Caronia's Boxing Club

Recreation for the crew on board was always encouraged and often it would also provide entertainment for the passengers. Elsewhere I've alluded to the Wareham & Bergen Football match, which found its permanent home in Bergen on the North Cape Cruises, this and the next page are devoted to the Boxing Teams.

One “star” of this sport was Red Doran, so named because of his ginger hair. Peter Jelley was passed several of these photographs by Red Doran, that show several of his successes. The bouts were held either on the aft end of Caronia's Sun Deck, or ashore in Bombay, Naples, Casablanca and Montevideo.

The rear of the photograph is endorsed with identities left to right of:
“Irish, Henderson Jock, Red Doran, Bordessa, and Kenny Douglas” which leaves the trainer in the background unidentified.

“Irish” is Waiter Benjamin Irish, Henderson Jock is probably Waiter John Henderson and, “Bordessa” is Plateman Alphonso Bordessa. The photograph was probably taken in Bombay on the 1955 Great World Cruise.

Another Kenny Douglas and Red Doran match observed from the Sports Deck, with Captain Thelwell looking on to the left of the scorer in the background. Note the Officers are not in “whites”, so the Caronia isn't in the Tropics at this point. The referee is not identified.

Can you add more information or identify anyone depicted here? If so, do please get in touch!