The Ocean Monarch

[Doc Vernon]

OCEAN MONARCH.jpg
The Ocean Monarch was a handsome, smallish but almost yacht-like passenger ship. Commissioned in 1951, the 440-passenger ship belonged to Britain's Furness-Bermuda Line. And she was quite up-to-date for her time: Air-conditioning, every cabin with private bathroom and a lido deck with oval swimming pool. Assisting the famed, larger Queen of Bermuda, her mainstay was 6-night cruises (departing usually on Saturday afternoons at 3) between New York and Bermuda. There were 2 sea days and 3 days on the popular island. Full cruises in the late Fifties were priced from $150 (or as much as $600 for a top-deck suite). Honeymooners and, in summer, school teachers flocked to these Bermuda cruises. Occasionally, there was a detour – 8-day cruises that included Nassau as well as Bermuda and, in summer, a 12-day itinerary up to Quebec City, Gaspe, Saguenay, Halifax and Bermuda.



Ships had their rituals. Des Kirkpatrick, the Ocean Monarch's purser in the Sixties, recalled one. "In early December, we would invite kids from orphanages in and around New York City. We'd put on a big meal for them. And give each of them a present. Then we'd march them up to the Sun Deck. Then to their excitement and surprise, Father Christmas would come out of the funnel. Those assembled kids were just thrilled!"

[Jeffrey Kelly]

Great Article,long before my time,I started in 1973 as a Deck cadet,but my first Captain was from those ships Captain Magnus Muson. I have recently purchased some pottery from Furness/Bermuda line on Ebay.
Great History.
Jeff