R.M.S. CARONIA: FOUR SHADES OF GREEN
Presented by J. Fred Rodriguez
October 26, 2018 @ 6:00 pm
Everyone loves ships and shipping in one way or another. That’s what formed us as a branch of the World Ship Society some 53 years ago. In his entertaining program, Branch plank owner J. Fred Rodriguez asked us to touch base with an old friend, the R.M.S. CARONIA, retracing the life and legends of this storied ship, affectionately known as “The Green Goddess.”
Cunard-White Star Line conceived the 34,172-ton CARONIA of 1949 as a deluxe cruise ship, which would also offer seasonal repositioning voyages as transatlantic crossings. In order to give CARONIA a distinctive look suitable to her tropical and subtropical deployment, she was painted in four shades of green. J. Fred examined the career of this unique and glamorous liner, from her early days as one of the world’s most luxurious ships, to her competition with a new generation of cruise ships in the 1960’s, to her long years in lay-up in New York Harbor and her eventual dramatic demise. Wherever CARONIA voyaged, on her many memorable journeys around the world, history was made.
A U.S. Merchant Mariner of 31 years and an enthusiast of all things nautical for 64 years, J. Fred Rodriguez talked about the ship from deep within, including reminiscences of the CARONIA by some of the World Ship Society – PONY Branch members who have made this branch what it is today.
Pat Dacey is a long-time PONY Branch member who also serves on the executive board and is the committee head for special events.
(Illustration by Stephen J. Card)