The Eagle’s introductory brochure covers all bases by calling her “the new cruise liner car ferry†and, operating a Southampton-Lisbon-Tangier service, she sailed direct to some of the most fashionable holiday regions of the age. Algeciras in Southern Spain was later added to the schedule. The ship’s hull lines were designed by ferry specialists Knud E Hansen, and supposedly optimised for the Bay of Biscay whilst there was a noticeable bulwark aft of the mooring deck to keep the worst of the waves off the forward superstructure, a feature missing from the Eagle’s two half-sisters, Fred. Olsen’s Bolero and Paquet’s Massalia.
The passenger accommodation was rather intriguingly finished, much use being made of bold colours and vinyl wall coverings, with the Red Room Lounge Bar and the lime-green Panoramic Lounge particularly notable although the choice of a quite distracting paisley orange and green colour scheme in the ten cabins de luxe was maybe regrettable. The design ethos of architects George Trew Dunn however was perhaps the Eagle’s most long-standing contribution to the evolution of ferry design, the firm conceiving an almost “disposable†interior which could be renewed every five or ten years rather than the “last for life†attitude which had heretofore prevailed. Dismissing concerns as to how the most contemporary aspects would look in the long run, as they could be replaced, would supposedly enable interior design to be more “of the momentâ€, and, alas, just as quickly “of the past†as the cycle of fashion moved round. None of which carried much weight with Design Magazine, the house magazine of the Council of Industrial Design, which quite scathingly commented that “good taste is not usually the top priority of the holiday maker, and though the architects have used the better furnishing firms available the mixture they have produced is at best entertaining, at worst restless and irritating. But … as the architects say, [it] can always be replaced.â€
The Eagle managed to last just five seasons; the recessionary aftermath of the OPEC oil crisis in 1973 severely undermined traffic and she was sold to the Nouvelle Compagnie de Paquebots, already owners of her half-sister the Massalia, becoming their Azur. Like the flamboyant Sunward, which had crossed the Atlantic and become the first successful modern Miami cruise ship, securing a place as perhaps one of the World’s most influential passenger ships in the second half of the twentieth century, the Azur’s future lay in cruising, and she was permanently converted in 1981 with additional cabin accommodation on her former garage deck. Chartered to Chandris from 1987 to 1994, slightly renamed as ‘The Azur’, the ship retained this name for the subsequent decade operating for Festival Cruises. Since the latter’s’ demise in 2004 the ship, now the Royal Iris, has remained a familiar sight in mainstream Southern European cruise destinations, catering specifically for the Israeli market of operators Mano Maritime.
RT
I too remember the Eagle, Dad was Mike Blackman, one of the electrical officers. I spent many happy hours on her when she was in Southampton between crossings, or when she was moored up the river Fal during refits (my favourite times). I remember remember Captain “Robbie”, the lovely Jo Ball, her side kick the beautiful Denise all six foot four of her (when she wore her four inch heels) she made lasting impression on this then 6 year old. We were very spoiled on board, I learned to play darts in the ward room, got to go on the Bridge and engine room when ever we liked as long as we asked permission and did as we were told, we were known by most of the crew which allowed us a huge amount of freedom!
Dad was a lucky sailor, he usually missed the exciting trips thankfully, although I do remember the photos of the “crane” on the dock in Lisbon. We went on a couple of trips as a family, my brother went on to become a marine engineer as a result of those experiences.
Mum and I were delighted to read your updates Captain Robinson. Dad unfortunately died a few years ago but would also have loved this page.
Brilliant to find all these pictures, details and comments when researching the ship’s background for my next book. Eagle provided the best route from Southampton to Lisbon for our yacht delivery crew in our attempt to bring back a former German 50 square metre yacht in 1972. Sadly, that voyage was beset with problems due to the condition of the yacht and we had to return to Lisbon, then find our own way back to the UK.
Happy Birthday Old Girl. who would have ever thought that you have lasted this length of
time. Only just found the site and enjoyed reading the comment from everyone.
Spent most of her five years with her. If Martin Baker still monitoring the site I can tell
you the young lady in the advertising picture is Gill Lang and not Jo Ball, sorry Martin.
Have lots of information, unfortunately in my head and my hard drive developing too many bad sectors!!!!!
now.
Iain Petrie, Radio Officer GOXE
GOODBYE EAGLE PEOPLE 1975
We all rember Curly
shirt hanging out and hair all whirly
And Brownie too remember him
a hundred miles on a bottle of gin
And Robbie who’s not short or fat
but roundly made and squat
And Mike who used to get his kicks
with servis doing tricks
And Bob the copper kettle bloke
sipping at rum and coke
And Dodsy large, rotund
underneith the cummerbund
And airline Mike and Dave the tash
and John and Oggers (the flash)
Bria Wilky remember him?
charmingh handsome, and rather slim
And what about that motley crew
Bob, Mike, Nick and you know who
And Dave the sparks, Earnest John
Colin and Mike, who,s earlier gone
The announcing voice of handsome Peter
whose dulcet tones could not be sweeter
Virginia who in lazy hours
entertained friends in theie showers
Jo the ho whose elegent strine
had been known to split a full glass of wine
Helena our own Portugoose
who is not renowned for being loose
And Rosemary with her laww degrees
and Avril, thats the end of these
But all our friends among the crew
Yes, we will remember you
Goodbye Eagle; to the Med
The Wardrooms Dead
We were on The Eagle’s maiden voyage to Portugal. We took The Jag over and stayed at The Penina hotel. I remember being fascinated by a cuddly toy in one of the shop display cases and I seem to remember it being used on a drink commercial (Branco?!?)
It was a great experience for a seven year old.
I remember being a passenger as a 12 year old in 1975. My dad had worked on the Eagle when she put into Falmouth Docks for repairs in 1974 ( I believe). The guys who worked on her turned the work around in very quick time and were offered a cut price cruise for a week. I have pictures still in a box in my spare room- such great memories of my first ever long haul trip. Wonderful time!
It wasn’t the Eagle but I remember travelling in August 1973 with my parents on the sister ship Panther from Southampton to Pasajes (Pasaia) near San Sebastian. We were crossing the Pyrenees coast to coast from St Jean de Luz to Banyuls sur Mer. I was 14 and it was the first time we’d ever been to Spain. In San Sebastian I remember being surprised by elegant Spanish ladies eating toast at 5pm (la merienda) and everyone throwing their paper napkins on the floor of the cafe. Years later I discovered this was quite normal in Spanish bars!
Anyway, I digress – back to Panther. During the 29 hours onboard, my father and I visited the Bridge and met the captain which was very exciting. I don’t remember his name but I recall my father saying “presumably the ship is stabilised” to which the Captain surprised my father by saying “No”. I didn’t appreciate the significance at the time but my father kept this fact from my mother who wasn’t a good seafarer until we were on dry land. Fortunately, the Bay of Biscay was like a pond the whole way to Spain (we were returning to the UK by French Motorail). The Captain gave me a chart of the route which sadly I have no more. I also remember a strange long roll cloud formation that went on for miles as we rounded the Brest Peninsular which the Captain spoke about over the public address system. The approach to the Pasajes Ria was unforgettable and once in sheltered water, the ship was greeted by small boats and crowds on the quaysides. Looking at Google Maps there doesn’t seem to be any evidence of a Ro Ro access system anymore in Pasajes but I have a feeling it wasn’t exactly a conventional system at the time anyway. Does this sound familiar to readers? I’d love to be reminded of the name of the kind Captain which was on the chart he gave me.
N.B. I have just realised that the above journey was August 1974.
I was on the Eagle September 1973 with my family, I was three, and I remember the playroom with the rocking horse that was mounted on springs – loved it, my parents had great dramas trying to get me off it ???? I could it the dongy dongy
Thank you for posting this, I ‘ve just found it. I had a wonderful and unforgettable experience staying on the Eagle for a week as a child when it was moored on the River Fal around 1974 ish. There were a few presumably friends and family of crew members on board but it was like having the ship to myself for most of the time. I spent time below deck exploring the engine room with my father ( a donkey greaser) and on one hysterical afternoon we went whizzing round the hold on a little pick-up truck. The crew were wonderful and rather spoiled me; I received a signed card from them all (with the Eagle on the front ) when I left, sadly that went missing years ago but I have never forgotten their kindness. It was a prefect break although my Mum remained a bit peeved that Dad hadn’t told her the cruise ship wouldn’t be leaving Cornwall – she’d had both of us vaccinated for foreign climes!
A wonderful blog! As a 20-year old American, I had the privilege of sailing from Southampton to Lisbon in late December 1973. The vessel , the crew , chefs, wait staff , cabin attendants were simply exceptional!
We would be awakened in the morning with a cup of coffee served while still in bed. !
I am pleased to read everyone’s recollections, particularly those of Captain John Robinson and other crew members.
Thank you for trip of a lifetime.