An interesting year, without a doubt. The world economy collapsed, CNCo announced its move from Hong Kong, and the rest of us had a beer as usual. Certainly, this was one of the busiest years in this forum. Keep the input coming, chaps, sober or otherwise.
Entries are in reverse chronological order...
1
December 31, 2009 - 12:11
PM David
Walker
Great Mark. Why was'nt
the "Stu Elf" wearing socks of a red, white and
blue colour arranged in a blue vertical bar and
transposed in red and white diagonal
segments.
Have just returned from Darkest
NOSS MAYO after an unplanned session in "The Swan"
with Madeley. Will be there longer tomorrow. The
Tide is higher and lower as the pints wil be which
allows me to walk, with Madeley across The River.
Work that one out as only one of us has a "J" in
our initials.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
2
December 31, 2009 - 05:32
AM Ancient
Mariner
Simon Cowell eat your
heart out! Happy and Prosperous and Healthy New
Year to all. (May be off-line for some time,
about to try and transfer everything to a new
laptop so may lose the whole bloody lot!)
3
December 31, 2009 - 03:17
AM Stu
Brilliant Mark.......I
wonder if I can make Britain's Got Talent with
that.
Anyway.......Happy New Year everyone
and I really hope that 2010 brings greater
happiness to all our members and their families. I
know mine hasn't been doing very well over this
year, or even previous years.
4
December 30, 2009 - 05:28
PM Mark
Beaumont
Oh, alright.. may as
well finish this year with the same sense of
humour we're going to need in the next :)
I
believe that this link may be shortlived, so enjoy
it while you can! If you can, that is -
MAJB
5
December 26, 2009 - 09:13
AM Davey
Crockett
Merry Christmas to
all.....that Ed... fellow has got me making
Christmas videos to every grandchild in
Scotland......I am surprised Mark hasn't been
showing his bit a acting skills! What a
dancer....David cooperfield in Japan has got one
too! I just can't wait for Stu to screen his
debut?
6
December 24, 2009 - 04:36
PM Darrell
Daish
From the land where
the sun rises first on Christmas Day Jennifer and
I wish all SMA lads and lassies wherever you may
be a joyous and peaceful Christmas and a Happy,
Healthful and Prosperous 2010.
May the wind
be always at your backs, the sun shining on your
face and a glass of malt be in your hand.
7
December 24, 2009 - 11:13
AM Bernie
Simpson
Wishing all SMA
members, in all parts of the globe a very Merry
Christmas & Happy New Year. Shame about
CNCO moving out of Hong Kong but it's the sign of
the times.
Ciao Bernie
8
December 24, 2009 - 05:20
AM Ancient
Mariner
And the same to
you,Mark. Let's make 2010 a healthy one. Cheers
to all. MDB
9
December 23, 2009 - 09:54
PM Mark
Beaumont
The web-brat has yet
again failed to notice the passing of the days
during the past month and has, therefore, failed
to dispatch Christmas Greetings of the felled tree
variety to all those he might have liked to. I
shall spare you indelicate animations of farting
reindeer or Hip-Hopping Santas and simply use this
facility to wish all at the SMA a wonderful
Christmas with family and friends and a happy,
prosperous New Year.
May the malts be with
you!
Mark
10
December 19, 2009 - 02:31
AM John Kelly
Dear All, Just to
get my Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for the
New Year in early. Take care and fair
winds. Yours aye,
John Kelly
(1964-1967)
11
December 18, 2009 - 07:36
AM Stu
Well, I'm not in the
photo, they've all got hair.
12
December 18, 2009 - 06:53
AM Ancient
Mariner
I know the faces but
just can't put names to them!
13
December 17, 2009 - 02:39
PM Mark
Beaumont
14
December 14, 2009 - 05:15
AM Ancient
Mariner
Must have been a bad
batch of Famous Grouse, it is on offer in
supermarkets here at around £9-. per litre. Spent
a few days in Warwickshire and saw a chap, from
the former dominions, loading 12 cases into his
car! Am meeting Ben Aldis for lunch in London
tomorrow so may be "off the air" for a couple of
days to recover! I have booked flights to Oz
mid-Feb but will be in Tasmania for most of the
time so you'll be safe Bob!
15
December 13, 2009 - 11:38
PM bobsteer
Most Ancient of The
Ancients
You are absolutely correct,Chester
for the afternoon pub visit with the barmaid
drawing the pints for a thirsty 25
Swiremen.Plymouth for that fantastic Plymouth Gin
distillery visit ( and the sampling ).Auckland for
the curry lunch and the thirst that that brings
with it and the quenching of same amongst the Kiwi
men.Finally and not least is our own annual end of
Febuary thirst quencher amongst the many Swiremen
present. The Gordons,Schweppes,a block of ice
and slice of lemon,may you all enjoy as I do on
Christmas Day and may there be enough of
them.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
16
December 11, 2009 - 08:41
AM John
Madeley
Jim,
Just
purchased a few bottles of Famous Grouse as it was
reduced from Euros 16.50 to Euros 9.95 per
litre. Seemed a good deal but it doesn't mean it
will last any longer! The Ancient Mariner will
likely have a comment as he generally only touches
the Malts!!
17
December 11, 2009 - 05:15
AM Jim Snape
BBC news-the first
batch of English made whisky for a 100 years is
now on sale,would our Scottish members care to
comment,also what do they consider is the best
Scotch at a reasonable price,I like Famous
Grouse.
18
December 09, 2009 - 06:58
AM Ancient
Mariner
Bob will go anywhere
for a drink!!
19
December 08, 2009 - 04:27
PM bob steer
A follow up to six
white boomers,A Manly lawyer has played Santa and
organised a trip on the 0800 hrs.Manly ferry to
sydney every 24th.decenber. He arrives at the
wharf in his Santa suit with his sack full of
small gifts and about 50 or so gather in the bow
of the ferry and led by santa sing Christmas
carols on the 30 minute trip over to sydney
Cove.We stay on the ferry and on the way back to
Manly crack a bottle or two of champers which
rather starts off the celebrations. Every body
is welcome with all the kids getting a gift and
rather a nice thing to do.
20
December 08, 2009 - 01:43
AM Gilbert
Reid.
I personally don't
know Chris Frappell but some SMA members around
mid Oct. on this Log were enquiring as to his
whereabouts. The B.C.Ferries latest newsletter
"The WAVE" which they send out to their retired
employees has an article celebrating 50 years on
the Chemainus-Thetus Island-Kuper Island route
which includes a photo of Capt.Chris Frappell,
Marine Superintendent, Southern
Islands.
Thanks, Gilbert. Chris's work
contacts are chris.frappell@bcferries.com
and (250) 537-1478. In our Members' List, his
personal email is frappell@shaw.ca
which hopefully remains up to date -
MAJB
21
December 03, 2009 - 02:28
AM Alan Perry
She opened her mouth
and aired her vocals in front of Simon Cowell for
a few seconds and now, a multi-millionairess.
Alistair Darling will be happy, more money to
throw at minority groups in order to boost
Labour's impossible election chances.
Great work Mark you
know the words,sing the song and if you could only
skull a XXXX I would make you an honary Cane
Toad!!!!
Delighted, sir! XXXX no
problem, and this is me for sure:
"Cane
Toads are large heavily-built amphibians with dry
warty skin. They have a bony head and over their
eyes are bony ridges that meet above the nose.
They sit upright and move in short rapid hops.
Their hind feet have leathery webbing between the
toes and their front feet are unwebbed. Cane Toads
may be grey, yellowish, olive-brown or
reddish-brown, and their bellies are pale with
dark mottling. Male Cane Toads are smaller and
wartier than females. During the breeding season
males develop dark lumps (nuptial pads) on their
first two fingers; these help them cling to a
female while mating. Their mating call is a long
loud purring trill." (source: Wikipedia) -
MAJB
24
December 01, 2009 - 12:32
AM Wallaby
Supporter
Proud All Black
Supporter - you will be pleased with result
against "Les Blues", inspite of having to wear
white (no surrender) We finally had a good game
too - the Welsh singing was rather muted to say
the least.
25
November 30, 2009 - 04:45
AM Ancient
Mariner
The beach scene in six
white boomers is surely a certain retired Asst.
Supt.?
26
November 29, 2009 - 11:40
PM Mark
Beaumont
For all Rolf Harris
fans out there (anybody? anybody at all?) here's
Bob's Christmas song which is sure to stir the
heart as it soars to the lofty, exalted peaks of
musical excellence (Oh shut up -
Ed.)
27
November 29, 2009 - 08:45
PM bobsteer
To all those who
appreciate fine music,never mind silent night and
the lessor known hymns,I heard this rendition of
Rolf Harris's famous Australian Hymn,Six White
Boomers....
Six white boomers,snow white
boomers, racing Santa Claus through the blazing
sun Six white boomers,snow white boomers on his
Australian run..etc.
WHAT IF WE ALL SING
THIS AT MIDNIGHT on the 24th.Wouldn't it be
luverly!!!!
28
November 27, 2009 - 06:30
AM Alan Perry
Yes David, the final
track is a beautiful rendition of "Silent
Night", The star track is "I Dreamed A Dream"
but all tracks are very good.
No David, I
will not be buying you one for Christmas (although
I no doubt owe you several for past favours) but I
will think of you whilst I open the Chateauneuf du
Pape on Christmas Day.
Do please pass on my
best wishes to Kakubari-san.
Compliments of
the season to the lovely Chrissie and your good
self.
29
November 27, 2009 - 06:05
AM jim snape
To follow on from
Ancient Mariner's Swire penthouse story. I was
there only one time,at retirement,it was shared
with Mickey Seale who was retiring from the HK
Marine Department about the same time,they took
the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.I
had been off the grog for a some time,the stomach
having rebelled at all the grog poured into it.It
is extremely painful to watch others swilling down
fine wines and other choice potations and having
to drink tonic water.
I did meet Captain
Torrible for the first time,we had a short but
interesting talk,he had retired shortly before I
joined CNCo,the years roll by very quickly.
30
November 27, 2009 - 03:41
AM Anon
Bangkok
Is there any Christmas
songs on this CD and if so is Perry buying it for
my xmas present. By the way Alan, I am having a
few Saki's with Shosuke Kakubari tonight I will
pass on your regards.
31
November 27, 2009 - 02:47
AM Stu
I have it as
well.......lovely voice.
32
November 26, 2009 - 07:29
AM Alan Perry
It is a pity Susan did
not air her vocals at last Saturdays game at
Murrayfield, the strine's would have received a
proper lesson in playing rugby. Never mind she
will probably be available to sing alongside Dame
Kiri at the final. They will not win but at least
the Scots will be worthy adversaries.
Yes,
in old age, Jack is becoming a little sentimental,
shedding a tear into his sixth pint !
33
November 26, 2009 - 06:46
AM Ancient
Mariner
You sentimental old
thing!
34
November 26, 2009 - 05:48
AM Alan Perry
I have just received
my long awaited copy of Susan Boyle's debut CD "I
Dreamed A Dream" (see 16 April 2009). It is a
truly beautiful work of music and does indeed
bring a tear to the eye - if you know the
background behind this (Britain's Got
Talent).
Susan has just commenced a tour of
the States and when she arrived, someone in the
crowds waiting at the airport asked her how she
was feeling. In a very one-horse Scottish village
accent she replied "bluidy fantastic".
The
CD would make a worthy Christmas present.
35
November 24, 2009 - 03:11
PM John
Madeley
It must have been that
laser treatment I had!!
36
November 24, 2009 - 02:42
AM bob steer
The camels thirst has
been quenched,thank you Nick and your and your
fellow Kiwis
37
November 23, 2009 - 02:20
AM stu
He never could
count.......must be all the ale
38
November 22, 2009 - 12:15
AM John
Madeley
I was the one
millionth visitor to the SOFA web site. Do I get
free beer??
Not a drop until you learn
how to count :) - MAJB
39
November 20, 2009 - 09:03
AM Ancient
Mariner
Bob, I do remember
one cocktail party in HK in the Swire penthouse,
we were mostly outside on the roof when I had to
visit that small room. The then Taipan, John
Browne, was standing at the french windows and as
I approached to go inside he held out his hand to
shake and said "Goodnight,Captain, so glad you
could come"!!!! I defy anyone to say "I'm not
leaving,just going to the 'loo". I left and waited
in the Captain's Bar at the Mandarin for the other
to eventually join me!
40
November 20, 2009 - 06:11
AM Stu
Attention.....
Unfortunately,
the last of those wonderful SMA mugs has just been
sold but I have had several requests for more.
Therefore, I am going to have to ask all members,
just how many of you are still interested before I
place another order with the makers. My next
letter to everyone will be asking the question so
that I can gauge the interest.
I am sure
that HRH would be delighted to drink her home brew
in an SMA mug.
41
November 20, 2009 - 01:55
AM Gilbert
Reid.
Mark, you'll no
doubt be receiving an invite to the Queens Garden
Party as the SMA web site will shortly record it's
100,000th.visitor. Tell her about Stu's mugs. I've
been using mine on a daily basis for 6 weeks now
and have had no leaks.
You should
probably see a doctor, Gilbert - MAJB
42
November 18, 2009 - 09:45
PM bob steer
I see the booze is
arriving for the Swires Christmas party and you
dare to say the outports, just try the hub of the
universe,roll it over your tongue and taste the
Gordons Gin we have at these parties,the
oysters,prawns,smoked ham,barramundi,the fruit of
the southern ocean and of course the air con which
is switched off at 5 o'clock!!! (that's
1700hrs. Remember the occasions in H.K.you were
not encouraged to linger when the same thing
happened the room temperature rose and The Wanch
became more attractive.
43
November 18, 2009 - 05:49
PM Wallaby
Supporter
Well, well, well!
Mark, I didn't realise that Bowral is so far into
the scrub that they still drive on dirt roads.
Here in Central Queensland ("the bush") while the
roads are more like goat tracks - at least they
are sealed !!!!
Well, Alistair, the
picture was only taken recently during one of
Bob's weekly deliveries.. but I'm sure he'll
comment if there are any inaccuracies. That said,
the camera never lies... :) - MAJB
44
November 18, 2009 - 12:31
PM Mark
Beaumont
45
November 18, 2009 - 04:41
AM Ancient
Mariner
What's all this Bob,
getting booze off Swires? We're missing out here,
outports win again!
46
November 17, 2009 - 10:01
PM bob steer
Why should I worry I
am off to the AKL bash on Sunday,The Swire
Taverners in Sydney on Friday and then swires do
in the Boardroom a couple of weeks after that,that
should bring my Christmas partying to an
end!!!! ON THE LOWER REACHES OF THE fLY THERE
LIVED AN OUTCAST EX PATROL OFFICER,WHOSE NAME WAS
"scungie".hE RAN ATIMBER MILL AND WHEN i LAST SAW
HIM HE WAS DULLDOZING AN AIRSTRIP OUT OF THE
JUNGLE.hE WAS ALWAYS GOOD FOR A COLDIE AND QUITE
OFTEN WOULD COME UP RIVER WITH THE NATIVE LABOUR
FOR THE WARE SHIP AT THE MOUTH OF THE fLY AND THE
ODD DRINK OR TWO,WOULD JUMP OFF WHEN WE REACHED
HIS MILL UNTIL WE RETURNED WITH THE LABOUR FORCE
IN A FEW DAYS TIME.qUITE A CHARACTER HE WAS GOING
TO FLY sWIRE MEN IN TO HIS AIRSTRIP,i WOMDER WHAT
HAPPENED TO HIM AND HIS PLANS?
47
November 10, 2009 - 06:13
PM MIGUEL ANGEL
BERUMEN
IS A PLEASURE TO SIGN
SO HONORABLE MARINES BOOK ASOSCIATION , BECAUSE
I´M A MARINE OFFICER TOO
48
November 04, 2009 - 10:35
PM bob steer
Away for a few days
organising more vines to be planted to cater for
the thirsty one's possible visit.I am sure he
could drink Tassie dry and give a damn good
attempt in the Harbour Bridge city but here in
Bowral we will be ready.Everybody seems to have
scarpered with even the baresy possibility of THE
visit and on second thoughts I might go and pull
those vines out again for after drinking Canadian
and Tassie brews his pallete mightn't be ready for
Bowrals finest
49
October 30, 2009 - 02:19
AM Ancient
Mariner
About to depart for a
week in Welsh Wales, big sister's 80th so I' m
travelling with a mixed case of Oz, SA and Chilean
plus some champers. Got worried when I saw that
Bob had booked a flight to attend something on
21/22 Nov then remembered it's NZ so breathed a
sigh of relief! (For those not aware, there is a
Copthorne near Gatwick. Mind you, Bob is not Known
for his navigational expertise so.....). I think
the landlord of The Denbigh might use those pics
in his next brochure,(where the hell did you get
them Mark?). The landlady is originally from The
Philippines, and has two cousins working for her
so we have occasional chats about
Manila. Advanced warning, have asked travel
agents for prices/offers to Oz for Feb., to visit
youngest in Tas. but might make a brief diversion
to Sydney.
50
October 29, 2009 - 11:30
PM bob steer
Seeing the scene below
reminds me,so I have now booked a room in the
Copthorne for the 21st.and 22nd.of November,which
means I have also booked the flight,booked a seat
at the reunion so all set to go.I will be in the
bar of the COpthorne about 1800hrs.Saturday with a
thirst of a camel. Cheers.
51
October 29, 2009 - 11:13
PM Mark
Beaumont
No, that's JM's ship,
Bob! I expect AM has accommodations upstairs. I'm
sure he gets his regular seat and priority
service, too..
52
October 28, 2009 - 11:08
PM bob steer
How dare you !!!!If
the Most Ancient One spends Monday,Wednesday
Thursday,Friday,Saturday AND Sunday at the pub he
has every right to park where he likes, in fact
with those hours he most likely owns the bloody
pub.
53
October 26, 2009 - 09:45
AM Mark
Beaumont
54
October 24, 2009 - 05:53
AM Ancient
Mariner
John, Mon.,
Wed.,Fri.,Sat., in The Denbigh at 1730, Sundays at
around 1330! And any other time it
suits! Cheers, Maurice
55
October 23, 2009 - 12:27
PM John
Madeley
Ancient
Mariner,
We are visiting UK from 15th
December for 28 days and intend to pass thru
Bexhill. If you let me know when the "meetings"
are I will try and schedule a visit to
coincide.
56
October 23, 2009 - 05:47
AM Ancient
Mariner
JWM Best wishes on
your final (?) retirement, enjoy it. I am a little
disappointed that you are not returning to
Bexhill, we could have started a sub-branch of
SMA. It does look as if we might have had the
"golden age" of CNCo but we mustn't be despondent,
I'm sure the Company will get through the present
difficulties and bounce back, albeit without the
expat presence. Hope to see oyu in Cyprus one
day soon.
57
October 23, 2009 - 04:17
AM John
Madeley
Bob,
Many
thanks old chap. You have an excellent memory. How
things have changed since those halcyon days. I
believe SPO is now dry and CNCo might as well be.
Keeping the duty free bottle of Gordons for
Sundays when all Seafarers are
remembered!!!.
Cheer Bob.
58
October 23, 2009 - 12:47
AM bob steer
As do I john wish you
all the very best in your "retirement". I will
never forget travelling by indonesian bus from
Jakarta to join your ship in Merak.A bus without
any windows an extremly dirty dusty and
painstakinly long trip with the driver stopping
every now and then to buy petrol in a five litre
plastic container off a kid on the roadside.Was I
pleased to see the ship waiting alongside for me
and further pleased to find the Master waiting for
me with silver tray complete with the necessary
bottle,Gordons of course, a couple of Schweppes
and a tub of ice.Beautiful memories I might go and
have one now. Cheers John
59
October 22, 2009 - 09:09
PM Mark
Beaumont
We've been sent these
lookalike pictures of a famous RTHK actor (a.k.a.
dirty old poofter in drag) and a world renowned
genius. Trouble is, we're not sure which is which.
Can anybody help?
60
October 22, 2009 - 03:44
PM John
Madeley
Signed off Pacific
Horizon (Miho Mk 2) on 19th Oct. Finally, at
the tender age of 61 and over 39 years service,
CNCo/SPSM have decided that there is no longer a
place for this Master Mariner in their manning
establishment. It has been a most enjoyable &
fascinating career, including the 14 years I spent
as “Anchors” in SPO The turmoil that is occurring
in HK has and will continue to impact on morale
amongst the few remaining British &
Commonwealth Officers and the rumours of laying up
ships filter through on a daily basis. I suggested
that if money was to be saved then a move to
Djakarta might be considered. After all, many of
our ships pass through Tg Priok as well as S'pore.
Limassol would have been good as I could have
applied for a shore job! There was a distinct lack
of humour in the reply. Not sure when/where my
sayonara party will be but if it is in HK then I
guess I will be one of, if not the last, to
extinguish the lights. Singapore would be
interesting as I know considerably more chaps
there than in HK. Any old shipmates who are
considering a holiday in Cyprus will be very
welcome to visit Diane & I in Polis. Tel.
Numbers etc in the members section. Hope to see
you at a SOFA gathering next year.
A
most notable post, John, and thanks for letting us
know. I'm sure I speak for all your mates in
wishing you the best for your next career,
whatever that might be. Can't see you just sitting
back and whacking down the Ouzo, somehow. Shan't
expect so many beers out of you from hereon now
that CNCo have killed your entertainment budget,
but the quality might improve. All the best to you
both - MAJB
61
October 19, 2009 - 09:57
PM James
Crockett
I don't know if I am
repeating something we know already, but I got
this site from an old Scottish friend from
Aberdeen. It is a collection of photographs taken
by Warren Swire. Since CNCo. is being moved to
Singapore, I thought this might stir some
memories!
Below on this very page, Jim,
but thanks anyway. It's a great collection of
pictures. To save scrolling click here, folks -
MAJB
62
October 14, 2009 - 11:34
PM Warwick
With all the talk
about beer, I recently visited my daughter now
working/living in Melbourne. They took us into a
'Beer Suop' with over 200 different brands. Anyone
up to the challenge to beat this #. I can think of
about 30 plus. Collectively, with all that
experience out there we could go close???
63
October 14, 2009 - 01:11
PM Ancient
Mariner
Tried contacting
Christian before my trip to VCR but I think my
info is out of date as I had an address in the
City!
64
October 14, 2009 - 10:13
AM David
Walker
Ben, Try Christian
Frappell now living on Vancouver Is and is I think
safety officer for BC Ferries. Nanaimo is the
mainland terminal for The Vancouver Is ferries.
em. perhaps Stu has it if not GAH ? Cheers
David
65
October 12, 2009 - 07:55
PM Ben Aldiss
Wondering about old
friends. The recent talk about Canada and BC has
made me wonder.Does anyone hear of , or about,
Mark and Vicki Jennings- Bramley who when last
reported circa 1980,were in Nanaimo BC.
66
October 11, 2009 - 10:29
PM bob steer
I have decided to give
a boost,at least the food and wine sections of it
to the Kiwi economy by going over and tasting what
is on offer at the reunion in November.I know a
few of us at our reunion at the beginning of the
year,threatened to go overand taste the grape and
with the dollar as it is now is a good time to do
it!!! Any others interested,Nick has promised
not to talk rugby!!!
67
October 10, 2009 - 12:06
PM Ancient
Mariner
Gilbert, Don't
think I can stay long enough to do an in-depth COL
study, it was minus 8 here last night, now had to
buy some T-shirts to go under the sweaters!UK will
seem quite mild when we get there on
Friday.
68
October 10, 2009 - 02:59
AM Gilbert
Reid
AM. I'm sure you'll
find that if you stay in B.C.for any length of
time it's actually a lot cheaper than living in
the U.K. and that is including Seniors free travel
passes. It seemed to me that when back in Fife I
was the only bus passenger paying in cash, most
others were flashing a Seniors card. Also the
exchange rate doesn't help. A few months back
£1=C$2, when I arrived back in Canada from
visiting Warwick & Auld Scotia
£1=C$1.6. Thanks to Stu. who took this Warwick
bound traveller "destitute with wrong PIN No."
from Heathrow to a Royal Bank of Scotland branch
in High Wycombe where I got some "Poonds". Found
the RBS has a novel way of increasing the value of
their bank notes. (Scottish banks can design &
circulate their own notes). On the back of their
£5 note is a picture of golfer Jack Nicklaus.
Seems Americans are paying way over the face value
to get their hands on them. I wonder how low the
exchange rate has to go before the Bank of England
puts a famous personality on the back of their
notes. Mickey Mouse comes to mind!!
69
October 07, 2009 - 08:31
PM Ancient
Mariner
Is Cheltenham still in
England? I thought it was given to the Irish
racing fraternity some years ago!
70
October 06, 2009 - 12:45
PM Ancient
Mariner
After 12 days in
Canada I have finally found a beer I don't really
like, it was suggested by a chap in the liquor
store here in Kelowna so I guess he was shifting
redindant stock! Supplies were running low but
No.1 son arrived from UK yesterday with the duty
frees so we should last out until we depart on
15th. Mis-judged the weather a bit and had to buy
a couple of sweaters in Wallmart. Glad I don't
live here, seems awfully expensive for food and
booze. Interesting Sunday lunchtime beer, sitting
in a place called Boomers Bar watching ice hockey
through a plate glass window,beats standing on a
muddy touchline watching rugby! Off to culture
at museums and art galleries but noticed nearby a
place called O'Flannagan's Bar!
71
October 06, 2009 - 12:44
AM Mark
Beaumont
is hopping across The
Pond for a few days 7-20th October (great timing,
eh? Just missed Warwick.. ) and so will be pleased
to catch up with those within drinking distance of
Cheltenham. Number there will be 01242
525871.
Mark
72
October 02, 2009 - 07:09
PM Wallaby
Supporter
When on the NGAL run
in the early 1960's one met an interesting number
of characters. Here is a photo of Reg Morton (also
known as "The Tarmac Terrier" for obvious reasons)
who amongst his various duties used to take the
heaving lines ashore when berthing at
Lae.
73
October 02, 2009 - 06:41
AM jim snape
The bald pates at the
meet at Warwick reminds me of a comical story told
by Geoff Mackenzie of Rabaul Stevedores
1963.
An elderly Cockney lady is talking
about her husband Harry who she says is a master
of the art of repartee,he is never at a loss for a
reply.
She relates of the time they went to
the Hippodrome to see the evening show and were
slightly late,they were walking down the centre
aisle to their seats when a spotline suddenly
shone on Harry's bald head,Tommy Trinder-a
comedian of an earlier era was on stage and loudly
said 'thats a fine head of skin you have there my
man' and Harry without a moments hesitation came
straight back 'get f....d.
74
October 01, 2009 - 04:11
PM Anita
Knight
Hello,
Just
discovered the web site.
I was on Coral
Princess '84 to '88 approx.
Great to see
some very familiar faces.
Have been at sea
ever since (apart from a sojourn in Mexico) Been
with Princess Cruises for the past 13
years.
Very best wishes to anyone who
remembers me. Anita
Hi Anita! How
could we ever forget you - hey, send us a
pic, we need somebody with hair left to brighten
our days :) - MAJB
75
September 27, 2009 - 07:30
PM James
Crockett
Surprised you hadn't
been told!.....(AM) The place you were at! Is
called Hong Couver, that's what it was called in
the 1970's. I was on a tug-boat there and I went
into a barbers shop for a short-back & sides.
When I talked to the owner in Cantonese, he was
shocked and turned very nasty! He said, "Wait a
minute!" and took off and then came back instantly
dragging his ten year old son, shaking him in a
fit of temper. He pointed at me, 'Rattling the
poor kids teeth', He was yelling, "This Gwai Lo
can speak Chinese, and you don't know one word!"
And the little guy was yelling in defense, " This
Is Canada Dad! This Is Canada
Dad!...........
76
September 27, 2009 - 06:39
PM Ancient
Mariner
Day 5 in Canada and I
haven't yet found a beer that I don't like! Shall
keep trying until I do. Four days in Vancouver
and no rain, but are there any Chinese left in HK?
They all seem to be over here!
You
are right mate! the Wallabies could not beat time
with a stick or even a boomerang. Goodness knows
how they will go on the 'Grand Slam' tour to the
Northern hemisphere later this year??
80
September 24, 2009 - 04:05
PM Wallaby
Supporter
Bob, don't you believe
it, the way we played we couldn't even beat a
school first XV, never mind the Pumas. - At least
they have a chance to improve !!!!
We had a great weekend
at Warwick and it would be true to say that some
had a greater weekend than others. We know who
they were.
One of our members has found his
way home with me, he's obviously captivated by the
sight of the Centre of the Known World, High
Wycombe, and I'm currently trying to keep him
entertained in all the local pubs. Therefore, I
can't really get down to writing the report until
next week, when he leaves for all points north and
then San Francisco. Fear not though, a report
will be put together soon and members will receive
a copy within the next few weeks.
83
September 22, 2009 - 05:03
AM Ancient
Mariner
Can't wait for Stu's
report on Warwick as THE BOSS is in panic mode for
departure before dawn tomorrow! Thought you should
know that we kept up the reputation for abstemious
living. Found one SOF, nameless, trying to open
his room door with a parking ticket. Went for a
quick beer Sat. lunchtime, asked by barman "How
are we this morning ,sir?" then told I couldn't
have the beer requested because that one had been
consumed on Friday evening and now awaiting new
barrel to settle! Must have been
evaporation. Great weekend Stu, many
thanks.
84
September 20, 2009 - 08:04
PM bob steer
There is a very strong
rumour going around that the wallabies are
shifting to Singapore as well or even if its not a
rumour it should be!!A report in the morning paper
that the tri-nations should include the Argentine
then the Wallabies wouldn't come last.
85
September 19, 2009 - 10:23
PM Wallaby
Supporter
Re the CNCo. move from
Hong Kong to Singapore, I wonder if the next
change will be to rename the Swire's shipping
company. Another possible reason with the move to
Singapore could be that with all the vessels laid
up there, there would be big savings in transport
and accommodation costs etc. should the company go
on a buying spree for cheap 2nd hand tonnage as
happened in the 1960's !!!!!! I also wonder
whether the individual and company taxation is
more beneficial in Singapore.
86
September 18, 2009 - 11:35
PM Mark
Beaumont
Davey Crockett, ever
thinking of members' wellbeing and particularly
that of the ladies, has made some startling
discoveries about drinking which may be of
relevance to all those attending the festivities
in Warwick this weekend. Click Ye Pic.
87
September 18, 2009 - 04:15
AM Stu
The day has finally
arrived when we can get together again and this
time at Warwick. I will be there at the hotel
around 1700hrs, driven, very kindly, by Fingers
Falkner and accompanied by Gilbert Reid who just
flew in from Canada a few hours before. I'm sure
that there'll be quite a few who will be sorry to
have miss it this year and judging from the
entries below, there'll be no prizes for guessing
what one of the main topics of conversation will
be.
A sad day for us all but as usual,
we'll make the best of it and after a few pints,
it wont seem so bad.
Cheers
88
September 17, 2009 - 12:23
AM Mark
Beaumont
Here's the story Tim
Metzger refers to, unashamedly lifted from Lloyd's
List in flagrant breach of copyright, probably,
but hey, we're advertising them for
free:
"SOME 80 people will be made
redundant towards the end of this year when China
Navigation Co and its liner subsidiary Swire
Shipping move their respective head offices in
Hong Kong and Sydney to Singapore, writes Keith
Wallis .
China Navigation said the shift to
Singapore is in “response to changed market
conditions and the need to consolidate overall
management into a single location”.
The
firm’s managing director Richard Kendall told
Lloyd’s List that having two sets of operating and
management offices in two separate locations was
“not a desirable place to be”.
He said
Singapore was a more “logical” location than Hong
Kong because a large proportion of the firm’s
ships made calls in Singapore and the company had
a “sizeable” office and derived a large volume of
its business in the lion state.
“There was
also quite a sizeable cluster in Singapore on the
liner and shipping side,” he added.
Mr
Kendall conceded that moving China Navigation’s
head office to Singapore would “be an end of an
era” after China Navigation first opened its
headquarters in Hong Kong in 1872 and largely
pioneered the China trade.
He said the
firm would maintain its links with the territory
because 18 out of its 19 vessels would remain
flagged in Hong Kong, while it would maintain its
extensive agency network in China.
About
40 staff in Hong Kong would be directly impacted
by the closure of the head office in the
territory.
A further 60 would be affected
in Sydney.":
Yikes. Changing
times...
Mark
89
September 16, 2009 - 10:29
AM Tim
The story is in todays
Lloyd's List
CNCO moving to Singapore from
Hong Kong and Sydney
You can see the
report on line www.lloydslist.com.
90
September 16, 2009 - 06:39
AM Ancient
Mariner
Mark, Your bamboo
telegraph must be wearing out. M
91
September 15, 2009 - 09:56
PM Mark
Beaumont
So which of you
far-more-connected-folk-than-I haven't bothered to
tell me that CNCo is leaving Hong Kong for
Singapore? The office, that is, not a ship. Or is
this just a foul rumour?
I think we should
be told.
Mark
P.S. Dave Cooper sent
us this. Clearly made by someone who has far too
much time on their hands, but it's rather fun: put the lights on in Hong Kong
(rather than putting them out, like
CNCo...)
92
September 15, 2009 - 04:35
PM jamesesq
John
Rhys-Davies...look in the search engine
93
September 15, 2009 - 09:48
AM Ancient
Mariner
Does the name Rhys
Davey mean anything to anyone? Could be a
pseudonym.
Gone awfully quiet
again, the UK contingent obviously getting ready
for the "do" at Warwick!
96
September 03, 2009 - 12:18
AM bob steer
That sounds like an
excellent "knees up" to me Mark and I would love
to meet up with Burniet but due to circumstances
beyond my control I will have to take a
raincheck,perhaps the Virgin could fly you all out
here and we can continue in downtown
Bowral!!!
97
September 02, 2009 - 03:07
PM Ancient
Mariner
Mark, Can't make
your worthy do on 22 Sept., taking a breather
after the SMA reunion before flying to Vancouver
the following day. Good luck and
enjoy MDB
98
September 02, 2009 - 05:09
AM David
Walker
Further to my last on
the 29th. August.
From details via The
Tongan police it would seem that the skipper David
Parkinson was hooked on and that he had fallen
overboard and was being dragged by his safety
line. The only crew,a novice, attempted to haul
him back aboard and the line broke. Being unable
to handle the boat he sailed away. All very
sad.
I believe the story is about to get
into the NZ press. Would appreciate if anyone sees
anything they could scan it and forward it me, not
for any morbid reasons,but to put something
together that may give the Family some sort of
closure.
Regards
99
September 01, 2009 - 09:21
PM Mark
Beaumont
Scotland violent?
Surely not. They walked around Hadrian's Wall,
didn't they, rather than knock it down?
On
the subject of Scots: if any of you have any money
left from your Provident Fund you feel like giving
away or, better still, if you fancy flying to New
York for a knees-up, wifey Maryann and I are
organizing a little party on board the (ex-USS)
Intrepid in New York harbour on Sept 22. All in
aid of the Colonel's Fund of the Scots Guards,
which does a lot to put back together the lives of
those servicemen who suffer life-changing injuries
- and looks after bereaved families. Web site with
details is here:
Should
be a lively night, as Balvenie have been kind
enough to give us a bottle of 12-year-old for each
table! And Calum Anderson's school pal George
Robertson is the honouree. Richard Branson is
flying the Pipes and Drums over, so we'll be
making a noise.
Do come! Jim lad, keep
saving those cans...
Mark
100
September 01, 2009 - 02:55
AM James
Crockett
Scotland tops list of
world's most violent countries.....What? This
is old news! I remember the time when a robber
got mugged while he was burgling a house across
the road from us.
As a wee lad I used to
standby with a hot poker in my fist while my
mother took her washing in, after it got dark!
One woman saw thieves in her garden
stealing her vegetables one night, and when she
raised the alarm, the robbers threw stones and
broke her window.
Eviry rascal in Scotland
thinks their either Wullie Wallace or Robert the
Bruce...or baith on a Seturday nicht!
Most
violent country? You say that tae a Scot...an'
ye'll get yer face bashed!
The URL cannot
be typed/read......
101
August 29, 2009 - 11:23
PM Ben Aldiss
re John Lee's "
Trampships; Tankers, and Polite conversation" A
self published non-fiction look back at the
author's ten years sea service from , 1954 to
1964. Mr.Lee subsequently left the sea and became
a successful school teacher. The account is
another useful, additions to the history of
British sea faring, even if occasionally it walks
close to the material that one former ship mate
once described to me as ' more bull shit for
future mess rooms.'The book is readily available
through amazon.com.uk' in paper back form , at a
sadly reduced price. Well worth a read.
102
August 29, 2009 - 09:46
PM Darrell
Daish
David, I am very sorry
to learn of the fate of the person you sold your
boat to and the situation. My contacts in Tonga
are Commander Lupeti Vi, CEO of the Port of Tonga,
Mosese Lavemai, Chief Financial Officer of Port of
Tonga and Captain Siesaia Mafi, Port Master.
Unfortunately, I do not have their contact details
with me but I am sure the ones given by Mark will
get you into contact with them. If you need any
more help let me know and I will contact a friend
in New Zealand who arranges much of the Marine
Insurance for Tonga and is a good friend of the
Prime Minister.
103
August 29, 2009 - 04:05
PM David
Walker
Would appreciate some
help. If anybody has any current knowledge of or
is in contact/knows anyone in the Tongan Marine
Dept would appreciate your advice.
The boat refered to is my ex
boat and the guy drowned is the chap I sold it to.
I am trying in any way I can to help the family.
At least to get the boat down to NZ.
So
would appreciate any usefull and current info on
contacts in Tonga.
Regards David
Walker.
Sorry to hear this, David. Don't
know anyone there myself these days but it's a
small place: what about going direct to the Hon.
Paul Karalus, Marine Minister: Marine Dept. email
is info@mca.gov.to, telephone is 676-22-555, fax
is 676-24-267 and the address is Ministry of
Marine and Ports, Fakafanua Centre, Vuna Road,
Ma'ufanga, Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga. Not been a
good month for Tonga, has it :( - MAJB
104
August 28, 2009 - 10:28
PM Mark
Beaumont
Anybody read this? A
MN friend recommends this as being "hilarious and
so, so true..."
"Trampships, Tankers and
Polite Conversations" Experiences of the
Merchant Navy during the 1950's and 1960's by
John Lee
It's all in his head,
Alan. Remember this, from three years back?
I've taken the liberty of
adding another picture here, however, with
instructions pertinent to any respectable
gentleman.
106
August 26, 2009 - 09:07
AM Ancient
Mariner
Not a pretty sight, I
would think Alan!
107
August 26, 2009 - 07:01
AM Alan Perry
I'm sure in MAJB's
archives he must have a depiction of Bob studying
bottoms !
108
August 26, 2009 - 02:15
AM bob steer
Stuart I have just
this moment received the SMA mug and absolutely
amazed at the speed of our/your postal
services A little disappointed when I turned it
over to study it's bottom,as a seaman does,to find
no Royal Doulton or even Royal Stuart mark and
still looking for the Limited Edition
Number!!!However I can asure you the coffee/tea
tastes great and very proud of the mug which has
pride of place amongst my souvenirs. Many
thanks for your efforts, Bob
109
August 25, 2009 - 11:28
AM Mark
Beaumont
At the risk of
flooding the log with visual magnificence, we're
pleased to post this delightful shot Jim
Coneybeare dug up from a past curry. Gentlemen
enjoying themselves...
110
August 25, 2009 - 06:46
AM Ancient
Mariner
Remember the blood
pressure, Bob!
111
August 24, 2009 - 08:49
PM Mark
Beaumont
112
August 24, 2009 - 07:38
PM bob steer
BLOODY!!!!BLOODY!!!!BLOODY!!!!! sheep
shaggers
113
August 24, 2009 - 06:57
PM Wallaby
Supporter
Yes Ancient One, the
All Blacks were the better team. Obviously the
"Proud All Black Supporter" is still in the wilds
of Canada, away from a power source etc. or he
would have made his entry here. At least I'm not
going to have to buy the Kirin Brewery to quench
his thirst !!
114
August 24, 2009 - 04:28
AM Ancient
Mariner
Just noticed the
tiniest article in the paper that NZ pipped the
Wallabies by one point in the last minute! I
shall make no comment about the cricket, except
that it's hard to find an English-born player in
the English team!
115
August 22, 2009 - 12:34
AM James
Crockett
Me and Steve were
sitting down by the Star Ferry commiserating and
telling each other how lucky we were, then Steve
suddenly came up with a brilliant idea! Lets go to
Wanchai and go round all the Bars and ask for our
money back! It'll never work, I
said. Remember when we paid thirty cents for
half a'pint. Then later, up came the offer of one
dollar for a bottle of San Mig and the next one
was free?..... G&T @ $1.80.....? We
wouldn't make enough money, to get a ticket to the
Warwick do, in September! Right we agreed, and
so we imagined that we were sitting in Jimmy's
Kitchen eating a dozen rock oysters for ten
dollars a plate. Plus, beer can bashing is not
a very encouraging and enterprising sport....as
you can see ....I have only made the taxi
fare!
116
August 21, 2009 - 10:01
PM Darrell
Daish
Paddy San, it looks
like you will be in UK at the SMA Reunion when I
am in BC. Therefore, we won't be able to get
together and throw the top of a Gordon's Gin
Bottle out the porthole. However, you better leave
an address where we can drop off our empties to
assist in starting your savings for next years
sojourn!! We are starting to batten down the
hatches here in preparation for Hurricane "Bill's"
arrival on Sunday. It will be a reminder of days
in Hong Kong but at least I will not be out in the
Typhoon Anchorage along with all the other vessels
and praying, as some drag their anchors, that they
will not foul mine!!?
117
August 21, 2009 - 03:35
PM Ancient
Mariner
Many thanks for the
advice on Canada, except for the Bowral Lad. If we
survive Canada we shall hit the beaches of Oz in
Jan/Feb unles our glorious leader fouls things up
yet again. Beware Bob, I might even make the
reunion! (But we don't allow wives here, so I
won't tell her).
118
August 19, 2009 - 11:53
PM Scrooge
McDuck.
I am collecting beer
cans/bottles but they are MTs. The Liquor stores
here give back the 10 cents deposit for every MT
returned. All proceeds going for my air ticket to
the Sept. S.M.A. meeting. Pity they don't do the
same in the UK. Last time there I saw what must
have been a million bucks worth lying along the
railway banking!! Also, to the fellow
members,explorers,missionaries etc. who are all
heading out to BC next month. The S.M.A. meeting
may be way out West but that would be Warwick not
Vancouver!!
119
August 18, 2009 - 04:06
PM Darrell
Daish
Oh Ancient One I have
just returned from camping on Prince Edward
Island. No solar powered computer here. Very fine
weather here 32deg so missing decent NZ Cold Beer,
Canterbury Draught or Speights. However, the
Alexander Keith's is drinkable when all else
fails. What with the Aussie and Kiwi Firefighters,
you and I all desending on British Columbia over
the next month I hope Paddy San has not seen a way
of supplementing his pension by buying up all the
local brew to sell at some exhorbitant
price!!
120
August 17, 2009 - 10:45
PM bob steer
Most Ancient of the
Ancients, I thought you had gone walkabout in
the Canadian bush,looking for a Merchant Navy
Hotel or somewhere equally nice to take The
L.S.One.Without any gin or decent tonic or in fact
any thing to sustain you in the cold long nights
of the Tundra and here you are on the
computor,solar powered no doubt,whats going on,I
may ask? Stuart if you read this could you
please depatch a mug to me,I am sending a cheque
today and surely you can trust a boy from
Bowral??
121
August 17, 2009 - 05:40
AM Jockmacrock
I think it happened
when Stu started talking about the SMA mugs! Now
we are all wondering who he means!
122
August 17, 2009 - 03:50
AM Ancient
Mariner
Quiet around here! Has
everyone left town?
123
August 11, 2009 - 08:15
PM James M
Crockett
I am happy to tell you
Stu has done wonders by getting a load of mugs
made in the UK....they look better than the mugs I
had found, but I will get the HK mug made and if
anyone in the far east likes one I will get it to
them. Plus the smashing new SMA crest designed by
Stu's son Matthew is just fantastic! And when you
get a letter from Stu you will be much impressed
by his new letter-head stationery! He even has his
brilliant mug-shot on the side! (Of the
pad) Everything looks new....even Stu's
brilliant smile! By the way, I have requested
Stu to video tape the next big meeting in the UK
so we can all eventually see the raising of the
new SMA mugs in cheers around the world! You
see? First we got the mugs rolling and next we
will be making videos of all the international SMA
meetings! Some things we won't have to look for,
and will be comic singers & actors to do a
turn! CNCo. has always had plenty of
them!
124
August 11, 2009 - 04:17
AM Alan Perry
Very sorry MAJB -
chastisement accepted, just thought the site was
getting a tad boring and needed a shake-up
!
Stu - Yes I will buy one (or two) mugs
off your truckload, and yes, I will have a brace
or more cold bevvies in the workshop fridge when
you come visiting.
125
August 11, 2009 - 03:22
AM Stu
At this point in time,
I think I better clarify the situation regarding
the "Ugly Mug" shown on the reverse of the SMA
mugs featured on this web site.
I am
pleased to advise members that the "Ugly Mug"
comes straight from the very fertile mind of our
hard working web brat and the real SMA mugs do not
have that frightening face on them.
There
is no way that we would want to induce fear
amongst our membership as they sip their morning
cuppa.
You may rest assured that the mugs
have been designed using the best possible taste,
although it has been hard to get the colours 100%
correct, as has already been noted by our Ancient
Mariner.
Don't worry, one day I will be
banging on the door of our Father Christmas look
alike with a lorry load of them and I hope he has
a fridge full of ale at the ready.
126
August 10, 2009 - 11:23
AM Alan Perry
The question that must
be asked is; who is the personna depicted on the
reverse of the mug as the "SMA Mug" - is it Stuart
or is it MAJB ?
Is it really that long
since we've met, Perry, or has your last brain
cell finally petered out? Heck, if I had a face
like that, I'd have to become an engineer or
something. And you wouldn't want that.
AM:
I am sure that "The Ugly Mug" will have noted your
comment about the Taikoo blue, and will respond
accordingly. But don't be too critical, otherwise
he might invoice you for a dozen - MAJB
127
August 10, 2009 - 09:10
AM Ancient
Mariner
MAB, Don't like the
blue your computer reproduces. If anyone had
produced a Taikoo flag of that hue in the old days
it would have been a matter for a one-way ticket
home! We even had a rocket from London when the
flag was first put on funnels, it was pointed out
to our Lords & Masters that the accepted blue
band would not show up on a black funnel unless
lightened slightly. I thought the final agreement
was somewhat grumpy! It was alot easier to get rid
of the white band around the hull!
128
August 10, 2009 - 01:10
AM Mark
Beaumont
129
August 06, 2009 - 03:09
AM Ancient
Mariner
Gilbert, Heard
about the fires, they are/were the other side of
the lake from my daughter. She lost her house
there about 5/6 years ago, quite remarkable,
nothing left but the concrete base, but the
conifer border around the plot seemed to be
untouched! I guess the timber house just
imploded/exploded in the heat? I shall top up
with decent bitter before I go!
AM - "Kokanee", It's
the beer out here, or so their advert says. I've
been using it to "wet my whistle" for years and so
far, can still see straight!! Though there could
be a bit of a shortage next month. BC has just
flown in quite a few Aussie and NZ firemen to help
fight the forest fires burning throughout the
Rockies and Interior.
132
August 04, 2009 - 03:12
AM jockmacrock
I found this piece of
nostalgia that will give everybody a
buzzzz Planes over Hong Kong Landing Kai Tak
Airport 1998 香港 啟德機場 Sound @ Full Volume for
the start......and feel the old excitement!
133
August 03, 2009 - 11:05
PM James
Crockett
AM.....go here
immediately http://www.katkam.ca/ for an
instant weather report from Vancouver on
video!
134
August 03, 2009 - 11:57
AM Ancient
Mariner
I am going to Canada
next month but no need for anyone to leave town!
In Vancouver for just four days then disappearing
to the Okanagan Valley for two weeks to see my
daughter. Do they have any decent beer in BC? Last
time I was there was when Erawan had a collision
while under pilotage and spread oil on the best
beaches of Vancouver! Perhaps CG can remember how
many writs were stuck on the wheelhouse windows,
modern version of nailing to the mast I
guess.
it has
many Merchant Navy links which should be of
interest to members.I was amazed at one link which
gives the position of any ship in seconds.Try
it.
136
July 31, 2009 - 05:55
PM Wallaby
Supporter
Warwick, with all your
past experience, this is the "golden" opportunity
you've been waiting for. The R.S.A. awaits you
!!!!
137
July 30, 2009 - 11:31
PM Warwick
Gibson
Alister,
Heard
on the new this morning that Robbie Deans had to
cross the ditch, his old man is not in good
health. He went east and the Wallabies went west
to the RSA this morning. The Springboks did them
last week, it is our turn next week. Hope his
Dad is OK and he can rejoin the men in
gold.
138
July 29, 2009 - 03:24
AM Stu
I always thought that
there were at least fifty vessels at anchor
outside Singapore at any time. After all,
Singapore is a crossroads for shipping.
139
July 28, 2009 - 09:46
PM Gilbert
Reid
In the mid seventies I
was on a seismic vessel laid up for a couple of
months off Singapore. Even then we were surrounded
by quite a few other vessels. It could be there
just seems more as the "parking lot" must surely
be getting smaller. e.g The Raffles Hotel was
built by the beach. It's now over a mile
inland!!
140
July 27, 2009 - 04:43
AM Davey
Crockett
All hands, Check
Idle Ships off Singapore in Google, specifically
gCaptain's blog. Lots of good pictures of the
seven hundred odd ships parked offshore. That
shows the state of world trade. Looks a bit
scary.
Yachts are going cheaply, too, if
one is in the market to snatch up a bargain
141
July 26, 2009 - 07:22
AM Darrell
Daish
Like many others I had
a desire to learn a little about what went on down
in that big black hole called an engine room.
George Mawson, God rest his soul, used to take me
down and taught me how to take cards. However, I
had no desire to become a Chief Engineer and I
don't think George had any desire to take Command.
We all have our own paths and goals in life and
should not covert someone else's. If Mr Allwyn
desires to be in Command then perhaps he should
have chosen a different course on the Chart of
Life!!?!
142
July 25, 2009 - 03:54
PM Davey
Crockett
Jim Snape says......
Like Stu my nose was firmly in the engine room
......However.....I recall some good natured
discussion of how it could be a difficult
situation on a ship if he had served as Master or
C/E.....or Both??
143
July 25, 2009 - 06:08
AM Jim Snape
Like Stu my nose was
firmly in the engine room with no desire to enter
other fields,I recollect an article in the MNAOA
Journal about a man who was qualified to serve as
Master and also as Chief Engineer of a merchant
ship.this would be in the early sixties.I think he
was head of Doxford Shipyard at Sunderland and
could have gained exemptions from BOT exams from
service and qualifications gained as an Officer in
the Royal Navy.I recall some good natured
discussion of how it could be a difficult
situation on a ship if he had served as Master or
C/E.
144
July 25, 2009 - 04:45
AM Ancient
Mariner
Some years ago I was
"asked",i.e. instructed, to escort an ACL director
and wife on an aerial tour of the then proposed
container facility at Kwai Chung. I was to go to
the aero club at KaiTak and meet a CPA Capt. by
the name of ,wait for it, Davy Crockett!! I was
met by another CPA chap who explained that Davy
was having his routine medical and he would be
taking us up instead. Hovering above Kwai Chung in
a Cessna was not my idea of fun, so to put my mind
at ease I asked the pilot how long he had been a
Capt with CPA, "I'm not a pilot, I'm a flight
engineer with a PPL"!!!! We became neighbours at
Shatin and he in due course became a 707 Capt.
and, I believe, retired as a training Capt on
747's. There's hope for you yet, Stu!!
145
July 24, 2009 - 01:19
AM Davey
Crockett
Another hilarious
hot-air balloon story! Thanks for my first laugh
of the day!
Anon is definitely an engineer
and the Superintendent is definitely not a
navigator! What are these two 'ding~bats' doing
off the coast of Nova Scotia in the Atlantic
Ocean.....40N 60W ???? Is this another Kirin
beer leg pull?
146
July 24, 2009 - 12:24
AM Wallaby
Supporter
Warwick, I suppose you
have heard the recent news, Darrell (Proud All
Black Supporter) has been heaving so hard on the
"TOW ROPE" in order that the All Blacks travelling
time will be reduced when they cross the ditch,
and believe it or not, part of N.Z. has actually
moved 30 cm closer to Australia in the recent
earhquake. Perhaps the Kiwis are frightened of
sinking, when do we cut the tow rope ? Anyway
Warwick, you retired player, coach and referee,
when are you going to assist Robbie Deans ?
147
July 23, 2009 - 10:54
PM Anon
Bangkok
Engineers or
navigators
A man in a hot air balloon,
realizing he was lost, reduced altitude and
spotted a man below. He descended further and
shouted to the man "Excuse me, can you help me?
I promised a friend I would meet him an hour
ago, but I don't know where I am"
The man
below replied, "You're in a hot air balloon,
hovering approximately 30 feet above the
ground. You're between 40 and 41 degrees north
latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west
longitude."
"You must be an engineer,"
said the balloonist.
"Actually I am,"
replied the man, "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist,
"everything you have told me is technically
correct but I've no idea what to make of your
information and the fact is I'm still lost.
Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If
anything, you've delayed my trip."
The man
below responded, "You must be a Superintendent who
used to be a navigator” "I am," replied the
balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well," said the man, "you don't know
where you are or where you're going. You have
risen to where you are due to a large quantity of
hot air. You made a promise, which you've no
idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath
you to solve your problems. The fact is you
are in exactly the same position you were in
before we met, but now, somehow, it's my
f***ing fault..."
148
July 23, 2009 - 09:19
AM stu
Nurses parties are a
long gone luxury Darrell but I have to say that
most Masters I sailed with enjoyed the experience
because I never once had any delusions of grandeur
and was very happy keeping my nose firmly in the
engineroom.
149
July 23, 2009 - 09:03
AM Darrell
Daish
I must say that I am
all in favour of Mr Allwyns suggestion that Chief
Engineers take over responsibility for the running
of a ship. This will relieve Masters and Mates of
all the anxiety for when those officious persons
from Coastguard/Port Safety/Marine
Department/etc/descend on a vessel to check up and
breathalize personnel. The Master can then get on
with the important things in life such as
arranging the Sunday BBQ/nurses for the nights
party/ensuring the Martinis are made and cooling
in the refrigerator and all the other small things
that made going to sea worthwhile!!?! Life is too
short to be bothered with all the twadel that
these hairbrained degree graduates think up to
discuss at time wasting forums. Another round of
An Migs boy and phone a takasee to go to Wanchai.
I pay bar bill later!!
150
July 22, 2009 - 12:13
AM Warwick
MAJB: Thanks for
finding the Inigo Winery site. You can purchase
the Merloy & Cab/Sav @ Jim's liquour store @
Crow's Nest, Sydney for anyone who is interested.
The cost is $A17.95 p/b. At the cellar door it is
from $A19-29 p/b. As I am a volenteer at the
Australian Maritime Museum we obtain great
discounts on James Squire beer/wine, as they are
one of the sponsor's. Alister, I will go to the
AB's v Wallabies @ ANZ Stadium on August 22,
surely we can beat them on our home turf. Didn't
Berrick Barnes 'bomb' that try??? Trust you
Queenslander's, although I was born in
Townsville.
151
July 21, 2009 - 03:40
PM Mark
Beaumont
Marsupial Man has sent
us this delightful picture to brighten our day.
Captioned "Not Grasping The Concept", our lady
readers will no doubt relish the fact that the
driver in question was a man, not a woman
:)
152
July 21, 2009 - 12:33
PM Davey
Crockett
Go here and scroll
down for interesting comments in the original
forum:
My opinion is that, sadly the
Chief as Skipper....couldn't work! I mean, who
ever heard of the Chief going down with the
Ship..
153
July 21, 2009 - 06:47
AM Ancient
Mariner
Mark, If you could
arrange to translate all that gobbledegook into
plain English then one might be able to comment.
Are you sure this wasn't written by a
politician? Incidentally the Royal Navy trained
their first Engineer Officers for command some
years ago, in 1951 the brother of a fellow
apprentice was lost on a submarine casualty while
undergoing a command course. But then look what
has happened to the R.N. , more admirals than
ships!! Swire Shipping seems to have moved partly
towards this, well everybody now seems to wear a
boiler suit, ( I recall seeing an "eminent person"
wearing one back in 1956!). I would be the last
person to get into an "oil and water" situation,
nobody benefits, someone has to be in charge to
take the can when something goes wrong.
154
July 21, 2009 - 06:36
AM Jim Snape
I read Mr,Allwyn's
thesis and was frightened,if that is what it is
like at sea now I am glad I left twenty years
ago.I am sure most members are more interested in
'tipple' or past history involving the sublime to
the gorblime.cheers Jim.
155
July 21, 2009 - 03:12
AM Bev K.
I know someone who
would agree with Davey C's forum article to the
letter. (Only joking!)
156
July 20, 2009 - 06:27
PM Wallaby
Supporter
Darrell, yes we were
well and truly defeated by your beloved All
Blacks, however there are still three games to go.
Yes that is now three cartons, when are you coming
to collect - remember beer doesn't keep in the
"frig"
157
July 20, 2009 - 06:17
PM Geoff
Garrett
Gawd Preserve
Me!
158
July 20, 2009 - 02:24
PM Mark
Beaumont
Here's one that Davey
C. has forwarded from a marine forum; which may
rattle a few cages, perhaps! Oil and water
:)
Modern Management or the Command
System?
Hi folks. Allwyn from
Australia here. I would like to push in a query
here to professional mariners. This is focussing
on modern ship management procedures on board
today. I have been a Marine Engineer and now work
on fleet safety and quality management.
In
my dealings with the fleet, I see complicated anti
pollution regulations require compliance and
understanding mostly from the Chief Engineer. Most
if not all Captains do not understand the
equipment involved or what goes into making and
keeping the ship IOPP or IAPP compliant. At the
management level I hear a lot of frustration and
complaints about Captains not being able to
understand and comprehend basics and thus
inadvertantly or advertantly marginalizing support
that the Chiefs need. For that reason we
implemented a direct hotline for the Chief
Engineer to the Office without the need to go
through the Captain which also was for many a
frustrating experience again.
Today
everything on board a Merchant ship is an
engineering operation. It is impossible and beyond
the scope for Ship Captains knowledge or training
to know how ships move, how power is created, how
water is generated, how fuel is centrifuged, how
hydraulic systems work, how safety, backup and
emergency buses are linked as systems, how sewage
is processed and made harmless before discharge or
what goes into the complexities of discharging
cargoes using onboard gear etc..
Anything
going wrong in these, or literally one can say on
the ship is related to some Engineering aspect.
Ship Captains do not have the abiliy, skill sets
for analytical and higly specialized
troubleshooting work that endanger vessels all the
time, let alone comprehend the redundancy factor
for equipment or spares on board that is
absolutely essential for the safe running of the
vessel.
No management holds the Captain
responsible for such. They hold the Chief Engineer
responsible and it becomes his responsibility to
solve that problem to ensure the safety of the
crew and the Master included. We did an internal
study on critical operations requiring a high
skill set over a large period of time, spanning
more than a year. Over 95% cases involved the
skills of the Chief Engineer and his team in
either bringing back operations to safe mode,
preventing a pollution incident, preventing
commercial damage due to delays and in some
instances prevention of possible grevious injury.
Moreover we faced a situation where many
ship Captains showed high handedness without being
able to factor in and able to comprehend the
criticality under which the Chief Engineer was
working. Some instances including a few Chiefs who
resigned and left this company were a direct
result of the Captains inability to comprehend a
Marine Engineers job.
Times have changed
and we are seriously even considering putting up a
Cargo Engineer to take care of deck machinery,
loading discharge operations, ballast water
management, deballast and ballast functions and
managing the loadicator towards that end. This
would free up the mate also for purely
navigational responsibilities.
A Captains
skillset requirement today is much lesser than
what was say even 15 years ago wih the advent of
accurate Global positioning and easy to use Radar
and navigational equipment and extremely accurate
weather analysis.
How would people here
feel if i raised the issue of complete executive
management responsibility being put on a Chief
Engineer instead of the Captain on board, because
of his better understanding of the ship and it's
equipment?
Thanks, and this is not to
raise Deck-Engine issues, but serious replies to
why this is possible or why it is not. Would be
glad to hear views of people on this forum,
whether the mindset to share top operational
executive management on board is possible yet or
not? Or shall we have to continue with the
'Command' based system on board for the
foreseeable future?
159
July 20, 2009 - 07:24
AM Jim Snape
Hello Darrell,I am
fairly sure it was Kweichow in NZ,we were on
Nanchang,I think Roy Shipp was Captain and George
Mawson Chief,Kweichow had some trouble with the
propeller which must have struck a submerged log
and bent over the tip of one blade causing
vibration and which had to be gas axed off.I
remember Ted Jeggo wearing a loin cloth and
possibly a fur hat coming screaming into the room
waving the tip of the propeller,I think there was
a bit of a plot to 'acquire'the tip and take it to
Nanchang as a trophy but George put it into a safe
place as it would have to be welded back on and it
would have been embarrasing if he could not
produce it.Yes your cold remedy is the same as
mine.Jim
160
July 19, 2009 - 09:33
PM Darrell
Daish
Sorry Alistair and
Warwick but as usual the Green and Gold was
Blacked out again. Is that 3 cases of XXXX that
you now have in the frige for me Alistair!!! Yes
Jim I do remember PD1's (Ted Jeggo) little
idiosyncrasies like pouring good beer down peoples
necks, including mine, and clipping one around the
ears. If my memory serves me right it was when Ted
and I were on the Kweichow that you came over to
partake of some hospitality. I would recommend 4
oz of Famous Grouse, 2 teaspoons of honey and hot
water over Tamiflu any time for colds, swine flu
or anything that ails you.
161
July 17, 2009 - 11:53
PM Warwick
I am going to partake
of some Inigo wine tomorrow. Tony, my eldest
son is coming with the family for lunch. Has
advised he has some in hand. Thanks Mark for
letting me know Tooheys also make Kirin, will try
and source some. Wallaby supporter, go the men
in green & gold tonight against the ABs in
AKL.
Warwick, my offbeat sense of humour
may have gone past you on this occasion! I can't
imagine that Tooheys have found it necessary to
manufacture Kirin under licence as yet; although I
would wager there's a bottle or two available in
Queensland, actually, given that the Japanese own
half the place - MAJB
162
July 17, 2009 - 02:51
PM Mark
Beaumont
Click here for an interactive
guide to buying Kirin Beer in Australia, courtesy
of the SMA Research Department. Requires Flash
Player to be installed on your computer, which you
probably have.
Mark
163
July 17, 2009 - 03:34
AM Jim Snape
Darryl-the prices are
for 700ml bottles,if you apply a correction factor
prices are about the same as you quote for NZ and
Nova Scotia,they do have some 1 litre bottles
which are slightly cheaper on a volume basis.I
dont drink spirits now apart from a nip of Famous
Grouse when I have a cold.Prices were lower for me
last year when the pound was worth about
200yen,you would think prices would come down with
the stronger yen but they dont,just have to grin
and bear it and hope we win the big
lottery.
Talking about Kirin,a few years
back we visited a Kirin Brewery when on a village
group tour,the brewery was set out to accomodate
group tours with glassed in overhead walkways and
observation platforms allowing you see all the
plant,a marvel of stainless steel and conveyor
lines.The tour starts with a short video of the
brewing process,then a guided tour of the plant
and then to a refreshment hall where large glasses
of beer or softies were served,problem was the
hall was freezing cold with the aircon and the
beer was the same,you needed a cast iron stomach
to drink it,I managed two before time was up and
we had to board the bus.
Changing the
subject,I have a very faint recollection of having
a few drinks on some ship and Ted Jeggo was up to
his usual tricks pouring beer down the back of you
neck,he had a repertoire of such tricks,can you
recall? Cheers Jim.
164
July 16, 2009 - 10:29
PM Warwick
Yes, Darrell I have
heard of that group of islands north of the SHB -
I recall they are Japan. When I chartered the CP
we visted there twice in 1976 March/April &
October. MAJB was the Director of Kirin & G
& T's.
165
July 16, 2009 - 08:49
PM Darrell
Daish
Jim the prices you are
quoting seem quite cheap. However, you do not say
the size of the bottle? In New Zealand we used to
be able to buy scotch in 1.125 litre bottles and
Gordons Gin in 4 litres at quite reasonable
prices. However, now they are sold in 1 litres for
about the same price. 1 Litre of Famous Grouse is
about NZ$39 or £15.60 and Gordons about NZ$34 or
£13.60. Here in Nova Scotia a 1.14 Litre of Grants
Family Reserve is C$37.99 or £21.10 and Famous
Grouse a little more expensive. Therefore make the
most of your prices for a wee dram. Whatever the
price it is expensive for us poor pensioners and
nowhere near what we used to enjoy for a
"misuarwe" (excuse the spelling) in The Motomachi.
From my failing navigational memories Warwick
there is a group of islands north of SHB called
Japan where you can get Kirin and Asahi. Hope this
helps!!?!
166
July 16, 2009 - 03:16
PM Stu
If you want to get
Kirin beer in Australia, check out this web
site.
www.yourbars.com.au/beer_type/kirin/
167
July 16, 2009 - 12:46
AM Warwick
Gibson
If you live in Oz you
can buy your 'bevies' not plonk, please gentlemen
from David Jones or Cellar Masters ( both the
same) for $5 dollars a bottle of wine. I have
recently purchased 12 mixed dozen & a carton
of 'Corwnies' for $109 plus $7.95 freight to SYD.
With crown larger @ $50 a carton that makes the
wine $5.50 p/b. Can anyone let me know where you
can buy Kirin or Asahi beer north of
SHB??? Cheers, Warwick
168
July 15, 2009 - 07:48
AM Jim Snape
Recent entries about
'tipple' [ it sounds more dignified then plonk or
booze ] are most interesting,I shall look out
for Inigo.I have not been back to UK for eight
years and have no idea of prices off the
supermarket shelf,here a bottle of ordinary Scotch
is about 10 pounds,Gordons 8,a decent dry red 3 to
6,and the large Kirin 2 pounds. I was looking at a
can of Guiness at 300 yen thinking'thats
expensive' but on second thoughts it is the same
price as what it was in UK some fifty five years
ago,taking inflation into account.
I have
to admit that my mindset is UK in the 1950s.Cheers
Jim.
169
July 15, 2009 - 06:27
AM Ancient
Mariner
When I looked up Inigo
wine on Google it told me it was a Queensland
winery. Very confusing to the elderly! Perhaps one
could change its name to Outicome? Haven't yet
seen this brew in UK. I must say the colonies have
come a long way with wine since the days of
fourpenny dark plonk from Penfolds in 1950's! Some
UK wine is quite good but if I buy something
grown/bottled in Kent or Sussex it costs about
twice as much as equivalent quality from Oz,
S.Africa or Chile. The NZ stuff is quite pricy
here also. Sparkling white from grapes grown at
Ditchling in W.Sussex beat champagne in last year
wine tasting. I'm getting up courage to try a
bottle of Pinot Noir my daughter sent me from the
Okanagan Valley in BC.
170
July 14, 2009 - 12:08
AM Warwick
Gibson
Thanks MAJB - a typo,
I don't believe the Jesuist's arrived before the
First Fleet, unless they came with James
Cook??? You can but INIGO @ Crows Nest Cellars
for you Sydney siders.
171
July 13, 2009 - 02:42
PM Terry
Connell
So, I took up the
challenge to find "Ingo" wines in Australia. As
far as I can discover there's no such wine
label. Also, the Jesuits didn't come to South
Australia until 1848. A century difference. A
finger slip on the keyboard perhaps? See this
link. www.southaustralia.com/ClareValleyWineriesCellarDoors.aspx
Ben
the first fleet arrived at Botany Bay on 26
January 1788, surely! Please don't describe
yourself as a "plonker". You will shatter all my
illusions of you being a
gentleman! ATB
I think Warwick means
Inigo, Terry. You can order it here, from Sevenhill Cellars -
MAJB
172
July 12, 2009 - 10:40
PM Ben Aldiss
Australian wineries
and vinyards: with respect to the 'SJs' , surely
the first vine planting was contemporaneous with
the first fleet in 1788 almost in the middle of
what is now modern Sydney? As a dedicated Oz
'plonk' fancier I'm ready to be corrected.
173
July 12, 2009 - 09:13
PM Warwick
Gibson
Gentlemen,
0913
I am now a volunteer guide @ the
(ANMM) Australian National Maritime Museum @
Darling Harbour Sydney. Speaking of 'grog' and dry
Red. See if you can find Ingo wine. It is the
oldest wine establishment in OZ founded by the
Jesuits in 1764 in South Australia. They have a
very good Merlo & Cab/Sab.
I agree
Kirin is a good beer but hard to come by here in
Sydney (Northern Beaches)
174
July 12, 2009 - 03:18
PM Ancient
Mariner
So that is what keeps
you looking so good, Ben, embalming fluid!
175
July 11, 2009 - 08:40
PM Ben Aldiss
Kirin beer and now
Darrell in Nova Scotia. The lasttime I was in the
Maritimes(Nova Scotia) was winter sixty years ago
loading pit props in a tiny port called Sheet
Harbour. There was strict prohibition .Unawares i
accepted a snort from a local at a dance in the
school room.The drink was taken outside in the
dark.I damn nearly choked.Under the light the
stuff turned out to be embalming fluid. Obviously
the maritimes have improved a bit since
then.
176
July 11, 2009 - 09:31
AM Mark
Beaumont
Happy memories for me,
at least. I'd buy Kirin just for the label, but
rate it No.1 of the Japanese beers, for sure...
there's a sushi bar right next to where I have my
regular check-ups in NY and they get a large
bottle out of the cooler when they see me coming
:)
177
July 11, 2009 - 07:50
AM Jim Snape
Some useless
information on the Japanese domestic beer
market,Kirin has taken top place for shipments of
beer and beerlike alcoholic drinks in the last six
months with 37.5%, total of all types shipped was
2,750,000 kilolitres, I think eveyone will agree
that that is a lot of beer.
Thank you Bob
for complimenting me on my taste,when I started to
quaff dry red I could only find California Red in
3 litre flagons and Eauropean and South African in
standaerd bottles,all only passable. Then I was
taken to a large supermarket with a huge variety
of imported food and drink and lo and behold were
large stocks of several well known Aussie wines in
2 and 3 litre packs all great stuff, I sometimes
try French, German,and Spanish but always regret
buying as I have to drink it{ you cant throw away
booze can you? } Cheers Jim
178
July 10, 2009 - 09:19
AM Darrell
Daish
Hi Bob, I take it that
when you say there is good beer and then there is
Kiwi you mean that Kiwi beer is way out in
front!!?! Now that I am in Nova Scotia, Canada
(for those who did not make it to this part of the
world) I am having to get used to Alexander
Keiths. Even though it is branded as India Pale
Ale it is drinkable especially after a couple of
hours driving a ride on lawn mower in 23 deg. This
weekend is the Pictou Lobster Carnival so looking
forward to a good feed. Went to a restuarant the
other day and Scotch Whiskey was C$7 a nip but
Johnnie Walker Black Label only C$6. Shows that
they have taste here as JWBL must only be beaten
for bottom place by Johnnie Walker Red
Label??
179
July 10, 2009 - 01:46
AM Gilbert
Reid.
When last in Japan
back in 1962 most thing seem to be graded by
numbers like Kirin was "numba wun",Asahi#2
Sapporo#3 and as I recall that was about right. On
board, the drink of choice was Gordons Gin yet
Butterfield & Swire were the HK agents for
Beefeaters. So much for company loyalty!! Myself,
I'm now into the Capt.Morgan. I've been told that
Rum is bad for my cholestoral but drawing from my
chemical experience doing boiler water tests on
the "Fengning" I'm hoping to neutralize the sugar
content by mixing it with Diet Coke.
180
July 09, 2009 - 06:13
PM Wallaby
Supporter
How times have
changed, on going ashore in days past we always
wore a suit with collar and tie. Here in Central
Queensland the last few times I wore a suit in the
last 20 odd years would be as a guest at weddings
etc. Must admit the casual dress is much less
formal and more easy going. I trust you are
correct Jim and that Kirin don't muck about with
the established brews, if they do I'l just have to
stick to my "Thomson Special" - now there is drop
that is really great !
181
July 09, 2009 - 05:57
PM bob steer
You always was a man
of good taste Jim!!!There was always good beer and
then there was Kiwi beer. I have been trying to
think of the bar in Manilla which had happy hour
at nine in the morning,worth looking into "Most
Ancient of The Ancients"with a little effort I am
sure you can drink happily 24 hours a day around
the world somewhere
182
July 09, 2009 - 11:37
AM Ancient
Mariner
Didn't we all dress
well for a night ashore in those days? Jim,
time marches on, as you say, and consumption goes
down! Just about off to the local hostelry where
they have "Happy Hour" from 1700 to 2000, (a long
hour!). Can only manage three pints of bitter even
at 40p per pint reduction! Cheers
183
July 09, 2009 - 09:28
AM Jim Snape
Jim Milne-C/E, Alistair
Fairclough-3/M, Jim Snape-2/E,Charlie Nisbet-Mate,
M.S.Chengtu,having a few in the Scandinavia Bar
Osaka Port,1963.
To those who worry
that Kirin might change the taste of their
favourite brews,I am sure Kirin will be quite
happy to leave well alone and rake in the profits.
Those who have not been to Japan in recent years
would be surprised at the number of different
brews on the market,Japanese and imported. A few
years back Suntory produced a beer taste drink
about 40% cheaper than beer by using other
materials than barley,thus avoiding the tax,and
all the other brewers joined in,some brews taste
much the same as beer,others not so good but the
alcohol percentages are the same 5 to 7% so they
are very popular though they dont serve them in
the bars.
Farther Time has forced me to
reduce my consumption,I just have a few glasses of
Aussie dry red in the evening,it is all I can
manage.
Cheers-Jim Snape
184
July 06, 2009 - 11:09
PM Wallaby
Supporter
Really Stu, there's no
such thing as bad beer. There is only "Good Beer'
and "Better Beer" especially when one is hot and
thirsty - mind you I have tasted some that made me
wonder how it ever managed to qualify as beer.
When waking up the following morning I geuss we
often blamed the brew - never the quantity
consumed !!!! Below is a photo of Ted Jeggo,
Rolley Wakeham and myself enjoying a meal with
saki in Japan about 1964.
185
July 06, 2009 - 03:42
AM Stu
Don't knock Kirin
Alsitair, from memory, it's what I call a sneaky
little drop that creeps up on you and brings back
fond memories of the bars in Kobe, sitting there
sipping on a cold Kirin, poured by a delightful
Japanese lady or ladies, listening to local music
that sounded better, the more Kirins we drank and
later going for a pee in a foul smelling toilet
that was just a hole in the ground. Ahhh the
pleasures of life......we all remember that don't
we?
186
July 05, 2009 - 09:28
PM Wallaby
Supporter
Proud All Black
Supporter, Graham Henry softened up Les Blues
with his men in black enabling Robbie Deans with
his men in the green and gold to triumph. No doubt
you will be watching the game in a fortnight in
Melbourne against Les Blues. How about a carton of
XXXX on the result. Now that the Japanese Kirin
brewery has taken over Lion Nathan, Bob will hope
they don't change his beloved "Tooheys" as I hope
they don't change my XXXX, and you would lose your
N.Z. variety. It would be an absolute disaster if
we had to change to to the Kirin variety - we
might die of thirst !!!!!!!!!
187
July 04, 2009 - 01:33
AM Stu
Most females have more
common sense than to work in a hot, oily, smelly,
noisy place like a ship's engine room but I guess
there must have been a few foolish ones out there
over the years.
Oh......and I have to tell
you Ben, I often dream of being chased but only by
one of those hot, oily, smelly, noisy female
angineers.
Re female sea going
engineers. In 2001 we had a nice young lady 4th
engineer on P&O Nedlloyd Tauranga. (Chitral)
She was also x CNCo cadet. If my mind serves me
correctly, she was very competent at her job and
did not mind getting covered in the old
proverbial.
Can't remember her name at the
moment, I am sure somebody out there will
remember it
189
July 03, 2009 - 11:03
PM Ben Aldiss
Maurice - thanks for
reading my books. There are three more titles your
family could give you and , with luck, another on
the market by Christmas. Lewdness , incidentally,
is in the eye of the beholder, as the poet said '
How chased are they that are unchaste'- or was it
vice versa? 'How chaste are they that are
unchased.'
Jim - re female engineers,
the well known Ms. Drummond of the Blue Funnel is
the only one I have ever heard of, certainly none
in our time in CNCo.Cheers
190
July 03, 2009 - 04:26
AM Ancient
Mariner
I eat humble pie,
Mary. But did Mark have to show me at a Lodge
meeting? Just think, if Fay had lived we might
have had a husband & wife membership! Ben,
I think you improve with age. Have now read both
your books we had for Christmas, I rather think
the Canadian lady who accused you of being lewd
etc. was getting close to the mark!! They make
"Lady Chatterly"seem rather tame.
191
July 02, 2009 - 11:56
PM jim snape
Seriously,has there
been any female engineers in CNCo or SPO in the
last 20 years? I think women have the ability to
do th job but would be deterred by the frequently
difficult conditions in most engine rooms.Or have
conditions improved tremendously over the
years?
Brings to mind the 1973 Erradale
which had an air conditioned control room,an RND
Sulzer and a well planned layout in the engine
room.The Mate Andy King who could never resist
having a dig at the 2/E Brian Butler said that a
women could easily do his job,Brian was not
amused.
192
July 02, 2009 - 10:46
PM Warwick
Gibson
Gentlemen &
Wallaby supporter,
Went to the Rughy game
last Saturday @ ANZ Staduim, it was certainly
'Frogs on toast' Matt Giteau 22 France 6, great
seats, just between the 22m line & northern
goalpost with a big screen to my left shoulder. I
am sure Aussie Robbie has the Wallabies on track
to win all tests inluding the Tri - Nations. We
will 'do' the AB's but the RSA will be more
difficult @ altitude. A poor crould 43.500. The
AB's on August 22 will be larger, as the # of
Kiwis living in OZ almost out numbers the total
population across the 'ditch' Will also attend
the AB's game.
193
July 02, 2009 - 06:45
PM Ben Aldiss
Captains;
Queens;Masters; Kings et al:how unnecessarily
confusing all this title /gender stuff is. The
ancient organization of which I am privileged to
have been a 'younger brother'for many years has -
thank goodness- recently welcomed females to its
fraternity- as 'brothers '.I am now waiting for
males to be admitted to distinguished sororities
as 'honorary sisters'.In this context I recall
from my lawyer days the muddlement of the young
solicitor who is alleged to have mistaken arson
for incest and set fire to his
sister.Cheers.
194
July 02, 2009 - 06:18
PM Mary
McConnell
Hello All, how could
he possibly have missed my presence on the
site!!?
here I am bright eyed n bushy
tailed , alive and kicking in Glasgow. I 'm not
here often, but if perused carefully I can be seen
in previous years with the Vital Spark and
possibly Zip sliding across the Clyde, yee
haaa
195
July 02, 2009 - 10:42
AM Mark
Beaumont
196
July 02, 2009 - 10:03
AM Alan Perry
Come on Mary, give
Ancient Mariner boots and all ! How could he
possibly not know of your exalted
existence.
197
July 02, 2009 - 09:58
AM Ancient
Mariner
Incidentally, Stu, do
we have any female (ex)sea-going members? We must
be PC you know!
198
July 02, 2009 - 06:56
AM Stu
Frank Cunningham was
always a bit of a card, in a funny sort of
way.
I remember that I once banged on his
cabin door and walked into his room, after he
yelled hello, to discuss ship's business and he
wandered into the room from his bathroom
completely stark naked. I said, "Jeeze Frank" and
he said in his usual gruff voice, "What's the
matter, haven't you seen a naked man
before"
On another occassion, he was on the
bridge, moaning about how this had changed since
he was last there and how that had also changed
since he was last there, so I told him, "Tell you
what Frank, when you go on leave, let us know your
address and if we change anything, I'll write and
let you know". To which he replied, "I suppose you
think that's funny".......well, I thought it
was.
It is, Stu! - MAJB
199
July 02, 2009 - 03:40
AM Ancient
Mariner
Jim, You're a member
of a very large club!!!!
200
July 01, 2009 - 08:48
AM Stu
No Jim.....she's not
known as the "Ship's Mistress" She's known only as
"The Old Woman"
201
July 01, 2009 - 06:19
AM jim snape
I got Frank Cunningham
somewhat annoyed when I asked what would be the
title of a woman captain,you could hardly call her
the ship's mistress,possibly the ship's ms.
202
July 01, 2009 - 06:04
AM Ancient
Mariner
I'm sure you put that
piece in to niggle me Bob! There was a Col.
Alec Harper in the 9th Gurkhas but he never went
to sea! We did have a Chief Steward on "Yochow"
who had been a war-time Captain in the British
Army in India/Burma, the last time I saw him he
was a head waiter in Jimmy's Kitchen. I seem to
recall there was a "Taipan" who had been a rating
in the Royal Navy and a Director who had been a
private in the army.... shall I go on? We all
know that "Captain" was some honorary title in the
M.N., the chap in charge was the Master "under
God", (and don't you bloody well forget it !).
There's an old boy at my golf club who insists on
calling me "Captain", very loudly if the club
Captain is around, I think he wants to annoy
him! Golf is a dirty word around here at
present, my last game was 20th May! I have another
session with the physio on Friday and I'm playing
next week whatever she says, can't have all that
money and all this good weather go to
waste!!
203
July 01, 2009 - 01:32
AM BOB STEER
Then of course there
was the Colonel Harper,I am not too sure if he was
a colonel in the army or what or just what he
called himself?I do know if a Swire ship passed
the ship he was on the ensign wouldn't be
"dipped"first to that vessel if the master was
lower on the pecking order!! Such was the
important things at sea. Nice to be back on
line after a hard drive failure on my 4 month old
computor.Now that was an important thing in my
life,to get it going again without paying any
money to the robbing b.....ds.
204
June 30, 2009 - 05:33
PM Wallaby
Supporter
Darrell, re-the title
of the master, when signing on the ships articles,
under which position did you sign on ? When I was
with BPC one skipper was most upset when the 4th
engineer's mail came aboard as it was addressed to
Captain ------ As he told the skipper "I am a real
Captain, as it was the rank I earned when serving
in the army"
205
June 30, 2009 - 10:22
AM Darell
Daish
For Valarie Ann, I
sailed with Ralty on the Szechuan on the Hong Kong
to Keelung run. The one thing I remember was that
he used to advise the passengers that he was the
Master of the ship and not the Captain. The rank
of Captain was a Royal Navy one and that of Master
was much older and of a higher standing.
206
June 29, 2009 - 02:37
AM Jimmy
Crockett
Hey you guys...I have
been working on this site for about a week and the
ideas are bouncing around in my head and off the
wall! Like What about the SMA golf shirt? I
believe that there is a big game going to be
played in the UK shortly? The shirt badge might
need a little adjustment, but Stu's son Matthew is
the sensational badge designer, and it is a real
knockout job! You might want to have a look at the
artsnow site above, and see some of the things
that are available right now. This is
guaranteed to blow your socks off!
207
June 26, 2009 - 07:13
PM Valerie-Ann
to the Ancient
Mariner
That was a typical "Ralty"
remark!!
He was an extreme creature of
habit - I wnder if he was at sea?
208
June 25, 2009 - 01:42
PM Ancient
Mariner
For Valerie-Anne, I
sailed with Ralty twice. The story I remember was
when the Hong Kong office had overbooked cargo for
the ship and sent Ralty a telegram asking "Canst
create more space?" The wonderful reply was
"Suggest consult Creator!"
Here is a
very nice picture of his beloved wife Mary - MAJB
209
June 25, 2009 - 09:57
AM Mark
Beaumont
A member has written
to say that he is just getting around to sending
his Christmas cards for last year and where can he
find the online SMA Christmas card he remembers
once seeing?
Whenever the
web-brat remembers to get around to it, all pages
on this site are archived on our Sitemap.
210
June 25, 2009 - 06:38
AM jim snape
Jim you are lucky it
was North Shields,if it had been South Shields you
would have been clapped into a cell,no messing,the
magistrates in South Shields at that time were on
par with Justice Jeffries Bloody Assizes in the
west country after Monmouths Rebellion and Hanging
Judge Roy Bean-the law west of the Pecos. It was
in the late forties or early fifties that a
Shieldswomen was clapped in a cell for a night for
picking a tulip in the Marine Park,her questioning
of the magistrate's paternity did n't amuse him.
Mind you it was the time a policeman could give
you a clout across the lug without being had up
for assault,my granda was a policemen in South
Shields for 30 years and I heard some stories of
how he dealt out clouts from some who had been on
the receiving end.
211
June 25, 2009 - 12:29
AM Valerie-Ann
I have just been
browsing through your very interesting archives -
a regular occurrence for me as I find the Ship's
Log highly amusing and very informative.
I
had been looking for some mention of a very, very,
dear old friend of mine. I not only found a
mention of him but also an old photograph.
My old friend was your fleet Commodore Van
Ralty Woolf and we had been friends for nigh on 20
years, until his sad death.
His nephew,
Captain Nigel Hunt, died before Ralty and I think
that, so closely following his depair at losing
his vivacious wife, Mary, really made his descent
more rapid.
I still miss our phone calls
and always have a glass of Bristol Cream on a
Sunday at midday - and toast him.
I would
love to know more about his China Seas days - but
he kept telling me he was writing a book and I
could read about it instead.
212
June 24, 2009 - 11:05
AM Stu
Well........I think
it's the good looking guy, second down on the left
but I have to say that he looks like the first
bloom of youth has departed but well on the way to
growing old gracefully.
213
June 23, 2009 - 09:46
PM Jimmy
Crockett
Firstly....your story
about the girl! It must be a great joy to her
knowing that she is part of a family...Well done,
Mark You may remember I told you about another
Beaumont, who was the official artist of the
United States Navy around 1970's, we even
exchanged paintings, and I still have his ink
drawing of a sailing ship in full sail. As for
George the genealogist, my mother told me when I
first went to sea that a family of Crocketts from
Aberdeen arrived in Western Australia just after
the war, and the wifes side of the family were
named Holland, and her relatives went with the
family Crockett at the same time. By the way
Mark the odd man out in the photo montage, does
look a bit like me. It resembles me how I
looked one time when I was hauled up, in front of
the Assizes for being drunk and disorderly and
maliciously damaging property when I pushed the
piano off the stage, in the Bridge Bar in North
Shields. When the judge asked me what I thought
was so funny! I replied that I was happy to be
back in Blighty, and that last night I thought
that I was still in St.Pauli Hamburg! When he
asked me when my ship was sailing, I replied,
"to-night" he said you better be aboard when it
does, if you put a foot on the wharf after this.
You Are in the Nick! If you go back and look at
his photo again, you can see that I was telling
the truth! Have you ever seen such an honest face
in your life?
You flatter the man,
surely. Any comment, Mr. Stu of Shields? :) -
MAJB
214
June 23, 2009 - 06:12
PM Mark
Beaumont
Your Celebrity Quiz
for today: which of these faces is NOT a world
famous actor commonly known (so we're told) as the
Governor of Hong Kong?
Answers on a postcard, please
to: "Hong Kong's Got Talent", The Falcon, High
Wycombe, UK.
215
June 23, 2009 - 02:37
PM Stu
Yes I have to agree, I
have also seen the wonders of Google when I found
details of my grandfather and uncle who were both
killed in the 1st World War.
My
grandfather, at age 40, was blown to bits at
Gallipoli in 1915 and they never ever found any of
his remains. His name is mentioned on the Helles
memorial at Gallipoli, as well as the war memorial
at Northallerton, Yorkshire. His son, my uncle and
aged just 19, was killed in Belgium in 1918 and he
is mentioned on the Tyne Cot memorial for the
fallen. Although my grandfather was only 40 when
he died, he must have been very busy when he
wasn't fighting for his King and Country because I
appear to have had a very large number of uncles
and aunts, all dead now of course.
Well
done Google,
216
June 23, 2009 - 06:37
AM george
latham
Hi Mark,Great story,
my hobby is genealogy/family history and I too
know that feeling when you make a family
connection.To find an uncles heroics on the
battlefield or contracting VD in a Port Said
Brothel{from medical records} becomes quiet
entertaining reading.Many of these records are
online or can be obtained for a fee from the
National Archives in London, Canberra, or New
Zealand.Any of our members who have never Googled
their name should try it also on Google Images you
may be surprised.God Bless Google.
Happy
Hunting George
217
June 22, 2009 - 09:14
PM Mark
Beaumont
I know that, by now,
most of us take for granted the marvel of instant
worldwide communication we can enjoy in this
Ship's Log. Hurts when it goes offline
occasionally, doesn't it? Amazing where we've come
to, for sure...
I have recently been able
to use the Internet's resources in quite a
different way; a way that has turned out to be
richly rewarding.
A couple of weeks back, I
was approached privately on the social network
'Facebook' by someone who shared my surname and
wondered - quite out of the blue - whether I might
be her father's brother. Her story, in a nutshell,
is that her father died from a brain tumour at 31
years old, when she was only 1. What hurts her,
firstly, apart from his premature departure, is
that the tumour rendered him blind and that -
according to her mother - he never saw her. The
story worsens, however, as the mother appears to
have been an absolute horror, beating and abusing
her as a child. I suspect that the mother was an
alcoholic, although I have not pressed the girl on
this. Anyway, her mother did not even tell her
that she HAD a father until she was 14 years old,
and only then because a relative of the mother's
brought up the subject in front of her daughter,
it seems. Suffice to say that the mother and
daughter have not spoken for years now - my new
friend is 23, with her own children already, as a
single mother (no surprises there) - and,
basically, has no family, because she has never
known who they are, or even where.
She does
now.
Working on a couple of clues she gave
me, I spent some time - not much time, amazingly -
playing with Google. Within an hour or two I came
upon a fellow who has extensively documented, as a
hobby, our family name in a certain part of
England on which I had started to focus. Bingo.
Almost immediately, he had identified her extended
family on her father's side, together with the
father's place of burial and much more.
I
cannot tell you how good this makes me feel to
have facilitated this discovery for this young
girl. I do not know what will come of my help here
- I hope it will be all good for her - but I do
know how very happy I have made her.
Off
topic, I realize, but I just wanted to share this
with friends here. This is something wonderful to
me. Thank you, Google!
Mark
P.S. No
Nigerians involved here, as far as I can
ascertain... certainly, there are scams out there
that play on peoples' emotions, and I am the first
to be careful of those. But I do believe that this
was a genuine quest, and well resolved.
218
June 22, 2009 - 06:45
AM Jimmy
Crockett
OH! NO! Gilbert! Does
this mean that if I want to make mare friends
....then I'll have tae spend mare money? Sounds
unlikely tae me! But up to now I have made more
friends in SMA since I joined, than all the
chat-rooms I've played in on the internet.
Maybe havin' a big heart is an unheralded
quality that everybody has in here! I mean
it's not everyday that the Treasurer/Secretary of
SMA tells the former Gov. of HK that he's got a
big heart! It makes Jim Snapes by-pass surgery
sound more like a celebration than an
operation! I'll bet he wizna scare't at
a'!
219
June 22, 2009 - 02:49
AM Gilbert
Reid.
Hi Jimmy, if
somebody told me I had a very big heart I would
check up on my spending habits!!
220
June 21, 2009 - 05:04
PM Stu
You've just got a big
heart James.
221
June 21, 2009 - 09:56
AM Jimmy
Crockett
Jim Snape
said.......over 26 years ago which was diagnosed
over the years as an old lung illness, healed and
inactive.....Stone the bleeding' crows!..and now
you remind me that I had this same experience
around 1962 where I got a series of
injections...... and eventually I was given the
all clear! ....But like I said, I had no idea
about the asbestos thing till last year! So maybe
that was what I had way back then!.....Crikey! I
really didn't get away with after all?.....and I
remember having a health check in 1990 (plus a
chest X-ray)and I got this line from the
doc.......an old lung illness, healed and
inactive, but there were no similar signs, from
this last X-ray I had! You know! It really
puzzled me (1962) I could not think how I could
have got TB, which also puzzled the doctor!.I will
definitely keep this in mind for further
concern! The thing about the heart comment,
......to be more exact! ...he said my heart was
very big!....but then I have never had any heart
problems. No sudden pains or shocks.. So why would
I have a swollen heart? Your comments
nevertheles have been noted Jim......
222
June 21, 2009 - 05:23
AM Ancient
Mariner
I thought that old
bugger at Point Samson drank a dozen before
breakfast! Did anyoneone ever get in to Roebourne
where there was an old gaol?
223
June 21, 2009 - 05:20
AM jim snape
jim snape to jim
crockett.
whoops! I missed out the word
'not' between did and recognise,something I
sometimes did in letters to Technical Manager
causing all kinds of bewilderment. Sorry!
224
June 21, 2009 - 05:11
AM jim snape
To james
Crockett. Hello james,you said in your message
of 19th June that an xray after your roof accident
found you had an enlarged heart,I do not want to
worry you but you may have a heart problem and
should see a heart specialist. I speak from
experience as I had open heart surgery for aortic
valve replacement Jan 2006,an enlarged heart
was one of my symptoms.The doctor I previously
consulted was not a heart specialist and did
recognise the problem.
It was the same with
asbestosis,I was found to have a left pleural
thickening over 26 years ago which was diagnosed
over the years as an old lung illness,healed and
inactive. It was found to be asbestosis during my
heart eaminations when the xray and C.T scan was
seen by a chest doctor who was a asbestosis
specialist.jim.
225
June 20, 2009 - 04:21
AM george
latham
Spot on James, 12 doz
oysters for 12Aus shillings.Can you remember Sandy
the short rotund wharfie supervisor,drank
a dozen cans VB before
lunch.Memories. George
226
June 19, 2009 - 08:27
PM Jimmy
Crockett
HEY! This is quite new
to me! I just found this out recently after I
joined SMA. last year. When I was 3rd. mate, I
used to climb up and down the hatches and stamp
the dust off my shoes, when I got back on deck!
Ole' Shmok ! I must have been breathing this
stuff! But then, when I had the accident on my
roof last March I had a chest X-ray! I remember
what the doc told me was a bit strange he said
that my heart had expanded in size, but there was
no mention of any spots on my lungs! But at the
same time I didn't bother to tell him that I
hadn't had a cold or the flu in the past thirty or
forty years, which didn't seem pertinent at the
time! So since I have never had any respiratory
problems in my life. Struth! I must have got
away with it! I liked Point Samson, seeing all
them big sharks swimming bye, and George Latham
and me puttering around Shark Bay in the
life-boat! Really a desolate and beautiful place
at the same time....there was nothing there. Yes I
remember now! In fact!....I was the first CNCo.
trader ever to land there! An elderly lady
resident came down to the ship and she sold me a
2lb jam jar full of delicious rock oysters! It was
the first time she had ever seen such a big ship,
so I invited her aboard and we had afternoon tea
in my cabin, and I got stuck into them oysters!
And after that the old dear went home with a great
adventure story to tell her family &
friends!
227
June 19, 2009 - 11:40
AM Ancient
Mariner
Pretty blue stuff, I
recall, rather like a marble with rope yarn
running through it. Great place for fishing, Point
Samson, also for target practice if the agent
brought down the ammo for the .38's. I understand
it is now a resort? The P&I club paid
compensation to the wharfies some years
ago.
228
June 19, 2009 - 09:42
AM george
latham
In support of Jims
suggestion members who visited Point Samson on
the asbestos run should Google Point Samson
Asbestosis and read some of the links relating to
this deadly cargo from Whittenoom
Gorge. George.
229
June 19, 2009 - 07:40
AM jim snape
Early 2006 I posted a
message that I had been diagnosed as having
sbestosis and I said that it would be wise for
members to be checked for this.My annual check
with a CT scan found a small tumour in the right
lung which could he malignant and caused by the
asbestos,a further check with a PET scan =
positron emmision tomograpy -found no cancer but I
will be having ongoing checks.
My
doctor said that I cannot be the only one with
asbestosis.
230
June 19, 2009 - 01:53
AM James M
Crockett
Tim Metzger the
cinemaphotographer?
231
June 18, 2009 - 02:19
PM Tim
Metzger
Norman Hill; I
remember the night it happen, as a young 11 year
old living in Bowen road. It also happen to be Cup
Final Day (Arsenal v Liverpool) and listening to
the match, (we could only see the match three days
later on TV) when we heard the large bang.
It was not until the morning that we knew
it was a bomb, when opening the papers to be
confronted with the graphic pictures.
232
June 15, 2009 - 06:11
AM Ancient
Mariner
I recall that
incident, he left a party to tackle a 'device' on
the door of HK Bank, perhaps a little
careless? Small world that it is, when we were
house-hunting around Bexhill we looked at one
property which had a lot of oriental artifacts in
it, when I queried the lady owner she said they
had come from her late brother, a HK police
Inspector who had been blown up while trying to
remove a bomb from the tramlines. I lived next
door to the Deputy Commisioner at the time but we
didn't seem to have any extra protection! A year
or so after the riots subsided we did have a
device on the driveway, Charles Sutcliffe
apologised for the inconvenience and said the
culprits must have got the wrong address! Made a
nice pop when it was blown up. Happy days!
233
June 15, 2009 - 04:40
AM James
Crockett
Norman Hill.....that
was the name of the bomb disposal technician who
lost his hand! But don't forget the European
traffic motorcycle policeman (a senior Inspector)
who was blown apart. He used to throw a plastic
bucket on a long string over the parcels and stand
round the corner of a building and give the line a
yank. If they didn't explode, he would consider
them a fake bomb. And it saved having to block off
another road junction from traffic to dismantle
the dud!. Quite clever actually.
The Star
newspaper really pissed off the police force by
publishing a photo of his mangled body (no face,
no leg) right across the complete width - all 8
(?) columns of the paper, before his widow had
been notified. The cops had to place a guard
around the widow to make sure she didn't see the
photograph in the newspaper. David Harvey
covered the riots extensively, he was an Aussie
working for the News Media at the time, and later
worked for Commercial radio! But there were
some amusing incidents that shouldn't go
unreported, and this one was in Macau! Yes!
after leaving riot torn HK @ 6.pm. When the Ferry
arrived in Macau the evening riot show was still
going strong in Macau! What happened was that the
bus workers, stopped working as a bus service
employees and loaded up their buses with screaming
& singing commie patriots and drove all around
Macau spreading the news of their victory over the
Capitalist Exploiters of the working class.
Then to everybody's surprise! Ho Yin who
was the sole owner of the Bus Company in Macau!
Made an astonishing announcement! To show his
sympathy for the struggling masses! He decided to
hand over the whole bus company to his
employees! De! De! De! WHAT??? So with
immediate effect, the buses and maintenance
garages, and the offices of the Macau Bus Company
were now owned by the drivers, conductors, and the
grease monkeys! Plus the cleaners! So this
wonderful magnanimous benefactor, had in one bold
bewildering stroke, denuded himself of the
responsibility of driving the people to work every
day, and turned the exploited rioting labourers
into capitalist executives of a money spinning
transport company! What happened to that famous
supportive declaration, "Je suis le
proletariat?" I mean it was just hilarious, and
when we heard it, it was just hearsay, and hadn't
been officially announced, which made it even more
funny when it was announced!! But to get back
to mainstream again, as the Police Chief Inspector
George Latham from Australia was telling
us! Yes George all us Kwailo's in HK do look
the same! (Did somebody bribe you to say that
George?)
234
June 14, 2009 - 07:02
PM James
Crockett
Don't know Stu, what
did Ronnie Barker do to get porridge? Wasn't he
one of the great train bandits!
235
June 14, 2009 - 04:49
PM James
Crockett
Yes! AM...I remember
that, Godper had his moments of valour &
loyalty, I was on the SS Macau at the time. We
sailed @ 1800 hours every evening, and I remember
that eerie feeling around 5-30pm when Central was
empty, making my way to the Macau Ferry Wharf!
What was also interesting about that time of the
riots was that my Steward on the ship was a high
up member of the local communist party (Or so he
told me?) and he proudly gave me a run down of the
events of the day! he was particularly amused when
the bomb disposal expert lost his hand while
defusing a device. He glibly suggested that the
injured man go to China to have his hand sewn back
on! I knew the fellow who was injured quite well,
and now I am going mad trying to remember his
name....the name Brown is somewhere in my head!
After the incident and the riots over, he was
definitely a very jolly fellow, always smiling and
friendly! A remarkable cove indeed!
236
June 14, 2009 - 03:30
PM Stu
Didn't Godber end up
in "Porridge" with Ronnie Barker?
237
June 14, 2009 - 01:30
PM Ancient
Mariner
Davy, Upon
reflection, the pic of you that Mark put up is not
too unlike Sir David Trench! Just to put the
record staight, Peter Godber was uncovered by the
anti-corruption branch of the RHK Police well
before ICAC came into being. He was uncovered but
not detained, he immediately disappeared. The
Police first thought he had gone on "Coral
Princess" as he had left his car, reg.no. 1066, on
the top floor of the Ocean Terminal car park and
"CP" had sailed that midnight. Callum Anderson may
remember getting a message asking if he had any
unexpected caucasians aboard, (it was a Japanese
charter). When the anti-corruption boys came to
the office the next morning I was staggerd when
they produced a pic of the 'wanted man'. I had
been a guest at the parade when Peter Godber
received his QPM from Princess
Alexandra. Whatever his failings as a bent
copper in later years, I will remember Peter
Godber as the Superintendent holding the line
across Garden Road in 1967, stopping the rioters
from getting to Govt.House. When activities
slackened off he sent for tea from the Hilton
Hotel opposite! In view of recent events, I
do
