First of all a WHOLE steamship found for 75?
Choux, a steamship is just about the whole hind quarter of a steer.
About the croissants, since you said you were running short on time, maybe you didn't let them rest enough between turns. That's a maybe. Perhaps you inadvertently let them raise in the hot kitchen or your yeast is bad. But what's wrong with bagel croissants? You've just invented a new thing.
The greyish tinge in the potatoes is from mashing the potatoes in an aluminum pot. You're removing some material from the pan. Don't you fret though, they'll have no memory of this... you know, all that talk about Alzheimer's
Kuan