IVERNIA was launched by John Browns yard at Clydebank in 1954, entering Cunards service the following year. In 1962 she was sent back to her builders to be fitted for cruising, re-entering service with her hull painted in Cunards cruising green and with a lido installed on her aft deck, which replaced her aft cargo hatch. Her name was changed to FRANCONIA.
From 1963-67 she sailed on UK-Canada service in the summer months but went cruising during the winter months.
In 1967 she was withdrawn from Atlantic service and after a refit from which she emerged with a white hull she engaged permanently in cruising.
She was sold out of Cunard service in 1973 and then sailed as FEDOR SHALYAPIN until her demolition in 1999.
Perhaps someone can remind me when it was that she visited Smiths Dock, North Shields. Was it for refitting in 1967 or when she was leaving Cunards?
I presume the picture was taken during a W.S.S. visit to Smiths.