Stephen Payne’s masterpiece, Queen Mary 2 is proving itself magnificently in probably still the roughest crossing to New York that I remember, with passengers instructed not only to stay indoors, but not even venture out onto their balconies. I think it was a wise decision to swallow yet another seasickness pill at 5am today! I hope that the short pieces of video may illustrate well on a larger screen just how dramatic this morning has become.
I started to become slightly irritated when in his address to those attending what I now call Maritime Mattins, (the morning Church Service in the Royal Court Theatre, at which Campbell Simpson played the hymns), announced that QM2 had passed within 40 nautical miles of the resting place of RMS Titanic at around 6am. But, he was soon recounting the true storyof two clergymen who refused lifeboat entry so as to be able to administer prayers to those for whom there was no chance of survival. Both clergy perished, one after swimming to those in lifeboats in a last minute, and astonishing final opportunity to convert possible survivors, one of whom testified at a survivors’ meeting in Ontario just a few years later. During the service, the stage curtains swayed from side to side, worshippers hung onto their seats as what felt like one long earthquake continued as in the previous four days. The Captain’s tribute to those two clergy, and those who perished in 1912 was both poignant and appropriate, and I felt blessed to be there.
Is it appropriate, I ask myself, to mark the 35th anniversary of the day I walked away from a derailed freight train, into which the 16.22hrs passenger service from Sheffield to Manchester and Liverpool collided? The resultant heap was spectacular, but fortunately there were no serious injuries on the passenger train.
We continue west through these troubled seas at around 20 – 21 knots, and we might be through the worst of it after lunch. I shall miss the 35ft waves, and “firework-spray.” The horizon is blotted out by sea fog. While in the King’s Court, seated in one of the alcoves adjacent to the Promenade Deck (7), that deck was swamped more than once by sea spray. It was an amazing experience as the water crashed by outside the window. 14.55hrs, The Library. Jo and I partook of a light lunch in the Carinthia Lounge which is so comfortable, one is tempted to take root there! I left Jo to her reading and Internet tasks while I searched photographic vantage points to video the outside from. Jo had told me of one such place in the Library, forward on Deck 8, where at one sitting area, you can enjoy both forward and rearward views. The Captain in his noon-day address talked of winds of between F10 and F11. Any time lost during this turbulent crossing should be recovered tomorrow when much calmer conditions are forecast. While I do enjoy a “theme park crossing,” I shall be glad of the opportunity to relax and be able to walk in a straight line. And actually, despite my 5am travel sickness precautions, I needed to return to my cabin later this afternoon to lie down! On the way, I booked Jo and I onto the shore excursion to The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Tonight is Gala Night, the second of seven such evenings where the dress code is formal. Now, it is 17.51hrs, and the sea doesn’t feel any less rough. The sea fog is long gone, and, as we traverse the Gulf Stream, the air temperature is an impressive 18 degrees Celsius. However, I am hardly feeling like indulging in a Gala Dinner. Nevertheless, the black tuxedo will have its first airing this voyage. The dress shirt is newly laundered, and I have a choice of bow ties to pick from, handmade by a woman in Canada from whom I plan to buy more later this year, when on Vancouver Island. I do hope she is still in business.
18.01hrs Still my cabin bounces and sways as the ocean moves outside, seemingly only slightly less than this morning. We shall all welcome a calmer day tomorrow.
The ship’s Internet service seems to be pretty good now. I shall attempt to post a few illustrations. In the meantime, thanks for reading, David, 18.07 hrs in my cabin.
David's Cruise 