Grostenquin France

RMS Ivernia - Assorted Sorces

RMS Ivernia


The "Ivernia" (II) was built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland and was launched in 1954. She was 608 ft long and 80 feet wide. She displaced 21,717 tons and was powered by stream turbines. Twin screws could get her up to 19.5 knots and she could carry 925 passengers (125 first class, 800 tourist class).

She was built for Cunard and sailed from Southampton to Eastern Canadian ports. Her maiden voyage on 1 July 1955 was from Greenock to Montreal, but the return leg of that voyage ended at Liverpool. She then served Canada from the Mersey until 1957, when she was transferred to Southampton.

During the winter of 1962-63, she was extensively rebuilt and emerged as the green-hulled cruise ship Franconia III. Franconia typically cruised out of New York in summer and Port Everglades in winter. She also served on an unsuccessful Rotterdam-Canada service in 1968.

Additional detail by Don Norrie

My return trip was aboard the Cunard Line, RMS (Royal Mai Ship) Ivernia, on 25 April 1959, having sprent four years at 2 Wing, and returning to Canada with a wife and a baby boy. A lot had happened in my life during that four years in France, most of which I consider to be the most memorable four years of my entire life - but that's another story. Other ships I recall were the Ascania (my wife went to France on this ship), Saxonia and Scythia.


Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. Photograph of the refitted and repainted RMS Franconia III - 1963.
    Courtesy Bob Jackson.

  2. The Gilbert family on the deck of the Ivernia heading for France - August 1960.
    (L-R) Grant, Bob, June and Joy Gilbert.
    Courtesy Joy Gilbert.

  3. The Gilbert family in their stateroom on the Ivernia - August 1960.
    (L-R) Joy, Grant, June and Bob Gilbert.
    Courtesy Joy Gilbert.

  4. Bob Gilbert checking the luggage - August 1960.
    Courtesy Joy Gilbert.

  5. LAC Donald, baby Gordon and wife Ruby Norrie on the "fan tail" of the RMS Ivernia just a couple of hours before docking in Montreal - 1 May 1959.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  6. Mrs, baby and LAC Normandin and Ruby Norrie at the "last supper" - 30 April 1959.
    The rest of the story.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  7. Tourist & First Class Cinema Theatre on the RMS Ivernia - 26 April 1959.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  8. Tourist Class Drawing Room & Writing Room on the RMS Ivernia - 26 April 1959.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  9. The Garden Lounge (Tourist Class) on the RMS Ivernia - 26 April 1959.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  10. The Restaurant (Tourist Class) on the RMS Ivernia - 26 April 1959.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  11. The Amber Lounge (Tourist Class) on the RMS Ivernia - 26 April 1959.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  12. The "City Cousins" Smoking Room (Tourist Class) on the RMS Ivernia - 26 April 1959.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  13. Covering page of the RMS Ivernia passenger list, Le Havre to Montreal - 25 April 1959.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  14. One page of the RMS Ivernia passenger list, Le Havre to Montreal - 25 April 1959.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  15. List of RCAF personnel (Tourist Class) on the RMS Ivernia, Le Havre to Montreal - 25 April 1959.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  16. Post card photo of the RMS Ivernia - 25 April 1959.
    Courtesy Don Norrie.

  17. Photograph of RMS Ivernia - 1959.
    Courtesy Bob Jackson.

  18. Postcard photo of RMS Ivernia - 1959.
    Courtesy Bob Jackson.

  19. Postcard photo of RMS Ivernia - 1959.
    Courtesy Bob Jackson.

  20. At last! The RMS Ivernia reached Halifax - February 1957.
    Courtesy Heather Hay.

  21. Heather and the twins playing on the RMS Ivernia - February 1957.
    Courtesy Heather Hay.

  22. Heather and the twins playing on the RMS Ivernia - February 1957.
    Courtesy Heather Hay.

  23. Another Ocean Liner as seen from the deck of the RMS Ivernia - February 1957.
    Courtesy Heather Hay.

  24. Heather Hay returning to Canada on the RMS Ivernia - February 1957.
    Courtesy Heather Hay.

  25. Heather Hay returning to Canada on the RMS Ivernia - February 1957.
    Courtesy Heather Hay.

  26. Bedtime on the RMS Ivernia - February 1957.
    Courtesy Heather Hay.

  27. Heather Hay and her twin sisters at the hotel in Le Havre awaiting departure to Canada on the RMS Ivernia - February 1957.
    Courtesy Heather Hay.

  28. Loading freight on the RMS Ivernia in Le Havre - February 1957.
    Courtesy Heather Hay.


Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.

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Updated: August 27, 2002