After completing a voyage on the Avelona Star , as Supernumerary Engineer while gaining my motor-time I mistakenly asked Personnel Department for an older vessel to gain experience, the Avelona Star being more or less brand new. At 20 years old the Ronsard was to put it politely was beginning to show her age. While her N.E.M. Doxford ran like a sewing-machine, the rest of her machinery was decidedly raggy about the edges. I soon learnt the mysteries of telescopics & elbows that regularly contaminated the lubricating oil with cooling water. The builders had thoughtfully fitted a porthole into the sump, which gave warning when the splashing oil turned milky! At the end of the voyage I took her up to Manchester via the Ship Canal. The Boatswain, being unable to lower the forward topmast, which was timber asked for advise. On removing the plug at the base of the mast in the forecastle, we found the entire mast was full of water! Additionally to lower the head, the ballast tank lids had to be lifted and the tanks and No.1 Hold partially filled with water. Despite being old, she was a comfortable ship and with a run to South America, it was an enjoyable voyage.