The America was a prelude to the United States. Designed by Gibbs and Cox, it was launched in 1939, and in 1950 was the biggest ship in the US Merchant marine.

   To a kid, crossing the ocean was a big deal. Sure the ship would be large, but I had read that the Atlantic Ocean was the most dangerous body of water in the world.

   The most impressive aspect of an ocean liner is its size. The first sight is tall red, white and blue smoke stacks, rising 30 feet above the ship.

  The band played as we stood on deck throwing paper streamers to those left behind on the pier. As the ship backed into the Hudson river the streamers broke, and we lost our last link with friends and relatives that we would not see for the next three years. It was fun exploring the ship. There were many large rooms with comfortable furnishings, and rooms for the adults to dance, to drink and play cards, to read. They even had a place for kids to play, and a swimming pool. When I asked why we had to put on life jackets and go to our life boat stations I was told not to worry, It was only a drill so that we could be prepared in case the ships were to sink. Standing at the entrance of the dining room, I began to appreciate the size and beauty of this ship. It began to take on a personality of its own. The room was large, and luxurious, with a warm friendly atmosphere. White columns supported the two story vaulted ceiling. Murals surrounded the upper portion. The tables were set on a polished black floor. The tables were perfectly set with cut flowers, silverware, and folded napkins. An orchestra in the balcony was playing light dinner music. That night the ship began to pitch, and I realized that ships not only move forward in the water but also up, down and from side to side.

  By morning the movements had become more pronounced, as a storm started to build. Walking down the corridor, I suddenly felt weightless as the ship seemed to sink below my feet. It kept going down and then suddenly halted as it hit the bottom of the wave. The next wave tossed the ship up, and I felt as though I were carrying something on my shoulders as the G forces pushed down towards the floor. The ship would also be hit from the side by a wave that would cause it to roll. Other passengers grabbed the railing to keep from crashing into the corridor wall. Standing on the promenade, I felt the power of the storm as the shrieking wind ripped the tops off the mountainous swells. Inside, ropes were strung to keep passengers from crashing into the walls and furniture. In a storm at sea I one realizes that the forces of nature can have the upper hand, and you hope that the ship and its crew can get you through it.

   Two days later we docked at LeHavre, and boarded the boat train that would take us to Paris. We lived in France for the next eight years. Our trip back to the States was in 1953 when we took a PANAM Startocruiser back to New York.

copyright © L Driscoll 1997