I'm finally working through personal papers brought to the US after the 2007
sale of our family home. I recently shared
Mum's first letter to me when I was on a school cruise around the Mediterranean. I've now found my log book which we were encouraged (forced) to
complete during our time on board; and thank goodness we were encouraged (forced) to do this as the results of my early teenage
ramblings make for entertaining reading. I've left all spelling and punctuation as written. Please note the strange formal style as if I am the
captain of my own ship. Indeed Captain
James Tiberius Kirk comes to mind...
S.S. UGANDA
Log Book for Cruise # 255
Sailing from Southampton on
October 26, 1971
Calling at: Gibraltar, Heraklion (Knossos),
Santorini, Piraeus (Athens,)
Itea (Delphi), and Venice.
Bernadette Nason, Age 14,
Winchester
County High
School for Girls, Party Letter D
26/10/71
Bound from Southampton to Gibraltar
Personal Log: First Day
Having been shown onto the ship, we climbed down what seemed
hundreds of stairs carrying a heavy suitcase and we were shown our
dormitories. They were not as large as I
had expected them to be but they were soon found to be quite cosy.
Soon afterwards we were sent to muster stations and shown
how to put on a lifebelt which was not very interesting although obviously
necessary.
We were told the meals would be "ghastly" but
under the circumstances, I thought they were very good.
After muster stations we had an introductory talk given by
our "headmaster" -- Mr. Harris.
1200 - 1600 Afternoon Watch: we saw an aeroplane that was
built to carry a nuclear bomb.
We then proceeded to tea which, again, was quite satisfying,
and after which, we prepared for the dance later. We went to bed at 9:30 but I didn't sleep
until much later.
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