I CANNOT tell you how delighted I was, when reading your excellent Review section relating to the 175th anniversary of the P&O shipping line, to see the photograph of the Strathnaver in dry dock.

During the 1930s, my stepfather was a steward on the Strathnaver and Strathaird, and I have many happy memories of meeting Dad at Southampton (my favourite dock) or Tilbury, at the end of a cruise to magical places.

In those days the turnaround would take two days, so I was able to see some of the splendid cabins and nurseries and be thoroughly spoiled by his colleagues, particularly the ship’s printer, Inky, who would present me with a bowl of mouth-watering ice-cream.

Dad would stay with us in a B&B and, after opening the exciting presents he had bought in India or Egypt, we would stroll through the Bargate.

One vivid memory is of seeing a huge crowd staring upwards outside a theatre, cheering wildly as a lady waved to them from a balcony. That unbelievable feeling of an aura of stage presence remains with me to this day – Gracie Fields was one of the few who had that magical gift.

How the powers that be managed to co-ordinate seven ships of the line to be in Southampton at the same time I shall never know, but congratulations to all concerned, and many thanks to the Echo for reawakening wonderful memories of a time when beautiful, sleek liners sailed the seas in peace – for a few more years at least.

BARBARA MURPHY, Fawley.