Published November 25, 2003. All images and text copyright Peter Knego 2003 (unless otherwise noted).

Page One:

Owners: Topaz International, Greece
Currently under charter to Peace Boat, Tokyo, Japan
Built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering, Govan, Scotland
Yard no: 731
Rebuilt at Genoa 1964/5 and Eleusis 1997/8, various refits over the years
32,327 gt
640 feet by 85.3 feet/ 195.1 x 26 meters
29 foot draft
Two sets Pametrada geared turbines; Twin screw; 30,000 SHP 21 knots
Passengers: 1050

With a setting sun providing a golden hue, the magnificent THE TOPAZ makes a dazzling departure from Vancouver,
Canada, on 1 September 2003. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Canadian Pacific's First Post War "EMPRESS"

An aerial view of the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN at sea. Peter Knego collection.

Having been launched by a queen and later named for a queen, the majestic THE TOPAZ is a rare survivor of the great postwar British shipbuilding era. She sails happily today under a unique long-term charter agreement with the Japanese-based Peace Boat organization. Throughout the nearly five decades since she entered service, she evolved from a cold weather transatlantic liner to a full-time cruise ship.

 

Left, the CP "checkered" house flag as it appeared in the 1950s at the time of the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN's launch. Peter Knego collection. The original Fairfield builder's plate some 41 years later on the (then) OLYMPIC's forward superstructure in September of 1997. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1997.

On 22 June, 1955, HM Queen Elizabeth sent the hull of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Co's first all new post war liner EMPRESS OF BRITAIN down the ways at the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering yard at Glasgow, Scotland.

A stern view of the pleasingly well-proportioned and sleek EMPRESS OF BRITAIN as built. Peter Knego collection.

This royal beginning must have been a lucky omen since this particular EMPRESS has survived many obstacles and is still going strong today. The first of three handsome liners built for the Liverpool-Montreal run, she entered service in April of 1956.

Her twin, the less fortunate EMPRESS OF ENGLAND, followed in 1957 and the slightly larger, more streamlined EMPRESS OF CANADA (now Royal Olympic Cruises' laid up APOLLON) entered service in 1961.

A promotional coaster issued to celebrate CP's newest transatlantic liner in 1956. Peter Knego collection.

CP's third EMPRESS OF BRITAIN measured 25,516 gross tons, and was 640 by 85.3 feet, with a draft of 29 feet. Her two sets of double reduction geared Fairfield Pametrada turbines were designed to achieve a combined output of 27,000 SHP (30,000 max) to drive her twin screws at a service speed of 20 knots (21 maximum). She was built to carry 160 first and 894 tourist class passengers and 464 crew.

A color post card view of the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN. Peter Knego collection.

The EMPRESS OF BRITAIN featured a stayless aluminum funnel strengthened from within by a steel grid. Her modern radio mast meshed into the rear portion of the forward superstructure (similar to Shaw Savill's SOUTHERN CROSS -- see OCEANBREEZE history and tour) and featured a heated crow's nest platform while its base concealed the first class elevator machinery. Her hull was ice strengthened and employed a greater than usual amount of welded plates in combination with rivets.

From top to bottom, the layout began with a somewhat sheltered monkey island atop a streamlined forward superstructure housing with solid bulwarks and a small open air navigation platform.

Navigation Bridge Deck followed, with wheelhouse, chart room, and radio room.

A narrow interior stairwell led down to Captain's Bridge Deck with captain's and staff captain's quarters. This level started again amidships at the base of the funnel, with open deck and ventilation gear.

Boat Deck began with a sheltered open promenade surrounding number three hatch. The forward superstructure contained officers' accommodation and the aft-facing Sun Lounge, which opened up onto a sheltered first class sun deck. Open promenades continued aft underneath the lifeboats while the midships housing contained engineers' quarters, the funnel uptakes, and the dome of the Cinema. A small open tourist class platform surrounding the number five cargo hatches overlooked the stern.

Promenade Deck began with open air crew space and numbers one and two hatches. The first class public rooms led aft to tourist public rooms while the entire deck was spanned on either side by enclosed promenades. Number six hatch and another open tourist class balcony with aft docking wings overlooked the stern.

A Deck began at the open focsle, continuing within the superstructure with a crew recreation room and tourist accommodation. The middle portion of this level was given over to first class accommodation, while the after portion continued with tourist class accommodation and another open, aft-facing terrace.

B Deck began with crew accommodation, leading to tourist class accommodation and the open fantail.

C Deck contained crew quarters, holds, tourist class accommodation, the first class dining room, galley, and tourist class dining room.

D Deck was shared by the holds, tourist class and crew accommodation, refrigerated compartments, indoor pool, and upper level of engine and boiler rooms.

E Deck was devoted to holds and machinery as were the tank tops on the bottom-most level.

Life aboard an EMPRESS in the late 1950s was in a mode that is far removed from the purpose-built cruise ship experience of today. Here is a look at the some of the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN's first class public rooms and accommodation:

The Sun Lounge (shown facing port) was located in the after portion of EMPRESS OF BRITAIN's forward superstructure on Boat Deck. It faced a sheltered first class games area at the base of the midships funnel housing. Peter Knego collection.

Six first class public rooms occupied forward Promenade Deck, beginning with the forward sheltered enclosure, or Winter Garden. Promenades with full length windows continued aft on either side while the inboard rooms began with the lovely crescent-shaped Club Room, shown here facing port. Peter Knego collection.

The first class Drawing Room was immediately aft of the Club Room, whose crescent-shaped footprint formed the forward bulkhead. Shown in a starboard-facing view, this elegant room would be merged with the Club Room in the ship's later years. Peter Knego collection.

A small vestibule just aft of the Drawing Room linked port and starboard promenades and led aft to the Empress Room. Along the starboard passageway was the first class Library (not shown), while on the port side, there was enough space for the first class Children's Playroom, shown here facing aft. Peter Knego collection.

With its curved brass bay windows, circular sunken parquet dance floor, and corresponding ceiling fixture, the Empress Room was a classic ocean liner "faux circular" ballroom. Beautiful wood marquetry inlays in paneling of sycamore and madrona burr, brass banisters, and elegant etched glass panels were among its highlights. Peter Knego collection.

The first class Restaurant was accessed by the midships stairtower and was located on forward/starboard C Deck. It is shown in an aft/starboard-facing view. Peter Knego collection.

The EMPRESS OF BRITAIN was built for transatlantic service and was thus fitted out with an indoor pool on D Deck, shown here facing aft. A formica panel depicting EOB sailing along the St. Lawrence was featured on the starboard side. Peter Knego collection.

The sitting area of one of the opulent first class suites on midships A Deck. Peter Knego collection.

The bedroom of one of the first class suites. Peter Knego collection.

A first class single cabin. Peter Knego collection.

Please click for page two: EMPRESS OF BRITAIN Tourist Class

[THE TOPAZ page two]   [THE TOPAZ page three]   [THE TOPAZ page four]   [THE TOPAZ page five]   [THE TOPAZ page six]   [THE TOPAZ page seven]

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