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it was a somewhat spread-out port, the piers at which we were to be berthed were
relatively close together, and thus were difficult to approach. But while Oriana
had four transverse thrusters (propellers) and thus could almost move sideways,
Canberra had only a single bow transverse propeller. Though this was much more
powerful than any two of those on Oriana, it was of little assistance in turning
around the corner of the pier, and some damage was occasioned to the ship’s
starboard quarter. Although found upon berthing to be merely a cosmetic injury,
nothing unsightly was permitted to mar the appearance of this big white beauty.
Men were sent down to paint away the scratch upon our being securely moored,
but the problem was noted (had there been some underwater spreading out of
the end of the pier – as there was in some ports – the starboard propeller could
well have been damaged, an expensive and time-consuming problem). As time
passed and the big ships frequented more unusual places (for example, Alaska
and the polar regions), damage to a propeller could become a significant issue, the
replacement of one being by no means simple (all ships that I came across carried
at least one spare propeller), usually requiring the use of a dry-dock. However, in
this instance, no problems arose, and after we left, the strike was evidently settled.

Through the Canal, on to the Caribbean, I was fortunate to become acquainted
with two New Zealand girls who were on their ritual trip to Europe; P&O must
have been thankful that young people in the Antipodes seemed to be better paid
than their counterparts in UK, for I do not recall ever meeting the English young
undertaking such trips alone, but antipodeans seemed to find it a normal rite of
passage. I had bumped into these inveterate travellers often enough to appreciate
their qualities; one Diane Cossey I found to be wholly agreeable, especially while
beside her on the Port Everglades beach.

Upon return to UK in August, we were at the aft end of the summer cruise
season and I was pleased to see that we were running a cruise to some interesting
places. We had the usual stop at Gibraltar (recall that when the Barbary apes
go, the citadel falls from Britain’s grasp; to me they seemed to be reproducing
remarkably well), then Athens (which seemed to have prospered since my last
visit) and then an Istanbul anchorage.

Istanbul, I had long wished to see. Proceeding up the Dardanelles was a
passage of the utmost interest. It may be an exaggeration to say, but perhaps not
by much, that the pusillanimity of the British Army and Navy (particularly the
latter) allowed World War l to continue when a vigorous attack in 1915 could
have saved Russia and knocked Turkey, Bulgaria and perhaps Austria-Hungary
out of the War. The Admirals, not wishing to lose (obsolete) ships decided not to
press on even as Turkish determination wavered.

Many of the world’s great crises arise because of unseen opportunities or
mundane but momentarily important events, and the failure of the Gallipoli

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