (5119765), Cunard Line Ltd., 21406gt, completed John Brown & Co., Clydebank, Glasgow, 6-1955
1955 IVERNIA - 1963 FRANCONIA -1973 FYODOR SHALYAPIN - 1991 FEDOR SHALYAPIN -20 04 SALONA - BU Alang 6.2.04

River Tyne - 23 August 1973: Ron M