Remembering my dad, John David Tolman, who died five years ago today in Tepic, Mexico.
 |
| Aboard the Carnavon Castle, a Union Castle Line Steamer |
We left Durban, South Africa on August 23, 1956, aboard the Carnavon Castle steamship and headed south to Capetown. This ship has a fascinating history beginning with its launch in 1926 as a mail ship, an armed merchant ship with the Royal Navy during the war and a passenger ship until it was scrapped in 1963. Mom wrote that the journey to England was relaxing as Nathan and I were cared for in a nursery during the day. Her diary of this trip is not as wordy as the descriptions in 1954 so here are most of the entries in her voice.
August 24, 1956- Stop in East London, South Africa. "We walked to town, visited some stores and looked around in general. It was a long walk and the area was very quiet."
August 25, 1956- Stop in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. "Walked to the centre of town and to the Tourist Information Centre. Took a bus to the Snake Park and walked back to the boat. The boat sailed at 6 PM."
August 27, 1956- "Arrival in Capetown at 6 AM. Rain, snow and cold with no heat on the boat. This morning went to stores to buy a warm outfit for baby."
August 28, 1956- "Left both children on the boat. Walked with David to the Malayan section, Government buildings and park. Walked docks and weighed Ruth at Customs shed (31 pounds)."
August 29, 1956- "The four of us went to the top of Table Mountain. The cable car starts at 1200 feet and ends at 3500 feet. The trip was nerve-wracking but David enjoyed it thoroughly."
August 31, 1956- "Four of us take a bus trip to the Wynberg section of the city. The boat leaves Capetown at 4 PM with a big farewell."
September 1-4, 1956- "Fair, warm weather. Saw a large school of dolphins and many flying fish. The crew had a boat drill. Elizabeth played her accordion after supper and the ship crew came out with an accordion, harmonica, and other instruments. Speed 19.3 knots."
September 6, 1956- We cross the equator at 3:03 AM. People are soused with beer, catsup, raw egg, rubbed with skippered herring and powdered with flour. We pass the Bloemfontein Castle and the Stirling Castle (sister ships). "
 |
| An interesting tea menu for children |
September 7, 1965- At this tea party our Ruth takes first prize in section 6 years and under. She was dressed as a real Miss Springbock, complete with animal skin and a crown...
Hot, humid, overcast, rain. Visited bridge and learned piloting of ship, looked at radar receiver. David and Elizabeth steer boat. Depth of ocean 3,000 fathoms (18,000 feet) with black, sandy bottom.
September 9, 1956- Sunny and hot with cool wind. Sat on deck all morning. Afternoon Sunday School and evening community hymn sing. Elizabeth plays accordion. Advance clocks one hour." (Mom mentions the singing Welshmen on board - no one can sing hymns like Welshmen)
September 10, 1945- "Sunny and hot. Arrive at Las Palmas (Canary Islands) at 9 AM and visit curio and souvenir stalls. David goes to town- hot and dusty and buys fans (not electric!), a shawl and a tablecloth. Spanish dancers with tambourines come aboard. Leave port at 2 PM. Moderated swell, increasing to heavy swell.
September 11, 1956- "Cloudy and cool with moderate wind and heavy swell. Propellers coming out of water in deep troughs. Torrential rain and electrical storms in the afternoon with waves crashing over the boat. Air temperature 70 F, water temperature 73 F."
September 14, 1956- Anchored at Southampton, England at 6 AM. First passengers disembark at 7:30 AM. We take the boat train to London and a taxi to Green Park Hotel. After lunch at the hotel, we spend the afternoon in Green Park.
Next installment: After a short stay in England, we board another ship to Canada.
*Credits: The photos in this series are digitalized copies of my father's Kodachrome slides*
Comments
Post a Comment