RMS Caronia Timeline

Light and Dark Shades of Rust!

The new decade did not start well for the “Green Goddess”. The 1959 annual overhaul undertaken at Liverpool had not gone according to plan. It was disrupted by over 150 painters who walked out on strike during a dispute over pay and conditions.

This left the Caronia only partially re-painted on her starboard side. During most overhauls, her hull would be cleaned by sandblasting, and various areas touched-up with red-lead paint before being given a fresh coat of her trademark green.

On this occasion, I'm told by Len Danson, the port side of Caronia was left almost devoid of paint, other than some patches of red-lead. Nevertheless, the Caronia left Liverpool on schedule for Southampton, and a transatlantic positioning crossing ahead of a Caribbean Cruise and her Great World Cruise.

[Left:]
Chris Freeman descends a rope ladder to a hanging pontoon plank used by painters in 1965
[Photo: © Roger Birch 1965]

For the next couple or three weeks the ship would be berthed with her starboard side adjacent to shore whilst in port. The repainting of the port side was left to Caronia's crew whenever the weather allowed.

Captain Watts wanted his ship to be pristine in readiness for the Great World Cruise, so even flood-lights were used at night to complete the task. See more about painting Caronia's bow.

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