18. 1912 April

F.A.I.s next 2 sailings were aboard the R.M.S. Franconia, both to Boston and both as 3rd Cook (so he did do a bit better!). He sailed out of Liverpool on the 30th April, 16 days after the sinking of the Titanic, returning on 23rd May and then out again on the 25th. He sailed back to Liverpool on the 20th June. I often wonder how much of these places he got to see. Was the crew confind to the dock area whilst the ship was being prepared to resail ? Did he have too much preparation so could not explore? I hope he did escape to enjoy the sites and smells of new countries, citys, cultures.

Today we are bombarded with colourful dramatic images of every inch of our planet on a daily basis. In F.A.I.s day he may well have seen a few black and white photos or printed engravings of the world, but nothing to compare with the breath taking first glimpse of a new place.
I still vividly recall the first time, 25 years ago, when I stepped off a plane onto Spanish tarmac early in the morning. The heat, the smells and above all the excitement of adventures ahead, exploring somewhere I had never been before...........................................

The Franconia was launched on 23rd July 1910 and completed on 23rd January 1911. She and her sister ship Laconia were built to replace the Ivernia and Saxonia on the Liverpool–Boston run and also to cover for the Lusitania and Mauretania should they have to go to dock for a refit. Also the intention of these two vessels was to ship emigrants from the Mediterranean to New York.

Her first maiden voyage was on 25th February 1911 from Liverpool to New York not long after this she was placed on the Liverpool – Boston service. During the winter months she serviced to the New York to Mediterranean voyages.
During warfare, in 1915, she became a troop transport vessel.On 4th October 1916 the Franconia was torpedoed, 195 nautical miles southeast of Malta by a German UBoat –47. She was sunk within 50 minutes and 12 lives lost

A bit of trivia here………… the Franconia was the first to have a gymnasium and health centre aboard a ship (I wonder if it was open to 3rd Cooks?? I would doubt it would have been open to ‘staff’ , however I also doubt he would have took advantage as he smoked and if he was anything like Granny, also liked a ‘wee dram’)



Laurels

I am a man yet youth still nods at me
Mid age my friend sits near, we think and see
And this man sayeth what then has he done
And what hath he won
Little of either gentles in your scale
My name is weighed as but as those who fail
Yet what is the success of fame attained
Tell me do those who loose and those who win
Better maintain what manhood dwellith in
Those be the semblances that glitter far
Whose be the things they are
I know not only this I say to me hast thou kept fair?
The honour born in thee hast injured non canst
Smile even at myself hast their greed as ???
And these be thine nay if unto thy soul
Thou still canst whisper, Lo lies the goal
Then shall I marvel even in our days
That failure wears no bays