Blue Star
Log Book ~ 2008
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Date: 02-01-2008 CommentsTo start the log - Bliadhna Mhath Ur to all my old shipmates. Calum Macleod Date: 02-01-2008 Good start to the Maritime New Year! ~ Ship runs aground in Dover Strait A German container vessel with 27 crew on board has run aground in the Dover Strait off the coast of Kent. The 90,465-tonne LT Cortesia was en route to the Suez Canal when it ran aground on the Varne Bank, nine miles (14km) south of Dover harbour. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7167666.stm Date: 02-01-2008 CommentsA very Happy New Year to Fraser with thanks for a wonderful website, and a very Happy New Year also to all former Blue Star Line personnel wherever they are. May I also extend my thanks to all who have purchased a Blue Star Line lapel badge, details of which can be found at the top of the 2007 page. Best Wishes - Terry Smith. Date: 02-01-2008 CommentsA friend has just returned from a cruise which included a call to Montevideo.Apparently there is a mast sticking out of the water of the Plate and it was said that it was the mast of a Blue Star boat which had sunk.Does anyone have any information ,which would be received with thanks, of such a wreck. Kind regards Jack Collins Date: 03-01-2008 CommentsRef: Wreck Montevideo There is no Blue Star vessel sunk off Montevideo, but there is a a wreck of a ship the "Clean Star". Pilotage instructions for Montevideo state: Access channel. The access channel is between the entrance to the outer port and the mid-channel buoy ('Fairway' buoy) at km. 9.35 due south. The depth is between 32'/33'. It is clearly marked with light-buoys on both sides. Just west of the channel, near to km. 5, the mast of the wreck of the ‘Clean Star' is still visible and there is a marker buoy, the depth is 24'. There is also more famously, the wreck of the German Pocket Battleship Graf Spee, which is marked with a buoy. ~ Fraser Date: 03-01-2008 CommentsFrazer I have just read your home page I sailed on the Royal Star as a first trip Junior Engineer in 1951 and whilst in the Blue Star she was oil fired for both the outward and homeward passages. I was on her for two trips one round the world voyage and the other a royal mail charter around the Caribbean and then up the west coast of the states and Canada. She was fitted with Andrew and Cameron H.P. slide valves which were constant source of trouble on the first trip owing to having been incorrectly adjusted by the shore gang whilst in the U.K. I agree the Engineers accommodation left a lot to be desired especially when the oil fuel tanks overflowed as the vent valves were in the Engineers alleyway, unbelievable as it may seem. She was one of the hardest work ships I sailed in but during my time she was one of the happiest with a really great crowd. After her I went to the Uruguay steam turbine good but not the same character as the Royal. I was always a steam recip man, spending two years on the Vancouver as second, such happy memories. Many congratulations on this site long may it continue. John Welsh Date: 03-01-2008 CommentsDear Fraser Thank you very much for the information about the wreck off Montevideo. Easy to see why there was confusion about the name. Jack Collins Date: 04-01-2008 CommentsI was very saddened to read of the demise of Peter Heathcote (or "Scrote" as we used to call him), in one of the 2007 "Gangway" magazines. I spent a very "enjoyable" year with him at Warsash prior to joining Blue Star in 1962. I also recognise the many photos of Ian Mackillop - he was (is) a big lad, and I distinctly remember him throwing me across the chart table for whatever reason, on the Auckland Star I think. Capt.David Cripps Date: 04-01-2008 CommentsHello, I have visited this site a few times before. but its only today I wanted to find the meat factory in Chile where I went when I was on the Ulster Star back in 1959.I thought we had gone to Punta Arenas, but I have been proved wrong, after going to the Ulster Star photo, only to find the picture of the meat factory there, and near Puerto Natales, quite away from Punta Arenas. I have been on Google earth to try and find the meat factory, which I have, only thing that bothers me now, is which way did we go into the area, I can not make any way in, bearing in mind the Ulster Star was a fairly big ship. have you any clues or do you know the route in. regards Mike Hall(kefs@blueyonder.co.uk Date: 04-01-2008 CommentsWith reference to wrecks off Montevideo, I clearly remember seeing the wreck of what I believe was the former Royal Mail liner 'Highland Chieftain', high and dry on a sandbank off the port in the 1960s. She was well lit at night and I was told at the time that two watchmen were permanently stationed aboard the wreck. Does anyone know if this is true? or if the wreck is still there? From what I can gather she'd been sold out of Royal Mail service while she was in BA in the late 1950s, and had been taken over by a Gibraltar-based whaling concern for use as a depot ship and was wrecked on her maiden voyage for her new owners. Does anyone have any further observations on this? I'd be grateful for any definitive information. As I recall, there were masts and funnels sticking out of the water in several locations between 'Monte' and BA so I guess the area is something of a maritime graveyard, especially when we remember what happened to the 'Royston Grange' and her crew and passengers. Regards - Terry Smith Date: 04-01-2008 Comments'Highland Chieftain' Launched on the 21st of June 1928 and delivered on January 26th 1929. She made her maiden voyage on the London River Plate service on the 21st of February and transferred to Royal Mail in 1932. Commenced wartime trooping duties in 1939 and was damaged on the 11th of October, 1940, during a bombing raid on Liverpool. Didn't resume her commercial operations until 1948 on the River Plate service and was sold out of the fleet in January of 1959 to the Calpe Shipping Company of Gibraltar and converted for use in the whaling industry, renamed Calpean Star. In March of 1960 she suffered rudder damage when off Montevideo and after leaving under tow she suffered a boiler room explosion which resulted in her being abandoned, the wreck wasn't cut up for scrap until 1965. Date: 04-01-2008 CommentsThanks for the info re 'Highland Chieftain'. Best Regards. Terry Date: 06-01-2008 Commentswhere can i obtain the voyage record cards for the ulster star in 1961 Date: 06-01-2008 CommentsCopies of voyage record cards can be obtained from the Guildhall Library in London. Terry Smith Date: 06-01-2008 CommentsHi Re: "Highland Chieftain" I'm in the middle of making a DVD of the time I spent with BSL in the 60's Due out Spring this year. I shows the "Highland Chieftain" sitting out side Montevideo, plenty of BSL ships on DVD. Will put detail up, when ready. Regards Chris Date: 07-01-2008 Commentsterry,the guildhall library in london,do not have the voyage record cards for the ulster star. mike Date: 08-01-2008 CommentsRe Highland Chieftan: With reference to the boiler room explosion - I presume this must have been a boiler room for the processing whaling? As, the Highland Chieftan and her sisterships were all Harland and Wolfe blast injection diesels, main and auxiliary. Date: 08-01-2008 CommentsDear Mike I was 2nd.Mate on the Ulster Star in 1961. We signed on in London on 11th April and signed off in London on 7th.July 1961. Our ports of call were Rotterdam, Las Palmas, Montevideo, Santa Cruz, Punta Arenas, Puerto Bories, Punta Arenas, Buenos Aires, Rio Grande, Santos, Le Havre, Antwerp then London. After our first call at Punta Arenas we sailed through the Magellan Straits to Puerto Bories passing through the Kirke Narrows to get there. The following voyage we signed on in London on 21st.July and signed off again in London on 14th.September. Our ports of call were Vigo, Lisbon, Las Palmas, Santos, Buenos Aires, Rio Grande, Santos, Recife, London. The Master was Bob Taylor, Mate Stan Gill then John King, 3rd.Mate Tim Hancock then Phil Birkenhead, 4th.Mate Wally Burroughs Ch.Stwd.was Nippy Niblock, Ch.Eng. Pinky Parker, Sen.2nd. Alex Shand, Jun 2nd. Stu Ridland, El Gropo was Ch.Elect. C.R.E. was Alex Gault and Ron Curtis. Hope this is of some use to you Kindest regards Dick Young. Date: 08-01-2008 CommentsI've checked again, Mike, and it seems the Guildhall Library still have Voyage Cards for 1927-75, so I don't know why they haven't got the Ulster Star's. Regards. Terry Date: 09-01-2008 Commentsto dick young, thank you for all the information, it has been very helpful. I had already written my autobiography of this voyage and i got it completely wrong. I have always known i went to Punta Arenas and to le Havre but could not remember which ship. i have pictures that i took at the time of us going through the narrows, I also have the accommodation plans of the ulster star. who was i,you now have another name for the crew list, mike hall the cooks assistant. once again. thank you mike Date: 09-01-2008 Commentsterry,just sent an e-mail to the guildhall library, requesting the voyage record cards. will let you know mike Date: 10-01-2008 CommentsFOR DICK YOUNG, AS YOU GAVE ME A FULL LIST OF ALL THE PORTS THE ULSTER VISITED, WOULD YOU ALSO HAVE THE DATES FOR EACH OF THESE PORTS. THIS IS ONE ITEM THAT I CAN NOT GET HOLD OF. MIKE HALL Date: 10-01-2008 CommentsFor Mike Hall Thanks for your enquiry but am sorry I do not have any record of the dates we were in the various ports of call, only kept a record of the ports called at. Kindest regards, Dick Young Date: 12-01-2008 CommentsFor Mike Hall: Please see the chart below for the possible route(s) to Puerto Natales, kindly supplied by Captain Peter Stacey
Click on chart for large version
Date: 12-01-2008 CommentsRegret to say that Captain Jim Thomson died on the 11th January. He would have been one of the last surviving crew members of the 'Dunedin Star' when she was wrecked on the Skeleton Coast in December '42. Dave Tink, Aberdeen (BSL 55-60) Date: 12-01-2008 CommentsWith reference Dunedin Star, wrecked Latitude 18deg.13'S., longitude 11deg.55'E.The last I heard of this some years ago, was that it was now a considerable distance inland on the Skeleton Coast. Does anyone know if the cargo of munitions were recovered, and is it possible to locate what is left of the wreck on Google Earth, and if so what is its present position? Happy New Year to all, George Edwards Date: 12-01-2008 CommentsWhile trawling the Shiplist information on the Sydney Star I noticed that on the voyage 31.03.1957 to 27.08.1957 that the Chief Electrician was Larry Coles. He and I had served our time together at Campbell and Isherwood Ltd., Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Ltd., Cardiff. He was a little older than me and left to join Blue Star as I did later. For anyone that knew Larry he is alive and well ,living in Barry and at this moment is building a 5FT. scratch built model of the Sydney Star, this information being given to me by his Brother whom I met at Christmas. Should anyone like to see a picture of Larry, one can be found in the Timaru Star Shiplist titled 'Cabin Party' in a group of four including Willie Murdoch [Jnr. 3rd Engineer, Timaru Star top left, Bertie Westwood [Snr.3rd Engineer, Timaru Star] top right, John Wilmot [2nd. Electrician, Timaru Star], bottom left, and Larry Coles [Chief Electrician, Sydney Star] bottom right. Both ships were in Timaru at the same time, and should anyone like to contact Larry I do have his telephone number. Regards to all, John Wilmot Date: 13-01-2008 CommentsI have just discovered this web site and it has brought back so many memories. Me and 4 of my brothers sailed with Blue Star, Lamports and Booths in the 70's and 80's. The Ashtons. Phil, Andrew, Dominic, Tim and me, David. Fraser, I was 4th Engineer with you on the Boniface. Great times. Date: 14-01-2008 CommentsDavid Ashton, trust you to pop up here....... Alan Frost Date: 16-01-2008 CommentsHello Fraser I would like to thank you for spending your time and effort, to create this great site. It has brought back lots of happy memories. My name is Keith Docwra I was an electrician with BSL from 1970 to 77,I live in Wallsend and worked offshore for 20years. I would like to say hello to Steve Pelecanos Graham Shaw and Peter Stacey. Is there any BSL reunions in the UK this year. Regards Keith.keith@docwra.orangehome.co.uk Date: 18-01-2008 Commentsfor terry smith and dick young, gentlemen, i have just been sent by e-mail the sailing dates and the accidents that happened during the Ulster Star voyage. if you would like to send me your e-mail, I will send it on to you. best regards mike hall
Date: 22-01-2008 CommentsFRASER, WHERE IS THE LAMPORT AND HOLT SHIP "CONSTABLE". ITS NOT IN ANY OF THE LISTINGS MIKE HALL Date: 22-01-2008 CommentsSend me a non-copyright photograph of the Constable and I will add it to the list. I only list ships if I have decent photographs of them ~ Fraser Date: 22-01-2008 Commentsapart from dick young who was on the ulster star with me,are there any other shipmates out there who sailed on the same ships as i did,as follows ulster star 11/04/61 to 07/07/61 catalina star 22/08/61 newcastle star 04/09/61 to 04/10/61 dunedin star 12/10/61 to 17/10/61 the catalina star i signed on,but never sailed because i ended up in the seamans hospital at greenwich best regards mike hall galley boy/assistant cook Date: 22-01-2008 CommentsSurely, the MV Constable is the same as the MV Santos Star but with different colours! Date: 23-01-2008 CommentsHere is a site that has a picture of the M.V.Constable, along with pictures of many other Vestey group ships, requires patience and a lot of searching. http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum/Old%20Ships%20C/slides/Constable-01.html Regards John Cullen Date: 23-01-2008 CommentsHere is a site that has a picture of the M.V.Constable, along with pictures of many other Vestey group ships, requires patience and a lot of searching. http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum/Old%20Ships%20C/slides/Constable-01.html Regards John Cullen Date: 23-01-2008 CommentsIf previous link did not work try these instructions go to http://www.photoship.co.uk and look up Old Ship Picture Gallery, then click on Old Ship Picture Galleries,then scroll down to Old Ships C, then page 13 Best of Luck John Cullen Date: 23-01-2008 Commentsthankyou to mr cullen for your help and anyone else who has supplied information.mike Date: 27-01-2008 CommentsRE: Ulster Star and service at Puerto Bories in Chile: That page currently reads "Frigorífico Bories founded by Sociedad Exportadora de Tierra del Fuego in 1913..." but actually (and this is very minor) the word is "Explotadora" - as in exploitation, rather than exporting. Some of Duncan Campbell's pages (which you credit) can confirm the proper spelling. I very much enjoyed your site and mention of Puerto Bories, where I own a small property. Best regards, Date: 28-01-2008 CommentsHello Fraser and all, I am working on a documentary about a rescue at sea (of my grandparents) in 1979 by the Southland Star. I posted last year that I was seeking any video or film of the ship underway, and Christopher Towers was kind enough to respond and loan me some Super 8 film that fit the bill. I am also looking for any photographs of officers on Blue Star ships in the 70's or 80's. One of my interviewees comments on the formal nature of a British Freighter (officers in uniform, white linen table cloths, etc.). If anyone has any photographs that convey this imagery crew shots of officers in uniform, officers seated at dinner, having cocktails, formal crew portraits, etc.), I would love to see them. I can be reached at jedmortenson@yahoo.com Thanks so much for this wonderful site! Date: 28-01-2008 CommentsYo Dave Fox. Send Jed that piccy of you, me and Wigan on the BA Star. And very nice we looked too. Jim Caldwell Date: 31-01-2008 Commentsto dick young, i now have the dates for the voyage on the Ulster Star, if you send me your e-mail address i will forward them to you mike hall Date: 01-02-2008 Commentshi Fraser Happy new Year i met up with my old ship mate , We both sailed on the Aussie star in the sixties. He lives in New Zealand and I live in Canada . I was on vacation in Florida and he was visiting some family that live there and i met up with him close to the Kennedy space centre for a short visit. This was made possible for your wonderful site here Thank you Fraser for the memories. Small world I'm from Belfast and Alan from Bristol and we get together in Florida some forty years later. Just mind boggling thanks again Fraser Bill Bickerstaffe Ferry Riverdance on Blackpool Beach http://www.seatruckferries.com/web/seatruck.nsf/Content/wwww7bffb5?OpenDocument http://www.seatruckferries.com http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/7223811.stm Horncliff's injured captain winched off ship http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/7223565.stm Horn-Line Date: 03-02-2008 CommentsNice one Fraser. How can we download the Blue Star flag cursor? Jim C
You can download animated cursors here ~ Fraser Date: 03-02-2008 CommentsTo Mike Hall Thanks for your message - my address is capricyoung@hotmail.com Regards, Dick Young Date: 04-02-2008 CommentsDear Mr Frazer, I have through my good friend Hans Holmberg, who is an old colleague of Mr A.B. Smith, Sydney, been informed about BSL ´s homepage and the Gangway Magazine, which I am reading with great interest. I am very impressed by all the interesting and detailed stories that you manage to produce about the ships and people of Blue Star Line --- it is a work of great cultural value. It was therefore with great appreciation that I was informed that Mr. Smith would recommend me as a member. I am myself very much interested in maritime history. I have not been employed in any of the BSL ships, but met many of them, especially in South America during my time at sea in the -40 and -50ies. As a very young 3rd engineer in a 3000tdw Swedish steamer we went aground off Preston. After discharge of the cargo we were towed to the Cammell-Laird yard at Birkenhead and there we lay for nearly 4 months and got many friends. I remember clearly that a couple of us were invited to attend the launching of S/S Paraguay Star -- What a ship! After continued studies and service in different ships I went ashore in 1955 and got a job as surveyor of land based steamboilers. Then followed an employment as technical manager for a local oil company and I was in 1982 appointed managing director and retired with pension in 1996. Continued to work thereafter as consulting expert for oil and chemical cleansing. Under all these years my interest for ships and shipping has been very great and I am therefore grateful for the opportunity to follow the events of the Blue Star Line ships through your capable pen. With kind regards from us in Sweden, sincerely Hans Johansson. Date: 04-02-2008 CommentsI have just sailed onto this website. I sailed on the Brisbane Star and the Catalina Star as deck boy happy memories
Date: 08-02-2008 CommentsJust found this site have just returned from living in Australia for last 30 years. I was Third mate on NZ, California (reefer), Wellington and Hobart Stars. Looking to find old crew mates from Wellington Star's extended passage from Royal Victoria Docks TO Auckland departing late December 1974 also I would like to find Radio Officer John Visenga as he was to be my best man on 01/09/74 but was called back to sea. The last I heard he was planning a motorcycle trip from North to South America. My email address is : m3llowdown@btinternet.com Thank you and I hope to hear from you David Wood
Video ~ Colour on the Thames (1935) BFI Archive Film which includes some great shots of some of the old A-boats in Royal Docks, London Many thanks to Collin Collier who brought it to my attention ~ Fraser
Date: 10-02-2008 CommentsThere I was, sat in the office, and it's approaching 3 in the afternoon, and without thinking about it I said something like "time for tea and tabnabs!". This threw my colleagues into confusion, and I realised that "tabnabs" is a word I only ever heard in regular use at sea. That got me to thinking, about the strange words we used, "soogee"ing the deck, "dhobi"ing our boiler suits, and how all that dialect will be lost, especially the Blue Star specifics, like the oft sung line "Packed my bag, packed my grip,/I'm not coming back next trip,/ Bye Bye Blue Star". (ask what a "grip" is these days and you'll get many blank stares) A suggestion, Fraser, if I may be so bold...could we have a page of "sayings, words and Merchant Navy Dialect", which folk could contribute to via the Log, or perhaps a purpose-built page, to save the richness and humour of the language of seafarers before it's all lost as the industry shrinks and those of us that remember the era before containers go the way of all flesh. Thanks for a wonderful site. Jim Blake Date: 11-02-2008 CommentsMessage for Mr John Wright. I had a look at the crew list 1965 for 'Wellington Star' recently added by yourself. A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting up with Dr. Boyd who was on that very voyage. He visited us and purchased a painting of the ship, which I have very fond memories as well of her last voyage with BSL in 1975. best wishes. W. Trickett Date: 11-02-2008 Soogie (Soogee): In the Armed Forces, especially the Navy and Coast Guard, "Soogie Powder" was equivalent to scouring powders such as Comet or Ajax. The containers were identical with a plain white label that simply read: "Soogie Powder". The word was also used as a verb when referring to cleaning something. Doing any form of general cleaning. Used primarily in the Merchant marine (civilian) sea going work environment. But not exclusive to. Chunder: Chunder means to be sick, it originates from when sailors would get seasick and stick their head out of the porthole in their cabin. As they did this they would shout "Watch Under" to warn people in lower cabins of the forthcoming puke. Over the years this has evolved in Chunder. Tabnabs: Tabnabs are small items of food offered at break times, such as biscuits and cakes normally made by the ship's baker. Smoko: Smoko means a tea break. Refers to when 90% sailors smoked tobacco and could smoke during break times. Dhobi: Dhobi, to wash clothing or linen. Origin from Indian sub-continent where a Dhobi is a washerman. Came into usage in M.N. through the employment of Indian crewmen in ship's laundries on R.N. and East Indiaman vessels. Grip: Small piece of hand baggage. Normally similar to a soft sports bag with soft handles, hence Grip Bag. Date: 11-02-2008 CommentsI've yet to find anyone else calling an adjustable spanner a "shifter", and of course the long held habit of referring to Bulkheads & Decks instead of walls & floors. Steve Rickard Shifter: Shifting spanner (commonly known as a shifter : an open-ended wrench with adjustable (usually smooth) jaws, also sometimes called by the original patent holder's brand name as a Crescent® Wrench (Crescent Tool and Horseshoe Company). ~ Courtesy Wikipedia
Date: 11-02-2008 CommentsOne of my all time favourites, and must be exclusive to the MN. Where's so and so? Bronzying on the Monkey Island. Date: 11-02-2008 CommentsTurn to. Knock off. Turn in. The bulkhead bounce (P***ed walk back to the cabin). Deckhead inspection (sleep). Paying off. Shock sheet. The grocers bond. Spondulaks. Shrapnel. Scoobies. Date: 11-02-2008 CommentsFIELD DAY Tuesdays and Thursdays in 'Sydney Star' circa 1947 when the watch keeping Junior Deck Cadet on the 12 to 4 turned to at 1000 for two hours overtime MH The origin use of this term comes from the military. The literal sense of the
term, i.e. a day spent in field manoeuvres, is now little used. The first
reference for that meaning is from 1747, in Scheme Equip. Men of War: (Military) A parade day. In the Navy, "field day" refers to a thorough cleaning of the ship's spaces Field Day came to describe a day when all were turned to to carry out a task (normally unpleasant) like overhauling an engine unit that went on forever. Date: 11-02-2008 CommentsCrash, Turn In. (Sleep) Quite Beer (Piss Up) Date: 11-02-2008 CommentsMONKEY WRENCH: Stillson. So called by Indian crews Not strictly true. A monkey wrench was the forerunner of an adjustable
spanner.
Date: 12-02-2008 CommentsA little more on the subject......... Soogee Moogee, Souji Mouji (and many other spellings) Caustic soda in solution with other detergent for cleaning paintwork. Possibly related to Hindi "suji", a flour made by grinding Indian wheat, and perhaps referring to the allegedly abrasive resultant mixture. An excerpt from "Painting a Ship At Sea," in The Ways of the Sea, by C.G. Davis: To paint ship on the homeward bound voyage was the usual custom of the sea. The rigging was tarred down and the spars painted, then the decks were holy-stoned forward and aft and the white work and houses were washed with a strong alkali solution that cleaned and made it ready for the next process of painting. "Soogee, moogee," as this paint washing mixture was called, was a home-made product made by burning wood or saltpetre in a shovel over the galley fire and dumping the ashes into a deck-barrel full of water until the solution was strong enough to clean off all the grease and dirt marks on the paint. Deck barrels were the casks salt pork or beef came in. They were sawed off about a foot from the top. Each sailor was given a deck bucket of this mixture and a handful of cotton waste, or more often than not, told to tear up one of his old shirts or set of underclothes (if he had any). Then he scrubbed paint-work for a week. Peter Stacey Sounds like good training for Deck Cadets! ~ Fraser Date: 12-02-2008 CommentsAs the log book is in nostalgic mood, mainly ER here is one for the deck. Masters Report. It is with regret and haste that I write this letter to you, regret that such a small misunderstanding could lead to the following circumstances and haste in order that you will get this report before you form your own preconceived opinions from reports in the world press, for I am sure they will over dramatise the affair. We had just picked up the pilot and the cadet had just returned from changing the G flag to H and it being his first trip, was having difficulty rolling up the G flag. I therefore proceeded to show him how. Coming to the last part I told him to "let go". The lad although willing, is not too bright, necessitating me having to repeat the order in a sharper tone. At this moment the mate appeared from the chart room, having been plotting the vessels progress and thinking that it was the anchors being referred to repeated the "let go" to the 3rd mate on the fo'c'sle. The port anchor having been cleared but not walked out, was promptly let go. The effect of letting the anchor drop from the pipe while the vessel was proceeding @ full harbour speed proved too much for the windlass brake and the entire length of the port cable was pulled out "by the roots". I fear that the damage to the chain locker bulkhead may be extensive. The braking effect of the port anchor naturally caused the vessel to sheer in that direction, right towards the swing bridge that spans a tributary to the river up which we were proceeding. The swing bridge operator showed great presence of mind by opening the bridge for my vessel. Unfortunately he did not think to stop the traffic, the result being that the bridge partly opened deposited a Volkswagen, 2 cyclists and a cattle truck on the focsle deck. In his efforts to stop the progress of the vessel the 3/0 dropped the starboard anchor, too late to be of practical use for it fell on the swing bridge operators cabin. After the port anchor was let go and the vessel started to sheer I gave a double ring full astern and personally rang the engine room to order max astern revs. I was informed that the sea temp was 53F and was asked if there was a film tonight: my reply would not constructively add to this report. Up to now I have confined my report to the activities @ the ford end of the vessel. Down aft they were having their own problems. @the moment the port anchor was let go, the 2/o was supervising the making fast of the after tug and was lowering a towing spring down to the tug. The sudden braking effect of the dropped anchor caused the tug to run in under the stern of my vessel just as the propeller was answering the double ring full astern. The prompt action of the 2/O in securing the inboard end of the spring delayed the sinking of the tug by several minutes allowing the safe abandonment of the tug. It is odd that @ the very moment of letting go the port anchor there was a power cut ashore. The fact that we were passing over a "cable area" at that time might suggest that we may have touched something on the river bed. It is perhaps lucky that the high tension cables, brought down by the foremast were not live, possibly being replaced by the underwater cable, but owing to the shore blackout it was impossible to say where the pylon fell. It never fails to amaze me, the actions and behaviour of foreigners during moments of minor crisis. The pilot, for instance, is at this moment huddled in the corner of my day room alternatively crooning and crying, having consumed a bottle of gin in a time worthy of inclusion in the Guinness Book of Records. The tug captain, on the other hand reacted violently and had to be forcibly restrained by the steward, who has him hand cuffed in the ships hospital, where he is mouthing obscenities and telling me to do impossible things with my ship and my person. I enclose the names and addresses of the drivers and insurance companies of the vehicles on my foredeck, which the 3/O collected after his somewhat hurried evacuation of the focsle. The particulars will enable you to claim for the damage that they did to the railings of No 1 hold. It is sad to think that had the cadet realised that there is no need to fly the pilot flag after dark none of this would have happened. For weekly accountability report I will assign the following Casualty Numbers :- T7501 to T750199 inclusive. Your truly etc. Not BSL Fraser but could have been. John Suddes Date: 13-02-2008 CommentsBOARD OF TRADE SPORTS: Fire, emergency and lifeboat drills MH Date: 13-02-2008 CommentsI'm losing my memory! There was an expression for the money that the Grocer handed out in local currency in each port; anybody remember what it was?? And there's another: Grocer: a mildly insulting way of describing the Chief Steward. While we are on the subject of insulting references: Gadget: Cadet (of either deck or engine dept). And here's an engineering one: why are fuel valves always called "injectors" by shoresiders? Fuel valve is surely just a shortening of fuel injection valve and the terms fuel valve, fuel injector, injector are used by engine manufactures SUB: An advance against one's wages, esp. one granted as a subsistence allowance. From when wages were paid at the end of a voyage. THE CHANNELS: A state of high euphoria when almost home to see family/friends after a long trip! With ref. to English Channel RING BOLTERS: The illegal practice of the crew carrying girl friends between New Zealand ports DOSE: Sexually transmitted disease ROUND TURN: Manoeuvre carried out in emergency to avoid collision and to rapidly slow vessel. BITTER END: The end of a rope that is tied off, hence the expression "to the bitter end". A bitt is a metal block with a cross-pin used for tying lines to, found on docks. Also refers to the end link of an anchor chain where it is attached in the chain locker. Date: 13-02-2008 CommentsBunkering: The thankless task that could tie a hapless engineer to the engine room and surroundings for 24 hours or more as Heavy Fuel Oil was pumped into the double bottom tanks. During bunkering, all the other engineers (with the exception of the gadget who was on night-watch) would revel in the joys of day-work and getting ashore for for an evening of innocent fun (see "piss-up", "dose", et al). Date: 13-02-2008 CommentsCHOCK a BLOCK : a rope block heaved to its full extent. Date: 13-02-2008 CommentsWAISTERS: Press ganged land lubbers no use as sailors or aloft splicing etc, used only in the waist of sailing ships heaving lines, honing decks etc. Date: 13-02-2008 CommentsTHE NETTY: still once commonly used in South Shields to describe the toilet. Originally were the nets spread forward at the bow to be used by the crew as a toilet area. Also known as the HEADS Date: 13-02-2008 CommentsBoard of Trade Acquaintance: of which I had many. After all, why be fussy with who you drink with? Jim C. Date: 13-02-2008 CommentsBunkering: The thankless task that could tie a hapless engineer to the engine room and surroundings for 24 hours or more as Heavy Fuel Oil was pumped into the double bottom tanks.......except that is if you were bunkering in Cape Town. No such luxury as being pumped into the double bottoms. The Yarpy's were practicing Newtonians, believed in the laws of gravity. A real pain in the arse if you were at the end of the quay and others were bunkering at the same time. 24 hours........luxury. Jim C. Date: 13-02-2008 CommentsJasper - Term of endearment for the much loved Blaberus giganteus, of which the Southland Star had many in the spring of 1977. They provided the essential daily protein needed for a young Engineer on a diet of beer and fags. Jim C. For the uneducated Blaberus giganteus is the giant cockroach ~ Fraser Date: 14-02-2008 CommentsThanks to Jim C. for bringing back some unwanted memories of the Southland Stars Jaspers, still remember waking up with them playfully running across my face, also putting the lights on in the messroom when someone had left a plate of food lying on the table Shivers!! Re. seagoing expressions I think it was on this ship that we had a deck cadet that all the ABs called Fubbsy he loved this name and thought it was a term of endearment until the mate pointed out to him that it meant fat useless b****** Date: 14-02-2008 CommentsROCK DODGING: on a Home Trade run. J Hamilton Date: 14-02-2008 CommentsIN THE OFFING > Imminent arrivals : vessels awaiting entry to a port, sometimes, due to adverse wind conditions would stand OFF the land and sail back and forth till a berth was available. These vessels were classed as being IN THE OFFING. Date: 14-02-2008 CommentsLIVENERS; more familiar colloquially as a hair of the dog .best when we were tied up at Captain Cook wharf in Auckland the Schooner tavern was open at 6am for the wharfies that place saved a few lives but unfortunately one led to a lot! Which resulted the next day in a LOGGING: in front of the Skipper to get a bollocking, your name in the log book and the loss of TWO days pay. Too many of these then ended up with one of the following discharges in you discharge book GOOD which was bad DR declined to report which was really bad or VNC voyage not completed which was really really bad this meant you had JUMPED SHIP absconded ,vamoosed all well known seagoing expressions for us crew members in the 70s Alex Salmond Date: 14-02-2008 CommentsHi Frazer, Found your superb site whilst surfing for ships I've sailed in. I was on the Brasil Star (July'66- Nov.'66) as a steward. Those trips to B.A. were most enjoyable. Jeff Glasser Date: 14-02-2008 CommentsRe: Ringbolters as mentioned previously this was a much loved practice on the NZ coast years ago and was (usually) tolerated by the powers that be as long as it wasn't to blatant I think we might have had the record one time on the Fremantle Star there were 14 girls ringbolting from Auckland to Nelson, the morning we sailed from Auckland the Skipper decided to go round on inspection ,looked into the AB's drying room, stared for a bit and said "good morning ladies" to the half dozen girls in there and closed the door, cant remember which Skipper but obviously one of the more benign ones. But I do remember it was Harry Windle who was on the Auckland Star when the messman ringbolted his girlfriend back to the UK from Kiwi, we were going through the Panama canal when she was spotted looking out the porthole by a super keen 3rd Mate who ran up to the bridge and breathlessly said to Harry ,"Captain the messman has a woman in his cabin'. Harry obviously dreading being tied up in red tape in Panama if it was reported replied, "No third you didn't see a thing". End of story . Date: 15-02-2008 CommentsThrow your can in the "Rosy" waist bin. Shifter was usually a Swedish BAHCO, a Crescent was the cheap US equivalent. Blue Star "Half Day" ( or was a BOT one) 1700 till 0700 next day. David Wood, was the voyage on the Welly the one which we threw a top piston, I was on that, with Ted the Bed and Ron Mcintosh. David Fox Date: 15-02-2008 CommentsA PEGGY Crews messboy who brought all their food and stores from amidships to the after accommodation. This term was in general use in the Fifties Date: 15-02-2008 CommentsNavigating Officers, also reputed to have spent their cadet years on the gangway, next years in the Gangway, the rest of their years in every(ones)way. That is the printable version! Date: 16-02-2008 CommentsCrows Nest look out position up the fore mast. Monkey Island Above the bridge. Thunder Box Toilet over the stern. I am surprised that nobody went adrift C. M. Date: 16-02-2008 CommentsComments We had JB Searches ( Jungle Bunny Searches) on the Hobart Star when in the South Pacific. These usually happened two hours prior to departure from an extended stay in that port. What was the MN slang for stowaway? Best wishes David Wood Date: 16-02-2008 CommentsThe personnel I am trying to find are from the trip after the piston debacle but after she ploughed stern first into the dock wall at KGV docks. It seems I will have to put my memories of that fateful voyage to paper. David Wood Date: 17-02-2008 CommentsDhobi Rash: Usually struck in the lower regions, part of treatment, sitting on a bucketful of cold water. Cure doubtful. 'A Dear John', a letter received from some unhappy Girlfriend who got fed up waiting that usually ended up on the Ships Notice Board for Common consumption. 'Short arm Inspection behind No.4 Generator', commonly held after leaving some of the seedier ports visited. Happy Days.
Date: 17-02-2008 CommentsI sailed as a junior eng. on the Canadian Star in 1961 Jan. to April . We had a rough Atlantic crossing and ended up in dry dock in new Westminster, Vancouver Island. . Had a party before refloating on Paddy's Day . I polished off a 10 glass bottle of whiskey and wakened up in Everet in the States two days later . Second eng was Lugsy Lineham, Jun. Third Sandy Robb ~ Niall Walsh Date: 18-02-2008 CommentsAs an ex-employee I thought I would let you know I enjoyed your efforts. Also to update you I am the unnamed "Aussie" in the photos for crossing line in Buenos Aires Star photos. I will see if I can hunt out some of my photos so I can send in! Regards Graham Thomson (e-mail :- gkthomson@optusnet.com.au I've updated the photograph with yours truly. Small world indeed ~ Fraser http://bluestarline.org/canberra_kb2.html Date: 18-02-2008 CommentsLunchtime session. A couple of social drinks when knocked off early and tied up. Usually concluded about 24 hours later Date: 18-02-2008 CommentsBlue Star Pigeon equals Chicken. New York Surprise equals any pudding. As in You'd be f***ing surprised if you got this in New York. Date: 18-02-2008 CommentsBIG TIN CHICKEN /TOPSIDE TAXI what the Chinese crew (on the Townsville Star) called a Jetliner flying us or them home! W.Trickett Date: 18-02-2008 CommentsHarry - Harry Tate - 1st. Mate P W Date: 18-02-2008 CommentsTo Keith Docwra. Greetings to you - we sailed together on the South America run in the 70's - Canterbury or B.A. Star I think. John Moxom Date: 19-02-2008 CommentsJust seen the pictures in "New Images" of the "Queen Victoria"...what were they thinking of?? Allowing a block of flats to go to sea? No good will come of it, she makes the ACT 7 look svelte and graceful! Jim Blake For more NEW images of the "block of flats" go to : http://bluestarline.org/queenvictoria/qv_photos.html Date: 19-02-2008 CommentsMelville, log in with Fraser and he'll put you on the email mailing list, and pick my email address up from there. It will stop spamming to your address. Yes that was a voyage wasn't it. Do you remember Kieth Greenagh 4/e 8/12 who set his cabin on fire after having too many bevies at lunchtime. I spent one evening watch with him fast asleep laid on the ER plates, with two temperamental Doxfords banging away. He was a pool man from Tom & Jerry Harrisons, I wonder why. As well as Ted the Bed, there was Hamish Cran 3/E, Peter Arnot J/E, David Hall (from Fords Dagenham) J/E, Paul/Peter ? a Geordie, caught in his cabin whilst on nights Block & Block with some bird , by the C/Eng (the steam sani-pump had stopped). Dave Coles Frosty, ended up working at New Plymouth Gas Power station. I think I have down on paper the story of the top hat coming off, if Fraser would like I could publish it here, but its long. David Fox
Date: 20-02-2008 CommentsBulkhead Dynamo, perhaps too old for most, CABIN OIL LAMP Date: 20-02-2008 CommentsNAUTICAL TERMS Bilges Bilge KEEL Lecky Dunnage Date: 21-02-2008 CommentsTIGER: Captains Steward Date: 21-02-2008 CommentsBLACK GANG Firemen Date: 21-02-2008 CommentsShoresiders = poor benighted souls who we used to treat with total disdain when they came aboard in port and talked about "round windows" and "the pointy end of the boat" Pitiful, Hey wait a minute thats me now good thread Fraser could go for awhile yet. Date: 21-02-2008 CommentsScavenges: The bane of us poor firemen's lives this was the piston ports where all the horrible oily gunk got pushed through into and was a shaft behind the liners that had to be cleaned out (scavenge fires were fairly common) in port a candidate for Tony Robinsons TV program "the worst jobs in history" this was always a "Job and knock" you got stuck in and you were finished for the day ,one super keen 3rd was left in charge of us one time and came charging into the crew bar when we didn't turn to in the afternoon !bloody idiot, he left there with his ears bleeding, and went and shopped us to the Chief (Gordon Stables) no joy there either bet he never made that mistake again. Alex Salmond Date: 21-02-2008 CommentsYou can tell the Queen Victoria was built in France the stern end looks like a Renault Megane!! J Hamilton
Nothing could be as ugly as that! Actually she was built in Italy at Fincantieri Cantieri Navali SpA (Marghere Shipyard near Venice) At least they can still build ships in Italy and France, and still have some shipyards, unlike the UK ~ Fraser
Date: 22-02-2008 CommentsRosie - waste paper bins in cabins PW Date: 22-02-2008 CommentsTop end spanner - beer can opener ( before the advent of ring pulls ) PW Date: 22-02-2008 Commentschunder box - toilet Date: 22-02-2008 CommentsChippy - ships carpenter , Lampy - ships lamptrimmer PW Date: 22-02-2008 CommentsGolden rivet - fabled and fictitious final rivet in the vessel which "impressionable" young ladies were invited to inspect ( amongst other things ) PW Date: 22-02-2008 CommentsGazoncas - any brand of foreign currency, Belly Robber/Grocer - Chief Steward Date: 22-02-2008 CommentsI Have been watching the additions to the "Nautical Terms" and (Blue Star) MN slang with great amusement for some time. I've remembered a few from my (Perhaps mis-spent) days on Blue Stars ACT boats that I don't think have been mentioned yet. JBs or Jungle Bunnys. Dusky maidens who usually looked better last thing at night than first thing in the morning! Golden Blanket Award. Given to the most dedicated sleeper inner on the voyage. Cliff Bailey would have got it that trip I did with him on ACT 5. NO PROBS! Grimmie award. Given to the unfortunate chap who had "Bagged Off" with the most gruesome JB (or whatever) Bag off. Sometimes also Cop off. Having made a contract to disappear to your cabin with the JB of your choice! Forced draught job. Impolite way of describing a woman of ample proportions. Heavy lift job. Motorship equivalent of Forced Draught job! Copped out! A way of saying one had caught a "Dose" Sometimes after a liason with the above mentioned. Thanks for the laugh! Cheers Budgie Date: 23-02-2008 Comments'Scrubber' not the best looking available girl on offer, 'Horizontal Champion' variation on the Golden Blanket Award, 'Desert Chickens' [all wings and legs] served to lesser mortals after Passengers and Snr. Officers were satisfied. Date: 23-02-2008 CommentsTo Jim Blake, where will all these comments end? However, here are some more from my Slop Chest. 'Nudger' most popular tool on the ship, usually kept in trousers. 'Two Blocks' moment of ecstasy experienced on using said tool. Mostly used in a jocular fashion to describe the less popular, the saying,. 'Shipmates I have sailed with,or B------S I have met'. Just to finish one I only heard on the Timaru Star allegedly brought on board from the Pacific Star by 3rd Engr. Gerry Atkinson, 'Who has Traffed'?[a reversal of the correct] asked when unpleasant odours were detected. There can not be any more, or can there? JW TRAF: fart spelled backwards. The occurrence of partly a passage of flatus
and partly solid or liquid matter into the garment nearest the anus. Date: 23-02-2008 CommentsA synonym for "Desert Chicken" common in Sydney Star 1 was Blue Star centipede MH Date: 23-02-2008 CommentsQueen Victoria--when you take a long distance look at it - it reminds one of a livestock carrier David Wood Date: 23-02-2008 CommentsHave to agree the queen Victoria is not what you call a good looking ship Bob Sewell Date: 24-02-2008 CommentsTruth is, Queen Victoria and others of her ilk ARE just glorified "Livestock" carriers. Had enough problems on cargo ships carrying one or two passies. God alone knows what problems a couple of thousand would cause! Shudder just thinking about it! Ships such as these serve no useful purpose as far as I can see. Just add to global warming! Date: 24-02-2008 CommentsAs we all seem to be in a nostalgic mood who could forget the trials of dhobying, those bloody tanglematic washing machines you only found on ships, your underpants came out the same size as Chris Carters (that ginormous third engineer), nobody told you not to wash coloured with whites so you could tell the first tripper everytime. I will never forget the delight on boarding ACT 7 to find an automatic washing machine (and good food). Andrew Ashton It seems that Tanglematics were not just the preserve of Blue Star Line, but
were also to be found at Detaille Base W of the British Antarctic Survey Date: 24-02-2008 Comments"Peawack Soup" - a great favourite. "Egyptian PT" - between 1 and 3 in the afternoon. "Shore Bosun" - leader of the jungle bunnys. "Tarpaulin Muster" - what was needed after the jungle bunnys had been on board for a while. "Skin Out" there was often one the last night on the coast. A.P. Date: 25-02-2008 CommentsBurma Road - Big, long alleyway thingy, just below the main deck, port and starboard. Possibly unique to box boats. (Best explanation an ex 3rd Eng can give). Jim C. Already listed on: http://bluestarline.org/nautical_terms_1.htm ~ See link at bottom of page Date: 25-02-2008 CommentsWorking Alleyway - Escape route out of the engine room to the main deck, when in urgent need of a breather. Lecky's workshop often found (empty) off the working alleyway. Jim C.
Date: 26-02-2008 CommentsPOETS day, dirty beers at the Rose n Crown and a Blue Star Half Day (knock off at ten to five). TS (MacGregor) Date: 26-02-2008 CommentsWhilst getting caught up in a Bingo evening last night, another old saying sprung to mind when the caller called 'Full House'. I well remember being told a story of a young lad joining Blue Star and was sent to the Continent to join his ship, he must have realised that he was at last free of the apron strings and decided to prove his manhood. Sadly for him he chose the wrong one and copped the lot!!! that put him in hospital and the vessel sailed without him. Not so Happy Days. JW Date: 26-02-2008 CommentsI went to Ron Draper’s funeral service at Neston Parish Church this morning as did a few old Blue Star hands. Although I had never sailed with Ron we became acquainted when I came to live in Neston over thirty years ago. I found Ron and his wife Eileen to be a really nice couple. After I left Blue Star in 1985 Ron always kept me up to date with the goings on, even after he came ashore. I was saddened when his wife died suddenly and more so now that he has gone. As I hadn’t seen him for a while, I now realise why. I will miss them both. It was purely by chance yesterday that I found out from this website that he had died last week. Andy (Spike) Milligan Ex Blue Star Ch. Officer 1973-1985 Date: 27-02-2008 CommentsEarthquake felt across much of UK An unusual experience to say the least in the UK, when my bed did a triple bounce. Having experienced the Nicaraguan Earthquake of 1972 from the comfort of the beach bar at La Ceiba, Honduras, I knew what it was! ~ Fraser http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7266136.stm http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/recent_events/uk_special/market_rasen_27_feb_2008.pdf Date: 27-02-2008 CommentsStraining Bar - handle at side of toilet to assist your ablutions whilst the ship was rolling/pitching. Date: 27-02-2008 CommentsProfessional 3rd” (Engineer) – plenty of experience but no written qualifications Date: 27-02-2008 CommentsStruggling Bar. Very large crowbar or "Pinch" that first trip cadets or juniors would be asked to fetch for no particular reason except to see them "Struggling" with it! Cheers Budgie Date: 28-02-2008 CommentsSHAKE..........(your UK Earthquake reminded me) by sending the junior or donkeyman up to call next watch to "put him on the shake" . Same same engine or deck. regards WT Date: 28-02-2008 CommentsSend a first trip deck cadet to see the Bosun and get " The long weight!", the record was from smoko to lunch!!! Date: 28-02-2008 CommentsNever mind the "long weight", what about the "slip Spanner" that I was sent to get as a very green ex-country-yokel first-tripper! I was sent to take a massive spanner (it felt like it weighed the better part of half a hundredweight!) from the bottom plates to the bridge during a rough crossing of the Indian Ocean....when I arrived at the bridge, I was informed, that it was "to tighten the slip between the propeller miles and the travelled distance" and told to take it all the way back again. Date: 28-02-2008 CommentsDhobi Dust - washing powder Chief Thief - Grocer Polynesian Princess - "Dusky" Kiwi lady Double Bagger - Ugly woman Roger (BSL Lecky 1972-1974) Date: 29-02-2008 CommentsWhat about the "sky hook" Date: 29-02-2008 CommentsL.S. As a retired Dutch Engineer I am still interested in DOXFORD Engines. Pictures, drawings, problems with this engine etc. I sailed with Doxford for 2 years. I am interested in: Engine Pictures, drawings, problems with this engine etc. Awaiting your answer Kind regards Alfons Reply I'm afraid I do not personally have any pictures or drawings of Doxford engines. There is one photograph of the top plates of the Napier Star 3 at http://bluestarline.org/napier3_im6.html. Some other correspondents may be able to help. There are some drawings at http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Marine/doxford.htm and http://www.doxford-engine.com/index.html Also a video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKWOi0C-sak ~ Fraser Date: 29-02-2008 CommentsDoxford dance - inebriated Engineers bobbing up and down whilst singing. Date: 01-03-2008 CommentsTop plates, bottom plates, middles - areas to hide in the engine room when the 2nd wanted to give you a job. I always thought the rag locker was best for a pre-breakfast snooze Date: 01-03-2008 CommentsHandover - pass on the job. Relief - Person you handed over to. Date: 01-03-2008 CommentsOld Man or OM - Captain Date: 01-03-2008 Comments"clearances and deflections"...a torture imposed upon the lower engineers by the 2nd, who just *had* to be sure that a crankshaft that had been spinning at 128 rpm for the past 28 days was still straight....this exercise had the side effect of keeping said engineers aboard during the day, so they had plenty to spend in the evenings ashore on booze and JBs! Date: 01-03-2008 CommentsFarmer - Third AB in a Bridge watch. So named because he was paid for doing "very" little. Date: 02-03-2008 CommentsStill thinking of old sayings my mind went back to days on the South American Saint Line when serving in the Liberty ship St.Arvans, and in Engineering terms she was known as a Triple Expansion 'Up and Downer'. Can anyone come up with the origin of this particular description for such an Engine? JW Date: 02-03-2008 CommentsCHAIN LOCKER: Where anchor cable is stored Date: 02-03-2008 CommentsWheel Spanner.......... Tool for operating valves with a hand wheel, and useful tool for defence when on nights in port against drunken greasers
Date: 03-03-2008 Comments"Penguins".....these were shaped parts used to link containers to bracing bars to secure them. (they were painted white and looked vaguely like a penguin.) Date: 03-03-2008 Comments"BOX BOAT".....= container ship Date: 03-03-2008 Comments"Reefer"...= refrigerated cargo ship Date: 03-03-2008 CommentsTom Brabbs funeral now confirmed as at 13:30 hours, Friday 7th March, at South Shields Crematorium, John Reid Road, South Shields, NE34 9DT Date: 04-03-2008 Commentsre. shipboard terms how could we forget the haute cuisine that came out of the galley courtesy of such great chefs like "Kangaroo Kate" & "Dagenham Dan" i.e. Burgoo :a cross between porridge and wallpaper paste Bubble and squeak: yesterdays leftover spuds and cabbage lovingly fried up for breakfast the by-product of which added to global warming before anybody had heard of it. Sharks on a raft: basically sardines on toast usually served up when the cook was "under the weather" Golden buck rabbit: eggs cooked to the same consistency as a golf ball and covered with some kind of unidentifiable sauce. Great stuff ,though to be fair Blue Star had some excellent cooks like the Kelly brothers Paul and Junior, and others who on a deep sea passage were easily the most important guys on the ship Alex Salmond Date: 04-03-2008 CommentsAnother culinary delight. A sweet called New York Surprise - as in 'You'd be f**king surprised if you got this in New York. Date: 04-03-2008 CommentsI'll never forget my 1st trip on the honourable Rockhampton Star. The first breakfast I ordered was Scrambled Eggs on toast with bacon and beans. Every day after that when I sat down it was placed in front of me. I was never allowed to change it. The Chinese steward just smiled. Date: 04-03-2008 Re: “Up-n-Downer” Steam Engines. One would assume the term came from the fact they did precisely that. Previously in the case of paddle steamer engines, the cylinders were at an angle below the crankshaft. See S.S. Great Britain. Also many steam engines were horizontal, such as auxiliary pumps, compressors and ashore. The Caledonia Star (ex. Royal Star) had two splendid horizontal CO² refrigeration compressors. It also differentiated between Steam Reciprocating and Steam Turbine propulsion ~ Fraser Date: 05-03-2008 CommentsFarewell Brabbsy old friend - you were one of the best. Tom Sommerville Date: 07-03-2008 CommentsThe sad occasion of Tommy Brabbs' funeral was celebrated today at South Shields Crematorium with a large congregation of family and friends. Amongst those attending representing Blue Star Line were: Mr. Dave Bentley (Chief Engineer) All of us will remember the larger than life Brabbsy and wish him well across
the bar Sunset and evening star But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Twilight and evening bell, For though from out our bourne of Time and Place Date: 08-03-2008 CommentsNautical Slang Am surprised no one has mentioned the lady of ample proportions (HEAVY LIFT) who could Kick start a Doxford DP It is already listed in NAUTICAL TERMS AND SLANG
Date: 08-03-2008 CommentsRe Nautical slang another name for can opener that I remember was- Church key. ( pointed type with bottle opener on other end ) Anyone else recal this? Jeff Glasser. ( Brasil star July'66-Dec'66 steward ) Date: 09-03-2008 CommentsScavenge S..t - Gooey amalgum of Crankcase oil, cylinder oil and products of combustion. Commonly used as a sun block during crossing the line ceremonies. Date: 10-03-2008 CommentsDocking Bottle: A bottle of spirits purchased prior to landfall, and so duty free, the idea was that you could drink it whilst in port and not contribute to the exchequer. Much more feasible in the days of the box-boat with 24-hour turn-rounds than in the early '70s, when 6 weeks stuck in London during dock strikes demanded a stash in the rag-locker to tide you over! Date: 10-03-2008 CommentsAnd there's another one..."Box Boat", a Container Ship. A ship designed to carry a cargo of modular containers; standard-sized metal boxes into which cargo is loaded, the boxes subsequently loaded onto the ship. A cunning plan, because although they reduced the time/cost a ship spent in port (modularisation meant quicker loading) what they actually did was push the real loading process (stowing and dunnage and sweat!) back to the shipper. This also pushed responsibility for damage and economic use of space onto the shipper. Containers were supposed to deliver cost reductions but imposed significant hidden costs to the shipper....is it obvious I am not a fan of the box-boat? Date: 10-03-2008 CommentsAnd another! "Dunnage": bits of wood used to wedge cargo or stores or anything loose so that it would not move about when rolling Date: 10-03-2008 CommentsWell there you go. They say you learn something new every day. I always thought Dunnage was fuel for the bar-b-que. Date: 10-03-2008 CommentsDunnage, a little more than bits of wood to wedge the cargo, dunnage was laid on the hold ceiling for refrigerated cargo to be stowed on and laid in the correct direction to enable efficient air flow. ex chief freezer Date: 11-03-2008 CommentsTracing a line. Engine Room task and pre cocaine. RG Date: 11-03-2008 CommentsWould anyone fancy a BSL P*** up being organised for the everyday folk from Blue Star. I was thinking about a good down to earth night. NOT A LUNCHEON!!!! If you would be interested in a get together, perhaps Leeds/Nottingham area or wherever is central let me know. I am happy to organise but not subsidise Mike Boulton Deck Cadet 87-91 Date: 12-03-2008 CommentsTracing Line. A steam line following a fuel pipe; to maintain the heat. Date: 12-03-2008 CommentsSky pilot = priest. RG Date: 13-03-2008 Live Webcams Lyttelton & Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island Lyttelton Port Company as recently upgraded and added to it's webcams covering the port to almost photographic quality. They now give a fair coverage of the port and Lyttelton harbour. I have updated the Live Webcams Lyttelton page to include the more interesting ones at: http://bluestarline.org/webcams/webcam_lyttelton.html A webcam overlooking Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island (for those lucky enough to have visited Oban in the past) has been added at: http://bluestarline.org/webcams/webcam_stewart_island.html ~ Fraser Date: 13-03-2008 CommentsFraser, just clicked on the links and it's all in darkness. You never said it would be night time! Date: 13-03-2008 CommentsI'm very sorry, but New Zealand is inconveniently at the other side of the globe. I'll get Helen Clark (P.M.) to re-arrange their time zone as she seems to be able to f*** up everything else in Kiwi. Try North Shields, it daylight there! http://bluestarline.org/webcams/webcam_north_shields_east.html Date: 13-03-2008 CommentsAh, I forgot about that. What's this North Shields stuff anyway? South Shields is where I spent my final year as a Cadet. Ocean Road, Chelsea Kat, Strippers at the British Legion on a Sunday lunch time. You got me going now..........Jim C. Date: 13-03-2008 CommentsOi, Jimmy Caldwell! Thought you were "An Officer and a Gentleman"? Chelsea Kat? Rough, or what? Rupert's was the place! (even if the carpet was kinda sticky). I've still got a Rupert's sticker on a cassette case from that era...Happy Memories...Jim Blake Date: 13-03-2008 CommentsSouth Shields memories. Those bloody sausage baps and pies in the 'student' bar at lunchtime. What did that old Geordie lecturer used to say? You can have 1 pint and 1 pie, 1 pint and 2 pies, but not 2 pints and 1 pie. he had a Cornish sounding name, Abernethy or something like that. I never did any work at all at south shields. Date: 13-03-2008 CommentsSouth Shields memories. Those bloody sausage baps and pies in the 'student' bar at lunchtime. What did that old Geordie lecturer used to say? You can have 1 pint and 1 pie, 1 pint and 2 pies, but not 2 pints and 1 pie. he had a Cornish sounding name, Abernethy or something like that. I never did any work at all at south shields. Date: 13-03-2008 Comments4 pints of Exhibition and no pies in the Westoe at lunch time. Fight to stay awake in the afternoon, after taking the p..s out of Pete McCardle. Date: 13-03-2008 CommentsWho said that? Any idea where Pete is?? We finished our cadetships in the Gulf in '77, some rusty nails drunk that night, as were we! Haven't seen him since god knows when.... Date: 15-03-2008 CommentsCannot believe Tommy Brabbs has signed off already. We teamed up somewhere, maybe a Boxboat, talk about the good one's going first. Mike ONeill Leck. N.Z. Date: 15-03-2008 CommentsSlang: PUNCHING THE TUBES Boiler Clean Date: 15-03-2008 CommentsBAMBOO TICKET: 2nd Engineers ticket gained in Hong Kong Date: 15-03-2008 CommentsLamp oil = Eye sight (short of lamp oil = short sighted0. RG Date: 15-03-2008 CommentsTo add to nautical terms thread how about "conny onny" more commonly known as Evaporated milk. On a sadder note I have just seen the announcement of Ron Draper's death in February I sailed with him quite a few times on the ACT7 which he shared PCO position with.........hang on will just nip over to the crew list page to find his name...... got it Dave Kennedy. That pair kept a tight hold on the old silverware and I can recall it being counted back in towards end of a voyage. Nigel Smirk Date: 19-03-2008 CommentsSurfing the great 2006 Log Book collection, found mention of the Great Bitter Lakes Olympics held after we left Sept.67.Some of the Trophies wound up in the British Seamen's Mission opposite Landing Stage in Hamburg. Did anybody else see them there and know how they got there. Great site Fraser, Thanks for the nostalgia trip. Mike ONeill N.Z. Leck. Date: 22-03-2008 CommentsAnother one from the depths, Green Flash - Apparent instant illumination of the horizon, in green, just as the sun finally sinks out of view, on a calm and clear mid ocean day. Or, for all Cleudo fans, Mr. Green, dropping his kegs, in the bar, with a sextant. Jim C. The Green Flash is not "apparent", they are real (not illusory) phenomena seen at sunrise and sunset. See http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/GF/index.html ~ Fraser Date: 24-03-2008 CommentsMike O'neill NZ Leck. Re Great Bitter Lakes Association. I have some information that may be of interest to you. It is an article written by Edmond Owen-Humphreys Chief Freezer Scottish Star about the formation of the Association and the design and implementation of the stamp issue. Mention is also made about the mini Olympics. If you send me your email address I will down load it to you. John. sailorincivies@hotmail.com Date: 24-03-2008 CommentsGreat website. Does anyone have a contact email address for Mr. Eddie Welch, Chief Engineer? Thanks in advance. alan@wcm-group.com Eddie Welch has been advised of the entry ~ Fraser Date: 27-03-2008 CommentsMy name is Roger Day. I used to be in Blue Star, 77 to 82. I am now an art student in Cardiff. I am doing a project on modern shipping. I hope someone on this board might be able to help me. I want to model bits of a ship, so I would like some close-ups of ships. I was wondering if anyone knew someone who could pave the way for me to visit a working ship? I am also trying to acquire bits of ship's kit, anything handleable. Does anyone know where I can get such items? My email address is rog3r dot day at gmail dot com. Or leave a message here. Roger Day Date: 28-03-2008 CommentsFraser, I wonder if you ever sailed with an old Australian ship mate of mine. His name is Bill McAnally. I believe he sailed as Chief Engineer on several Blue Star ships in the early 1960s I have been trying to track him down for quite some time. Cheers, John Pearson Newcastle Australia. johnp@huntercivil.com.au I'm afraid I do not know anyone of that name ~ Fraser Date: 28-03-2008 CommentsTo Nigel, conny onny was made from condensed milk and not evaporated milk. I should know I made enough of the stuff. Mike Date: 29-03-2008 CommentsNever sailed a blue star ship but did six years in the merchant navy 1971 to 1976 sailed with PO BP Texaco Geest and quite a few of the old Iron Ore ships out of Cardiff. Left to Join the Fire service and was part of the crew who fought the fire on the Timaru Star in Cardiff Docks. My Name is Ray Ahmun Date: 29-03-2008 CommentsWhat year was the fire on the Timaru and how did it start? Wasn't there a fire in London, on a Star boat, started in duty mess? I remember a story about a ship catching fire and the cause was a bread board left on a toaster? The fire on the Timaru Star was on 17th October 1978 See: http://bluestarline.org/timaru2.html#news The other ship to suffer a serious fire was the Paraguay Star in Victoria Dock, London on 12th August 1969 http://bluestarline.org/paraguay.html#fire Date: 30-03-2008 CommentsBOB McCAW My father, Bob McCaw, passed away on Easter Saturday aged 81 years. He joined the company in the freight department in Leadenhall Street in 1950 and remained at Albion House until 1976 when he transferred to Liverpool. He retired early in 1986. During his 36 years with the company he rose from an Inward Freight clerk to a General Manager of the company responsible for the South America service and Calmedia Line. His funeral takes place on 9th April at Fareham, Hampshire. Bob leaves a widow, two children and three grandchildren. Alan McCaw Date: 31-03-2008 CommentsI'm looking for a copy of the book Efficient Deckhand. Does anyone know where I can get and or borrow a copy? My email address is rog3r dot day at gmail dot com. Or leave a message here. Roger Day Date: 31-03-2008 CommentsThere was also a fire on the Tuscan Star I think in Jamaica, in the late seventies. The 3rd Engineer was killed. He was called Dave ? Severn?. Also a fire on an A boat or a box boat and it killed a young Junior called Warren ?(he was a scouser I remember that). That was after the Tuscan. Date: 01-04-2008 CommentsDave Severn was killed on the Trojan Star in Kingston Harbour in 1977. Fire was started when bunkering diesel with the no3 genny running. Poor design meant that a diesel double bottom tank vent emerged under the genny's exhaust manifold. I asked, but was not allowed to shut the genny down to make it safe, so I refused to bunker because of the danger. Another engineer bunkered and my concerns were realised. The tank was pressed up too much, diesel sprayed on the manifold and caught fire, setting the engine room on fire. RIP Dave Severn, A good engineer and a good guy. Jim Blake Date: 01-04-2008 CommentsHi Frazer just found the Blue star site. Went away to sea early 1971to76 never sailed with Blue star but with quite a few shipping companies P O Texaco, Geest, B P,Shaw Savil, and quite a few of the old iron ore ship's mainly out of Cardiff. Left the sea to get Married and joined the fire service in Cardiff and had the unfortunate task of being involved with thr fire on the Timaru Star a day I will never forget. Ray Ahmun Ret Ff. Date: 04-04-2008 CommentsIf my memory serves me correctly (and I am only going off what I was told), Warren (can't remember his surname) was a cadet on the ACT 7 and died as a result of scalding from boiler feed water. I believe that when he was removing a feed water pump, whilst extricating himself from a confined space managed to open the isolating valve. I came across Warren when a group of us cadets were sent to Vickers at Barrow in summer 78 - nice young man and a great loss. Regards Nick Dawber Date: 06-04-2008 CommentsI note the comments about "Conny Onny" which I always understood to be watered down condensed milk and not particularly nice. I don't know if anyone has mentioned "Shakey" which was what we called evaporated (Carnation type) milk. Cheers Budgie. Date: 06-04-2008 CommentsRemarks about conny onny etc, what about The Iron Cow, we had one on the Argentina Star 1957 you put butter and milk powder in with water. Made a poor imitation of cows milk, Colin Date: 07-04-2008 CommentsWith respect to Warren (Mortensen I think) he joined the ACT VII a few days before I paid off as Fourth Eng in Tilbury, April 11th 1984. He was Fifth Eng I think, or at least Junior, and I had sailed with him before, as Nick says a great loss, one of the good guys. (continued) Date: 07-04-2008 CommentsI remember speaking to Bert Wady about the accident when it happened, and was very saddened by the news at the time. The sequence of events was I think as Nick describes, only I am sure Bert said he had suffocated in the steam as the pressurised feed flashed off. I also remember being told he was working on his own, as he was duty dog on a weekend afternoon. He was from Liverpool and I think he was nicknamed Wogsey. Steve Rickard Date: 08-04-2008 CommentsSteve. You are spot on. It was Warren Mortenson. He was working on his own, and he did suffocate from the steam leak. He was packing a gland and the ship rolled and he banged his head. The valve leaked and he suffocated. The fire alarm went off with the steam, but by the time they got there he was dead. I think the finding was that he should not have worked on his own, deep sea in a confined space. He was a cheeky little scouser who you couldnt help but like. I did the coast with him on the Belloc. RIP Date: 08-04-2008 CommentsSteve. You are spot on. It was Warren Mortenson. He was working on his own, and he did suffocate from the steam leak. He was packing a gland and the ship rolled and he banged his head. The valve leaked and he suffocated. The fire alarm went off with the steam, but by the time they got there he was dead. I think the finding was that he should not have worked on his own, deep sea in a confined space. He was a cheeky little scouser who you couldnt help but like. I did the coast with him on the Belloc. RIP Date: 08-04-2008 Commentshi can any one tell me where the crew of the pacific star landed in tenerife, as my late father in law was one of those who survived , as we are visiting tenerife this year ,it would be nice to see the area , thanks dave Date: 10-04-2008 CommentsHi Fraser Just been looking up in Google how to change the opening picture of the ship in TM Master (you did tell me once but i have since forgotten) and i stumbled upon your Site again. its been a while since I've had any news from you. I am currently working for Østensjø Rederi AS (the Edda boats) as Chief on a boat called the Thrax. Richard Tarn is also here, He's currently Chief on the Phenix. Ironically we both left Farstad on the same day and have ended up in the same company. At any rate, i hope your doing well, drop me a line sometime. Simon@techship.co.uk Take care Simon Date: 14-04-2008 CommentsAm trying to find references to my late, best mate Pete Nicholls (P.C.Nicholls d.1986). He served on the Montreal Star (late 60s early 70s I guess) as 4th,3rd mate. Anyone remember him? Dave Smith, Northants
Date: 20-04-2008 CommentsMy father was a Acting Steward on the Brasil and Argentina Star in 1962,63. Brian Davidson (He was a Scott) anyone remember him? Date: 23-04-2008 CommentsTo Wallace Trickett. Thanks for your message on your meeting with Dr. Boyd. Sorry I'm a bit late in answering your entry in the logbook entry. Sailed eight voyages aboard Wellington Star, the last in 1967 as S2E. Regards, John Wright. Date: 23-04-2008 CommentsHi My father John Shanley sailed with Blue Star Lines from mid sixties working on Newcastle Star Ulster Star Imperial Star English Star to name a few, he left and joined J and J Denholm in early seventies sailing to NZ on the Lake Eyre but unfortunately died whilst taking ill on this trip he was buried in Auckland aged 33. It would be great to hear from anyone who may have known him or worked with him. Many Thanks Michael Date: 28-04-2008 CommentsI'm researching a paper on dugout canoes in Sierra Leone as part of an MA course in maritime archaeology. Who should I contact to ask permission to use the black and white images from 1935? Thanks for your help, Patrick Dresch Reply NoticeApologies for Log Book being out of operation this last week, but unfortunately there was a problem on the server with FrontPage Extensions. Hopefully this has now been cured - Fraser
CommentsHi Fraser. Nice to have the Log book back.
CommentsOu est le blue background?
CommentsC'est bon. Man City like!
CommentsWonder if any of you ex Blue Star employees can assist with pointing me in the right direction. Worked from BSSM from 75-82 as cadet through to fiver, then emigrated to Oz. Been here ever since. Was attempting to locate where my superannuation went and believe that it has all now been distributed amongst those people Blue Star could find when they were sold out. More than a bit peeved. Anyone know how I can chase this down? Alan Frost Perth WA Reply I don't think that was strictly true. They had to attempt to pay-out people with small amounts in the pension fund before our beloved government raided all pension schemes by imposing a tax on each beneficiary. I think the windfall was about £5 billion in all! It was nothing to do with the demise of Blue Star. They made all reasonable efforts to contact people through the (British) National Insurance System. If you decamped to Australia, without leaving a forwarding address it is hardly their fault! You can contact the pension scheme at:
Western United Group Pension Scheme
16 St. John's Lane
London EC1M 4BS
Tel: +44 (0) 20
7490 3200
Fax:+44 (0) 20
7250 3159
Fraser
CommentsFor Michael Shanley Dear Michael, I sailed with your father when he was 4th.Mate on the 'English Star' for 4 voyages covering a period of about one year from mid 1959 to mid 1960 when I was 2nd.Mate. We sailed again on the old 'California Star' when he was 2nd.Mate and I was Mate for 4 voyages from January 1963 to April 1964. We were great friends, got on very well together and he used to visit me in Edinburgh when we were on leave between voyages. Please contact me by e-mail @ capricyoung@hotmail.com and I will forward further info and memories. Kindest regards Dick Young
Hi All. Blue Star Line DVD. The DVD is made from 8mm film I took during the time I spent with Blue Star Line during the 60's Full details at http://uk.youtube.com. Sorry but had technical problems with YouTube, but back up now. Thank you, for all the nice comments Chris Vowles You can also view it on this site at: http://www.bluestarline.org/video/Blue_Star_Line_DVD.html
CommentsFraser, thanks for the assistance on the Pension Fund. I actually did leave a forwarding address when I tried to cash it in when emigrating, but nothing came about over the years. I attempted to chase this up whilst in UK several times, but got the run-around from various Government Departments et al. Even tried doing it from Oz but received only a cursory reply and it all went cold, some place in Long Benton If I recall. Will give these people a go and see if I can make some headway. 50 now and thoughts tending to lean towards retirement. Where did the years go Cheers Alan Frost
CommentsFor Alan Frost, To trace your pension log on to the free government pension tracing site @ www.thepensionsevice.gov.uk/tracing/ I have had to use forward slash in brackets as the symbol is not accepted on the log page! This site requires you to fill in your details on the form provided on screen. Hope this is of help to you, I have used this and it works! Best of luck, George Edwards The slashes have been immobilised to stop spamming. Try this link http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/atoz/atozdetailed/pensiontracing.asp ~ Fraser
CommentsScenario, Freezing morning, Company Office somewhere on middle wharf of London Royal Docks, greeted by chap who stands up from behind desk, raises the back of a really batted hand to his forehead and says, go down to the BRASIL at Vic. dock AND TOUCH F... ALL. See you at 5 p.m. for a beer. Is it one of my senior moments or did all this stuff really happen? Mike ONeill N.Z.
Commentsre Alan Frost Think we met many years ago when you were coasting with my brother Stewart Parker he was electrician I think on the Gladstone Star at the time. I now work in the financial services industry after working for Blue Star the good news is I can not see your pension benefit being dispersed as you believe what could have happened as the scheme was wound up if you were not traced a deferred annuity could have been purchased on your behalf the Pension Tracing Registry should help Tel 0845 6002537 or The Merchant Navy Officers Pension Scheme 01372 386000 Good Luck Mike Parker
CommentsFor the attention of Dick Young, Dear Dick many thanks for your message i would be really grateful to receive from you any memories regarding my dad, i have sent a couple of emails to your address however i think my email is not sending mail outward if you could try sending me an email to michael.shanley@fsmail.net i would be really grateful thanks Michael
CommentsMiddy An abbreviation of Midshipman used in Liverpool for Cadets and Apprentices.
CommentsSpurling pipe Leads the anchor cable from the windlass to the chain locker below. Hence a rating who gains Officer status is said to have come up the spurling pipe, i.e. from the f'c'sle.
CommentsRiggel The metal eyebrow above portholes to prevent ingress of rain etc..
CommentsI am in regular touch with Captain William Smith who did his first voyage in 1942, on the Gaelic Star. He was my Chief Officer during my apprenticeship with Cunard in 1957. I have told him of your website, which will be of interest to him.
CommentsIrish Pennant Any loose whipping or halyard flapping aloft which offends the eye of the Bridge Officer.
CommentsOVER THE WALL, Over the ships side
CommentsTo Mike O'Neill, Absolutely spot on and take your Gear with you from the Store room at the rear of the office which was a 1950's version of Heathrow Terminal 5. A beer at 5pm must have been 'Dobbie' one of London Dock's great characters. Regards John Wilmot
CommentsAlbert Fitzimmons instructed many a junior engineer to join a Blue Star vessel in one of London's Royal group of docks. I was one of them. I didn't learn about 'Fitzys' famous T.F.A. expression until later on. For a young 21 yr old in a big city it was a daunting experience but I wouldn't change it for the world. Magic early days of a career at sea. Tom Sommerville
CommentsTo Tom Summerville and Mike O'Niell, Further to comments so aptly described by Mike I must think that it was in fact 'Fitz' and not 'Dobbie' who attended for the 5 pm beer. The D.T.F.A. has convinced me. John Wilmot.
CommentsAYE! definitely The 'Fitz'! 'Good Ship Eh? Keep it that way! Touch F... all Eh!' Another big HI to Mike O' Neill. I remember you from ACT 1 Bremerhaven drydock about 1973. I was Engineer Cadet, Your 2nd Elec was a Geordie lad called John 'Chalky' White. The Chief was Fred McKenzie and the 2nd was Ted Rae, possibly replaced by Dave Walker, I think the freezer was George Harforth. Long time ago now. Glad to know you're still vertical! Cheers and all the best Mate! Colin Hunter AKA Budgie
CommentsDBS. Distressed British Seaman. Some poor unfortunate who had 'Missed' his ship for one reason or another and was being shipped home on another of the companies vessels. Cheers. Budgie
CommentsFitzy's TFA hand gesture across his forehead was to emphasise the fact that the top of his forefinger had been severed - hence TFA! The beers at 5 were for anyone residing in the Merchant Navy Hotel nearby the Royal Docks. Tom Sommerville
CommentsI have blocked anymore than 700 char being entered in the form, as well as excluding other char except .,()'@?!&"£$~ This was to stop huge pages of hyperlinks being dropped into the form, mostly advertising porn etc. Which is why the backstroke is blocked. Minimum entry is 10 char to stop dumbos clicking on Submit Comments and uploading an empty entry which I then have to remove. 700 char will approx. fill the form field without scrolling ~ Webmaster
CommentsWhile on subject of personalities round Royal Docks way back,remember two Eng. Supers, one was possibly George Mann, can't recall other, but I do remember him threatening me with an early grave if I didn't spent all night checking a freshly overhauled Pump down below. Kept on about the cost of job, I nearly arranged a whip-round. Looking back it was a big vertical pump possibly a cond. cooling circ. but I think there was only one of them. This was on an A boat. Did that class run round with only one pump on cond. circ. or could you get another smaller pump onto system as well? Anybody remember. Mike ONeill.
CommentsMike ONeill - Superintendent sounds like Artie Shaw. Machinery specs too distant to recall. TSommerville
CommentsI remember an Engineer, but not his name, who used to hold up two fingers and order three beers. That was because he'd had one severed on a Doxford. "Not the first and wont be the last etc"
CommentsGOLDEN RIVET Fictitious final rivet in the vessel which "impressionable" young ladies were invited to inspect - or young men!!
CommentsTo Tom Sommerville and Mike O'Neill, Apologies for incorrect spelling of your names in a recent entry, 2 grandchildren in the vicinity. Are there any Electrical personnel who can remember the unique duty of showing Films for the sixty First Class passengers on the A Boats? I well remember having the two projectors sited on the covered deck outside the Lounge and projecting through the Square Windows. Bert Levy did not ready me for this duty when I was appointed to the Paraguay Star in 1959 and it came as a surprise when I was informed that' You will be showing Films tonight', luckily for me the colleague who was sailing with me was on his second trip. John Wilmot
CommentsShore side names 1956-1960 I remember, Binnie Hale, Stores.Mr Spittlehouse, relieving 2nd eng, Mr Browning, relieving ch freezer. Joycy and Paddy Coneely, frig greasers. Mr Davey Eng personnel sup, Happy days Colin Collier
CommentsTo John Wilmot, I didn't get onto A boats till early 60s,remember 2 projectors and two cunningly hidden beers for a thrusty operator, films shown on a flush-deck hinged hatch cover! aft of passenger accom., but can't remember any showing of movies inside accom. Do remember a piano in a fwd. pass. lounge especially the night a elevens trip 7th. eng. gave a very loud impromptu recital at 4 a.m., woke most of the passengers. The fact the guy couldn't play a note didn't help. 2 eng. Dougie Bourne was not best pleased, I do remember that bit. Best laugh all trip. regards, John, Mike ONeill
CommentsRemember sending the junior for a "Turning Clearance". The main engine could not be turned in port without acquiring a (verbal) propeller clearance from a deck officer. Sadly this safety procedure has ceased to exist - probably due to limited port (maintenance) time. Tom Sommerville
CommentsOn the subject of shore staff can anyone remember 'Heinz' in Liverpool Arriving back at 5pm from a weekend off I was confronted with, 'Where the hell have you been? having nothing better to say I replied 'Getting here' which did not go down too well. Have had a long chat today with Larry Cole who spent all his time in Blue Star in the Electrical staff on the Sydney Star, we have not spoken since meeting up at Timaru in 1956 and there was much to say. Thanks to Mike O'Neill for his A boat memories, which one or ones were you on. John Wilmot
CommentsTwo questions ... Is Ted the bed still around or gone to the big bed in the sky? And is it true that when the Napier Star run aground at Montevideo in 1965 that a radio message came back from London to paint the funnel as there was an A boat coming in the next day. Any one know of the whereabouts of Arthur Kemp or Andrew Henderson both Kiwis, both will be over 60 now? Melville Brown- New Zealand Reply As far as I know Arthur Kemp is still in the land of the living! If you send your email address I will forward it on to him. ~ Fraser
CommentsJ. Binstead Adelaide Star 1962 Auckland. Went to Ma Gleeson's there was a scouser behind the bar been on the beach 4 yrs i think his name was Macnulty he said he hadn't kippers for years I took a couple of them ashore the next day, he was over the moon and told me that he would like to get back to Liverpool I told him the boys would get him home he wouldn't take the chance we then went to Dunedin, Bluff, then home. We paid off and had a bevy in Plaistow. Who's at the end of the bar (Mac) from Gleeson' s, he'd got a jump on the Oriana beat us by 5 days never seen again.
CommentsTo Melville Brown, Re Napier at Monte, 65, the Brasil arrived and we were told the Napier had gone up on the beach.I thought it was down further towards Patagonia where she had picked up a load of meat and she was making for Monte for repairs.Fraser would be the man to nail this story down.Anybody remember the Graf Spee's supply ship that was sometimes tied up just inside the break-water at Monte.Nice condition and in Uruguay national line colours? Did she still carry her original war-time name? Regards Mike ONeill.
CommentsTed the Bed! Never sailed with the guy, but heard a lot of stories about him. Bit of a legend at the time, amongst the Engineers anyway. One story was his alleged relationship with Elsie Tanner, or Pat Phoenix as he knew her.....
CommentsI remember the ship in Monte, rumoured to be the graf spee supply ship. we were told it had been a prison ship. called the Tucaman? but originally the Altmark. Regards, Howard Fisher. 2nd fridge, Argentina Star, early 70,s I don't think it can have been the Altmark as she blew up in 1942! ~ Fraser
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Blue Star Animated Flag Cursor: 
Monkeys
Fist:
I had to make one as an a Cadet at Portsmouth and still have it to this day.
Whereas a Stillson is a modern pipe wrench as such
~ Fraser
