Swire Mariners Association - Visitors Book Entries 1999

Swire Mariners Association

" SOFA, so good "

Ship's Log Entries 1999

For those raking the annals of the distant past, i.e. last century, read on. In time, the words below will turn to dust (don't overdo it - Ed.) and so, relish every syllable. The men of the SMA were here. And there.

Jan 4, 1999 - 09:52 -
Happy New Year, gang. See you at BRISTOL 99
E-mail: MABeaumont@aol.com
Name: Mark Beaumont
From: Ex-"Coral Princess" and HK office
http:// members.aol.com/BeauAssocs

Jan 9, 1999 - 07:30 - My telephone number is not as listed. It is 01258 861526. Also I've changed jobs (last April) and now work for the MCA as a Marine Surveyor no less!
E-mail: jimbird@athome43.freeserve.co.uk
Name: Jim Bird
From: Depths of Dorset
http://

Jan 10, 1999 - 04:22 - Greetings & a Happy New Year to all ex-shipmates/drinking companions etc.Here in sunny Doha we have a small but extremely select group of ex-Swire types, i.e. Neil Morris who is celebrating the joys of having weekends off at long last: John Simpson (1970/71 vintage); and Matthew Eyre(ex-CNCo way back). Funnily enough none of us have aged at all.Great website Mark. Well done. Have one on me.
E-mail: pfrewer@qatar.net.qa
Name: Peter Frewer
From:
http://

Jan 12, 1999 - 17:21 - John Noakes - 9 years at CNCo and SPO - left 11 years ago - now working for Microsoft in the field of Electronic Commerce - spent last 11 yrs in computer industry. Delighted to learn of this association - tks to Mike Meade for forwarding. Would love to attend the Bristol meeting - now live in Hampshire.
E-mail: jnoakes@microsoft.com
Name: John Noakes
From: The planet Geordie
http://

Jan 19, 1999 - 00:23 - Give me a call if you come through Dubai!
E-mail: cpadon@emirates.net.ae
Name: Don Ramsey
From: Dubai, UAE
http://

Feb 24, 1999 - 09:38 - Okay chaps, only just over a week to go. Grease up your drinking arm because you'll need it. See you on the 5th March at the Avon Gorge Hotel, Bristol.RegardsStu (Treasurer/Secretary, SMA)
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stuart Shields
From: Here
http://

Mar 2, 1999 - 00:02 - I visitied the site in attempt to track down an email address for Richard M Hext.I was successful, but the price was high....... that music is HORRIBLE!
E-mail: sonny_costin@chep.com.au
Name: Sonny Costin
From: Planet Sydney ozstraliah
http://

Mar 2, 1999 - 05:33 - Greetings from Bernie SimpsonSorry I'm unable to attend the meeting in Bristol on the 6th March, but more pressing matters, like skiing all this lovely powder snow we are having in the Alps, are involved.Anybody wishing skiing lessons give me a call on my E mail address. Steve Harris will inform you all of my capabilities.Enjoy the booze up in Bristol and have one for me.
E-mail: BernieSimp@aol.com
Name: Bernie Simpson
From: Andromeda Complex
http://

Mar 3, 1999 - 10:29 - Dark Moment sends all best wishes to those exercising their right elbows in Bristol this weekend; regrettably, and regretfully, he will not be able to attend. May your resolve never waver. Have a good one and remember, never drink and drive. You might spill it.
E-mail: MABeaumont@aol.com
Name: Mark Beaumont
From: Pompano Beach, Florida
http:// members.aol.com/BeauAssocs

Mar 8, 1999 - 14:33 - Greetings fellow Old CNColeans,Those of you who weren't there missed a great weekend. Food was plentiful and very nice and the wine flowed like water.A few "Star Turn and Night Owl Awards" are to be handed out this year, as well as a new award for demanding home rule for Liverpool.Another great weekend.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stuart Shields
From: This one.........High Wycombe (Hazlemere)
http://

Mar 9, 1999 - 20:12 - Hello and greetings to all old shipmates. Remember me? (1973-1981.)It's been a long time between drinks. Good to see some of the names in your list. It sounds as though you still know how to party! I live in Mackay, North Queensland. There's few old CNCo blokes here. A year or so ago we had a small reunion of our own. Present were: Mike O'Keeffe, Dave Owen, Bob Evans, Brendan Gifford, Dick Standish and myself.Invited but couldn't make it was Dennis Holden. Also there's been a couple of bigger reunions in Sydney which I couldn't attend. OK, mates, now that we've established contact, no doubt we'll stay in touch.Regards,Mike.
E-mail: colettis@bigpond.com
Name: Michael Colettis
From: Mackay, Queensland, Australia.
http://

Mar 11, 1999 - 18:36 - Hi GuysNice to hear you are all still in touch !I've come across a couple of old friends of ours over the recent years - loads of stories. I'll be in touch soon
E-mail: 106464.3140@compuserve.com
Name: Wayne Armes
From: Warrington
http://

Mar 18, 1999 - 16:21 - Some sad news chaps.Captain Mike Parker has died in his sleep at Auckland New Zealand.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stuart Shields
From: Where else!
http://

The 1999 Bristol Reunion Photo is now online - MAJB

Mar 22, 1999 - 22:05 - Well, I finally got here at last after about a year and a half's attempts (Internet connections from Beijing can be a little tricky sometimes!) Hello everyone! I will make a sustained effort to get to next year's bash. Many thanks to Stuart Shields and Mark Beaumont.
E-mail: acraigbe@hq.cosco.com.cn
Name: Andrew Craig-Bennett
From: The Middle Kingdom (yes, it still called that in Chinese!)
http:// www.cosco.com.cn

Mar 22, 1999 - 22:42 - I wrote a brief history of the infamous 1979-86 "Fengtien" (heavily disguised), in "Lloyd's List" for Monday 15th March 1999 under the title "It's not the men, it's the ship's they're in!" as a counterblast to the assumption these days that all casualties are due to human error. The text was sanitised by CNCo Head Office before publication (the original and unexpurgated version is available by email!) Thanks to Stu for the 4/E engine stop story.Having a monthly column to fill, anecdotes either attributable or not as you prefer are always welcome.
E-mail: acraigbennett@hotmail.com
Name: Andrew Craig-Bennett
From: The Middle Kingdom
http://

Mar 23, 1999 - 04:54 - Well done to Stu Shields and Graeme Drewery for organising yet another brain cell erasing SMA meeting.May I take this opportunity of saying that any SMA members that find themselves in London and fancy a beer/curry/chat please call me on 0171 821 3234. Best Regards to all Julian Thorogood
E-mail: spoldn@mail.bogo.co.uk
Name: Julian Thorogood
From: Planet London
http://

Mar 24, 1999 - 01:31 - I have obtained the Email address of Swire Mariners Association through the good offices of Tom Harle. Tom lives in the same suburb of Melbourne as myself, on the Eastern shores of Port Phillip Bay, but is soon to move to the lofty heights of a "Rural Property" in the hills near Melbourne. With my wife acting as minder, I have attended a couple of Taikoo floating staff re-unions in Sydney, organised by Mike Okeeffe, aided and abetted by Jim Wilby. I believe these have been well publicised among the interested. The next Australian Re-Union, in Sydney, is pencilled in for 2001 . After the Olympic Games. There have been no great adventures since I retired, my health requiring that I "Take it easy", (and my minder making sure that I do), so any plans which I might have had have had to be trimmed accordingly.
E-mail: bdixonw@ozemail.com.au
Name: Bryan Dixon-Ward
From: Melbourne, Australia
http://

Mar 26, 1999 - 05:31 - Freddie Clemo, whose official connection with CNCo was that he was the Agent in Canton, 1946-49, but who was known to many of us as the man to ring if in trouble (ship trouble, not THAT sort of trouble!) in the Philippines, died last week in Manila. For the story collection, I pass on his account of getting out of Canton with Swire's money, one jump ahead of the new regime, as told at HK curry lunch some years back. KMT dollars having inflated to worthlessness, he had wisely withdrawn the money from the bank and changed it to gold. He stuffed as much as he could into pockets, etc etc ("needed a rickshaw, just managed the gangplank, if she'd sunk I would'nt be here!") but still had far too much. He was persuaded to hand it over to a Chinese merchant who gave him half a bank note and said his Hong Kong brother would give him the money on arrival. Not having much option, with the PLA entering the city, he accepted this and on arrival in HK thought that he should just see if the Hong Kong brother existed, before reporting to B&S that not only had he handled money for the company's account in cash, but had given it to a complete stranger! He handed over the half note - the brother already had the other half somehow and he was given a draft on HSBC!
E-mail: acraigbennett@hotmail.com
Name: Andrew Craig-Bennett
From: The Middle Kingdom
http://

Apr 16, 1999 - 06:54 - Sorry to have missed the last PU, but will make valiant efforts to be in Chester.Even earlier, will be happy to sample some Millenium Pie in March.Meantime, anyone passing through Singapore in the next few months beforeI finally and irevokkabbly (or some such word) kick the anchor, please give me a bell(but bring a bottle of duty free Gordons - none of this Beefeater rubbish)
E-mail: billjeff@pacific.net.sg
Name: Bill Jeffrey
From: Singapore (just now!)
http://

Water is the finest drink
That man to man can bring
But who am I, that I should have
The best of everything?
Let princes revel at the pump
Let kings with ponds make free
For whisky, wine or even beer
Is good enough for me - MAJB

Jun 2, 1999 - 23:35 - "Make mine a double, and easy on the ice!"
E-mail: dpm@uruguaychamber.com
Name: David P. Michaels
From: Great England!
http://

Jun 14, 1999 - 06:57 - Presently an independent Marine Consultant/Surveyor.
E-mail: JCarr48991@aol.com
Name: John Carroll
From: Broxbourne, Herts, UK
http://

Jun 26, 1999 - 14:30 - Kelvin Troughton, Alan Curtis and Trevor Kay-Russell have just been here - actually they are still here because I can't get rid of the bastards. They know there is still beer left in the fridge. Anyway, the consensus is what a great effort the site is and when we can get virtual beer that has the same effect we'll be back. Take care all
E-mail: tkrus.1@virgin.net
Name: JTKR
From: weybridge, Mars
http://

Jul 3, 1999 - 13:04 - Hello to anyone who knows me from the distant and not so distant past. Hope all is well. Drop me an email. Cheers.
E-mail: JCarr48991@aol.com
Name: John Carroll
From: UK
http:// members.aol.com/MBeaum313/carroll.html

Jul 5, 1999 - 18:15 - Well Stu,I will phone soon, however a big shake up in the (Wobbly) Wayne household ?As of the last E-mail I was almost in the situation to offer you a job - your wife may have approved of a job with VIBRATION experience [mention no names, hear no lies].But I was offered a better deal ??I am now a support engineer for the people who sell OUR (Entek) software/hardware.Best news of all is we live in CHESTER. I look forward to your arrival - please forward location et al. Give me a bell if I can sort anything, etc. etc.....Entek ird = 01244 374914Mobile = 041051 3683Off to Tehran next week, should be back eventually.Previous (private) e-mail address still works.
E-mail: warmes@entekird.co.uk
Name: Wayne Armes
From: Warringtonshire
http://

NEW! The Swire Group is now online - MAJB

Jul 13, 1999 - 16:20 - Apologies for being absent from the Chatswire for last couple of weeks - been busy.
E-mail: JCarr48991@aol.com
Name: John Carroll
From: UK
http://

Aug 19, 1999 - 05:03 - After 10 years in the wilderness, have received my second Swire Newsletter (boththis year) and staggered into this web site. Great to see so many familiar names and faces. The problem is matchingthem up!
E-mail: bejokidd@denmarkwa.net.au
Name: Robbie Kidd
From: Denmark, south coast, West Aussie.
http://

Aug 21, 1999 - 19:22 - Last Monday at 2200 GMT, I resolved to venture to the forum that is Chatswire in search of sophistry and wisdom. When there, I found the site forsaken. There was no sign of life. I reasoned that I must have offended the gods. Very confused, I embarked on a cyber-pilgrimage to Florida to put my troubled questions to the great Cyber-Oracle. “Oh great Oracle!” I pleaded. “Why am I being punished?”Then a great booming font appeared to me…“You have been abandoned by the greybeards!” answered the oracle.“What have I done?” I pleaded.“Nothing,” came the reply. “You were there but no other bastard was!” “What has happened to them?” I inquired.“It is very difficult to entice the greybeards to embark on any kind of cyber-odyssey,” answered the great oracle.“Who set the forum at 2200 in Anglia?” I asked. “Surely, by that time the greybeards will have been seduced by Dionysus.“There is truth in your words,” replied the oracle. “They would have difficulty in hitting the toilet bowl let alone type! But alas, be there once more at the appointed time and I will ensure that you find the wisdom that you seek.”And so continues the tale of Ulysses Colettis and the Greybeards.
E-mail: colettis@bigpond.com
Name: Michael Colettis
From: Mackay, Queensland, Australia.
http://

Aug 22, 1999 - 04:14 - I hear your message oh young one but some of us are suffering from oldfartitis and have difficulty keep awake at such a late hour. We will try tomorrow night (Monday)though. As long as the great curry bash at Kingston-upon-Thames doesn't turn from lunch into dinner,or even longer!!!
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: BlindStu
From: Trogg
http://

And so it came to pass (which is why "restrooms" were invented) that the Great Cyber-Oddity, Dark Moment aka Web-bastard, heard the words of King OzFart Colettis and was much moved. Fetching another beer, he quoth "If the greybeards fear Dionysus, for they have quaffed too much, then shalt the forum CHATSwire be covened at another hour. But which, in our complex world? Let all men proclaim their preference!". And it became mighty quiet again. Did the greybeards fail to locate Great Plug of Cyber? Or fall from Windows, or over Gates? Are they in awe of the scrolls of British Telecom? Only time will tell - MAJB

Aug 30, 1999 - 03:40 - Hi, Mike O'Keeffe('55-'65) on first visit. Congratulations on the Association and the web site which is terrific. Our next meeting will be in Sydney in 2000. Will keep this visitors' book informed in case anyone will be in Oz around that time. We need some help identifying all those OLD men in the photo. Regards, Mike
E-mail: captm33@yahoo.com.au
Name: Mike O'Keeffe
From: Sydney Australia
http://

Thanks Mike. Hey! How about sending the SMA a picture of the last Taikoo Floating Staff reunion to post on our site? We'd be happy to link in a TFS page with meeting details for 2000 ... just send us some of that XXXX stuff. To all - send any pictures for an SMA rogues' gallery to Mark Beaumont, 331 SW 18th Court, Pompano Beach, FL 33060, USA. Cheers - MAJB

Aug 30, 1999 - 04:40 - John Stevens just signing on.Ex Kwangsi & Kweichow from 1961 till 1965.Had a few glasses of wine last night with Ian Goddard who told me about this site.Still working on boats from NZ to Aus & back.
E-mail: stevensj@xtra.co.nz
Name: John Stevens
From: Wellington, New Zealand
http://

Sep 3, 1999 - 04:20 - 'tis amazing wot you stumble across in the cobwebby corners of the email thingummy. Anyway greetings to all old colleagues and shipmates from Godzone down under.
E-mail: iangoddard@hotmail.com
Name: Ian Goddard
From: New Zealand
http://

Sep 12, 1999 - 06:57 - That SMACAM is unbelievable, It made me look years younger. Modern technology, how can we possibly keep up with it all.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: BlindStu
From: Planet of the Humans
http://

Sep 22, 1999 - 01:01 - Roderick (Scrubber) Scobie CNCo. 1958-1961. Ships, Taiyuan, Hunan (The Keelung Flyer) Chunking, Kwangsi (Sea Trials & Maiden Voyage from Taikoo Docks) Shansi and that's all. Jimmy Morrison first 2nd Eng. Jimmy Allen 3rd. Louie Rowlands 4th Yours truly 5th. It's not true that I threw the bodies in Sydney harbour 1959. Like to hear from you all.
E-mail: england90630@yahoo.com
Name: Rod Scobie.
From: Janner from Plymouth.
http://

Sep 28, 1999 - 03:00 - Be aware that a small gathering of lost souls took place on 28th September. All ex-Polynesia personnel. Graeme Drewery, Julian Gomersal, Dave Porter, Dave Snowdon (Snowy), Gary Wayland, Stuart Shields (BlindStu) and of course Jens Jensen (our man in San Francisco) with his wife, the lovely Bente. A dinner took place at the centre of the known world (High Wycombe) and was enjoyed by all.Unfortunately.......poor John Madeley has hurt his back so he was unable to attend.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stuart Shields
From: Worlds Centre
http://

Pirelli? Forgeddaboudit. See our SMA Calendar - MAJB

Oct 11, 1999 - 17:06 - Hivisit the web site if you dare and then pass the URL on to like minded peoplecheersJohn
E-mail: CarrollMarine
Name: John
From: Uk ish
http:// members.aol.com/CarrollMarine

Oct 21, 1999 - 04:10 - Dear All,It is refreshing to see how many sea-going staff survived the ordeal of coming ashore !!There are a number of names I recognize in the list of members; I sailed in Woosung, Tientsin and Tsingtao between 1965 and 1969.I'll send my £10 winging its way to you when I've made a sufficient amount busking on London Bridge Station. It should take no more than six or seven months.Best wishes to you all
E-mail: ajlansdale@aol.com
Name: Andrew Lansdale
From: Ham Common, Surrey
http:// members.aol.com/ajlansdale

They're online, gents! Peruse www.chinanav.com - MAJB

Nov 1, 1999 - 15:26 - Good evening. I just accessed the chat show to find myself alone ! See you all next week ? Hope the Aussies can do it on Saturday.
E-mail: CarrollMarine@aol.com
Name: John Carroll
From: UK
http:// http://members.aol.com/CarrollMarine

Nov 2, 1999 - 17:20 - Who thought a DOF like me would be using 20th century equipment like this, rather incompetently. I must get some lessons from my Grandson!!Greetings all you elderly so-and-sos who know me, look forward to seeing you in March, (I think).
E-mail: bermau@cwcom.net
Name: Maurice Burbidge
From: Debatable
http://

Nov 3, 1999 - 04:15 - 32 years is a long time since I left, there are some names that ring a bell, I look forward to seeing you around Yours aye, John Kelly.
E-mail: john.kelly15@virgin.net
Name: John Kelly
From:
http://

Nov 5, 1999 - 05:40 - Greetings all - trust everybody is looking forward to an Australian victory on Saturday after the sad demise of NZ
E-mail: DAMS100@aol.com
Name: Dudley Groves
From: London
http://

Nov 7, 1999 - 05:08 - Dudley,Once again.............you were correct.Well done the Aussies.
E-mail: SShie70652
Name: BlindStu
From: High Wycombe, centre of the known world
http://

Nov 8, 1999 - 23:24 - Just dropped by to see snippets of history relating to the family name Swire.Keep up the good work.
E-mail: peter.swire@sympatico.ca
Name: Peter Douglas Swire
From: Jerseyville, Ontario, Canada
http://

Nov 9, 1999 - 06:38 - hi, just here to see if anyone remembers me.
E-mail: john.kelly15@virgin.net
Name: john kelly
From: weeting norfolk england
http://

Dark Moment (your erstwhile web-bastard) takes great pleasure in announcing the development of a new building in America. Letters of intent were exchanged some time ago, but delivery is now firm for end of May/early June, 2000. To read an early internal statement, please see the design specification. Further details will be available after the launching - MAJB

Nov 15, 1999 - 12:46 - Nice site. Good photograph of Erradale on the ChinaNav part of the site.
E-mail: bdp1@conconnect.com
Name: Barry D Parker
From: New York USA
http:// www.conconnect.com

Dec 2, 1999 - 10:30 - Dark Moment is winging his way across on a Bransonbird for what is billed as "The Last Curry Of The Century". The plan is to convene on the 17th December, the following two Fridays being Crimbo Eve and Silly Eve respectively. Any takers? Better check with Blind Stu for details ... he'll know where it's at, as ever.
E-mail: DarkMoment@swiremariners.com
Name: Mark "not my round, surely?" Beaumont
From: The tri-swamp zone
http:// www.paxship.com

Dec 9, 1999 - 14:38 - I have just heard that John Howard is paying a visit to the UK on or around the 22nd December ............ I don't have a UK address for him except that he will be staying in Devon.However, if anyone would like to meet up with him, he can be contacted on his e-mail address as follows:- jhoward@acay.com.au
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stu Shields
From: Here
http://

Dec 9, 1999 - 16:15 - TO ALL SMA MEMBERS:-It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that David Gledhill passed away today. We have lost a very good friend.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stu Shields
From: UK
http://

Dec 19, 1999 - 02:28 - Just popped in to wish everyone a Merry Xmas.Attended Wedding of Bob "Twiggy"Thorburns daughter last Sunday.Bob; (ex C/Eng) left CNCO in mid 70's.Wifey and I Have been hopping round aussie since I swallowed the Anchor, now settling down in Brisbane for some serious Xmas Cheer.
E-mail: See members List
Name: Olaf Overland
From: Brisbane
http://

Dec 22, 1999 - 12:56 - Some more bad news I'm afraid chaps...............Jimmy Lough is seriously ill and we in the SMA send him all our best wishesfor a full recovery.We're thinking of you Jim.........All the very best
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stu Shields
From: High Wycombe......Centre of the known world
http://

And so a century of seafaring ends ...