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1956

Smithsonian-Bredin Caribbean Expedition.

Mar. 2 Ile de France ~ Fortunately we went aboard at 9. a.m. as Fenner suggested and so missed the last minute crowding and milling around that was the late comers fate.  Although the ship is less than half full there was a mob of people about the chief steward table - so much so you could not get  [[strikethrough]] up and [[/strikethrough]] up and down the main stair aft.  It is a nasty drizzly, rainy day, cold and cloudy.  The leave taking from the pier, was of somewhat forced gaiety on the part of those on the ship, and their friends on the dock.  One of the deck boys passed out tri-color streamers (coiled) to toss over the side; but in the wind and drizzle it looked quite half hearty, but it was the conventional thing to do and most every body did it.  I put two in my brief case to bring home, should have gotten three.

The Ile de France makes quite an attempt at sumptuousness, but all looks a little tawdry and garish now, linoleum on the decks has many buldges now, some very noticeable [[?blisters]] when you walk about.  The main first class dining room though larger could not compare with the Vulcania, is more like a very plain large hotel ballroom.  In fact all lounges seem