Swire Mariners Association - Visitors Book Entries 2001

Swire Mariners Association

" SOFA, so good "

Ship's Log Entries 2001

2001 seems to have been The Year Of Second Childhood, when otherwise sane and sober men (wot? Don't be ridiculous - Ed.) took off up mountain peaks, drove old cars to silly places and appeared to yotalot. You'll find it all below.

Jan 2, 2001 - 07:33 - This year, I'm going to be the first to wish everyone a happy new year. So...........HAPPY NEW YEAR
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stu Shields.......(BlindStu)
From: Earth
http://

Jan 3, 2001 - 10:59 - A Happy New Year to One and All, but especially to Stu! We're wishing we had stayed south of the equator a little longer, not a shot at golf since we returned four weeks ago! It was great to see some of the crowd in Sydney but they have all put on weight and gone grey! I haven't of course, still the slim fifteen stone. Having heard some of the names of Reef pilots I'm glad our trip on "Coral Princess" was only four days. Sir Adrian was not impressed with a postcard I sent him of the "CP" catamaran version, he retaliated by sending a picture of "The Real One". My youngest daughter and husband are planning to move to Australia later this year so I shall have an excuse to visit regularly. Cheers.
E-mail: bermau@cwcom.net
Name: Maurice Burbidge
From: Not sure if Bexhill is on any planet
http://

Jan 16, 2001 - 05:44 - Greetings and best wishes to all my old (and not so old ) C.N.Co. and Swire friends. I will be visiting U.K. May/June 2001 and would like to catch up with e.g Tim Bridgman,Dudley Groves,Bill Jeffrey,Chris Ryder,Jim Conybeare,Edward Scott,to name but a few.Any takers? Also is it possible for a land lubber like myself to join the exalted ranks of your exalted organisation?Good luck and best wishes from Oz.
E-mail: digbywestbury@hotmail.com
Name: Digby Westbury ex Swire Subs. Sydney (Retired 1989)
From: Frenchs Forest , N.S.W. Australia.
http://

Jan 30, 2001 - 11:15 - Dear All, I was taken back a few years by your photograph in the rogues gallery of Berty Murdoch, Steamy McNaught, Dave Holland and Barry Gant. I was an ex-Woosung person. You will of course, all remember the inhabitants of the bungalow going to Kai Tak to 'see off' members of staff going on leave. I was resident at the bungalow when it was Steamy McNaught's turn to go on leave. The trick was to leave it to the last possible moment before boarding. Three general calls and two personal calls were pushing it a bit. Steamy McNaught stayed in the bar (which in those days as you will all recall, overlooked the apron) until the the third personal call and then some. We managed to push him off the bar stool and out into the corridor which led to the tarmac just as they were wheeling the steps away from the VC10. He was last seen running across to the aeroplane, raincoat over his shoulder and blowing in the breeze, just as they were closing the door. They had to bring the boarding steps back for him. In the words of Adrian Mole 'How we laughed !!' Where is he now? Regards
E-mail: andrew@lansdale.co.uk
Name: Andrew Lansdale
From: Richmond, London
http:// www.lansdale.co.uk

Jan 30, 2001 - 11:21 - As an ex-employee of BI and also an ex-HMS Worcester cadet, we have two group e-mail addresses. If you send an e-mail to this one address, it goes to all the members. Can we establish one for CNCo? the BI address is BIship@yahoogroups.com - A moderator has to establish the site and thens end e-mails to his mates, instructing them to spread the word. We have over 130 at the BI site and over 50 at the Old Worcersters site. How about it? Regards Andrew lansdale
E-mail: andre@lansdale.co.uk
Name: Andrew Lansdale
From: Richmond, South West London.
http:// www.lansdale.co.uk

Andrew, group email is a useful idea and we have considered it - the web-brat occasionally sends group messages to all members who have email to update them about new site additions. However, we decided not to take it further than that as 1) not all members have email 2) those that do often change addresses 3) we want to encourage use of this site when members seek news. Even members who have no email can view the latest scuttlebutt on occasions when they have access to their kids' computer, etc. This visitors' book/ship's log remains a very popular part of the SMA site, so for the moment let's continue to use it for news and views. If email groups make sense in the future, of course we'll set one up. Meanwhile, our weekly CHATSwire is more fun. - MAJB

Jan 31, 2001 - 14:14 - It is with the deepest sadness that I have to advise all members that my lovely wife Jill has passed away after a very long illness. All of those who remember her will know she was a very lively lady, so full of life and she will be missed by us all at home here. God rest her soul.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stuart Shields
From: At home
http://

Feb 13, 2001 - 16:22 - Stuart's news seems to have stunned us all into silence. I am sure that all our thoughts are with him and his family at this time and we offer them our deepest sympathy. On a brighter note I am looking forward to seeing some familiar faces in Portsmouth this October. JSR
E-mail: jrushton@x-stream.co.uk
Name: John Rushton
From: Southampton
http://

Feb 14, 2001 - 02:23 - Happier news today chaps. The hotel for Portsmouth on the 12-14th October has been chosen. It's the Sandringham Hotel, 7 Osborne Road, Southsea PO5 3LR. Not five star but adequate and at a reasonable price. Graeme Drewery, Jim Bird and myself have been aboard the Warrior and seen where we'll dine........one word, superb. Even better, Sponsorship for the meal has once again been secured and Jim Bird will be obtaining the wine at a very good price. There's also a great deal of a nautical nature to see while we're there. The summer London trip, including wives, is in the process of being investigated and the feeling now is that a Thames Cruise with a late lunch thrown in while slowly moving down, or up, the river would be really nice. Only one thing.........don't bring your Master's Certificates or you'll make the Cockney boat skipper nervous.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stu Shields (Like to think I still look young)
From: Home
http://

Feb 16, 2001 - 06:41 - Greetings from Townsville! Have just heard about this great website from Phil Hulson who passed through here the other day on Chekiang. Will be in touch Stuart shortly to sign up - Ozzie "spondulicks" O.K. or does it have to be the real thing. Have passed this address on to John Preston who's just down the road - no doubt he'll also be in contact. P.S.I'm still piloting, 12 years in Tauranga and the last 3 here. Cheers for now, Hugh Ripley
E-mail: believeit@ozemail.com.au
Name: Hugh Ripley
From: Formerly Enzed, now Orstralia
http://

Feb 17, 2001 - 00:58 - I see that Hugh Ripley has already mentioned that I am now living in Townsville. Like Hugh I am still a port pilot,the only difference is that I have to drive a minimum of 200km each way to work.Prior to that I was harbourmaster in Gove in the NT for 5 years.Don't see too many ex CNCo faces up here, but bumped into Pete Oestrich up in Lucinda yesterday,he has put on a fair bit of weight so the Reef piot job must be suiting him.I'm still 9 stone ringing wet in spite of the Aussie beer.Regards to all from my era and how to I get the subsciption to you Stu?
E-mail: johnlizp@bigpond.com.au
Name: John Preston
From: Townsville,Queensland,Australia
http://

Feb 21, 2001 - 04:47 - Brought back old times surveying CN Co ships in Hong Kong and at Australian ports when a Lloyd's Surveyor. Still see one occasionally in drydock here in Newcastle New South Wales and still looking smart and well run. Not sure I like the two flags at the stern!
E-mail: imarenew@bigpond.com
Name: John McCarlie
From: Originally Northern Ireland, now Australia
http://

Feb 21, 2001 - 16:04 - Visited on recomendation from my Uncle, James Bird - full marks on the Flight Sim 2000 add-ons. The URL isn't mine but is another site I look after which your members might appreciate - The Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport.
E-mail: annabel@tall.org.uk
Name: Annabel
From: Earth, the little island bit above Europe
http:// www.rnsubmus.co.uk/

Feb 23, 2001 - 19:17 - Just had the greatest reunion yet, held at the North Ryde Golf Club (best wine sales of the year recorded that day). Organised successfully once again by Capt. Mike O'Keefe. He's visiting UK soon; contact him and book for next year. Worth all you Poms coming over for next year's event. Love Tony
E-mail: 61419230896@mobilenet.telstra.net
Name: Tony Ravenhill
From: All over Aus
http://

FYI we've discontinued "CHATSwire Deluxe". We'll reintroduce internet telephony at a later time if there's adequate interest. CHATSwire remains THE place to meet. - MAJB

Mar 3, 2001 - 10:19 - Gentlemen, The Summer Thames cruise has been set for Wednesday 6th June. You will all very shortly be receiving a letter advising the details of the Thames trip and also details of the Portsmouth gathering on 12th - 14th October. Please please send back the enclosed forms, along with your deposits as soon as possible so that I can advise......one, the Thames boatmen and........two, the Sandringham Hotel, Southsea, Manager.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stu Shields
From: Here
http://

Mar 13, 2001 - 12:15 - To those who have been kind enough to be concerned about the recent mess I found myself in with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (the latter word being an overstatement), I am happy to advise that after five months monitoring the SMA website from a smoky bar in Devon, England, I am now in possession of the right stamp in my passport to enable oscillation across the pond once more. Lessons learned? Never try to buck the system, it doesn't work; pay lawyers sparingly, if at all; give the U.S. Government at least four years' notice of your intentions, and whatever you do, never follow up an enquiry or change your address: every letter adds decades to Green Card processing time. Anyway, thanks to all for their support and so say Maryann and Katherine (SmallMoment is now nine months old) in Maryland. Anyone needing advice on the U.S. INS, I'm your man. You'll need a sense of humour.
E-mail: MABeaumont@aol.com
Name: Mark Beaumont
From: Our SMAll World
http:// www.paxship.com

Mar 14, 2001 - 07:59 - 1961 - 1964 Taiuyuan, Sinkiang- Fengning + other. Attended recent lunch in Sydney. Good to meet old shipmates. As they say the cheque is in the mail.
E-mail: pandgsmall@bigpond.com
Name: Peter Small
From: The best part - Brisbane, Australia
http://

Mar 19, 2001 - 12:49 - Glad to hear that Dark Moment is now back in the USA. When we passed through Honolulu and LA last December it took us nearly two hours to get through immigration at Hon. then had to repeat the b/s when we transitted LA a couple of days later. Couldn't believe they actually put a man on the moon! I assume everyone has followed Stu's instructions and returned their forms for the Thames cruise and Portsmouth reunion?!!!!
E-mail: bermau@cwcom.net
Name: Maurice Burbidge
From:
http://

Mar 19, 2001 - 14:48 - Dear Friends, I had a telephone call today from David Walker who has just returned from a holiday in Canada. He told me that over the years, he had kept a sort of loose relationship with Dave Iredell, who presumably lives in Canada. Anyway, he telephoned his house and spoke to his wife, only to be given the bad news that poor David had died of a heart attack in April 2000. I personally never knew Dave Iredell but the news is here for all those who did. Dave Walker would have placed this notice here himself but believe it or not, he doesn't have a computer.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stu Shields
From: Still here
http://

Mar 22, 2001 - 18:57 - Dear Stu, The Thames cruise sounds an excellent idea for a family cruise,can the boat extend out to Australia? Would really love to be involved but saving up my frequent flyers for the october do! A few thousand points to go,any body with any spares you know where to send them. Just keep a question mark by my name Stu and keep hoping, mine may be a late booking. An amazing coincidence, only yesterday I was telling my shipmates on Captain Cook Cruises here in Sydney about this crazy yank I sailed with who carried a Kalisnakov with him on his sailing boat and I couldn't think of his name! R.I.P.DAVE. I sailed with another yank skipper and can't remember his name either!! Does anybody else have this problem??
E-mail: bob -jeanette@hotmail.com
Name: Bob Steer
From: ex world champ cricketers
http://

The 2001 CNCo Oz Reunion is now online - MAJB

Apr 8, 2001 - 12:04 - I don't know why but I'm always the bearer of bad news to this web site. This time, it's to tell all members the sad news of the death of Stuart Hutton who died just over a week ago. He wasn't an SMA member but those who sailed with him will have fond memories I'm sure. May he rest in peace.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stu Shields
From: Here
http://

Apr 9, 2001 - 23:59 - Oh What a great site Very enjoyable reading..... Well Done!! Keep Up The Good Work.
E-mail: mikita@bigpond.com
Name: Michael Jockers
From: Australia
http://

Chester 2000 is recorded for posterity. Ta, Geoff - MAJB

Apr 18, 2001 - 00:44 - Charlotte Bleasdale has asked me to post the following, which is self-explanatory: "We have just heard of the death of Ruth Pook, wife of Captain Robin Pook, who was with CNCo in the 60s (and 70s ?). She died at home in Australia on Easter Sunday aged 65. I wonder whether you would mind passing on the information via the Swire Mariners website for anyone who may have known her. I gather that Ruth was responsible for introducing both Tug Wilson and Tom Harle to their respective wives."
E-mail: clab@austarnet.com.au
Name: MAJB p.p. Charlotte Bleasdale (her email above)
From: Australia
http://

The web-brat is hogging the Log again, but he couldn't let this prize snippet pass. This article is in extract from recent marine press:

"A man has been jailed in Singapore for 30 months for running a brothel on board New Century Cruise Lines' gambling ship 'Amusement World'. New Century Cruise Lines said it had "no idea" Tan Peng Kee was using the Pinky Pub karaoke lounge to hire out girls for "short session" and overnight bookings. Needless to say, the Pinky Pub is now closed.

On the company's other Singapore-based ship 'Leisure World', past entertainment has featured a transvestite cabaret entitled 'The Lady Boys of Bangkok'."

I am horrified to report, dear reader, that 'Amusement World' was formerly the legendary 'Coral Princess'. Nothing's changed there, then. But the 'Pinky Pub'? Oh dear. - MAJB

Apr 19, 2001 - 14:05 - Er, hello, chaps. From my appearance on the members list you will deduce that Stu finally cornered me, in darkest Kingston-on-Thames. Am no longer in Beijing; am in Woodbridge, UK. Thank goodness.
E-mail: ACraigBennett@aol.com
Name: Andrew Craig-Bennett
From: Woodbridge, Suffolk, England
http://

Apr 27, 2001 - 04:18 - I made six voyages as a passenger in the 1960/70s in CNCo ships and once typed a report for our Captain as we carried no Writer. Does that make me eligible to be an "honorary" Swiremariner?
E-mail: swgreen@bigpond.com
Name: Stella Green
From: Australia
http://

Apr 27, 2001 - 13:21 - Glad to hear that the Thames cruise is going ahead, my wife Jayne will be with me ,I look forward to re - establishing contact with anyone from my youth misspent.Whereabouts Ernie Feasby
E-mail: john.kelly15@virgin.net
Name: John Kelly
From: Weeting Norfolk UK
http://

Apr 29, 2001 - 07:13 - Reference the message from Stella Green. Mike O'Keefe, who organises the Oz reunions, is over here at present, I hope to see him for lunch in London next Wednesday, (if the great unwashed haven't caused too much havoc with thier May Day riot), perhaps the ball should be in his court and not Stu's? I know we exclude our wives from reunions here but what happens when a Swire Mariner of the other sex applies to join?Regards to all.
E-mail: bermau@cwcom.net
Name: Maurice Burbidge
From: Bexhill-on-Sea, perhaps not quite on,but close to it.
http://

May 6, 2001 - 05:14 - Greetings from down under. I shall be in the UK from 25 June until 12 July, after which I will be spending a few days with my brother (who is now a French national,what a shame job) sampling the fine wines of Bordeaux.After that back in the UK from 12 July until 22 July.If any of my old mates from CNCO want to get in touch for a cold glass of whatever I can be reached on 01737356078. Cheers John
E-mail: jalpreston@bigpond.com
Name: John Preston
From: Townsville, Qld ,Aus.
http://

May 16, 2001 - 23:59 - Interesting page, rattles a few bones in the old closet.
E-mail: calvard@home.com
Name: Mike Calvard
From: Vancouver
http://

May 29, 2001 - 02:28 - For any of you who knew him, I recently received the following from Cyril/Sheila Cocksedge:- -----------------Andy Lansdale was asking after Steamy McNaught. Well we had a surprise phone call from him last Sunday (from a pub!), who was in Sydney for his daughter's wedding the day before. He took the opportunity to catch up with some old friends and got my number from Ken Nettleship. Barry and Liz Whitehead were also at the wedding.Steamy said he has lived in the NSW country town of Forbes for the last twenty years, in the Commercial Hotel, where he has been a resident longer than the present publican!Cyril Cocksedge ------------------Hope that info was of interest to all his old mates
E-mail: SShie70652
Name: Stu
From: This place
http://

There seem to be a number of emails concerning potential computer viruses floating about. Some are forwarded from friends' 'MS Outlook' e-mail address books without their knowledge, which is disarming to any recipient. Be aware, but also realise that most are malicious hoaxes. Without wishing to teach grandmother:

1) You will never 'catch' a virus by reading an e-mail
2) You catch a virus by downloading an attachment. Particularly, avoid clicking on .EXE files (the name's rather appropriate ...)
3) If you are not sure, therefore, what you're looking at, go to:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/ which will tell you all you need to know and more about the latest viruses and hoaxes.

Meanwhile, on to brighter things. Have a nibble at the SMA's Welsh Rare Bit for the month of June - MAJB

The hills are alive ... with the sound of music ... tra la la la la, la la la la laaaa ...

Jun 5, 2001 - 05:36 - JTKR woz 'ere. Thanks for all the publicity Mark and keep the cheques rolling in, guys. Great website!
E-mail: tkrus.1@virgin.net
Name: Trevor
From: Centura
http://

Jun 7, 2001 - 02:22 - Just to let you all know that the Thames cruise was a success, everyone made it back to shore.There were 24 guests, the food was superb and photos will appear on this web site shortly to prove that we were all having a good time.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stu
From: High Wycombe
http://

Jun 14, 2001 - 05:37 - Hi, I have just returned from a 4 week stint in Dubai/Abu Dhabi where I met some old SPO hands including Mike Meade who was on his way to Singapore !From the 25th June onwards I will be available for future work.Best regards to all who know me,John Carroll
E-mail: carrollmarine@aol.com
Name: John Carroll
From: Broxbourne, UK
http:// www.carrollmarine.co.uk

Jun 28, 2001 - 19:32 - I have just taken a 5-night round trip Cairns,Nth Queensland to Thursday Island in "Trinity Bay". It was rugged, confining and noisy - we passsengers were issued with ear plugs! How I longed for the "old days" of passenger-carrying by CNCo which I experienced in the 1960s/70s:

TAIYUAN, January 1961, Australian coastal. Can't remember any names of officers other than Phillipa (Nicholls?), Purser, who subsequently married Capt. Frank Cunningham.
TIENTSIN, mid-1963, Australian coastal. Master was Jim Wilby, Chief Officer was Bob Porter.
TIENTSIN, early 1964, round-trip Australia/Japan, Master was Capt. Bunney, C/Engineer Ted (who had Japanese fiancee Sayoka), 2/E Dave, 3/E Bill Wiseman.
ISLAND CHIEF (ex TSINGTAO), May/June 1969, Australia/Papua New Guinea and return. Master was Jim Wilby, C/O Nicholas Edwards, 2/O John Hensford, C/E John Riley.
KUALA LUMPUR, Sydney/Wellington NZ, can't remember year, only name I recall is Staff Captain Alldis.
SOOCHOW (ex "Moldanger" Norwegian), April 1971,Australian coastal. Master was Cyril Cocksedge, C/O John Milward, C/E Jim Snape, 2/E Fred Arthur.

I am in occasional touch with Cyril Cocksedge, in fact it was he who told me about the Swiremariners website. I have travelled in about 30 ships, many of them cargo ships - British, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Singaporean, Dutch. Also did a South Pacific Island voyage in "Tsingtao" when she was on bareboat charter to the Shipping Company of Tonga with the name "Tauloto" in July 1972. Good wishes. Stella Green, Sydney.
E-mail: swgreen@bigpond.com
Name: Stella Green
From: Sydney, Australia
http://

Stardate 280601 - our main and secondary back-up servers (which are in New York) collapsed yesterday. I have had to remount the entire site. Unfortunately, the man who pulled the plug out was not electrocuted so we just hope it won't happen again. In the meantime, if you find anything missing or weird (apart from the usual) please advise the web-brat. Thanks - MAJB

Jul 1, 2001 - 00:25 - Logged on this morning to update my wallpaper with this month's pin-up calendar page. Sad to learn of the death of my old shipmate, Dave Iredel, but amused to read that Bod Steer couldn't remember the name of the other Yank skipper he sailed with in SPO. It's called "selective amnesia", Bob! What about the first test from Brisbane yesterday? Looking forward to the next two.
E-mail: safman@mbox4.singnet.com.sg
Name: Steve Harris
From: the warm, sanitised bit south of Malaysia
http://

Jul 1, 2001 - 02:13 - A hi! for any one who may remember me (deck 1955-83) both gladdened and saddended at some of the entries I have read in this column. As you see I simply haven't kept touch. I shall revisit - regards, Ben Aldiss.( my son Paul also CNCo - ten years - now lives and works in Brisbane)
E-mail: aldiss@powerup.com.au
Name: Ben Aldiss
From: Mt Tamborine ; Qld 4272 , Oz
http:// no

It's here! Discover our epic SMA Pinup Screensaver!

Alternatively or also, try our version for Cathay Pacific!

Jul 26, 2001 - 00:27 - Hello :-) If you can be of any assistance regarding the following, it would be very much appreciated. My search is on for information related to confirming David Cameron Somerville's (Dec'd) service aboard a vessel named the WANGPU, between his escape from Singapore to Batavia, Java mid February 1942 and him showing up in Fiji in November/December 1942. There is evidence to suggest he travelled from Batavia (now Jakarta) Java on the Wangpu, that she was a Chinese shallow draft vessel suitable for river penetration, there were refugees aboard, and that the crossing to Fremantle was difficult and unstable due to her shallow draft. Stores ran low, and they had to use lifeboat rations. Arrival Fremantle was apparently in early March, 1942. There is some evidence that a Merchant Marine Engineering Officer from the abandoned Empress of Asia at Sultan Shoal (which David was) signed on with the Wangpu, which was sorely in need of crew at the time. There is also evidence pointing to the Wangpu being requisitioned by Allied forces in Australia, and possibly being put to work as a Naval Depot ship servicing Allied submarines in that theatre, (presumably operating out of Fremantle which is where David was whenever Canadian Pacific had correspondence from or about him). When David signed on with the Mount Robson Park at Lautoka, Fiji in December 1942 enroute home to Vancouver Canada, his records show his previous service as the Wangpu, but so far there is no evidence he arrived there in her. He may have made passage to Fiji in some other vessel on his way home. If during your adventures in cyberspace you come across any information on the Wangpu during the period in question (January - December 1942) I would appreciate you remembering me. Particularly important would be any information concerning her point to point travels, (and a means to confirm that David Cameron Somerville was amongst her crew at some point) during the period in question. This information will serve to help finalize application for his Merchant Marine campaign awards on behalf of his children and grandchildren. Later, Al
E-mail: greentrails@telus.net
Name:
From:
http:// http://www3.telus.net/greentrails/empressofasia/

Jul 26, 2001 - 00:33 - please, please, please can you help a fellow drinker from "ull" or Hull if your not a Yorkshire lad.Can you help us finish our quest,the story begins by us buying our house in "ull", and looking at some old paperwork and the deeds, we found that the house was built for a "Captain Arthur Tucker" in the 1920s,and that the house had a name "Szechuen", so being of an inquisitive nature our quest began.That weekend we started in the local history library. Unfortunately they didn't sell beer and the wench was a bit of a slapper ha ha. The good news was that we found quite a big article about our Captain Tucker,which was in the Hull Daily Mail 2nd June 1921, about his career,this article answered a lot of our questions. The Szecheun was actually the name of a ship which he Captained when it was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine in the Mediterranean on May 10th 1918. (Szecheun=HM Transport B 1860). He survived this and was awarded the Lloyds Silver Medal along with some beer money! On arival at Shanghai in October 1901 he joined the service of the China Navigation Co Ltd.(Messrs J Swire and Sons Ltd) Service 20 years. Along with lots of information about his career which we can send to you if you are interested. From the library we turned to the pub,sorry I mean the internet. After some searching"Bingo" we found you. What we would really like from you if possible, would be a print of the Szecheun or a photo of Captain Tucker or any other information on him or his family. It would be brilliant if we could have a picture of the Szecheun up in our house.We would obviously pay for this. After searching the CNCO Collection it was good to find the name Szecheun up on the collection. I am sending this letter to both EMail addresses on your web site in the hope that one of you can help me. Thanks for your co-operation. Look forward to hearing from you, I'm just off for a beer now bye bye!!!
E-mail: savo35@hotmail.com
Name: Paul Savage
From: 'ull
http://

Paul, SZECHUEN's sister, FOOCHOW, is on our opening page on this site. Furthermore, this wonderful letter of 1894 might be of interest to you and others who have never seen it - MAJB

How ships were ordered before Microsoft Word and shiny board tables were invented ...

How ships were ordered before Microsoft Word and shiny board tables were invented ...

Aug 3, 2001 - 21:22 - Does anyone have any memories of trackers pulling a CNCo vessel through the Yangtse gorges ?The Chinese have just made a documentaryfilm about the Trackers and there is an interesting article in a recent issue of the Far Eastern Economic Review.Sorry I am not a mariner.I was Swire's first cadet on the Brisbane waterfront and still live in Brisbane.Capt R Woolfe was the kind first Master to take me in hand !John Le Mare
E-mail: aladdins@magna.com.au
Name: John Le Mare
From: Brisbane
http:// www.aladdins.com.au

DRW now merits his own page ... click below occasionally.

An Englishman, an Irishman and both Scotch men

Coming soon to an ocean near you ... and just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water. Da da, da da ... - MAJB

Aug 8, 2001 - 14:58 - I can no longer go without a decent curry and intend to attend at monthend. See you on the 31st?
E-mail: MABeaumont@aol.com
Name: Dark Moment, a.k.a. MAJB
From: Melting in Maryland (98' today)
http:// www.paxship.com

Aug 21, 2001 - 02:39 - Ben Aldiss gave me the Swire Mariners contact address so I thought I would surface for those who may remember me ? My "vitals" are as follows : Mansfields Singapore 1947-1966, Kuala Lumpur 1966-1974 and CNCO Owners Rep. in Wellington N.Z 1974-1980. I have read the letters page and came across many familiar names --- in 3 cases I have sent messages direct to the given email addresses. My first contact with C.N.Co.ships was in 1942 when I was working with John Sandersons in Melbourne. I well remember going down to meet the "YUNNAN" and "POYANG " (Captain Layton, whose daughter came to work later on in our office). They were amongst the lucky ones which had escaped from the Japanese in the Far East. More later if there's any interest ! Harvey Lade.
E-mail: hmlade@froggy.com.au
Name: Harvey Lade
From: Mount Eliza, Victoria, Australia.
http://

Aug 21, 2001 - 19:24 - I think that your web site and your pages are looking good,but i can say that some of very large shipping companyes still does not have own web page or even e.mail adress?.I am a sailor to and sometime i am wonder how hard is to find nice and usefull website like yours.Also i think that for goodness of all seafarers should be established some kind of database with all names and licences for easily checking.This will be very usefull. For you..keep going like this. Best regards Pavlimir
E-mail: pavao.jaric@ri.tel.hr
Name: Pavlimir Jaric
From: Croatia
http://

Aug 22, 2001 - 12:37 - Nice site. Good 'Swire' humour. As a friend of DRWalker, AlanCurtis,Chris Pooley and others, I hope you don't mind a non-memder 'dropping-in' to say 'hullo'. I hear from Chris Frappell, friend and neighbour here in Victoria, B.C. that DRW made it across the Atlantic. Dave Smiley.
E-mail: dsmiley@marinedesign.net
Name: Dave Smiley
From: Victoria, B.C.
http:// www.marinedesign.net

Sep 3, 2001 - 18:04 - Sad news for many SMA men ...

"Alang Atrocities Update, August 28: The demolition of MARIANNA 9, MARIANNA VI, MILLENNIUM QUEEN, and AMERIKANIS is well under way. The cutting of MARIANNA VI (ex AUREOL) is now up to her forward superstructure. Most of the ship's fittings have been removed with plans for completion of the dismantling within the next 60 days. The MILLENNIUM QUEEN (ex PRINCESA LEOPOLDINA, CORAL PRINCESS, CORA PRINCESS, CORAL PRINCESS) is two ships down from her port side, sandwiched between a tanker and the AMERIKANIS (ex KENYA CASTLE), the latter having been stripped of all fittings in the past several weeks. Some two miles away, the MARIANNA 9 (former PRINCIPE PERFEITO, etc.) is in the midst of having all her fittings stripped as her focsle area was just sent tumbling down onto the beach."

So that's most of the real ships gone, chaps. Welcome to the shoeboxes of the future.
E-mail: MABeaumont@aol.com
Name: Dark Moment
From: Salcombe for half of September
http:// www.paxship.com

Sep 11, 2001 - 09:18 - Hallo lads. I'm here having a nose yet again. I also want some information. Does anyone out there know the whereabouts of Capt.Frank Cunningham? Last heard of yonks ago in NZ. I have mail for him. Cheers. Chris Nugent
E-mail: c.nugent@jssldn.co.uk
Name: Chris Nugent
From: Planet Shipping
http://

Sep 18, 2001 - 09:54 - Hallo again. That was quick. Robin Lewis saw my cry for help and called me. He knew where Frank Cunningham was....in NZ. Panic over.
E-mail: c.nugent@jssldn.co.uk
Name: Chris Nugent
From: Planet Desk
http://

He's at it again. News reaches us of SMA member Paul Markland's intention to drive a 1936 Buick Series 40 Convertible for 16,000 miles (at up to 17,000 feet) through South America, or wherever the Andes are. You can follow Paul's progress, such as it may be, by visiting www.hero.org.uk over the next two months. Or, perhaps, four months if the transmission goes - MAJB

Oct 18, 2001 - 04:11 - Well chaps, the Portsmouth bash went with a swing, as usual, but everyone was very well behaved this time, with no certificates for outrageous behavior to be issued. Even Bryan Bell was quiet and was in bed each evening before I was. I have the photos, very kindly provided by Geoff Havilland and these are soon to appear on this web site. The Warrior was a fantastic setting for our meal, about 25 turned up in the end and next year, we are planning to invade the North..........Scotland. That's just to give those Scots a break from the travel to our gatherings. I will be sending everyone a letter shortly with the minutes of our meeting, along with a request for subs to those who haven't already paid. To those who made it this year, many thanks...........I enjoyed it and I'm sure they all did as well.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stuart Shields
From: Mars
http://

Oct 21, 2001 - 05:01 - Change of e-mail address
E-mail: bermau63@hotmail.com
Name: Maurice Burbidge
From: Very uncertain these days!
http://

Oct 29, 2001 - 05:13 -
E-mail: jgwilby@bigpond.com
Name: james w g wilby
From: earth
http://

The 2001 Portsmouth pics are posted! Recall riotous revelry! Incidentally, one or two of you who were unable to attend at the last moment have left brave Stu in the lurch for some 290 quid all told; so please, cough up if you owe the man! Don't leave him short of a round, otherwise he'll never buy a beer! Thanks - MAJB

More of interest ... SMA stalwart Don Ramsay gives us the heads up that "'Merchant Fleets: China Navigation Company' by Duncan Haws has recently been published. ISBN 0 946378 42 8 price about £10. As with all the companion volumes, this is a small (96 page) booklet of the ships that CNCo has owned up to the year 2000, many of them with scaled line drawings. Nothing too fancy, but a useful booklet for reference purposes. Worth a tenner..."

Nov 24, 2001 - 21:23 - LOVED THE SITE, IT WAS VERY INTERESTING.
E-mail: JULIEANA41
Name: JULIEANNA ANDERSON
From: EARTH BUT WOULD RATHER BE ON VENUS
http://

Well, the worst happened on 30th November: our hosting company disappeared off the face of the earth in ugly, untimely, unforewarned and utterly unprofessional fashion. Hence the site was "down" for four days until your faithful web-brat could negotiate an alternative host and undertake the endless hours of unflagging effort (yawn, get on with it - Ed.) to return the SMA to the cyberwaves. Well, we're back now (4th December) and hoping such a disaster will never happen again. Meanwhile, if you dispatched us free beer by e-mail between 30th Nov-4th December, please resend it, because it's probably lost for ever. Sorry - MAJB

Dec 7, 2001 - 05:02 - Mark, I was about to throw the computer out the window when your message appeared. Is the very large print a hint that SOF's are getting old and losing their sight? Cheers
E-mail: mauber@care4free.net
Name: Maurice Burbidge
From: Sunny Bexhill-on-Sea
http://

Dec 12, 2001 - 18:30 - Just attended the very pleasant Swires annual Christmas party here in Sydney.The retirees are always thought of so we do get one meal at least a year!!Good to see THE COMMODORE in merry mood with last years stains still on his Swires tie!Johnny Haines again won the race to the seafood buffet,closely followed by The Nettleship.John Gardner and self being more dignified or more thirsty coming in well down the list. Merry Christmas to you all and would love to see you in Scotland next year.
E-mail: bob_jeanette@hotmail.com.au
Name: Bob Steer
From: The Land of Aus.
http://

Dec 12, 2001 - 18:52 - Seasons greetings all. My ten pounds is on yhe way to Stu so Should be on membership page soon. Still in Melbourne and still piloting with PPSP,so still catch up with a few Chief Boats. Also managed to get to two of the Aust Reunions in Sydney. Cheers Chris Coy.
E-mail: chriscoy@satlink.com.au
Name: Chris Coy
From: wish ..Venus but Melbourne Aust.
http://

Dec 19, 2001 - 06:10 - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all able to focus - those that can't er Happy Easter/Birthday/Good Evening.
E-mail: howcat80@hotmail.com
Name: Howard Carter
From: North Lincolnshire
http://

Dec 19, 2001 - 15:16 - I have just obtained a copy of the Duncan Haws book which Don Ramsey reported. It is worth £10-., if only for amusement. I don't know where Mr. Haws got his (mis)information but here are a few examples: 1960 - last of the traditional coastal freighters was sold - some folk must have been sailing on phantoms for the next three or four years! 1961 - Australian based NGAL was renamed NGPL 1968 - the move into containerisation commenced with the range of "E" class, "Eredine" being the first, funny, I thought they were bulk carriers. 1974 - the Swire name replaced that of China Navigation 1982 - Swire Pacific Ship Management was formed. I was obviously General Manager of a non-existant company for some years. The real gem for those who recall the 1950's/60's is that Hunan, Hupeh, Yochow, Yunnan, Hanyang, Pakhoi and Poyang are all listed as sister-ships! I think Mr. Haws must have got his historical "facts" from Jardines.
E-mail: mauber@care4free.net
Name: Maurice Burbidge
From: Not sure, I am still reading the book!
http://

Dec 20, 2001 - 07:09 - Gentlemen, Just heard on the grapevine the sad news that Dave Simpson is seriously ill. He's trying to get in contact with a great Australian character called Ray Taylor who spent most of his life working for Steamships in PNG and is probably now living somewhere in Queensland. Can anyone help trace Ray for Dave? Also, I have Dave Simpson's address and telephone number for anyone wishing to contact him. Just ask me.....Stu Shields and I'll pass it on.
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stuart Shields
From: High Wycombe, Bucks.
http://

Dec 25, 2001 - 02:09 - HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
E-mail: SShie70652@aol.com
Name: Stu Shields
From: Lapland
http://

And so ends another epic year in the saga of the SMA ...