Cruiser765

Hi Stephen,

You have a good memory!! Captain Brian Hills was in command during my time on *****.

I still have ships menus somewhere with his name on them!

Capt George Smith was the last man at the helm of the Franc when we brought her back to Soton for the last time.

He was featured in the Dail Mail when we arrived back as we had gone to the rescue of a Norwegian ship called Anatina which was on fire.

I don't remember a lot of the crew on Franconia except for the crew purser Mark Godfree, who had been on Queen Elizabeth. He and my boss married shortly after we left the Franc and we still keep in touch every year.

Also remember a guy called Les who was in charge of the crew galley and made the most delicious fish n chips for us every Friday!

What a fabulous experience for you on the Lizzie meeting Burton & Taylor.

We had the most fabulous time in Bermuda each week and got to know so many local people then.

Our celebrity 'specials' in those days were Tom Jones, Roy Castle and The Three Degrees, just before they hit the big time.

One of our favourite haunts was the Forty Thieves Club where we always got free drinks! Elbow Beach during the day was another favourite.

I absolutely adored the island, but sadly have never been back, l expect it's changed a bit!

Jackie :)

StanandJim,

Many thanks for your lovely post, l had almost given up on any replies and apologise for not picking up on your post sooner.

This again brought back lovely memories of the *****. We sailed from Soton on November 5th 1971, l was to celebrate my 20th birthday on her two days later!

We had 14 days at sea to Barbados, at the time l thought we were never going to see land again! Oh to be young an innocent again! :rolleyes:

Jackie :)

Hello Everyone,

I am relatively new to CC, but have been browsing through the boards and am really enjoying.

Most of my posts have been on the Cunard Board, but today, having time on my hands l have taken a look on here.

I was so delighted to see mentioned RMS Franconia, as l worked on board for ten months in 1971 on the NY/Bermuda cruises!

I was also on her when she left Bermuda for the last time and also stayed aboard with a skeleton crew for the TA crossing back to Soton.

I have very fond memories and heartbreaking ones too when we had to leave her for the last time.

Within a few days of leaving Franconia l found myself working aboard the SS Ocean Monarch on a world trip.

Then it was the Shaw Savill Line.

Just wondering here if anyone remembers this ship.

Many Thanks