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Crew Swimming Pool
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The Crew Swimming Pool
Made from a sturdy frame of wooden planks, re-inforced with scaffolding and lined with canvas, this was a favourite crew haunt when the Caronia was in the tropics. Originally it had been erected only as a temporary structure, however, so popular was it that it remained in place for Caronia's entire career.
Having said that, the actual structure was rebuilt a few times. With it sitting on a vulnerable part of the foredeck, there were occasions in heavy weather where it would either be damaged, or get swept away altogether! Because of its weight, and its unstable contents, the crew pool was always drained at night, and only refilled again on days where its use was probable.
“No Diving” notice
Photo Ref: JHIG01 - The crew pool in the early 1960's
Note the “No Diving” legend!
[Photos: Courtesy of John Higgins]
As these photographs show, the crew pool was sited at the aft end of the port side of Caronia's foredeck. The one seen above left, taken in 1963, compared with the 1966 photo below, shows either a repaint or a rebuild was undertaken in the intervening period. The obvious difference being the removal of the “No Diving” notices, both on and behind the pool.
Unidentified crewmen on Caronia's foredeck, at Kingston, Jamaica taken on the trip out to New York before the start of the 1966 World Cruise. Clearly there seems to be a problem in firing-up Caronia's boilers down below.
[Photo: Peter Stevens]
Photo Ref: PJ21 - The Crew Swimming Pool circa 1950
[Photo: Courtesy of Peter Jelley]
The Crew Swimming Pool was also the focus of all “crossing the line” ceremonies for entertaining passengers, as their pool was rather sacrosanct and not as suitable. The dunking of the hapless inductees could be done here with little worry.
Photo Ref: PJ23 - Crossing the Line in the South Pacific 27 January 1951
[Photo: Courtesy of Peter Jelley]
This photograph, sent in by Len Danson, shows him by the crew swimming pool, with George Robinson seen on the right and Allan Lynch in the pool.
Photo Ref: LJD22
The Crew Swimming Pool
[Photo:
Courtesy of Len Danson]
I'd be very happy to receive additional photographs and any information that will identify persons as yet unknown.
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