Ship's Log Entries 2010

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CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN ENTRY IN THE SMA SHIP'S LOG 1 September 06, 2010 - 05:09 PM Darrell Daish   Sad news, read in this mornings Press that Gwenyth Hughes died yesterday. Funeral in Dunedin on Friday. 2 September 06, 2010 - 11:12 AM Ancient Mariner   Darrell, Very considerate of you, Jennifer no doubt already had a headache? Best wishes anyhow. Watched some dreadful game on TV yesterday, it was listed as "Ladies Rugby World Cup Final". Did not see many ladies, amazonian females leaping around and pulling strange faces in some native dance celebration, all in black gear, opposing equally horrible looking females in virginal white clothing. The whole being controlled by some female gauleiter from the back of Bourke. Very strange goings-on! Very sorry to hear about Gwynneth Hughes, another piece of one's past slipping away. Where is Bernie anyhow? 3 September 06, 2010 - 12:49 AM Darrell Daish   Thank you Bob for kind thoughts at this time. Jennifer and I as well as our children and their families have been lucky with no damage to houses and only minor loss of 2 pieces of glassware. Jennifer berated me for not jumping on top of her to protect her and when I said that had I she would only have thumped me for being so forward she agreed. Lost the internet until last night and water was off most of Saturday. Main problem now is that we have to boil water for at least 3 minutes before it can be drunk. Warm water in my Pink Gin or Scotch spoils the taste. Will comment more once I have replied to various emails. "2 pieces of glassware"... heck! Were they full? - MAJB 4 September 05, 2010 - 05:48 PM bob steer   Gwyneth Hughes brother has asked me to pass on the news that Gwyneth has been in Christchurch Hospital for the last two weeks and will not survive the next few days.She has an aggressive form of M.N.desease. 5 September 05, 2010 - 05:41 PM Wallaby Supporter   Thank you Stu & MAJB, pleased to see there is at least one Wallaby supporter in the U.K. & also in North America. Now looking forward to a good game against the All Blacks this weekend. "Come on the Green and Gold" 6 September 05, 2010 - 05:29 PM /bob steer   Ask Bernie 7 September 05, 2010 - 09:15 AM Stu   YES, YES, YES, YES..What? Wallabies vs. Springboks? Close finish... - MAJB 8 September 04, 2010 - 12:31 AM bob steer   YES,YES,YES,YES 9 September 03, 2010 - 06:28 PM /bob steer   Hope all well with our New Zealand brethren especially those in Christchurch,the Daish Family. I remember well my stay in the hotel,whose name I forget,in the centre of Christchurch,but their G.@T's took me back to lunch time drinks of yesteryear. Thinking of you, Bob 10 September 03, 2010 - 09:56 AM Ancient Mariner   Jim, In 1950's you were flown out to start work but when it came to home leave it was by sea or rail, the latter being slightly dodgy in 1959! Leave started upon departure from HK and ended upon return, ergo, eight months leave after four years was actually six months at home. I believe that Mick Parker did try the rail, Trans-Siberian. I was probably nice on "Kweilin" as it got me out of the office while Mickey had the 'flu. If my memory is correct we just did Keelung and Kaoshiung? Trust all well with you in Japan/ Maurice 11 September 03, 2010 - 02:25 AM JAMES CROCKETT   There is a CROCKETT family crest floating around. My contribution to the Visual Arts Gallery last month was five of my paintings plus two 'T'shirts with my photos of St Andrews Church! I actually forgot to bring the one with my Crest on it (denoleggart.com) But talking about St. Andrews Church, I remember when I arrived in HK I met a young Scottish fellow working in Taikoo dockyard, and he told me that he was getting married in St Andrews and I was invited to the do. Well here I am 54 years later still going to the St. A... Church. I've gone through about 8 vicars in that time and given all of them a telling off! But you know how it is these days....Good help is hard to find! 12 September 02, 2010 - 07:33 AM Jim Snape   I think AM should explain why he went on leave/ returned on Blue Funnel,was he being groomed for stardom and the powers wanted him to get more experience? Or did he misbehave on some airline and none of them would have him as a passenger? We did have him as Master on Kweilin briefly,as relief for Mickey Seale and he he seemed to be a very nice fellow. 13 September 02, 2010 - 07:23 AM Ancient Mariner   I remember her David, known either as "Tindrawers" or "Tender Arse"! Shock Horror, William Hague admits to sharing a twin room in an hotel with a male! Does this mean that my reputation is shot as I shared a room with Bernie Simpson at Plymouth a few years ago? 14 September 02, 2010 - 06:42 AM David Walker   Sarpedon Mark the Sarpedon is of course the one pictured. She had three sisters :- Patroclus 11314 grt. 1923-40 Built Scotts. Commissioned 1940 HMS Patroclus Torpedoed Nov 3rd off Bloody Foreland 76 lives lost. Hector 11198 grt. 1924-46 Built Scotts Bombed and sank Colombo 5th Apr. 1942 14 lives lost. 1946 raised and scrapped. Antenor 11174 grt.1925-53 Built Palmers' Newcastle 1939-46 HMS Antenor and latterly Troopship at Normandy Landings. 1953 scrapped Blyth. Perhaps the longest continuous serving Bluey was Tyndareus 1916-60 fourty four years !!! Built Scotts.Struck mine off C. Agulhas 17th Feb 1917, reached port. 1940-46 Troopship 1950-60 Pilgrim ship intermitently.Scrapped HKg. Some may remember her. I am writing about the KL and my time on the Hadj. If there is anyone out there that can contribute info gratefully recieved. 15 September 01, 2010 - 10:09 AM Ancient Mariner   May not mean very much to many of you but obituary in today;s Telegraph for Captain Olaf Work, formerly Manager of Holt's Wharf, Kowloon and then first General Manager of MTL. Must have been a fair age! 16 September 01, 2010 - 06:28 AM David Walker   Sarpedon Mark not to be pedantic she was scrapped Newport in 1953 Built Cammell Laird & Co Birkenhead 1923.Probably the luckiest and longest serving Bluey was Nestor 14629 grt. built Workman Clark Belfast 1913 Troopship WW (I) 1915-20 Survived WW (II) scrapped Faslane 1950. Some lasted longer, fourty seven years but not all with Blueys. Mark Trilby noted. On second thoughts I don't think it is the Ancient Mariner. By stature it looks more like Ted Jeggo heading for a pint up the road. At least the overcoat has a distinct "Barward" look about it. Pedantic? All part of the fun around here, DRW. However, there were several Sarpedons... SS Sarpedon (1871), a 1,949-ton ship of the Blue Funnel Line (BFL) SS Sarpedon (1877), a 2,036-ton ship, BFL SS Sarpedon (1894), a 4,663-ton ship, BFL SS Sarpedon (1923), a 11,321-ton ship, BFL SS Sarpedon (1931), a 7,797-ton ship of BFL, at one time Glenochy for Glen Line, originally named SS Ajax, scrapped 1962 MV Sarpedon (1938), a 8,983-ton ship of BFL from 1967 to scrapping in 1969, formerly Glen Line's MV Denbighshire. So I suppose it just depends which one we are looking at... - MAJB 17 August 31, 2010 - 09:33 PM Mark Beaumont   Can it be true? But I think it's not a bowler, DRW, it's a trilby... Incidentally, Sarpedon was scrapped in 1962, but the Ancient Mariner wasn't, obviously. Mark 18 August 31, 2010 - 06:56 AM Ancient Mariner   I'm not sure that I should even respond to the rude comments emanating from a certain layabout in Newton Ferrers, but I always kept clear of Blue Funnel when possible! I had to use them when going/returning from leave in 1959/60 and my only other close encounter was when London office sent me to India Buildings to learn what a Marine Supt. was meant to do! Fortunately it seems to have had no effect as CNCo is still going whereas Blue Funnel............! Agree your comment on computers Bob, I was looking at Trailfinders on the web when MAB's background music for the SMA site cut in, explain that please!!! P.S. I have changed the bowler hat for an Akubra! 19 August 30, 2010 - 04:40 PM Wallaby Supporter   Where is the Proud All Black Supporter? After their recent glorious games he must still be recovering from his favourite tipple from the Isle of Skye ! Glad I didn't have a carton of XXXX on the result. David, the dates of the ships were taken from the Ship's List, hence there could be errors. I didn't know the Ancient Mariner was that old - one learns something new every day, perhaps he was there before Graham Torrible joined CNCo !!!!!!!!!! My e-mail address is:- alistaircharlesthomson@gmail.com 20 August 30, 2010 - 02:24 PM David Walker   Wallaby Supporter Alistair Great photos. I have done some research and without boring the rest of the SMA members for being a CNCo ship anorak I can send you some amendments and corrections on names and dates, especially those on the River Boats, so let me know your e mail address. By the way photo number two "Sarpedon @ Tsingtao" Do you know the Geazer walking along the Jetty with the Bowler Hat on ? It looks to me like the Ancient Mariner in the days when he was Assist. Mar.Supt. 21 August 30, 2010 - 12:30 AM Mark Beaumont   Just a heads up that Wallaby Supporter has gone to the trouble of uploading dozens of CNCo ship images from yesteryear to our Facebook page (linked above) which I am sure will be of great interest to many. Some are his own and others variously sourced (unless he was handy with a camera by the end of the 19th century). Anyway, some great stuff there... thanks, Alistair, for going to the trouble. Mark 22 August 30, 2010 - 12:17 AM /bob steer   All very good saying get yourself a computor,I have one but for some strange reason the bl---y thing wouldn't work.Thrown a handful of money at it and lo and behold it works,the wonders of this day and age will never cease to amaze and dazzle me. The very worst part about shifting is the change of address rigmarole,I have just faxed off details to M.N.O.P.F and JSS one does wonder where they all finish up,or at least I do. Stu you do have all that stuff dont you?We don't throw beer cans at passing cars in Wahroonga,perhaps an empty bottle of Chardonay or two but never beer!!!!!! 23 August 29, 2010 - 11:20 PM Wallaby Supporter   I have recently posted a series of the older CNCo ships on the SMA facebook site, which are available for all to view. 24 August 29, 2010 - 03:18 AM Stu   Fellow Members.............does anyone know the new address of SMA Member Tim Hicks? A letter has been returned from his Potters Bar address and marked "No longer at this address" I'm sure he'll be disappointed to miss the bash at Hartlepool and he wont know the details unless he receives the returned letter. 25 August 28, 2010 - 09:41 AM Stu   Hartlepool............Fellow members, I am waiting for just seven of you to respond to my latest letter asking if you will be attending on October 1st. Initial response at the end of last year, from four of them was that they would be there and two others said they might be there. Another said he might be there but will now require a phone call. Who are they? Well see the list below:- J. Hislop/D. Johnson/D. Cameron/P. King D. Ramsey/T. Metzger H. Ratcliff.....get yourself a computer Come on chaps, the hotel wants your money 26 August 23, 2010 - 06:05 PM Wallaby Supporter   This is an informative web site on marine activities which is updated daily. It should be interesting to us "retired" SMA members at gcaptain.com/maritime/blog 27 August 23, 2010 - 12:05 PM Stu   Mark.......as long as it's not accepted by the members that it's me to perform the operations. I was caught like that once before on Polynesia when presented with a steel spike and mallet by our illustrious Chairman. I was told that as being the new boy on the ship, it was my job to slaughter the pig for the crew's barbecue. Needless to say, I declined the opportunity but still tasted the pig after the cook had spent all day turning the roasting spit and then hacking it to pieces with a machete. 28 August 23, 2010 - 09:11 AM Ancient Mariner   From the file of useless information - William, Count Eu plotted to overthrow William 11, was forced to a combat and having lost was then blinded and castrated in accordance with custom!! He died from the mutilation! I think the Esse Quam Videri crest was not widely taken up by later companies in the group, the House Flag became the more widely accepted ID for the Group with individual companies having their own logo. Butterfield did indeed last only a short time (?) but the name remained in Hong Kong and Japan until 1974. Interestingly, the Japanese generally referred to B&S as "Butterfield-o" until the agency became Swire McKinnon for a brief period, when they called it "McKinnon"! The B&S Centenary medallion showed only the House Flag and no other crest. I think I'd be very glad to die from that particular mutilation, wouldn't you?! Hmm... I wonder whether we should introduce such a penalty for those snakes who have not paid up their measly subscriptions to the SMA? On the basis of historical precedent and all that... you know who you are, chaps! - MAJB 29 August 23, 2010 - 03:12 AM Stu   Richard Shackleton Butterfield - a Bradford wool and worsted manufacturer who was one of Swire's major export clients - was to prove a short-term partner. Within two years, the alliance had been dissolved. 30 August 23, 2010 - 02:47 AM Gilbert Reid   Could anybody shed some light on just who was Mr.Butterfield of Butterfield & Swire. He was never much to the fore in 1959 and now with Swire Mariners, Swire Off shore, Swire Group etc. he seems to have disappeared altogether. 31 August 22, 2010 - 01:28 AM Wallaby Supporter   Just a bit of background on the Swire family who can trace their ancestry back a long way. I had always assumed that the motto "Esse Quam Videri" was only relevant to the shipping company, however when browsing the internet came across information that it was the motto on the Swire Coat of Arms. The family, our previous employers, who descended from the founders of the Swire trading conglomorate, appear to be descended from William D'tu, Count of Eu, who was undertenant in Wiltshire and held the lands of Swyre about 1066. Is the motto used with the other divisions of the Swire group of companies or was CNCo the only part worthy of it ? 32 August 21, 2010 - 03:34 PM Stu   No Mark, not all the photos tell lies and it's true, I did have hair once. 33 August 18, 2010 - 02:53 AM Stu   John.....oh if only I was that clever. Our Webmaster is Mark Beaumont, based on Long Island New York, I just send out all the letters. Anyway, enjoy this Swire Mariners web site and if you click around, you'll find all kinds of interesting and sometimes amusing stuff. Don't believe all the photos though.... that's just our web genius taking liberties. Still funny though. Now, Stu, you know that the camera never lies. Why, there's even a picture in the Rogues Gallery of you with HAIR, from your Port Line days; are you saying it was a wig? - MAJB 34 August 17, 2010 - 04:50 PM John Hinchliffe   Stu...great to meet you again at the Vintage Port gathering 2009 [you are still a Port Liner at heart!]but also greatly impressed to see you here as the Webmaster for the Swire fraternity...great folks and great ships as I recall on the Australian coast in the '60s and '70s... So, good luck to all 'dos that sailed East of Suez! John H. 35 August 17, 2010 - 10:11 AM Stu   No you can't, they'll land on the Newcastle - Sydney Freeway 36 August 17, 2010 - 05:47 AM Ancient Mariner   Very posh address, Bob, can't throw the empties out the window there!! M 37 August 16, 2010 - 10:28 PM /bob steer   sorry folks have been in the throws of moving house and been off air for several days,below is my new address; R.D.Steer, Unit 8,1-3 Burns Road, Wahroonga. N.S.W. 2076, Australia. E-MAIL bobjen8@bigpond.com Phone No. 02 9489 1101 Fax No 02 9489 1131 Mob me 0407 383809 Mob her 0405 383811 38 August 16, 2010 - 09:20 AM Stu   David.............You, once that knee is fixed. 39 August 16, 2010 - 05:27 AM David Walker   Stu. The last line of your missive has completely destroyed my image of you. Up until that point I was full of admiration for you encyclopedic knowledge of an exstremely historical part of all SMA members existence in, and memories of Hong Kong. Why Bond never had a CNCo Navigator as a "side kick" has always puzzled me. Any nomination? 40 August 16, 2010 - 04:00 AM Stu   The Bottoms Up Club is a bar in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. The bar is famous for its appearance in the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. The interior of the club evokes the interior of the club as seen in the film. The Club opened at 14 Hankow Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, in March or May 1971. One of its early managers was Pat Sephton, a former Windmill model. A 1994 court ruling requested it to remove its neon sign, and to have its dancers wear bras or negliges. The Tsim Sha Tsui location closed on April 2004. Rising rents were cited as possible reasons for the closure. The Club re-opened at the first floor of David House, 37-39 Lockhart Road in Wan Chai in 2004, this time mainly as a sports bar, with one of the original bars being recreated in a back room. July 2009 - Club closed down Thank goodness we have Google 41 August 16, 2010 - 02:31 AM Alan Perry   For the first time, yesterday, I watched (on the box) the James Bond film "The Man With The Golden Gun". One of the venues used for filming was the "Bottoms Up" in HKG. I know I fell into this establishment several times, most likely accompanied by our web-site hero, but I cannot remember where it was (somewhere in TST I think). Any ideas ? Is it still going ? 42 August 13, 2010 - 07:30 PM Wallaby Suporter   This 1962 photo of Hong Kong will no doubt bring back many happy memories to us SOF's As opposed to this vertically incremental situation today: http://61226.com/share/hk.swf One accepts the inevitability of change, but what I find most annoying about this particular 'permanent erection' is that now, when the Island is viewed from Kowloon, the IPC building shown in my link is visually higher than the profile of the Peak. Look at our poor little Connaught Centre, venue for many a Saturday beer. That just ain't right - MAJB 43 August 13, 2010 - 02:34 PM Stu   Are you using Bob's correct e-mail address? bobjen@bigpond.net.au That's the only e-mail address I have I have a vague recollection (nothing new there) that bigpond dropped the net.au a way back and went to bigpond.com. Might try that too. All may become clear when Bob wakes up - MAJB 44 August 13, 2010 - 05:29 AM Rob Jennings   I'm trying to email Bob Steer with some images he requested but his 'bigpond' address keeps bouncing back. Does anyone have an alternative email address for him? Rob (Archive Chappie) 45 August 12, 2010 - 01:53 PM Ancient Mariner   Tony, The Barclay with JKS on "Taiyuan" was almost certainly his brother-in-law. They were in HK around that time and I had the pleasure of escorting them to view the "Taiwan" at TSR Wharf. JKS was not too pleased with the ship, "wrong colour, wrong funnel 3tc". He could almost look down the funnel! When we reached the gaming machines.........! All was saved when a "C/K" came through Lei yu Mun, he turned to his brother-in-law and said "now there's a Taikoo ship". I'm afraid thet the "Princessa Leopoldina", then a grey mess undergoing converswion at Dockyard was dismissed as "something that Adrain has purchased........." (The remainder of the statement shall remain confidential!). 46 August 12, 2010 - 06:52 AM David Walker   Pacific Teak Re AC-B's of the other day Teak was built Teraoka Dec 1978 for a contract to Esso Malaysia out of Kota Kinabalu servicing their SBM/Tanker offshore export facility. She was probably built against a five year contract (3yr plus two one yr. options) that was the normal DAG's prefererance not to fix long and low but fix against a contract well executed would encourage continued fixture at market rate. She was operated by the Brunei office. Paul Thiessen will no doubt have better recall than me as he fixed the contract. The key guy was an Italian Mar. Supt called Joe something. He got on well with Dave Iredell who was if I remember correctly returned to the v/l regularly, that is until his monkey ate the only copy of an extensive Dive Report.He was succeeded by the late Dave Simpson of ornithelogical fame. He wrote whilst on board covering a full year of the migration of Birds in the South China Sea. The first definitive study for which he recieved a Commendation from the Royal Navy Bird Watching Society. Teak's successfull design as a Tug/Supply Diving/Survey V/l spawned two sisters Oak and Maple.One interesting charter out of Dubai was to the Salvage Assoc. to search in the Arabian Sea for a Coaster that had sunk under suspicious circumstances carrying bolts of clothe to Pakistan. She was duly found on the bottom with empty hatches. Closer inspection revealed a hole in the bottom plating in the engine room. Salvage Assoc. ordered the hole be "cut out" and returned to Dubai. The hole was cut out and a section of plating sent to the surface. The diver before returning looked into the engine room to discover a Pick Axe close to the hole. It was taken to the surface. On inspection the hole fitted the axe and it was obvious the impact was from inside and not from outside. A "Run Job" Underwriters did not pay out, unsurprisingly !! Re Tony's JKS on Taiyuan. The Banker companion was most probably Leigh-Pemberton who later became the Govenor of The Bank of England. His son Wil was a BYMFLO. 47 August 11, 2010 - 12:32 AM Wallaby Supporter   Port Moresby 1962, the "Soochow" and "Anking" both alongside the wharf, and the "Soochow" due to depart for Australia late afternoon. Cargo work almost finished and engine room maintenance up to date (as always). About 11.00hrs Bob Steer (2/E "Anking") and others dressed in whites, came aboard the "Soochow" for a social get together, so we all gathered in the passenger's lounge for a few G & T's before tiffin. On our entering the lounge there was a "wharf rat", probably in his mid to late 20's,with a pair of crutches and one leg in a plaster cast, sat up at the bar. We were enjoying ourselves except for the fact that the "wharf rat" was annoying us by consistently interupting our conversations with his obnoxious remarks etc. Eventually Bob had enough and told him to shut up, but the "wharf rat" wanted to argue, and was told by Bob that if he didn't shut up he would be thrown over the side. The obnoxious "wharf rat" replied that it couldn't be done, Bob, not taking this lightly, then picked up one of the crutches, went to he ship's side and threw it into the harbour - not the wharf side, - and said "you'll be next if you don't move". Evenually this character took the hint and was last seen struggling down the gangway, minus a crutch, - unaided of course and never to return ! The gathering then continued in the accustomed manner, the "Soochow" men more than happy to sign the chits. Well done Bob - you deserved a medal for your perfomance that day !!! 48 August 10, 2010 - 09:52 PM Tony Ravenhill   I was second engineer with Cyril Osborne on that particular trip on the Taiyuan. Each morning the stewards would scrub a deck chair , dry it in the sun and JK used to sit in it for a time each morning. After a couple of days sailing a passenger delegation went to the captain (Frank Cunningham) and demanded to know why this passenger got such special treatment. When told he "owns the Ship" the delegation scuttled off to the bar and no more was said. After my watch one night I ventured to the passenger lounge. The bar steward said to me that the "boss wants see you" I went over an JK invited me to have a drink. He introduced his companion as Mr. ? Barclay of Barclays Bank, asked me what I would like to drink and of course I said "a double Whisky, please". JK ordered a beer for himself and one for Mr. Barclay. Big wink from the steward meant that I would get a goodly sized double. The steward returned placing the cans of beer in front of the two beer drinkers. JK pondered his can for a few minutes and suddenly thrusting it toward me said "you're an Engineer , open it". I did it with a flourish and had a great hour of chat. Good ship the Taiyuan. 49 August 05, 2010 - 08:47 PM Olly Overland   Gentlemen, I attended the Funeral for Alan Young on Monday August 2nd, and signed the Log as representing SMA. About 100 relatives and friends attended. The ceremony was held in the Orchard of their Farm "Kinaka", at Eumundi, about 40 kms from the Brisbane Pilot Station. The service was conducted by the local Parish Priest the Revd. Julie Woolner. A local Jazz Band entertained us after the official rites and played Alan off to his last Anchorage. Alan was with CNCO from 1958-66, then joining the Queensland Pilotage Service. I first met him as Pilot/Harbour Master Cairns when on Kuala Lumpur's Cruising season in 68. He is survived by his wife Sue, daughter Jeanine, and son Matt. The only other CNCO rep was Dave Owens, who also lives locally. A beautiful day, lovely ceremony, and lots of Alan's home Brew Beer for the Wake. Regards to all, Olaf. Click here for a very nice picture of Alan - MAJB 50 August 05, 2010 - 05:37 PM Wallaby Supporter   Memories. In September 1970 I went to work in Fiji for 3 years, and arranged through Peter Flemming, who was then in Swire & Yuills office in Sydney, to arrange to have my dog - a large Alsation - for transportation to Fiji. The dog then travelled by the "Taiyuan" to Lautoka, where I was based. One of the passengers was J.K.Swire, then around 80 years old. My dog was excercised regularly by J.K.S. as they both daily walked round the ship. A sideline was that as J.K.S. was leaving the ship in Suva he declined to take part in the deck sports as he wouldn't be available for the finals. What a splendid post! Especially the sports. A highlight of my management of the QE2 when at Cunard was ensuring that the doggy deck was in good shape at all times. We had a hydrant for American dogs and a lamp post for British hounds. I'm fascinated to speculate where JKS might have allowed your venerable pooch to "do his thing". On the poop deck, I suppose - MAJB 51 August 05, 2010 - 09:48 AM Ancient Mariner   ISNC did not have anything equal to the Bungalow! I am still in touch with a retired Marine Supt., Geoff Parish, and he has always been envious of not only The Bungalow but also the SMA comeraderie, (or should that be spelt with a "ka"?). 52 August 02, 2010 - 11:24 AM Andrew Craig-Bennett   A propos The Bungalow - I have emailed an ex-ISNCo sailing friend to enquire if the Princely Hong maintained a similar establishment, but Blue Funnel certainly did so in Liverpool - the place was called "Iliad House". I suspect CNCo's Bungalow was more fun. Was it the "Pacific Teak" or AN Other Little SPO Boat that was involved in the saga of the Shell Brunei Dive Survey, the Cat and the Monkey? 53 August 02, 2010 - 09:24 AM John Madeley   DRW - Coelecanth. John Pottinger was most miffed 'cos I did not appoint him for the job.It was a new guy ex Zapata who I chose as he sounded very knowledgable about the beast. Hollingsworth or some such name. I rememeber you were not amused when this chap spilled the beans to the press. 54 August 01, 2010 - 05:58 AM Ancient Mariner   Tut,tut, all these stories about late boarding of aircraft etc. On the way back from leave I stopped off at Dubai to visit PJR and any boats that were around, left p/port at immigration as usual. Somewhat late departure for the airport in Peter's Datsun 240 and arrived a few minutes after departure time! A lovely Pakistani air hostie found me and said the 'plane was waiting but I explained where my p/port was and it was evening prayers. Eventually the immigration door opened and a hand appeared holding a UK p/port. When I went through there was a PIA 747 waiting for me!!! Can you imagine CX or BA doing that! To cap everything when I asked the steward to thank the Captain for waiting I was invited up to the flight deck. Gilbert. There was/is a reservoir near the old dockyard site, Braemar I think. My second vessel after joining CNCo was "Taikoo" so I got know a few dockyard folk. Never did get to ride the sedan chair which took the Mems up the hill to the Dockyard houses. 55 July 31, 2010 - 07:32 PM Wallaby Suporter   DRW, I once had 5 personal calls to board a flight to Manilla, see my entry in the Visitors Book on 5th Jan 2007. Has anyone remembered who held the record of 6 personal calls or was there a higher record ? Those days are long gone and now just happy memories - ah well at least we remember !!! 56 July 31, 2010 - 10:00 AM Mark Beaumont 57 July 31, 2010 - 06:42 AM David Walker   The Bungalow. Ancient Mariner now you mention it I remember Rommel, also there was another "Boy" we called Slix, because when telephoning for a Cab he would return and give its reg. number which would eg HKG 66 (Slixty Slix) Talking of air travel in those days I think my route out was London,Rome,Beruit,Bahrein,Bombay, Rangoon,HKg. At each stop you were allowed to wander around and kick the tyres as they refueled the plane. Does anyone remember the Goodbye Parties at Kai Tak for those going home after three or more years Tour. All available hands from the Bungalow and any vessels in port would congregate at the Bar upstairs overlooking the planes and celebrate the "Departing Heroes" Having checked in they would get stuck in and the object was to get as many personal calls as possible to board, culminating in a ground Hostie either beseeching or dragging by the ear the "Departing Hero" to the planes Gangway. One famous departure was Alistair Mill-Irving and Earnie Feasbie who eventually boarded carrying paper Chinese lanterns on Bamboo poles. It was some Chinese Festival and they had aquired them on the way. Try doing that today !! Coelacanth. John you are right I had forgotten that sequence of events. Was'nt The Captain John Pottinger? MAJB our thanks go to you for managing a superb job on what to me is akin to "Black Magic", ie. IT Skills Good Pics in Rogues Gallery. 58 July 31, 2010 - 05:43 AM Ancient Mariner   When I first arrived at The Bungalow in 1955 the top floor was divided into two flats for married Senior chaps, not a good idea with boisterous chaps down below!! Anyone remember "Rommel", one of the "Boys"? Shaven head gave him his nickname and he started in CNCo as a "punkah wallah". Strange party trick was to get Rommel to bring in a raw egg and crack it on his head, ugh! We were not allowed onto the holy of holies, i.e. the bowling green, but were allowed to use the billiard tables, if well-behaved. Charlotte must have some pics? 59 July 31, 2010 - 03:59 AM Gilbert Reid.   Oct.1959. BOAC from LHR to Calcutta DumDum airport where 2 new hires, a Mr.Scott from Newcastle and myself changed to a Cathay Pacific flight to HK. The flight Capt.on learning we were joining CNCo. gave us a grand tour of the cockpit. (changed days). After a couple of days in the Bungalow I was called to the Office where I met Mr.Williamson Assist.Eng.Supt. (Mr.Murie was the "Heid Yin"). First he told me to always wear a collar & tie when coming to the Office. I had on a terry towel "T" shirt. (well, it was hot.) Finally asked me if I had any questions. To show how observant I was I mentioned that since arriving in HK all news was about the dry conditions in the colony and the necessity for water conservation yet the Bowling Green just below the Bungalow was being watered on a daily basis. Seems we our own water supply. I never did find that reservoir!! 60 July 30, 2010 - 05:07 PM Wallaby Supporter   MAJB posted a photo of the "Bungalow" amongst others of mine for me, a few years ago. Check out "Rogues Gallery" "Alistair's Anchorage". Unfortunately I never had any photo's of the inside. I remember that on arriving there in Sept 1959, when entering the lounge room, seeing two stalwarts having a beer or two, and betting on two flies climbing up the window. I never understood the rules as usually one of the flies flew away before reaching the top. The mysteries of the East were unfolding. Splendid stuff, Marsupial Man, I was looking for the same thing myself the other day in the wild blue cyberyonder and had forgotten about your very rare picture. Plus, folks, Alistair has there a picture of the view... minus flies. Anyway, for your convenience, DRW, here's the famous "Bungalow", as preserved on Alistair's page - MAJB: 61 July 30, 2010 - 12:42 PM David Walker   The Bungalow We all have documentary evidence of the ships we served on in the form of "Seamans Record Book and Certificate of Discharge" commonly known as the "Seaman's Discharge Book" However I suspect that few of us have a record of the times we spent in "The Bungalow" a unique part of being in CNCo.and in fact probably unique to the Company. Did Jardines have a similar establishment? Where did BI put up their Officers on the Eastern Service ships operating out of Bombay never returning to UK. waters as did CNCo ships. The Bungalow as I remember it,arriving on a BOAC flight from London taking twenty nine hours in a Comet IV which was far more relaxing than twelve hours in "Zoo" Class of a wide bodied Jet of today, was a welcoming place. The Bungalow the term used to refer to the three-storied building that was the Officers Mess. Bungalow presumably because it predecessor had been one. It was located at Quarry Bay where the Taikoo Dockyard and Taikoo Sugar Factory were. Now Takoo Shing. It sat on a hill overlooking the Eastern anchorage , Kai Tak airport, and Lei Yee Mun pass. In fact you could watch CNCo ships arriving at the Eastern immigration anchorage.In front was an exspanse of lawn and close by was an older and more "Colonial" building the Takoo Club with bowling green exclusively for Taikoo Dock expatriate Dockyard Maties, almost all Scotsmen from Greenock. On the ground floor, airy places, were the Dinning room, Seniors, and Junior Officers Lounges. All looking out through french windows onto the lawns and harbour. Polished parkeh flooring and tables set with bright white linen and siverware. Press the bell and a "Boy" (stewards were known as Boys) would come for your order of G&T or cold Beer. Above on the second floor were cabins for juniors, and on the third floor were cabins en-suite for seniors as well as a small flat occupied by the resident Engineer Supt. Tommy Richardson was there during my times. Those staying were either between ships, on study leave or on sick leave. As you can imagine there was some good times to be had, and there were pranks. I can remember whilst coming home from a "run down the Wanch" well refreshed. We purloined a number of Road Up signs and carried them up to the Taikoo Club and placed them on the immaculate bowling green. Needless to say Scottish Dockyard Matey was not amused. The point of my ramblings is to stimulte some information and recolections from those of you that go that far back. Does anyone have photos of that fond remembered place? 62 July 30, 2010 - 11:40 AM John Madeley   Just to add to the Coelacanth story. I was SPO’s man in Port Gentil at the time circa 1988 and JTKR contacted me with a proposal from Mitsubishi ( or was it Mitsui, DRW help me with the facts) to hire Pacific Teak for a foray into the Comores to attempt not only to find a Coelacanth but somehow to bring one to the surface and fly the wretched beast to Japan to install in an aquarium for the general public view. An interesting idea but floored with all sorts of problems. At the time there was not a great deal of work around for said vessel and I believe a very favourable day rate was agreed. Off the SPO boaties went and loaded the Mitsubishi chaps in Cape Town or Durban with their equipment but the press got hold of the deal and managed to interview the Master who, much to the disappointment of Mitsubishi, spilled the beans. The cat was out of the bag and reached German broadsheets such as Des Spiegel ( Pls correct my spelling) and the “Greenies” got involved. The upshot of the charter was that SPO earned a couple of months hire for a bit of fun and the craggy old Coelacanth remains in the deep. Jolly good show I say!! PS. DRW (Dubai) was the controlling office so David you may be able to add or correct as applicable. Currently in Huangpu to do a management handover of one of our vessels. What a ghastly place. Met Office says the sun is shining but it can’t get through the pollution. Couple of days here then S’pore for a day then back to unpolluted Cyprus, my Wife and pool in that order. Anchors. 63 July 24, 2010 - 08:58 AM Jim Snape   DRW re A.D.Blue I can confirm after checking dates in my Discharge Book that A.D.Blue was on C.P,between Nov 1984 and June 1985. Dudley Groves was Master and I can remember asking him who was the elderly gentleman sitting in a chair on the bridge wing,and being told it was A.D Blue,I went and introduced myself,he remembered coming aboard Nanchang in Whangarei,N.Z in 1967 and Mike Kelly Master and Lionel Fleming Chief Engineer. We had some conversation on the state of the C.P.s'engine room and the possibility of ships going from A to B totally unmanned,I reckoned it was possible but not probable as insurance companies would not be very keen. 64 July 23, 2010 - 09:14 AM Andrew Craig-Bennett   Hello DRW, I seem to recall the quest of the coelacanth! I saw quite a lot of Graham Torrible and Pat Pattinson when I was in HK, 85-91, but I never met Dr Blue, alas. At the initiative of, I think, Charlotte Bleasdale, it became de rigeur to invite Captain Torrible to any CNCo retirement party, despite his occasionally muttering, "I left before he joined!" and Pat Pattinson, en famille, was an almost permanent fixture in the Garden Lounge of the Club on Sunday mornings. 65 July 23, 2010 - 05:10 AM Mike O'Keeffe   I have just heard from Ken Nettleship that Alan Young passed away last Saturday, 17 July. His funeral will take place on 2nd August (to be confirmed). Alan joined the Brisbane Pilot Service after leaving Swires 66 July 22, 2010 - 08:11 AM David Walker   A.D. Blue The book refered to is "Piracy of the Nanchang" and second hand copies can still be obtained. Try www.abebooks.co.uk I once had the privilege along with Tim Bridgman of taking Archie Blue with Captan Graham Torrible, past CNCo Mar.Supt. and author of "Yangtse Reminiscence", and Pat Patinson of Taikoo Dockyard to lunch at the Hong Club. ADB was visiting after becoming Dr. Blue for writing on the "Treaty Ports of China". It must have been between 1983-85. What an enjoyable experience. Their recollections added up to over a hundred years of Taikoo service. If only I had recorded them, but I suppose even a small recorder on the immaculate white table clothes of The Jackson Room would not have been "de riguer" I think Mark he then went on to travel on C.P to Japan.Were you not there? If I met Archie Blue, it must have been after lunch, David, as I cannot recall him, although I have met Graham Torrible. Thanks for the link above, but was the book you reference not written by J.V. Davidson-Houston? See www.abebooks.co.uk. Note, by the way, that "Archive Chappie" (see May 27, below) is offering free copies of "Yangtze Reminiscences” to all those who make his life easier - MAJB 67 July 22, 2010 - 07:49 AM David Walker   Re Richard Muirheads Extinct Species. Closest association would be a charter SPO took on when I was in Dubai. Pacific Maple(?) circa 1986-7 was chartered by Mitsubishi off the Comoros Is.to search for the Coelacanth. They wanted to see if they could bring this rare deep deepwater fish to the surface prefarably alive. Although I cant remember the details and whether they had a succesfull haul the attempt was abandoned after a number of months. One Wag aboard when asked what were the Japanese doing looking for the Coelacanth replied "they wanted to corner the Fish Finger market" 68 July 22, 2010 - 04:15 AM Richard Muirhead   I lived in Hong Kong from 1966-1985 and became interested in cryptozoology(the study of unknown animals) at the age of 10 when a Japanese trawler dragged up an unidentified carcass off the coast of New Zealand. For several years I have been working on a book with my friend Jon Downes (also a former Hong Kong resident)called `The Mystery Animals of Hong Kong` and we have found reports of crocodiles,e.g in 1910,sea serpents,1930s, whales,various dates,turtles and interesting mammals,e.g black leopards,etc.If any reader of this message knows if Swire archives or ships logs have mentioned any unusual marine or even land animals,please can you let me know?Or perhaps there were Swire members who kept nature diaries?Thank you for any help. 69 July 21, 2010 - 07:15 PM Wallaby Supporter   After seeing the news of the current floods in China, I came across these interesting photos taken in 1935 showing that it is a common occurence. Check out the following site:- www.hmsfalcon.com and then go to Photographs from Stanley Till. Amazing what is available on "Google" 70 July 21, 2010 - 05:19 AM Andrew Craig-Bennett   I see that the Hong Kong history website, "Gwulo", has put in a link to this here SMA website so could I invite all and sundry who can spare the time to go in the other direction and correct my little essay on the history of Hong Kong, which certainly has a lot of errors in? http://gwulo.com Thanks in advance. By the way, I seem to recall that Archie Blue was one of the officers kidnapped during the piracy of the Nanchang, although is essay on China Coast piracy does not mention this. A further footnote - I was asked to give a lecture on piracy on the China Coast in the 20's and 30's to the Arthur Ransome Society and discovered to my dismay that during Ransome's visit to China for the Manchester Guardian he travelled on ships of the ISN Co not CNCo. Happily, he speaks very badly of them as they were uncomfortable and unreliable, being inclined to break down! AC-B, good to see your posts here and to hear of you, but we're ahead of the game. We linked your excellent series of articles further down this log page; I repeat a direct link to them here. But oh dear... links from other lofty sites? I do hope we don't have to start taking life too seriously around here :) We do fly the firm's flag, after all, even if upside down on occasions - MAJB 71 July 21, 2010 - 05:12 AM Andrew Craig-Bennett   Jimmy Lough once told me that AD Blue once caused consternation and monkeyhouse by contributing an article to "Blackwoods Magazine" entitled "Squeeze", in which he described, far too candidly for the Powers that Were in CNCo, just "how things were done". I have found Dr Blue's academic articles on the Web in the excellent archives of the Chinese University of HK but I have never found this one. Is it apocryphal? 72 July 19, 2010 - 10:07 AM Ancient Mariner   I sailed with A.D.Blue on Poyang in 1960/61. Slightly uneasy time as I was 26 in command and he was about to retire, and considered that what he did with the engines and speed had nothing to do with me! Had a more friendly relationship some years later when he came out to HK while doing his thesis for his Phd and I entertained him. A very clever chap. 73 July 18, 2010 - 06:09 PM Wallaby Supporter   Re the voyage on the Manchester Ship Canal and the visit to the German WW2 submarine, there is quite a good and interesting book by Peter Cremer, which I have recently read, (a Geman Submarine commander who survived the war) entitled "U333 The Story of a U-Boat Ace" which tells of his wartime experiences from the German side. Must admit I wouldn't have enjoyed being in the submarine service on either side - no anti-malaria medicine before tiffin or other times. I have managed to access this site for the first time in a number of days - glad someone put another shilling in the meter !!! 74 July 18, 2010 - 04:29 AM Gilbert Reid   Great tales from the China Coast. Re. web access problem. I'm not much of a computer whizz but try putting another shilling in the meter. I've told Marsupial Man that he's probably not winding the handle fast enough. Either that, or the guinea pig has fallen off the treadmill. That does remind me of my friend Bim Atkinson (known to a few of you as he visited HK now and then) who was of the family that owned Gunnawarra Station in Far North Queensland. In the good old days, they had some 40,000 head of cattle or something but the economy being what it is the property has been broken up since and the homestead is a vacation hideaway now, I believe. I've always remembered that the phone number was 15. It was a three-way party line at that: depending on how many times the switchboard operator wound the handle in Cairns, Bim knew whether to pick up or not. I was lucky enough to visit many years ago. How times have changed - MAJB 75 July 15, 2010 - 07:13 PM Wallaby Supporter   While browsing through "Google" recently, I came across the following articles by A.D.Blue, an engineer who sailed with CNCo in the pre and post WW2 years. One of the articles on The China Coasters gives a good description of life etc. aboard the vessels, and was probably the one which raised the ire of the Hong Kong office as the manner in which the practice of "squeeze" took place. The articles are :- "European Navigation on the Yangtse" "Piracy on the China Coast" "The China Coasters" "Chinese Emigration and the Deck Passenger Trade" "Early Steamships in China" It is easy to print out these articles for leisurely reading at a convenient time. P.S. The web-brat has posted this info for me as for some reason I am having repeated problems accessing this web site. Mark is keen to determine what my problem might be... if anyone else is having issues, please do let him know at MABeaumont@aol.com. Thanks. 76 July 15, 2010 - 12:32 PM David Walker   Rob, In answer to your question the object abaft the funnel in two of the photos is a canvas wind sail. It is a cylindricacal canvase tube , divided at the top by vertical panels, usually four, that had triangular flaps stayed by ropes.By hoisting it above the engine room skylight and poistioning it down into the engine room, with flaps stayed out it increased the air flow into the ER. in addition to the four Cowl Ventilators seen behind the funnel. Normally deployed at anchor or in port and hot climes Rarely at sea or in strong winds. 77 July 15, 2010 - 09:40 AM Rob Jennings   Some help please. I've posted three images of Changsha I on the Facebook page. Can anyone help to identifiy the object standing vertically behind the funnel in photo 2? In photo 3 it appears to be covered but doesn't appear at all in photo 1. Any ideas are gratefuly accepted. Cheers Rob 78 July 12, 2010 - 05:54 PM Terry Connell   Hello Brian, All the photos that you sent me are here www.flickr.com/photos/metch/sets/72157608645722913/ in my China Nav set. 79 July 11, 2010 - 02:17 PM Mark Beaumont   The much-discussed Changsha grounding... as recalled by Brian Bird. Click on the pic. Also accessible from our Rogues Gallery. 80 July 10, 2010 - 03:45 AM Alan Perry   Stu, I stayed at The Inn on Bourbon (Ramada) - cost $71.20 per night, a good hotel about mid-length along the drag. At 10 am Bourbon Street looks terrible - obviously the floods of a few years ago took their toll. Most bars open by noon, live music starts about 4 pm, the street is closed off from about 8 pm and by 9 pm the street is heaving with sweaty bodies carrying cheap beer in plastic glasses "to go" - $6.00 for a 32 oz glass. From noon to 4 pm a lot of the bars do "two for one" specials. It's very easy to become legless before sundown. Not as good as days gone past, particularly if you like old fashioned trad jazz, but it's still a good night out. I had to exercise my Kiwi accent otherwise I was continually asked if I worked for BP - the pollution is taking it's toll, fresh oysters difficult to find and Brits not overly popular (most Yanks do not realise that their people are majority shareholders in BP). 81 July 10, 2010 - 03:08 AM Stu   Yes Alan, it's true, I was a hero but I didn't have any choice. New Orleans?..........well at least the dogs get to have a good time. What's the name of the hotel you stayed at and are the room rates any good? 82 July 09, 2010 - 01:15 PM Alan Perry   Stu, what a hero you were. Of course in CNCo, as we looked after our engines so well we never had such breakdowns - pardon ??? For readers' interest, I have just spent this week in New Orleans, hotel in Bourbon Street. Virtually all the good jazz bands have gone - only two joints now have trad jazz. The rest of the street is wall to wall rubbish mod bands with a smattering of sex shops, junk souvenir shops, and the occasional good restaurant. As with the Reeperbahn, Bourbon Street has by and large gone to the dogs. 83 July 08, 2010 - 06:16 AM Stu   Lucky you Gilbert..........I spent my 21st on a Port Line ship, just one day out from Panama and broken down. For 21 of those 24 hours, I was inside the crankcase of the main engine learning how to sweat and covered in lubricating oil. We had it tough.......tell that to the kids today and they don't believe you. 84 July 08, 2010 - 04:30 AM Gilbert Reid   I signed on the CHEFOO as "first trip Fiver" in HK 28 Oct.1959. The C/E was Jock Mckendrick Weir who was C/E on the CHANGSHA when it hit the beach in Yokkaichi a month earlier. He told David Meikle the 4/E, also from Kilmarnock, to "keep a close eye" on me as I was from the East Coast!!!. Also, he would not give me my shore pass for Japan as I was still not 21!! The Capt. was Freddie Follett and as I recall also from the CHANGSHA. A real gentleman. Being the youngest officer on board CHEFOO during Christmas 1959 I was always served first!!. That was the high point of my importance!!!! Finally turned 21 Jan.1960 in the "Little Club" in Wanchai. Was back there around 1980 and some motorway had cut Wanchai inc.the Little club" in half 85 July 08, 2010 - 02:54 AM Stu   Brian.....everyone is interested in anything you can add to the SMA web site. Just send all you have to our web brat, Mark Beaumont (MABeaumont@aol.com) and he will include it on the site. 86 July 07, 2010 - 05:43 PM Brian Bird   I see several postings re Changsha grounding in 1959. I was 4/O at the time. several years ago I sent Terry Connell copies of some photos I took, I think he posted them on a web site somewhere. In answer to one of the postings the incident was on Sept. 26th 1959. I will be happy to post anything I can remember (it was 51 years ago)if anyone is interested. 87 July 01, 2010 - 05:40 AM Ancient Mariner   Postscript to the comments in the Rogues Gallery about the U-boat at Birkenhead, almost opposite the U-boat,on the Liverpool side, is a statue of Captain "Johnny" Walker,who was responsible for sinking more U-boats than any other person!! Thanks, AM. Quite a character: Frederic John Walker - MAJB 88 June 30, 2010 - 03:39 PM Ancient Mariner   Another successful weekend jaunt, many thanks Stu. The event is already featured in our Rogues Gallery - MAJB 89 June 24, 2010 - 02:02 PM Stu   Yes 90 June 24, 2010 - 10:07 AM Ancient Mariner   Tut, tut, I can't believe such goings-on amongst gentlemen of the Swire Group! My last visit to Manila was to find a singer for "CP". I started off checking into the InterCon or Hilton, being given a room key and finding a half-undressed American lady already occupying the room; I of course declined her invitation to share and retired to the front desk. Xavier arranged a couple of night tours for me and unfortunately had told the various bar folk what I was looking for, I was treated to some extraordinary displays, mostly female with female, quite unsuitable for the gents of "CP"! I think the message got through that we needed a good singer and one was eventually found. The landlady of my local is originally from the Philippines, even with four children she has a figure to die for! Her husband I first knew as an eleven year old son of the landlord of my brother's local in Tunbridge Wells - am I getting old? 91 June 23, 2010 - 05:45 PM Stu   Ah yes, I remember it well. The pay was awful but the job did come with fringe benefits. 92 June 23, 2010 - 10:14 AM Stu   My favourite was "Bubbles" bar or the one where the dancing girls all dressed like they'd been given a day release from St Trinians school, can't remember the bar name. I do remember though that "The Firehouse" was also a very lively watering hole. Ah memories where we all made fools of ourselves and enjoyed every minute. Funny you should mention 'Bubbles', this remarkable establishment having been our calendar pinup in Feb '06. Click on the pic for the original version and check out the barman - MAJB 93 June 23, 2010 - 09:12 AM Mark Beaumont   Was it Bella in the "Yellow Brick Road"? Or are you thinking (as if you ever did) of 'Beautiful Body Lettie'? Which bright lass later achieved international fame when some half-brained Aussie took her back to Sydney and then abandoned her to the sex merchants in Kings Cross; being unhappy about the situation, she went to the Press. The Sydney sex trade became big news for a while. I remember Josie as manageress of the "Yellow Brick Road". Sylvia Rushbrooke, the English manageress of the "New Bangkok" bar (who now runs the fabulous "Quecum Bar", a Gypsy Swing Jazz bar in Battersea, London) always made sure we were well looked after; I think Reggie Grey had a table permanently reserved for any time when he wasn't actually aboard a SPO boat. There was a rash of 'new' bars towards the end of the pre-Aquino era, was there not, like "Superstar" and "Firehouse"; but the small, scruffier, more down-to-earth hideaways favoured by China Coasters were such as the "Den Rose" and the four little doors that comprised GG. The "Spider's Web" was my particular favourite of those, although I think the company flag was actually pinned up behind the bar of the "China Coast" next door. My own first venture down the strip was a casual afternoon stroll down the street, because being new to the ship nobody had thought to enlighten me to the delights of Philippine night life. It took me by surprise, therefore, when a certain Scottish passenger ship captain jabbed me in the back with his umbrella - yes, umbrella - from the door of the "Spider's Web". The rest is history. This being a public forum with world-wide reach, some of it had better stay history, too :) 94 June 23, 2010 - 03:25 AM Alan Perry   Correction - yes it was CX503 at 1635 hrs. My favourite was the "Yellow Brick Road", I think mama-san's name was Bella. The first bar I ever ventured in to up the strasse, ably supported by GAD (because I had already had a few on board "Erawan" in anticipation of the evening's delights) was a small joint called "Yours Bar" - memories are already flooding back. 95 June 23, 2010 - 03:17 AM Alan Perry   I have no doubt that a certain gent who not only contributes to this Log but .......... could recite the names of all the bars up that "street of fantasies" standing on his head. I have long forgotten but, a little jog of the grey matter would bring back floods of memories. I have scratched my head countless times trying to remember the proper name for the "G......... Gulch". Reading the newspaper upstairs was certainly a little different from my experiences of the Brixham Library although having a haircut in Kaohsiung was similar. I wonder how many of us remember our first crawl along M H del Pilar, and who first introduced us to it. Not only did GAD introduce me to the strasse but he also introduced me to his "little piece of delight" from the previous trip. The toothbrush brigade, ah yes, another story. It had to be the 1615 flight because there were others in the "Galley" who purported to represent authority within the Swire Group and the Saturday afternoon flit across the pond was against the rules. We had to wait patiently in the "Galley" until the authoritarians had departed before we made our very dramatic moves - it was an extremely close call at times. Another character of the Saturday crowd in the "Galley" was Mike Dean of Mercury Shipping. I wonder if the Director which MAJB refers to was balding and slightly portly ? "Dining outs" at Pats Godown, I remember mine well - organised of course by MAJB - probably the same stripper who from memory sat on the same Director's head that night as well. Keep up the reminicences, this is what this website is about ! 96 June 23, 2010 - 02:12 AM Stu   Who here can remember the names of all the bars along that street of a million fantasies......MH Del Pilar. 97 June 22, 2010 - 10:41 PM Anon Bangkok   Who was the chap that never bought a round in the Galley on a Saturday morning, worked for Nedlloyd Shipmangement looked after Asian Jade. Do you remember the toothbrush brigade that went every Saturday to Kai Tak for the Manila flight,. Alas good times. With Bug**rs' Grips, you mean? Far be it from me to name someone who may have been short of change. Permanently. I thought better of mentioning the frequent direct departures from The Galley to The Firehouse on CX903 16:35, not wishing to incriminate myself or anyone else I might mention. I think my own personal record was downing the last pint of the lunchtime session at 15:15 and still making the flight; quaffing a few on the 'plane and then supping the first in The Firehouse by 19:15. As you say, good times, and ID90 helped. Never did remember the golf clubs, though - MAJB 98 June 22, 2010 - 07:10 PM Mark Beaumont   Ah, the Wanch. Now we're talking. Everything that Manila and Bangkok had to offer except pretty girls, and at ten times the price. I must share a favourite memory of said Wanch, which took place in broad daylight. When I "retired" from CNCo, the powers-that-be having finally concluded that my occasional presence on the 7th Floor of Union House did not necessarily equate to any form of productivity, there had been so many people departing the fold that yet another farewell dinner was an unappetizing prospect to many; despite my pleadings for a free meal and some minor recognition. Mitchell - for it was he - came up with the novel idea of a "reverse" dinner. We would start with the brandies and work backwards to the sherry and so on. Well, the mention of alcohol of any form was enough to excite the masses, and a private room was duly booked at Pat's "GoDown". At 4 o'clock that afternoon, a certain private office director, well known to the shipping fraternity and occasionally involved in it when he remembered to be so, prised me from my desk. "Come, Beaumont" he enthused. "But the party doesn't begin until six, and I must not overindulge, surely?" I keenly protested, but to no avail. Off we went in a taxi to be discharged outide the fleabitten red curtain of a bar typical of those that appear to have an entrance of velvet late at night. "Get ready to run", my companion said calmly, as he delivered a solid kick to the door of the taxi as we closed it and disappeared forthwith into the bar. I followed rapidly, to screams of "Aaayaaahhh! *&^%$ Gweilos!" or something to that effect. Once inside, ensconced upon a ratty bar stool watching the cleaners swab the floor with pungent antiseptic, I asked my colleague what "that was all about". "It's a reverse dinner, is it not?" he said. "What's the very last thing an Englishman does after a good night out in Hong Kong? Kicks the door of the taxi that won't pick him up, of course..." And so we started the night. Backwards. Other highlights of the occasion that I recall are: 1. The stripper that arrived naked and put her clothes on, although not before rotating gently on the aforementioned director's head. 2. The rugby scrum on the table, with Bundy demonstrating that had he not chosen a career in shipping, he could have been a fine forward for England. 3. How difficult it is to face a starter salad covered in vinaigrette after eating dessert and Beef Wellington. Thank goodness for Pat's abundant flowerpots in the corners. But all in all, it was a very good night. And I must have been younger.. I can even remember it. Mark 99 June 22, 2010 - 06:00 PM Alan Perry   Stu, As I seldom made Ocean Terminal - having been detained in less salubrious establishments, I can't really remember the "Mermaid" - it was a name that was familiar. MAJB - of course, the "Galley", I remember it well especially Mickey Seale quizzing the Swire lads on their "Saturday morning productivity or lack thereof". I remember the "Chinnery" but I had usually, wisely, escaped AC-B's ramblings prior to his moving from the "Captain's Bar" to the "Chinnery". I, instead, seeking more Jolly Jackish amusement, headed for the Wanch ! I found life in the Wanch far more entertaining than AC-B's perambulations. 100 June 22, 2010 - 03:47 PM Stu   Wasn't the Mermaid bar half way along Ocean Terminal? The Saturday-lunchtime-without-fail bar in the Connaught Centre was "The Galley". Mickey Seale was always the first there, the rest of us having pretended to work in Swire House during the morning, but I don't ever recall him buying the first beer. Perry, you may be confusing the "Captain's Bar" with the "Chinnery" on the first floor of the Mandarin. AC-B was well known in both, of course, but more frequently found pontificating in the latter - MAJB 101 June 22, 2010 - 01:55 PM Alan Perry   I had the pleasure of spending a day in HKG yesterday. As I arrived at Hung Hom Station from guangzhou, my first port o' call on the way to the Star Ferry was Ned Kelly's. Nothing has changed except that the ceiling is even more tarnished by cigarette smoke than it was during my last visit 21 years ago. My next visit after reliving the joys of a crossing on the "Twinkling Star" was to the pub in the bottom of Connaught Centre (forget the name - was it the "Mermaid"), alas it has dissappeared. I next ventured over to the old Swire House, principally to have a draught (or three) in the "Jockey" and reminisce over those treasured moments spent in the company of Beaumont and Mitchell. Alas old Swire House totally unrecognisable and to my horror "Jockey" has disappeared. Ah, thought I, I know a watering hole which would certainly not have disappeared, the "Captain's Bar" at the Mandarin. I enjoyed a measure or two in that fine establishment (£8.00 per pint) but I was most disappointed that the brass plaque which was affixed to a bulkhead and dedicated to the countless thousands of HKD which AC-B invested in the place has gone. I was going to venture down to the "Bull & Bear" but upon reflection that same fine watering hole may also have disappeared, I (whilst still vertical) sedately made my way to airport where I watched Portugal-North Korea game prior to returning to LHR with Cathay Pacific and then back to Brixham-upon-Sea. A day which I thoroughly enjoyed. 102 June 22, 2010 - 12:15 PM Ancient Mariner   I knew he wouldn't let me down!!!!!! 103 June 22, 2010 - 09:44 AM Mark Beaumont 104 June 22, 2010 - 04:14 AM Ancient Mariner   At the risk of being on the receiving end of one of the Web Brats cartoons, I have to report that the O.F. managed a hole-in-one yesterday! Quite amusing as one of the group immediately ahead of ours had missed by two inches. I had to buy several cups of tea, (bearing in mind the pressure on the Health Service in these straightened times we of course do not partake of the "urine of satan" at lunchtime)! Weather forecast for the weekend is good, 27/29 degrees so we may see shorts and pith helmets for the Manchester Ship Canal outing on Sunday. Mind you, with the accuracy that the Met Office has shown in recent years it will probably snow! I shall start taking the sea-sick pills on Thursday. 105 June 22, 2010 - 04:04 AM Bob Harris   Bob, Indeed they were, on the Pap Chief or Marsina as she sometimes was. I was there with you together with Julian T, Nick E, Cyril C etc. You were always off home to escape the frogs under your bunk! A "job and knock" in those days was 1 unit pistons changed before lunch time. Its a shame we never bumped into each other in my time with SPO 87-06. Good times 106 June 21, 2010 - 07:31 PM bob steer   Those were the days in sydney from 14 th.of December to 2nd.Jan!!!!! Papuan Chief the side port loader had a record of 26 hrs. turn around of course the wharfies had taken their happy pills!!!! Happy days. 107 June 20, 2010 - 02:08 AM Mark Beaumont   Whilst idly Googling one day, I came across this sailing notice in the Sydney Morning Herald of 8th October 1953.. .. which led me to uncover this fascinating site from which you can pull up pretty well any Australian newspaper article ever written between 1803 and 1954 (don't ask me why those particular dates): http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper. I'll bet you didn't know, for example, that the 'Changsha' was late passing Green Cape on 16th September 1914 and therefore was not likely to reach Hobson's Bay until late on the 17th! The whole thing responds to search words; very cool. Mark 108 June 19, 2010 - 06:07 AM Ancient Mariner   I shall peruse the "Taiyuan" menus with great nostalgia, oh for those days of choice of steak or lamb chops for breakfast! I recall one leave when, on a visit to London office, the then Chairman asked me if it was true that Commodore Hutchinson actually served the passengers fish & chips in newspaper. The reply was "Yes,only once a trip and they thoroughly enjoyed it!". 109 June 18, 2010 - 03:51 AM Stu   I remember an amusing story about ship's food and it happened aboard Polynesia. The lunch time buffet was meat pie and chips, usually delicious but on one occassion slicing into the meat pie revealed the cook had used mince meat, of the variety used in Christmas mince pies. "Well" said our happy Filipino cook. "It said meat on the tin" In general though, I always found it an advantage recognising what we were eating. 110 June 18, 2010 - 12:30 AM Mark Beaumont   David Walker writes: "I fell upon these amongst some of my photos having saved them from - as you can see - many moons ago. The list of officers is interesting. The luxury of having a Fourth Officer with the Chief Officer on Day Work.. as mate I only experienced that once and funnily it was with Tug Wilson as Master on 'Ninghai'. Note the cost of half bottles of wine. In those days the ship used Australian Pounds and an A£ was sixteen shillings to a UK£. The choice of food will bring back memories for everyone. Curried Eggs!!!" Click on ye pic to download a zip file containing sample menus of the exquisite cuisine served aboard 'Taiyuan' in the 60s.. 111 June 17, 2010 - 06:53 PM Darrell Daish   Sorry Jennifer and I will not be with you this year on the Manchester Ship Canal trip. We are braving the NZ Winter for the first time in 6 years and not enjoying the cold. Have a great get together and hope to join you on a future occassion. 112 June 17, 2010 - 01:53 PM Stu   Panic over........I received a phone call from Glen Docherty and he is now aware that his tickets are at his Troon address.....phew what a relief All those staying at the Holiday Inn Express will receive their tickets as soon as I arrive at the hotel. 113 June 17, 2010 - 11:59 AM Stu   I sent Glen's tickets to Troon but I've left a message on his answer machines in both places, Troon and St Andrews. What I'm worried about is if he turns up at Salford to find he has no tickets there. All those others who wont be staying at the Holiday Inn Express have confirmed receipt of their tickets. I've also sent him an e-mail but so far haven't received a reply. 114 June 17, 2010 - 05:33 AM Ancient Mariner   DRW You are correct. After I had posted it I thought "hold on ,it was "Wusueh"",didn't want to admit to that senior moment! LK'story was very interesting, apparently the crew scarpered when they reached Dutch East Indies and LK rounded up a scratch crew from Blue Flue and others for the voyage to Ceylon. Stu Which address did you send Glen's tickets to? He has two, one at Troon and the other at St. Andrews, could be at either or with his daughter. 115 June 16, 2010 - 11:05 AM David Walker   Woosung Ancient Mariner re yours and Len King. It can't have been Woosung as she was captured Dec 8th.1941 the day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Hbr.and became the "Reizan Maru". She was sunk by US air attack in the Yangtse 1944 repaired and eventually sank after hitting an American mine in the Yangtse Jan. 18th 1945.Sadly most of the River Boats were captured or sunk, and those captured most ended up by being done for by the Allies. The v/l Len King was on was most likely "Wusueh" one of two sisters (the other Wuhu) Blt Taikoo 1930-31 for sevice in the Yangtse. Twin Screw River Boats. Wuseh escaped Japanese capture by being out of area in Dec 1941.In 1942 she was converted into a Hospital Ship. Her open decks were boarded up and converted into hospital wards. 1946 she was returned CNCo and refitted and placed on the HKg.-Canton-Macao run. 1950 sold to the Admiralty and became HMS.Ladybird HKg. HQ. Ship. 1953 returned to CNCo and scrapped Kowloon. Perhaps if Charlotte has L.K.'s service record she may be able to verify. 116 June 16, 2010 - 05:01 AM Stu   Does anyone know the whereabouts of Glen Docherty? I posted three Manchester Ship Canal cruise tickets to his home and I need confirmation that he's received them. If you read this Glen, let me know the tickets are safe. 117 June 15, 2010 - 10:56 AM Jack Higgs   Re 'CHANGSHA' grounding - we were seeking shelter in the same bay and only a short distance from Changsha when typhoon 'VERA' took a sudden and unexpected 90 degree change in course and roared through Nagoya Bay. I was 2nd.Engr. on 'HANYANG' (Capt.L.Watson) and even with both anchors down it was still necessary to have the Main Engines at Full Ahead at the height of the typhoon simply in order to maintain station. I seem to recollect the date as Sept.59 and it was said 'VERA' was reputed to have been by far the worst of the 20th. Century. I think the 2nd.Mate on Changsha was Chris Knight of the well established Knight Towage Co. on the Thames. 118 June 15, 2010 - 05:03 AM David Walker   Mystery Ship;Rabaul. Terry try sending your picture to Shipping Magazine, "Shipping Today and Yesterday" they have a readers section "unkown ship of the month" they may publish it. e mail the Editor at: editor@shippingtandy.com 4DA4 119 June 13, 2010 - 06:53 PM Wallaby Supporter   I was told that Paddy gorman and his wife lived Argyll Place (near the Lord Nelson hotel) in the Rocks area in Sydney, just up from the Walsh Bay wharves. 120 June 13, 2010 - 06:46 PM Wallaby Supporter   Re Paddy Gorman as I remember him was quite a large and rotund Irishman who must "have kissed the Blarney stone" many times, and with a good Irish accent could tell a tall story with plenty of bullshit. He was Master on the "Soochow " and "Anking" when I sailed with him in the early 1960's. The following story was told to me in the early 1960's, I am not sure as to its veracity but will repeat it, as it could quite possibly be true. Perhaps Charlotte Bleasdale could check up on the files when she has time. In the late 1950's Paddy was master on the "Pakhoi" when the "Pakhoi" happened to "nudge" the wharf at Port Moresby and Paddy had to write a report to Hong kong re the incident, which is suppoed to run along the following lines. Dear Sir, Just imagine the little old "Pakhoi" slowly steaming ever so gently through the Coral Sea, and just over the horizon is this beautiful brand new concrete and steel wharf at Port Moresby. The little old "Pakhoi' slowly come over the horizon and approaches this wonderful new wharf and ever so gently touches it, which causes the wharf to collapse. Now I ask you, can you believe it? That this poor old little "Pakhoi" could cause such damage. How could this be possible ? 121 June 13, 2010 - 05:18 PM Terry Connell   More research done. It's NOT the Muliama. 122 June 13, 2010 - 05:13 PM Terry Connell   Ancient Mariner,wise in all things.I have done a lot of searching and as you stated I found the Li Wo listed as a Jardine ship,here, http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/jardine.htm with this text attached, 1940 requisitioned by Royal Navy as patrol vessel, 14th Feb.1942 attacked Japanese convoy and rammed one transport before abandoning ship. Captain awarded posthumous Victoria Cross. 123 June 13, 2010 - 02:29 PM Ancient Mariner   I hope it won't disappopint Terry, and it takes nothing away from the bravery of the Captain and crew, but Li Wo was a Jardines ship. Somewhere in the archives should be the story of "Woosung", a CNCo river ship, escaping from Indonesia and making Colombo. Len King, later Marine Supt., was Chief Officer and wrote an account of the trip. Apparently at one stage they were torpedoed by a Japanese submarine but, because of their very shallow draft, the torpedo passed underneath them. The Jap sub then surfaced, told them how lucky they had been, and sailed off!! LK confirmed this when I was his assistant in 1965. They were some characters! 124 June 13, 2010 - 11:05 AM Terry Connell   Whilst researching for a name of the ship in my Rabaul photo I read the history of Straits Steamship, and here,http://www.merchantnavyofficers.com/straits2.html found this. On the 11th of February H.M.S. Lipis was attacked by three Japanese aircraft when off Sultan Shoal, Lipis fought to the end and it was only when the steering gear failed and the fires out of control that the order to abandon ship was given, her Commander W.E. Steele was killed during the action. Some of the survivors from Lipis were rescued by H.M.S. Li Wo a former river boat of the China Navigation Company unfortunately Li Wo was also to succumb to the Japanese three days later. She was in transit to Java evacuating military personnel when she ran into the escorting Destroyers belonging to the Invasion Fleet heading for Banka Island. Her Commander Lieutenant T.S. Wilkinson, R.N.R., turned his vessel to engage the enemy with his ancient four inch gun, Li Wo stood no chance and was soon totally destroyed, however not before he had rammed one of the Destroyers. Of the estimated 133 persons on board only thirteen survived, for his action Lieutenant Wilkinson was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. I read more regarding the incident here, http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RNR_officersW.html Do we know anything more about this gallant man? Bulolo could be the picture ship except for the samson posts. If my photo was taken in early 1957 the vessel could be the Muliama. The posts and ship size seem to fit. What do you think? 125 June 12, 2010 - 09:09 PM Geoff Garrett   Sheila, If you have a large hooked nose, piercing blue eyes, gingery hair, a voice like a foghorn with a raucous cackle and no bubbles in your G&T then you are probably Paddy Gormans daughter. 126 June 12, 2010 - 03:04 PM Mark Beaumont   Gents, we were rather hoping that someone might be able to help out visitor Sheila Clarke who raised questions about Paddy Gorman in an earlier post. She knows that her father was one Paddy Gorman, but is not sure whether he was the same Paddy Gorman who sailed with CNCo. Here's his picture from 1951, with Cis, Sheila's mother: Sheila writes: "I am really just hoping for a photo of Paddy Gorman as a younger man than the one I have at the end of his career. Charlotte Bleasdale has been really helpful. Perhaps the following info from her might jog someone's memory: "The beginning of 1951 sees Paddy Gorman standing by a new ship being built for CNCo on the Clyde. This vessel, Changchow, was intended for the Indonesian trade, but was instead chartered immediately after completion to the French company Messageries Maritimes for a service from France to the South Pacific and Sydney. So there is every possibility that Paddy WAS in Sydney around June 1951. By the way, his surviving service record card only gives the names of ships he sailed on from 1942, but having looked up some wartime records I see that he served as 2/O on Anshun, which was under requisition by the Royal Australian Naval Reserve as a stores ship and was sunk at Milne Bay in 1942 - alongside the wharf, so there were no casualties. He subsequently served on Yochow also with RAN or RANR in the PNG area and did his Master's ticket in Melbourne in 1942". C'mon fellas, one of you must have some info here. Mark 127 June 11, 2010 - 12:22 AM Geoff Garrett   David, Think the "Rubbie Dubbie"s name was Jack(?)Roberts, always wore a straw hat. Pat Roberts, maybe? www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/png_simpson.html - MAJB 128 June 10, 2010 - 05:05 PM Wallaby Supporter   Perhaps Terry could give the exact date when he took the photo of Rabaul harbour. Then it would be possible for him to contact the local port authorities to check their records as to the other vessel(s) The web-brat's money is on MV Bulolo - MAJB 129 June 10, 2010 - 03:56 PM Ancient Mariner   David, I thought she might have been a Blue Flue but then decided that they couldn't have found their way to Rabaul! M 130 June 10, 2010 - 10:57 AM David Walker   Vessel; Rabaul astern of Soochow. Having done some searching can offer the prospect of the v/l being Australian United Steam Nav.Co. (AUSN) "Corinda". This is an assumption as the only funnel marking other than BI. that is similar and would show as a white band is AUSN's. I am not familiar with their trading patern so anyone in Oz who may know please comment. Corinda was blt. 1937 and in AUSN until 1961. Check her photo in photoship. Ancient Mariner I think it is unlikely the v/l at anchor in Rabaul is Bankline. She has a Bluey look about her (Similar to the three AH brought off the stocks from Silver line, but not one of them). Not Bankline because she has a white sheer line and like Bluey's, Bank Line the ships did not have a white sheer line. Also the ships had the bow flare painted white from the blwk. sheer line at the break of the fcsle. Bank Line vertical funnels were sloped at the top,ie. the aft vertical was shorter than the fwd. Chekiang Photo. The launch astern belonged to a rather "Rubbie Dubbie" guy who went bush and lived along the bay and provided line boat services. and acted as an occasional push for departing ships. Can anyone remember his name? Photos of Taiyuan and Kuala Lumpur. Anyone who would like one in Oz shout now as I am about to send them off to Bob Steer. 131 June 09, 2010 - 05:10 AM Ancient Mariner   Yes, it is "Chekiang" Mark. Could the ship anchored off be a Bank Liner? 132 June 08, 2010 - 10:36 AM Mark Beaumont   Whilst on the subject of Rabaul, might this be the second 'Chekiang' (later renamed as the first 'Coral Chief') docking in Rabaul? I'm also curious as to the identity of this vessel, seen anchored off.. Mark 133 June 08, 2010 - 04:58 AM David Walker   Burns Philp Ship in Rabaul. Wallaby Supporter. The point I make is that if you zoom in as close as possble you can see the ship in the picture has buff coloured samson posts just fwd of the brige and niether Malaita or Bulolo had samson posts there. Unfortunately there is a "fig leaf" blocking the view of the rest of the ship abaft the funnel. The colour and position of the posts makes me believe it is not a BP ship. For a visual listing of the Burns Philp fleet, click here - MAJB 134 June 08, 2010 - 04:43 AM Ancient Mariner   BP at Rabaul. I tend to agree with Wallaby Supporter that it is two vessels, the funnels appear too disimilar to be on one ship. Have a look on Rogues Gallery for a fine body of men on "Taiyuan" in mid fifties! 135 June 07, 2010 - 06:12 PM Wallaby Supporter   David, re the Burns Philp vessels, both the "Bulolo" and "Malaita" had samsom posts at a small hatch between the bridge and the funnel. 136 June 07, 2010 - 06:05 PM Ben Aldiss   Re Changsha grounding : having taken over as Mate when she came off the beach at Yokkaichi I know the story all too well.Thanks to an absolute lack of communication between almost eveyone engine room vitals were dismantled, without instructions, by comparatively junior people as the ship lay at anchor waiting the arrival of a typoon.I think I gave Terry much of the story a year or so back but if more is required let me know.The story has almost pantomime dimensions including the tents on the sand., beach cleaning parties etc.Trust all is well with you Jim. 137 June 07, 2010 - 06:48 AM Jim Snape   Terry Connell's great photos of Changsha on the beach,can anybody shed light on what happened? I heard several years after the event that the main engine fuel oil priming punp had been stripped down and that the engine could not be started.I do not remember reading any back Fleet Circulars on the subject. 138 June 05, 2010 - 03:25 PM Mark Beaumont   DRW has been kind enough to send us a couple of pictures from his own dusty sea chest. David says "The colour pictures are from post cards issued to pax from the Purser's Office of Taiyuan and KL. The one of Taiyuan is off South Head Sydney with the Sydney Harbour Pilot Cutter astern. The painting is by a John Allcot, circa mid fifties I think. If anyone would like a copy I can send them one. However they will not be on photographic paper. I tried getting a copies made in photo quality but due to copyright the shops won't touch postcards. The copies I have had made are very respectable and on good quality paper and can be as large as A3. I am about to post copies to Bob Steer in Sydney, and if there is anyone in Oz who would like one, e-mail me and I will include them with Bob's." Thanks, David. The web-brat reminds everybody that half an hour on Google these days can produce some wonderful archival pictures, from sites such as www.photoship.co.uk; and those of you who read our Log pages thoroughly will have already found links we're posted to the Miles Dodd collection and Warren Swire's amazing early China pics. Remember that you can search for any word, name or variety of beer within this site (but only Gordon's Gin) from the search box about halfway down our home page. Mark 139 June 05, 2010 - 07:05 AM Mike Tidey   I have just read about the demise of Charlie Nesbitt. I was shipmates with him in the 'Chengtu' in 1960, he was Mate and I was Third Mate.He asked me what I drank and when I told him Gin and Orange he went into obit. I learned that the correct answer was Gordons and Tonic.I seemed to keep banging into him around the Islands,he was Master in a small Tanker at one stage and then in a coaster,in Sydney, I invited him and his wife home and they came. I forget the name of his wife. I am so sorry to hear of his death,but Charlie will be long remembered by me. 140 June 05, 2010 - 05:12 AM David Walker   Burns Philp Ship at Rabaul. Looking at Terry's photo in close up I have my doubts that it is a BP. Ship as it has Samson Post just fwd. of the Bridge. Apart from the fact that the Mast Derricks and Posts are buff coloured. BP's ships had all white Masts and Derricks. The only ship BP had that had Samson Posts was the Burnside a five hatch v/l of about five thou. tons GRT. If one is to believe that it is a BP. funnel in the photo then the only explanation can be is that it was chartered in. 141 June 04, 2010 - 08:08 PM Wallaby Supporter   Terry, re the photo of Rabaul harbour, the two funnels are of a different size, hence suspect that they are two of B.P's ships lying alongside each other at the "new wharf". I assume that the photo was taken in the late 1950's. It is not clear which the ships are but would hazard a geuss that the one next to the wharf is the "Bulolo" and the other could be the "Malaita", both vessels carrying passengers and general cargo on the T.P.N.G./ Sydney run. 142 June 03, 2010 - 01:03 PM David Walker   Terry, The chap with the beard is Geoff McKenzie. He started Rabaul Stevedores. He was a great character and was in Rabaul many years. He and his wife Qwen would often entertain CNCo officers in their home. Last time I saw him was in Dubai in about 1977. He was there marketing an invention he had made which was a device that could lift and manouvre a twenty foot container with a standard dock sized fork lift truck. It was called an ARBI Lift.ARBI stood for "a rich Bitch" a fond nick name for Qwen as she was the Company accountant and he reckoned that she was always better off than him as she held the purse strings. There are no doubt many of us out there who have fond memories of them both. Great set of CNCo Photos. Thanks for sharing them. 143 June 03, 2010 - 11:31 AM Terry Connell   More help,please. What was the name of the stevedore in Rabaul in this photograph here? www.flickr.com/photos/metch/3019614882 144 June 03, 2010 - 10:08 AM David Walker   Burns Philp. Terry. Google Burns Philp Ships. BP had two ships on requisition during WW II "Merkur" and "Neptuna" Blt Germany 1924-5. Traded first as Rio Bravo & Rio Panuco. Company went bankrupt and were taken over by Nord Deutche Lloyd Line and traded Far East- Aust. pre war. Taken over by Aust. Govt.at outbreak and under management of BP's. Neptuna was War casualty. Merkur contined under BPs management until 1949 and handed back to owners. Scrapped 1953. 145 June 03, 2010 - 06:55 AM Terry Connell   Hello all, I would be very grateful if someone could put a name to the vessel berthed astern of the Soochow in the picture here, www.flickr.com/photos/metch/4666113090/ It's a Burns Philp ship I think but I am confused by what appears to be a second funnell. Many thanks for a name. 146 June 02, 2010 - 02:15 PM Mary   Mark, I have just seen my pinup, many many thanks, much appreciated ;o) 147 June 02, 2010 - 11:11 AM JC   Been in Japan for most of May. Met up with some old CNCo contacts, visited China Town in Yokohama, The Mission, etc. Wonderful meal and view from 64th Floor, Royal Park Hotel. The changes to Yokohama waterfront amazing. One longtime Japanese friend (ex Mitsui Shipbuilding and Engineerind Co.)mentioned that he had not had a reply to his Christmas cards to Ken and Nori Deakin for the last two years. Last known address Tauranga, NZ. He asked me if I had any updates on them, I dont have but some of you Kiwi residents might? Any info gratefully passed on to Japan. 148 June 01, 2010 - 08:18 PM Mark Beaumont   Here is a familiar picture of Charlie Nesbitt bidding Ralph Kennett farewell at Kai Tak, 1961. Dave Ewings has kindly sent us a pic of Swire attendees at Charlie's recent farewell. See the Rogues Gallery. Mark P.S. Talking of saving stuff (AM, below).. a member asked the other day how he might save entries, or pages, from our Ship's Log. To save any web page - from anywhere - all you have to do is look for FILE on your menu bar; then click SAVE AS; and you'll see in the drop-down box that you have an option to save WEB PAGE, COMPLETE. Saving that way - to somewhere where you can find the file again, of course! - will preserve not only the web page but all the images within it, which will be stored in a separate folder in the same location. All very neat, and easy to do. 149 June 01, 2010 - 03:11 PM Ancient Mariner   Bob, Do you have the same problem as I, "why do you want to keep all that stuff?" I have the Swire News going back to the first issue, also have a CNCo. Newsletter from 1964 when the great news was the chartering of "Monmouthshire" to become "Nanchang". Inside is a pic of the hoisting of the Swire flag above the new office in Sydney, two unformed QM's from "Anshun" together with A.J.Keddie and D.Packman(Ch.Off?) Martin Speyer was described as the Managing Director of Swire & Yuill. Seems like only yesterday! I think there are some old Taikoo Gazettes haging around somewhere! I can only claim a clock, the history panel from "Chungking",some brass wall lamps from "Fukien", the "Chungking" bell and the Marine Superintendent's telescope. Told the kids to send it all back to Swire House on my demise. What I would like to know is what happened to the Frodsham chronometer I left in HK, used a couple of hundred years ago for the transit of venus, now there's some history!! I also have the recruiting brochure from 1959 promising me untold riches! I meander too mcu, time for a scotch. Happy moving Bob. 150 May 30, 2010 - 04:49 AM Darrell Daish   Once again they go in threes on to that Great Bungalow in the Sky. Let us hope that there will be a long period of time before the next convoy. I remember Charlie's capacity for being able to imbibe to near excess, close his eyes for about 10 minutes and wake up sober and ready to start again. Unfortunately, he will not be able to open his eyes again in this world to start again but may he do so with his usual gusto in the next. 151 May 29, 2010 - 02:34 PM John Madeley   Early memories of Charlie were on Fridays in “crank case corner” of the Imperial Hotel in Auckland when us youngsters, Madeley, Macleod, Goodwin & Moore were doing our Mates and later Masters. Charlie would always have an encouraging word and a huge smile when we presented our “chit” having succeeded. Charlie’s and my paths crossed frequently round the traps when he was with Dilmans and I was on the NGAL or whatever name it had in those days. Last time I saw Charlie was in Auckland 10 years ago when doing my STCW upgrade. Always in good form and will be sadly missed. Glasses will be raised at G & T time on Sunday!! 152 May 29, 2010 - 02:20 PM JAMES CROCKETT   Charlie brings back memories of swell pal and his great humour, I was happy that he was friendly with me, I always respected him. 153 May 28, 2010 - 12:56 AM bob steer   I should have read about Charlie before putting pen to paper as it were. Met up with the Charlie at the swire reunion I attended in Auckland last year and sort of buried the hatchet with him.We certainly had a drink ot three together and despite his lack of eyesight enjoyed our reunion.Would lack of sight stop Charlie from having a good time???He certainly had a good woman whose name I forget and my apologies for that. It was good to catch up Charlie and so glad to have done so. 154 May 28, 2010 - 12:33 AM bob steer   The archivist might be interested,but I am in the throws of shifting back to Sydney (the family I think are requiring a readily available baby sitter) and it hurts to throw all my Swire News,I have many!!It is an excellent News and interesting to browse through them now and again,I think I'll just keep Swire Mariner and of course all the books on Swire history must come with me.Also my old engineering text books,just can't be thrown,one steam text book is over 100 years old!!I am rapidly catching up to it!! One item that I would really,really like to have is a photo or painting for preference of the Taiyuan,I have the old bell from quartermaster days,do you remember them??I found this bell in the fan room behind the wheelhouse and have kept it polished ever since.Any help would be really appreciated,along with the bell it would be going to my grandson. How do you get onto this facebook thing?Is there a book for idiots? 155 May 27, 2010 - 10:05 PM Jim Snape   We have all got to go,and Charlie did it in his usual style with no messing around,goodbye 'le grand Charles'. 156 May 27, 2010 - 11:54 AM Stu   Oh dear, the sad news keeps coming. I just heard that Charlie Nesbitt passed away quite suddenly last Tuesday,25th May. He was fine apparently, with no sign of illness but just collapsed and died of a brain tumor. This will come as quite a shock to everyone who knew him and no doubt there will be many of you who remember Charlie, as he was quite a character. 157 May 27, 2010 - 11:46 AM Mark Beaumont   My, it's getting lively around here. Malcolm Swire: if you are still reading, you might try dropping a note to Neil Sandes who it is reported may know of the relevance of the Reg Gray ingot. You'd need to drop a note to Swire Pacific Offshore in Singapore. Neil was last heard of on the "Pacific Marlin" on the Diego Garcia patrol. Paddy Gorman: I know you are not still reading, being long gone, but would anyone who knew Paddy pop on over to our Facebook page and take a look at the photographs Sheila Clarke has posted? Geoff Havilland: celebrated a milestone recently as so has earned (yet another) slot in our Rogues' Gallery. Ancient Mariner: it was so quiet over on our Facebook page that I posted a picture of grass growing in Bexhill to liven it up. As I know that you are cool and awesome enough to be on Facebook, do drop by and enjoy the local views. In any case, chaps, Facebook membership is not necessary to view the page, only to post there. Mark 158 May 27, 2010 - 05:22 AM Ancient Mariner   JC (Davy), Hadj Johnson was an Aussie with an extremely Pommie accent! Had a goatee beard and when asked by a female passenger on "KL" why he had a beard which required his shaving every day he replied "For the more exotic means of love-making, but I doubt you would know about that Madam!" We were walking to the college one day, from the tram, when it started raining. We were dressed in the required white shirts, blue shorts,long white socks etc and carrying tightly rolled umbrellas which Hadj suggested we should not unroll as it wouldn't be British! Don't know who the other chap you mention might be unless it was Philip Pereira, who was a Chief Engineer. I assume that any stories of the younger exploits of those who later reached higher positions are excluded from any memories passed on to the Archive Chappie, e.g. ACS as ship-jumper in HK, Kerry St.Johnston as Osaka agent, EJRS as a Sydney trainee etc. My lips are sealed, to be opened only by copious amounts of Gordons or Plymouth. I trust the same will apply to anyone who sailed with me in my earlier years, but then I never did anything wrong! 159 May 27, 2010 - 04:50 AM Archive Chappie   ‘Archive Chappie’ here confirming my existence. (How existential is that!!!) ‘Archive Chappie’ is fine, but I also occasionally answer to ‘Rob . Not sure about the Gs and Ts (Schweppes or otherwise) but I’m sure we can come to some mutually acceptable arrangement. For those of you who don’t yet have a copy of G R Torrible’s “Yangtze Reminiscences” (actually – even if you do) I’ve got a few hundred lying around the office and I’ll gladly send out copies in return for the good stuff. Photographs are great (especially if they come with names, dates, locations and occasions), cine film or video if you have it (we’ll make digital copies), memorabilia (we’ll hold an amnesty if necessary) or just your recollections (factual please). For the diarists and memoir makers amongst you – here’s the chance you’ve been looking for (why write it if nobody’s ever going to get the chance to read it!) Have a look in the backs of those cupboards and drawers; rummage through those old boxes and cases; check those sheds and attics for anything that tells a story of the time. It doesn’t have to be old. We’re looking for the records that will be useful to historians/family researchers etc in 50 and 100 years time. Remember, we’ll all be dead and gone and dead people can’t sue - so don’t worry about what stories the records tell, just that they tell the true story. Bear the following in mind. A few weeks back I was contacted by an American gentleman asking me if I could help him with information on a B&S man he believed to be his grandfather but who’d changed his name when entering the US in 1905. I was delighted to be able to confirm that the man did work for B&S, the departments he’d worked in and even the reason he’d changed his name (he’d been a very, very, naughty boy). I was even able to send him a copy of a picture of his grandfather as a 24yr old inside the B&S building in Hong Kong. My chap was thrilled at finally having answers to the mystery. The fact that his grandfather hadn’t enjoyed an illustrious career with us was totally irrelevant. Now, our records from the turn of the 20th century are pretty good but we’ve not been so methodical in later decades and we need to do as much catch-up as possible before we lose things forever. So please, don’t put it off. Share what you’ve got and call me if you’re not sure. I’ll be delighted to talk to you. My number is 020 7963 9470. 160 May 26, 2010 - 05:43 PM JAMES CROCKETT   AM.......I remember a bunch of fellas in the Bungalow who were on the hadj, and I had never heard of the hadj before and I listened to their chatter with great interest. I remember one chap who looked like he was from Ceylon(Sri Lanka) and he was quite amusing and told me about some funny events while on the hadj. But his name escapes me. The name mentioned rings a bell, but I cannot put a face to it. 161 May 26, 2010 - 02:47 PM Sheila Clarke   Captain Paddy Gorman Hello, I am trying to find an early photo of Paddy Gorman who may well have been my father. Sadly he died many years ago and from all accounts from some of your members was quite a character. His full name was Robert Cecil Wood Gorman and he was born at Ballymote, County Sligo on 23rd February 1914. He joined China Navigation on 1st May 1940, was promoted to Chief Officer on 21st June 1948, Master on 31st January 1956 and Fleet Commodore effective 7th June 1969. He retired on 7th June 1971 and died on 23rd February 1975. I have been given several photos of Captain Gorman towards the end of his career and I have compared them with one of my father with my mother in Sydney in 1951 which I will post on your facebook site. Are they the same man? I'm not sure. If I could track down a photo of Captain Gorman as a young man that would be really useful. Hope someone out there can help me. Many thanks Sheila 162 May 26, 2010 - 09:26 AM Alan Perry   Can our new "Archive Chappie" please come out of the woodwork and confirm his existence. He may already be missing much recent scuttlebutt. 163 May 25, 2010 - 03:07 PM Ancient Mariner   Sad news, Paul. Did my 1st Mates ticket with Hadj at the old HK Technical College up behind Wanchai in 1957. Perhaps that new archive chap should get a move on before we all cough our clogs! 164 May 25, 2010 - 08:10 AM Paul Thiessen   Gooday All. To let those who knew him know, Keith Haji Johnson passed away at the weekend. Fremantle Hospital aged 83. 165 May 24, 2010 - 10:39 PM Wallaby Supporter   Sad news, Jack Winton passed away in Sydney on 20th May after a long illness at the age of 82. Jack was with CNCo in the early 1960s on one of the "C"s and as 2/E on the "Soochow" on the NGAL run. 166 May 24, 2010 - 01:55 AM JAMES CROCKETT   Thanks for digging that up Mark, I remember reading lots of these stories before. But I lost the connection. I was totally culture shocked when I arrived in HK in the mid-fifties. It was August and the hottest time of the year, and when I arrived in the Bungalow, Mike Lewis was living there also and he heard that I had joined B&S and came looking for me. I was glad that he did, because the next thing was my being rushed to the Matilda Hospital with 'tropical fever'. So I stayed two weeks on the Peak, cooling down.(Sadly Marco Polo hadn't brought Air Con with him) AM will also remember the 'Old HongKong' 3 storey buildings, one Watsons, one HSBC and the one (western) barber shop where we all went for a hair-cut. Plus Lane Crawford, where the beautiful Russian Blonde was the Manager. And Ohhhh! the smell fried bean-curd! (Now this is banned in the streets of HK) And we were the budding China Coasters. 167 May 23, 2010 - 10:12 AM Mark Beaumont   Talking of the past, as we tend to.. I may have been napping a little longer than usual after tiffin but was not aware until now that Andrew Craig-Bennett, a.k.a. "The Bandit" had expanded his historical writings beyond occasional forays into Lloyd's List's opinion columns. Were you? Some good stuff here; well done, Andrew... ACB's History of Hong Kong Mark 168 May 22, 2010 - 05:01 PM Ancient Mariner   I trust that when the Bungalow was demolished no skeletons were found! Whatever happened to Rommel? I do remember going into the office one day and askiong Mrs. Barber for an advance on next month's pay, when she said no I asked if she would lend me 10c for the tram fare back to the Bungalow!! We remained friends 'til she died Not far from the Bungalow was the Ritz Hotel with that lovely room with mirrors! Not sure if that is archive material? I agree with Perry, this new chap should hire the Coal Hole on the Strand for a week or two and then tape our memories! 169 May 22, 2010 - 02:45 PM JAMES CROCKETT   IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE POLICE WOKE UP EVERYBODY IN THE BUNGALOW LOOKING FOR A DRUNKEN FOREIGNER WHO HAD ALLEGEDLY TAKEN A RICKSHAW FROM THE STAR FERRY TO THE BUNGALOW AND UPON ARRIVAL, THE SAID INDIVIDUAL HAD JUMPED OUT OF THE RICKSHAW AND RAN UP THE STEPS WITHOUT PAYING. AS IT ALWAYS HAPPENED IT WAS AFTER A SATURDAY NIGHT BASH IN THE BUNGALOW, AND EVERYBODY ABED, WAS IN THEIR OWN PARALYTIC SLUMBER. SO AT THREE IN THE MORNING,THERE WAS CONFUSION AS TO WHAT THE COMMOTION WAS ALL ABOUT. THE RICKSHAW DRIVER CLAIMED THAT THE CULPRIT WAS A DRUNK FOREIGNER. BUT WHEN HE WAS CONFRONTED WITH A BUNGALOW FILLED WITH SLEEPY DRUNK FOREIGNERS, HE COULDN'T REMEMBER WHAT THE GUILTY PARTY LOOKED LIKE. NOW THE POLICE SERGEANT HANDLING OF THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE WAS BOX-CLEVER. HE STATED THAT THE FARE WAS USUALLY TEN DOLLARS DURING THE DAY-TIME AND DOUBLE AT NIGHT SO HE SAID THAT TEN OF US (WOBBLY-WESTERNERS) WOULD HAND OVER 2 DOLLARS EACH AND THE MATTER WOULD BE SETTLED. SO HE WENT FROM ONE TO THE OTHER AND COLLECTED TWO BUCKS FROM EACH OF US...TILL SUDDENLY WE ALL GOT A BIG SURPRISE WHEN ONE IDIOT ASKED IF HE COULD BORROW TWO DOLLARS! AND THE SERGEANT SMILED GLEEFULLY, AND GRABBED THE MISCREANT. ------GOTCHA!!!!------AND THE RICKSHAW DRIVER HAD A MIRACULOUS TOTAL MENTAL RECALL!!!! ----THAT'S HIM! ALTHOUGH THE STATUTE OF LIMITATION HAVE EXPIRED, I WOULD NEVER REVEAL HIS NAME BECAUSE THE SCOUNDREL WAS ONE OF THE MANY GREAT FRIENDS I HAD IN CNCo. THE FOLLOWING VIDEO SHOULD REMIND SOME OF US ABOUT THE FUNNY SIDE OF LIFE. Guy with sandal problem SKIPPER CROCKETT 170 May 21, 2010 - 02:49 AM Alan Perry   The stories Stuart could come up with, alone, would take a week, add the Brewery, another week - why not make it a year ! Obviously the gin must be Gordons, but what will the tonic be - will it be Sweppes, Canada Dry, F & N, or some other non-descript concoction such as Britvic. Why don't we resurrect "the Baron" to tell a few lower deck stories. I think the stories of raucous evenings in the Bungalow, alone, would fill a volume. Ho, ho, ho - how many divorces on the way ? 171 May 20, 2010 - 06:20 PM Wallaby Supporter   Suggest he hires a pub for a week, with free G&T & beer for all SMA members and tapes all stories. Definitely have a large roll up. 172 May 20, 2010 - 02:18 PM Ancient Mariner   It will cost him to get all the lurid stories! 173 May 20, 2010 - 09:16 AM Mark Beaumont   Twice in one week, Secretary Stu is raised from his slumbers. This is for members' interest: "Hi Stuart, A visit to the office from Julian T and a quick chat has prompted me to drop you a line to introduce myself. I started as the new Swire archivist at the beginning of February and am slowly starting to find my feet and the measure of the task ahead. One of my intentions is to, eventually, make the information in the Swire archive more available over the internet whilst at the same time providing the facility for anyone with suitable archival material (such as photographs, film, oral accounts etc) to be able to add them to the archive. I’m sure your members have plenty of good material to share and I’m very happy to be contacted at any time. Equally I’m more than happy to share anything I have here (which includes CNCo employment cards) for anyone who is interested. I believe Julian might take the opportunity to mention the fact that I am here at your next AGM but please do let your members know that I’m here beforehand if the opportunity arises. Best Regards Rob Jennings Manager Archives and Public Affairs Direct Line: 020 7963 9470" And should you read this, Rob, thanks for your note! Mark 174 May 20, 2010 - 09:02 AM Mark Beaumont   Yet again, we are reminded that the SMA Log is the centre of the known universe. The following is received: "My apologies for bothering you, but I chanced across the Swire Mariners Association website, and hoped it might be able to solve a little mystery for me. Because of my surname,some years ago I was given as a present (from an eBay auction) of a hand-made copper ingot inscribed on one side " M/V Kiwai Chief Fly River Express Papua New Guinea" and on the other "Capt. Reg Gray Swire Pacific offshore copper ship, 5 times breaking the record loading 3,147 tons." Try as I might, I can find no further information about this, but wondered whether one or more of your association members might be able to shed some light on it for me. If it is possible to ask them, I would be most grateful. Regards, Malcolm Swire" As the web-brat's knowledge of PNG is limited to going on the turps with Clarky in Moresby, and his intimacy with Reggie limited to sharing beers and female company in the New Bangkok Bar, M.H. Del Pilar, Manila, perhaps someone with first hand experience of actually doing some work up the Fly could educate our enquirer as to exactly what Reggie has pawned, here. Mark 175 May 19, 2010 - 12:49 AM John Kelly   Re the Round the World trips. I heard this as a yarn in a Bar somewhere in my past. After his round the world trip Sir Francis Chichester went to Hamburg to ask to be allowed to join the "Cape Horners Association". Sir Francis was asked by one of the Finnish Masters "How many times have you been round Cape Horn?" "Once", was the reply. "Come back when you have done it fifteen times was the riposte. True or not I cannot verify, but it puts all efforts by us mortals in some sort of context. John Kelly 176 May 18, 2010 - 02:48 AM Mark Beaumont   Ah, but Josh stopped for tea and crumpets occasionally, didn't he? The whole point of Miss Watson's trip (and everyone else who has done it since Francis Chichester) seems to have been to avoid stopping anywhere at all which, to my mind, seems completely pointless and a terrible waste of available watering holes worldwide. Actually, despite being a bit of a sailor myself (or perhaps because of it) I find this young lady's trip irresponsible. Her parents should have known better and locked her in her bedroom for three months. The outcome was good, but had it not been we'd have never heard the last of it and the Aussie parliament would probably have banned sailing outside the Heads or something. Anyway, it's more than that: single handed, long distance sailing is unseamanlike and unsafe. If you're asleep, you're not on watch. Period. Cap'n Crockett: as you clearly survived your trip across the Dee despite a clip around the lug'ole on arrival, I'd be happy to post a picture for you if you have one. Send it over. This we have to see! Mark 177 May 18, 2010 - 01:02 AM Wallaby Supporter   While not taking any thing away from Jessica Watson, Joshua Slocum was the first man to sail around the world single handed in a 36'9" sloop, and no elctronic navigational aids in those days, Check out his details on "Google" 178 May 16, 2010 - 05:01 AM Davey Crockett   Thats nething! I rafted acroos the River Dee in Aberdeen, in winter and there wiz naebody waitin' fer me on the ether side, except a 'Bobby an' mae mither! An' I got a sculpit lug, that wiz ringin. fer a week! I wid pit in the fotie but a' dinna ken hoo tae dae it! 179 May 14, 2010 - 10:54 PM Warwick Gibson   Gentlemen, Jessica Watson is due in Syndey Harbour at 13.30 AEST and will set ashore at the Opera House. Her yacht will be on exhibition at the ANMM (Martime Museum) from Sunday May 15 for 10 days before returning to BNE. Go to www.smh.com.au or stream from Channel 7 SYD Warwick 180 May 13, 2010 - 12:45 PM Davey Crockett   A BIG SPLASH? 181 May 12, 2010 - 05:23 PM Wallaby Supporter   The mind boggles as to what would be the end result if 100 women drank 10 schooners of beer in one hour !!!! 182 May 12, 2010 - 02:09 AM Stu   Could it be beer that's turning me into a grumpy old nag?.......It's something I hadn't thought about. 183 May 11, 2010 - 11:21 PM Davey Crockett   I am sending this piece of information, in order to get this urgent, alarming, warning across to the crowd more thoroughly! This will explain some of the strange behaviour of some of the CNCo. chorus girls! This is alarming. Beer contains female hormones! Yes, that's right, FEMALE hormones! Montreal University and scientists released the results of a recent analysis that revealed the presence of female hormones in beer. Men should take a concerned look at their beer consumption. The theory is that beer contains female hormones (hops contain Phytoestrogens) and that by drinking enough beer, men turn into women. To test the theory, 100 men each drank 8 schooners of beer within a one (1) hour period. It was then observed that 100% of the test subjects, yes, 100% of all these men 1) Argued over nothing. 2) Refused to apologize when obviously wrong. 3) Gained weight. 4) Talked excessively without making sense. 5) Became overly emotional 6) Couldn't drive. 7) Failed to think rationally, and 8) Had to sit down while urinating. No further testing was considered necessary!! Send this to the men you know to warn them about drinking too much beer! 184 May 10, 2010 - 10:23 AM Mark Beaumont   Well, you're all even lazier than I thought. Not a single member queried the web-brat's failure to update the pin-up section at the end of April (sorry, senior moment..) but perhaps it's just as well. This month's entry is specifically for the ladies.. just to prove we care, Mary.. 185 May 09, 2010 - 07:17 PM Mark Beaumont   Our hard-working Secretary reports that he recently enjoyed the annual Port Line reunion aboard HQS Wellington - Jim Coneybeare was also in attendance - and that it was a "right boozie do". He met a couple of fellows that he had not seen for nearly half a century, when he sailed on the old 'Port Alma', built 1928. "Eleven months of hell..." 186 May 03, 2010 - 06:26 AM Warwick Gibson   My memories take me back to the Taiuan & Changsha, when Colleen & I travelled on them to Japan and HKG with Aussie pax. In my SITA World Travel days. Never even dreaming NRMA Travel would charter the Coral Princess from 1978 - 1982. Happy memories MAJB. Cheers to all in CNCo. Warwick Gibson 187 May 03, 2010 - 04:57 AM Gilbert Reid   2F91On Sept.1962 just 2 weeks short of completing my 3 year agreement, I was trans.to "FENGNING" in Kobe as 3/E from "TSINGTAO" (Japan/Aus.run) to work my passage back to H.K.(#1 Fireman also due leave went back as passenger!!) Spent some time in Darien then more time behind a mainland China Island sheltering from a typhoon. Finally got back to H.K a month later. Working on Steam Recips.sure had smells & noises different from Diesels but good experience when later working for the Atlantic Steam LST fleet. I recall using the bottom drawer then desk to get up into my bunk leaving about 6" between the tip of your nose and the deckhead. The same bott.drawer was full of cables. That's when I found out the 3/E was also the Elec. Was told that all was "smooth sailing" as long as I keep the "cargo clusters" in good order and the gangway light had to be working for arrival H.K. Some crew I recall Capt.Langdon (West Country) Ron Burroughs C/E (Carlisle) Hector MacKay 4/E (Sutherland). The Personnel Manager was a gentleman from Inverness Mr Macrae. 188 May 02, 2010 - 08:32 AM Rachael   Hello, I hope somebody out there might be able to help me regarding the whereabouts of Captain Anthony L. Carter. A very dear friend of mine who knew Tony well years ago is very keen to re-establish contact. Her name is Stephanie. Steph is not in the best of health these days and it would mean alot to her to know that Tony is keeping well and happy. I do hope someone can help; I've been directed to this site via the MN Oldfriends site. Please help. Yours in hopeful anticipation, Rachael 189 April 28, 2010 - 10:01 AM Ancient Mariner   PS to the previous message, my list of launchings states that the three "F"'s and four "S"'s were not launched but "merely pushed into the water" in 1945/46 190 April 28, 2010 - 09:48 AM Ancient Mariner   Wellcome aboard Margaret. Nice to see proper ships with the white band around the hull and no flag on the funnel, (before some iriot in the office did away with one and added the other!). 191 April 28, 2010 - 05:06 AM David Walker   "F" Class.thanks Magaret Fannan for a Great Posting. The first two vessels I sailed in CNCo. were the Funing and Foochow. They were very comfortable little vessels. Fochow, Fukien and Fengtien were built by Wm. Gray & Co. West Hartlepool 1945-46. Funing and Fengning were built later in 1950 and perhaps looked better as they had a more modern Bridge/Wheelhouse (no bridge wing cabs) albeit the wheelhouse and bridge front were varnished Teak construction. Basically four hatch China Coasters with a very small hatch between the bridge and the Funnel they carried up to twelve passengers. At the time I was there they were engaged in the Japan-Bangkok trade with calls at Hong Kong and sometimes Taiwan.Usual manufactured goods south and mainly rice and maize north, with Buffaloes and Pigs (in individual pens or crates on the hatch squares) sometimes Bananas stowed on the boat deck. Livestock and bananas were destined for HKg. At the time there was the remains of the Compradore system on board; Three Compradores (Jimmy Tei was second) and four tallymen. Cargowork for junior officers was not that onerous as the Compradores and Tallymen did most of the supervision. Loading rice up river in Bangkok was novel as the ship after discharge would proceed up river to a village usually on the port bank and tie up to a single bamboo wharf just long enough to take one or maybe two hatches. Rice came aboard in bags carried by coolies and was then launched down a shute into the hatch where it was stowed including all the required wooded ducts as per DOT.regs for carriage of rice in bags.The coolies would each have his own colour coded bamboo stick or spill and would hand one to the tallyman for each bag he carried and at the end of the day he was paid for the number of bags carried. Eating ashore in the jungle villages was an adventure and a fresh apple was good curency in Thailand in those days as they were not imported. At the time the Viet Nam war was on and at night off the coast the US. Airforce would buzz the ship low illuminating her with spotlights. It certainltly disturbed the tranquility of the 12 to four watch when one flew low over the ship without warning. As they were triple expansion steam doing ten to eleven knots they were very quiet at sea with only slight vibration. Comfortable but un-airconditioned cabins that had two large windows.Good food with passengers to share it with. Passengers would be a cross section of Brits ex HKg. traveling on holiday. One trip there were six Nuns escorted by a very Irish Priest. Looking at my journals "Funing" Master Ralph Brooks, Mate Roger Keane (sadly killed in a car crash doing Masters)2nd Mate DRW 3rd Mate Peter Lee. C/e Harold Beach 2/e Read. 3/e Steamie Mc Naught. The Good Old Days of bell service and iced G&Ts, Days in port rather than hours. All five vessels were sold out of the Fleet in 1964-65 Thank you Magaret for reminding me. 192 April 27, 2010 - 07:54 PM hanzi   hello all 193 April 26, 2010 - 08:49 PM Mark Beaumont   Margaret Fannen (see extensive post, below) has kindly sent us these shots of ships of the line. Thanks, Margaret! Fukien 1945 Foochow 1945 Fengning 1950 Makes a change from the web-brat's usual garbage, eh? :) 194 April 26, 2010 - 01:32 PM Stu   Fellow Members, I have received the following e-mail from a lady who has memories of CNCo and the wonderful men who sailed on the ships. I am sure she will be delighted to hear from anyone who has memories of the same people she mentions in her message. She offered to pay the SMA subs to have access to the SMA site but I advised her that that would not be necessary as the site is open to anyone that wants to look at it ________________________________________ Dear Stuart/Mr Shields, After many, many forays into Google to find anything about CNCo, and failing miserably (I am surprised there are so few photos of CNCo ships which I was looking for), this week suddenly seems to be devoted to real nostalgia and I am beginning to call it "Taikoo week" in my mind. Please bear with me as I explain....... About a week ago a serviceman called to see me, and we got chatting about life in Hong Kong in the old days, China Fleet Club, Blake Pier, Taikoo, etc etc. Really great stuff and we had a great chat. Then I had a clean out and came across the old CNCo Flag which hung on the wall of my son's bedroom for years, so I washed it, and have decided (so far) to hang it in my kitchen to remind me of very, very happy days. Don't ask me where I got it, probably on some drunken night on the ship.! Then my nephew emailed me and asked me to send him all I could remember about his father, another Taikoo hand, because he knows very little about him as my brother died in 1973, and his mother won't tell him. Soooooo I sat down to write all I could remember, before I too forget, as like all others, time is catching up fast, and my memory ain't as good as it used to be! Having checked all I could on the old CNCo site and failing to get any decent photos, I started trawling for what I could find. Picked up some great pics of my brothers RN service and tonight moved on to his CNCo days, remembering going aboard one ship or maybe two in William Gray's Yard in 1951 in Hartlepool, when my brother joined the "Fengning" to come out to Hong Kong with it. I remember my amazement at the opulence of the ship, the cabins furnished in blue and grey, with the CNCo logo on everything, I was blown away after the austerity of the war years. My brother was an Engineer called David Rees, 2nd Engr from memory, he definitely came out with the "Fengning" and maybe the "Fukien" too. I do remember that half way to Hong Kong, I think Singapore, he was for some reason suddenly made up to Chief. I don't know whether he went by the name of David or the family name Griff. I know that Griff was on the "Fengning", the "Fukien" and one of the 'A' boats (!!!) maybe "Anking" or "Anshun". Anyway he worked for Taikoo from the end of the war until the early 1950s when he returned to the UK. He left I believe because he couldn't get on to one of the motor ships to get his Motor Endorsement on his ticket. I was attending the Marine School in South Shields in 1967 when I was introduced to my husband. In all those years I had never met any seaman who worked for Taikoo and he did. He was home on study leave for his Chief's and needless to say, I married him. I came out to Hong Kong then, living in a flat in Macdonnell Road. My husband was Malcolm Fannen, 2nd Engineer, who had sailed on the "Kwangsi" "Anking" and I think another 'K' (silly me, I've just checked his discharge book, the "Kweichow") as well. After our marriage in 1967, Malcolm joined the "Chengtu" and to my surprize two people actually remembered my brother, the then Chief of the "Chengtu" Vic McLeod who had actually served under Griff as Third and and the head of the Personnel Department Mac??????Vic could ctually remember a time when the ship changed course and the engine noise changed and Griff had apparently charged in with nothing on "what the bloody hell is going on?" etc etc. I also found out one of Griff's secret's that he was known as "Nature Boy" he was furious when he found out I knew.I also ended up at the next ship at 'A' buoys, to Barry Gant, who I had known years before in South Shields. Oh, happy days. My brother died, I would say young, at 51, with a heart attack. The rest of the time on Taikoo Malcolm served on "Kweichow" and "Kwangtung" oddly enough there is no mention in the Discharge Book of the "Kweichow" when it was on charter to Crusader(as the "Norman") because I was aboard. In Wellington I remember the stern, and both bows all had different names, "Kweichow" on the stern, "Kweiman" on one side of the bow, and "Norchow" on the other, somewhere I had a photo of it. Tonight when I put into Google the 'F' boats and found some good photos on William Gray's site under "Fengning" and "Fukien" I noticed your website for 2006. To my great delight all the old names are there, I remember Steamy McNaught in hospital in the Kansei in Kobe?, smuggling a bottle of gin into him under the nurses nose.... Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful to see all the old names again. I realize that this is probably a site for old hands, and not wives, but I would like to be able to read and hear about them all. Is it possible for me to pay the sub and have access to the site? You may have heard that Malcolm died in October 1996 of Asbestos, which has apparently finished off many of the engineers. I do realize that I have rambled on here, and I do hope you will forgive me. Our son now lives in London and our daughter in NZ, both married now. Looking forward to hearing from you. Sincerely Margaret Fannen margaret@fannen.com PS I am still in touch with Gwynneth Hughes who used to be in the office in those days (the 60s) 195 April 15, 2010 - 07:26 AM Ancient Mariner   Not true Bernie, we had two G&E Islands cadets on "Hupeh" in 1969, one was Tito Tapangao, (Ithink). Gave him my sextant when he got his 2nd Mates ticket. Hilarious story, part could be true! I joined an old "F" as Chief Officer, having been reminded by the Marine Supt. to "keep an eye on Captain B" because of his drinking habits. After an eventful trip around Indonesia we were in Tawau to load copra, actually illegal as it was Indonesian copra during the "confrontation", and then logs. We left the berth at Tawau with 3rd. Officer on the fo'c'stle and me on the bridge, to move to the log anchorage. I gave the 3rd clear instructions not to do anything without my orders. Captain B duly appeared on the bridge, mumbled "we have to anchor here for logs", leaned over and bellowed "let go". The 3rd Officer let go the port anchor with us doing manoevring full ahead! Quite an experience I never wanted to repeat. Was I glad to leave that ship in Yokihama, even if it was to get married! (For the full story you have to read the memoirs which won't be possible until my grandchildren decide to release them). 196 April 13, 2010 - 01:12 PM Stu   Were you that cadet Bernie? 197 April 13, 2010 - 09:34 AM Bernie Simpson   I have been having a tidy up and found this article. Thought all you salty sea dogs might have had a similar experience, but then being CNCO, they never employed apprentices. Lessons from Casualties It is with regret and haste that I write this letter to you, regret that such a small mis-understanding could lead to the following circustances, and haste in order that you will get this report before you form your own preconceived opinions from reports in the world press, for I am sure that they will to overdramatise the affair. We had just picked up the pilot, and the apprentice had returned from changing the G flag for the H flag, and, it being his first trip was having difficulty in rolling up the G flag. I therefore proceeded to show him how. Coming to the last part, I told him to let go. The lad, although willing is not too bright, necessitating my having to repeat the order in a sharper tone. At this moment the Chief Officer appeared from the chartroom, having been plotting the vessel's progress, and thinking that it was anchors that were being referred to, repeated the "let go" order to the Third Officer on the forecastle. The port anchor, having been cleared away but not walked out, was promptly let go. The effect of letting the anchor drop from the pipe whilst the vessel was proceeding at full harbour speed proved to much for the windlass brake, and the entire length of the port cable was pulled out "by the roots". I fear the damage to the chain locker may be extensive. The braking effect of the port anchor naturally caused the vessel to shear in that direction, right towards the swing bridge that spans a tributary to the river to the river up which we were proceeding. The swing bridge operator showed great presence of mind by opening the bridge for my vessel. Unfortunately he did not think to stop the vehicular traffic, the result being that the bridge partly opened deposited a Volkswagen, two cyclists and a catlle truck on the foredeck. My ship's company are at present rounding up the contents of the latter, which from the noise I would say were pigs. In his effort to stop the progress of the vessel the Third Officer dropped the starboard anchor, too late to be of practical use, for it fell on the swing bridge operator's control cabin. After the port anchor was let go and the vessel started to sheer, I gave a double ring Full Astern on the engine room telegraph and personally rang the ER to order maximum astern revolutions. I was informed that the sea temperature was 53F and asked what was the film today. My reply would not add contructively to this report. Up to now I have confined my report to the activities at the forward end of the vessel. Down aft they were having their own problem. At the moment the port anchor was let go, the Second Officer was supervising the making fast of the after tug and was lowering the ship's towing spring down to the tug. The sudden braking effect on the port anchor caused the tug to "run in under" the stern of my vessel, just at the moment when the propellor was answering my double ring astern. The prompt action of the Second Officer in securing the inboard end of the towing spring delayed the sinking of the tug by some minutes, therby allowing the safe abanoning of that vessel. It is strange, but at the very moment of letting go the port anchor there was a power cut ashore. The fact that we were passing over a "cable area" at the time might suggest that we may have touched something on the seabed. It is perhaps lucky that the high tension cable brought down by the foremast were not live, possibly being replaced by the underwater cable, but owing to the shore blackout it is impossible to say were the pylon fell. It never fails to amaze me, the action and behaviour of foreigners during moments of minor crisis. The pilot for instance, is at this moment huddled in the corner of my dayroom alternately crooning to himself and crying after consuming a bottle of gin in the time that is worthy of inclusion in the Guinness Book of Records. The tug captain on the other hand, reacted violently and had to be forcibly restrained by the Steward, who has had him handcuffed in the ship's hospital, where he is telling me to do impossible things with my ship. I enclose the names and addresses of the owners and insurance companies of the vehicles on the foredeck, which the Third Officer collected after his somewhat hurried evacuation of the forecastle. The particulars will enable you to claim for the damage that they did to the railing of No.1 hold. I am closing this preminary report, for I am finding it difficult to concentrate with the sound of police sirens and their flashing lights. It is sad to think that had the apprentice realised that there is no need to fly pilot flags after dark, none of this would have happened. Yours truly Master 198 April 12, 2010 - 11:32 AM Mark Beaumont   I know that there are history buffs among our members who are capable of coming up with all sorts of archival information. I enjoy such research myself but have drawn a blank so far on this query from Australia: "Came upon your site whilst researching life/history of my wife's father, Scotsman Robert Harper. We know he was with the CNco in 1921 on the SS Linan (built 1903, scrapped 1934 China); numerous annotations beneath photos including Plunnket-Cole, the Captain, and possibly the Hupeh (11?), have photo of RH with lifebelt with name clearly shown but do not know if he served on her or was just visiting. However, we are particularly interested in the history behind a medal presented to him by the Chinese Govt. Order of the Striped Tiger (3rd class, we think, civilians only) however we dont know why he received this except there is some verbal history in the family that he and presumably the ship, were engaged in some way with a rescue operation off, we think, Hong Kong. We have photos showing great devastation (on land) and the SS Linan in drydock but if these are related we dont know, there are no dates. I have enquired of the Chinese govt. but so far 6 months,no reply. Also CNCo Hong Kong, with same result. This would be prior to 1926 when he came to Australia." Anybody have a lead on this one? The Order of the Striped Tiger, by the way, was also known as The Order of Wen-Hu and there were five "classes", all of which - from my own brief research - seem to have been awarded to both military and civilian personnel. Mark EDIT: David Mahoney writes "With regard to Robert Harper's decoration, which being the 3rd class, is worn from a ribbon around the neck and is quite special. As you have already found out, this was awarded in 5 classes to Servants of the Chinese Govt (Chinese Maritime Customs, Postal Service, Railways etc.), Men who did some service to the C G (advisers, life savers etc.), European Officers in the Chinese Labour Corps in WW1, Prominent Foreigners, etc. British Subjects had to apply to the British Govt. for permission to accept and wear this, and other foreign decorations. If they did apply and consent was given, they would get a certificate, signed by the King, on which Stamp Duty was payable by the applicant. If this was the case, the award would appear in the London Gazette. In my records, I haven't, yet, found Harper but will continue to search. However, it may be that he didn't seek permission, through unawareness of the need or wasn't prepared for the bother and expense or if he did, permission wasn't granted, which sometimes happened if some UK civil servant didn't think the award was justified. This didn't mean that he couldn't keep it, as to return it may have given offence." 199 April 11, 2010 - 01:36 AM Wallaby Supporter   Ancient Mariner, as of this weekend there were a total of 197 bulk ships waiting offshore prior to loading coal at the East Aust ports, and iron ore in West Aus. Delays have been caused by inland flooding and cyclone damage at the Queensland ports. As you can imagine the demurrage charges are substantial, and it could be at least 3 weeks before they are all loaded. Pretty boring being stuck out there going no where for weeks on end !!! The longest I experienced was drifting off Nauru for 6 weeks before loading phosphate. I did hear that one vessel drifted for 3 months only closing the island about once a week. In those days when the westerlies were running it was unsafe to tie up to the mooring buoys, so one just had to wait until the weather changed. 200 April 08, 2010 - 04:26 AM Ancient Mariner   Mark, Glad to here that you are back in action, hope they got all the pieces back in the correct places? April calender is good but which one is Stu? It's my birthday in May so I thought of sending a cheesecake pic to keep Mary happy, however my wife suggested that the sound of general chucking-up all round might be too much! Talking of Chinese coal carriers(?) one of my nephews lives up near The Entrance, and during our recent trip to the colonies he took us on a brief tour. I couldn't believe the number of coalers anchored off there awaiting to berth at Newcastle. 201 April 07, 2010 - 05:02 PM Wallaby Supporter   Last weekend a Chinese bulk carrier ("Shen Neng 1") ran on to the Douglas Shoal at 15 knots, about 110 kms off the coast near here, and there has been a minor oil spill. Obviously the vessel was not following the trail of empty gin bottles, as in the years gone by, probably they were following the empty the empty XXXX cans and stubbies thrown overboard by the local amateur fishermen instead. However all is not lost, the Swire vessel "Pacific Responder" is now on the scene to assist with the salvage etc. 202 April 05, 2010 - 07:50 PM Romeo E. Ursolino   Hello to everyone, This is romeo & rica Ursolino from former M/S Coral Princess/The New Moonlighters Band 1975-1991. Glad to know you have this site. We have the best time during our stay there... More power to you all... romeo and rica 203 April 04, 2010 - 04:24 PM Mary   Hello to all and Hi Mark, dropping by as requested! Glad they have put all your bits back together again, and could I politely request more men on the pinups !? ps, brain gone to mush over the weekend, couldn't recall the official title of SMA, so I googled 'swire old farts'.. hey presto ;o) ( no offence intended!) More men on the pinups, Mary? Well, as you are almost the only member to even MENTION the calendar in ten years, we can hardly refuse your polite request. We'll see what we can do for May. It may be that our members are all on "the other side" anyway given the total lack of response to our valiant efforts over a decade; either that, or Viagra is not all it's cracked up to be :) - MAJB 204 April 04, 2010 - 02:16 PM Mark Beaumont   Glad to report we're back in action, so the April Calendar is now available for your desktop in our SMA Pinup section, your monthly transport of delight. JWM: thanks, old chap, and glad to read that you are keeping yourself busy. One can only drink so much Ouzo for breakfast. Anon Bangkok: likewise, thanks for the kind sentiments, but MY turn to pay? Goodness gracious. Not for nothing is the Smithsonian considering displaying your wallet as the finest known example of an untouched fossil, never disturbed by human hand over all these years. Surely, you are mistaken? Mark 205 April 04, 2010 - 01:03 PM John Madeley   Maurice, I was lucky. An old CNCo chum picked up the beer tab. Needless to say the taste was exquisite!! JWM in sunny Cyprus 206 April 04, 2010 - 06:48 AM Ancient Mariner   JWM, Were you able to afford a beer in Singapore? At Traders a pint of Tiger worked out at just over £8-., went for a walk in the Botanical Gardens to get over the shock! MDB 207 April 03, 2010 - 12:05 PM John Madeley   Just back from Singapore after an inspection job for my new employer. Popped into the new offices of CNCo to say hello. Very smart suite overlooking the harbour and to Batam. Also found the SPO offices in the same building but typically S'pore had to find a different lift bank as SPO are on even floors where CNCo are on odd floors. Pleased to report that everyone was in good form. Mark - Sorry to read that you have been under the knife again. Thinking of you Mate and hope they put the correct bits back in the appropriate places!! 208 March 31, 2010 - 11:01 PM Anon Bangkok   Mark, Sorry to hear of your continued problems, no doubt you will be back on your feet drinking some ale over Long Island Sound. Next time its your turn to pay! 209 March 31, 2010 - 06:37 AM Mark Beaumont   Just a note to say that the 2010 April pinup calendar will be a litle late getting there owing to my enforced incarceration by the doctors of Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, New York. In other words, I am away from my desk. Yes, more of the same, but had a big op a week ago on that score and currently the docs are trying to fit together the bits of me that are left and get them all to work together. That's never been easy, but hopefully, they'll have me out of here in a day or two with most cooaxial cables rewired correctly. Be well, the rest of you! Mark 210 March 31, 2010 - 05:35 AM Ancient Mariner   Chap in NZ is writng a book about the Hadj and would like to contact anyone who has tales to tell, particularly "Anshun" in 1966. His name is Anthony Green, <tonygreen@paradise.net.nz> 211 March 29, 2010 - 06:33 PM Mark Beaumont   Now now, Jimmy, you'll give them all the wrong idea and have them thinking it's a dating site! You must be confusing it with fatbotty.com, perhaps! :) Besides which, when did a CNCo officer ever pay for a ladies' drink? Gilbert, Facebook is the leading social networking site and is a way of being in touch with friends and colleagues world wide. Over and beyond the SMA, I mean, of course, but the page we have set up there is a subset of the main format. As a Facebook member (many of our SMA members are subscribed already) you can post comments, upload pictures, videos, links... sort of like you'd be able to do here in our Log, if I ever got my act together! You only share as much information about yourself as you wish and have full control. It's free, and there are no hidden agendas; you'll just see little ads in the margins. I highly recommend it, and it's global. It has reintroduced me to friends I thought I had lost long ago, and facilitates contacts with all. Hope this helps a little. Give it a try by going to www.facebook.com and signing up. You can always cancel later should you wish to, but I can't imagine why anybody would. Mark 212 March 28, 2010 - 10:49 PM James Crockett   Facebook is a great place, where you can meet all the sweet ladies and you don't have to buy them drinks! 213 March 28, 2010 - 11:12 AM Gilbert Reid   OK, we give in. What's a "Facebook"!!!! 214 March 28, 2010 - 04:37 AM Ancient Mariner   Gone awfully quiet around here, has everyone gone to Facebook? Survived Oz trip. Tasmania still fairly quiet but Hobart seems to becoming a sort of theme town based around sailing. Did manage a "sea" trip from Strahan,in the SW of the island, went round Macquarie Harbour,(bigger than Sydney), then actually poked our nose out into the Southern Ocean. The ladies didn't think much of the swell! My daughter lives at Cygnet, population 803,three churches three pubs and an RSL. Went for a drink in nearest pub and met folk from Queensland whose next door neighbour used to be my neighbour at Shatin for many years! Spent a week in Sydney,actually at Pennant Hills, catching up with Oz relatives and friends, Mike O'Keefe fixed a dinner with the Wilbys and Nettleships, nice to catch up with them. (I have to say that because I forgot to take a bottle to the BYO restaurant and had to drink Jim & Ken's booze!). Made a brief stop at Singapore each way, but not long enough to visit the new CNCo office. Paid £25-. for three pints of Tiger in the hotel bar so won't go there too often. Glad we travelled with Qantas as BA was cancelling S'por/London flights as we left the island. Now it's back to the garden and golf to work off the excesses of Oz food. 215 March 19, 2010 - 12:13 AM Mark Beaumont   NOTICE! The SMA has joined the "with it" generation and is now "cool" and "awesome". We've finally got around to setting up a group page on Facebook where members and friends can meet, post pictures, drivel on and generally embarrass themselves. Rather as we do here, really. Anyway, the service is now at your disposal and for free, which always seems to go down well. Click on the Facebook logo to visit. You won't be able to join the group unless you are a Facebook member: Have fun, and spread the word please, chaps - MAJB 216 March 10, 2010 - 05:27 PM Stu   More news received about Wilma Docherty as follows:- Wilma died on 7th March suddenly but peacefully. The funeral is to be at Portland Parish Church, Troon on Friday 12th March at 11.30. Private burial thereafter. No flowers, but donations to British Heart Foundation or Christian Aid. Enquiries thru the Co-Operative Funeralcare 01292 317077 217 March 08, 2010 - 02:39 AM Stu   More sad news I'm afraid. I received the following from Maurice Burbidge in Oz:- Not sure if the bad news has reached you but Glen Docherty's wife, Wilma, died suddenly on Friday 5 March. The funeral may be next Friday but not certain. Our thoughts and condolences are with you Glen. 218 March 07, 2010 - 06:00 PM Davey Crockett   Thanks, I know all the names of the crowd in the photos, but I am sorry to tell you, that their faces do not match the names on the list. I couldn't even recognize the fellow who remained nameless. Nor did I know the fellow who didn't realize that he'd been there till he saw the photo. I don't think I was there, but I look a bit like that fellow in the uniform, and since my name wasn't on the list, I definitely wasn't there! But I will try to make it next year, if I remember. Glad everybody had a good time! 219 March 02, 2010 - 09:48 AM Mark Beaumont   No, not Crowmountain. So as not to confuse readers, we post here a picture of a member of the City of Bundaberg Drum Corps instead. 220 March 02, 2010 - 01:44 AM Mike O'Keeffe   The following attended the 2010 Aussie reunion. John & Rosemary Carson Cyril & Sheila Cocksedge Chris Coy Noel & Rachel Dowzer Nick Edwards John & Marilyn Haines Barry & Margaret Keeble George Latham Ian Machin Ken & Helen Nettleship Mike & madeleine O'Keeffe Robyn Pook & Marlene Conn Tony Ravenhill Rob & CarSmith Jim & May Wilby Brian Butler Julian & Sheri Thorogood Since one gentleman (who shall remain nameless) has admitted that he only realised he had been there when he saw himself on a photograph, I think we can assume at least some of us had a good time. On second thoughts I don't think he should get off scot free so I will reveal that his name is NOT Crowmountain 221 February 28, 2010 - 09:11 AM Mark Beaumont   The Oz Reunion pics are up online - quick work by Cyril in winging them around the world this year - and don't forget it's the end of the month, so we have a new Pinup for your desktop or penthouse wall. Kung Hei Fat Choy! Bit late but, what the heck, any day is a good day for a beer. Mark 222 February 23, 2010 - 12:12 AM bob steer   Just as well you can't make it Darrell, a certain visitor from afar has been here for a day or two and the supplies are down somewhat we have partaken one could say.I will restock for whenever you come this way and the bed is always ready. I thought T.M.A.of the A had taken a wrong turn (again) but there he is floating on a river of Gordons what joy!!! 223 February 22, 2010 - 05:33 PM Ancient Mariner   Darrel, Gave myself dispensation to give up cream cakes for Lent instead of booze! Went to local church Sunday thence to nearest pub! Cygnet is well catered for! 224 February 22, 2010 - 04:21 PM Darrell Daish   Bob, like AM I will not be able to make the party this weekend. Please extend my chin chins to any that care to acknowledge they know me. Keep that G & T on ice and I will join you sometime. Ancient Mariner why don't you just loan Lent to someone else that is why it is so called!! 225 February 22, 2010 - 02:38 AM Ancient Mariner   Sorry Bob, won't get to Sydney now until 11 March and then I'm exiled to Pennant Hills! I will be having a drink or two on 28 Feb., when, I am told, I shall be on the Gordon River. Maurice 226 February 21, 2010 - 07:26 PM bob steer   Don't tell me you took the wrong fork and finished up in TASSIE!! Did you realise what was waiting for you if you had of taken the road that leads to the Highlands,Bowral and a gin @ tonic,heaven awaits those that do. Does this mean you won't be gracing the tables at the reunion,Tony will???? 227 February 21, 2010 - 08:21 AM Robbie   Anyone still around who sailed with the S.S. Shenking whilst detached to the RAF 1942/45 in the Indian Ocean ?? 228 February 21, 2010 - 06:16 AM David Walker   Ancient Mariner; Don't tell us your problems. Have'nt you realized that its Son-in-Law that should go to work and Daughter producing the Beef 3656not you. YOU SHOULD BE SAILING! 229 February 20, 2010 - 05:26 PM Ancient Mariner   Arrd. Sydney 0630 Friday,7 hour wait for Hobart flight. Bought a newspaper with a cartoon showing a chap driving along approaching a fork in the road, the left fork is signposted "Bowral" , the right "Rif-Raf"! Is this Bob's way of saying "Welcome to Australia"? A cool 23 down here in Cygnet, Sunday morning, daughter gone to work, son-in-law going sailing and I have instructions to have roast beef ready for 7.00pm! 230 February 14, 2010 - 09:46 AM Stu   I just received the message below from Hawaii and a friend of Dave Lomas. The "memorial" will be on Saturday March 6 at 11AM....at Lanikai Community Park at the corner of Aalapapa Drive and Kaiolena St. Please pass on this info to all who loved "Pommie". 231 February 14, 2010 - 07:17 AM Ancient Mariner   Have made all preparations for Oz visit, checked duty free allowance etc. but have been informed that Lent starts when we are in Singapore and therefore alcohol will be off the menu for six weeks! You may well see me in strange apparel as I feel a change of religion may be required to overcome this obstacle. I have promised to give up haggis for lent and am negotiating on this point. The vicar this morning did wish me a happy time in Oz so I take that as tacit approval to imbibe! Look out Tassie, here I come! 232 February 14, 2010 - 07:12 AM james m crockett   I have just been in a Scottish chat-room, and a bunch of dog lovers started going on about their lovely pets.....roddy the russel, and poppy the pug and monty the mongrel. So I joined in happily and gave them my contribution. Here it is below:- I was in Macao in South China and I decided to have a snack so I went into a Chinese restaurant, and didn't look at the menu. I knew what I wanted ..."Gow fan" I told the waiter. The place wasn't busy and my meal arrived pretty quickly. After I'd had a couple of mouthfulls...I stopped eating, now I was phissed off with the dumb waiter, I said (By the way I was speaking in Cantonese) This is not Gow fan you idiot! This is Gai fan! he just froze...staring at me! I fired a brief round of insults at him and he scurried off with my plate and came back in a flash with my proper meal! It was delicious, so I was pleased and gave me a smile. As I walked away from the restaurant I wondered! How could the idiot waiter make such a mistake, I ordered dog & rice and the moron gave me chicken & rice. I never went back there again! 233 February 12, 2010 - 08:00 PM Pete Empson   I was sad to learn of the passing of Dave Lomas, I sailed with him on the Funing before it was sold, he was the chief replacing Jimmy Morrison, a really nice man who enjoyed a beer and a story, when we were in Harumi (Tokyo) he showed us all the best Bars, my condolences to his family. 234 February 12, 2010 - 04:53 AM JC   Just to let you know Dave Lomas has passed away after a brief fight with the big C. He was Second Engineer with CNCo from about 1975 to 1980. I sailed with him on Eriskay (bulker) and Kwangsi (ex Perseus). After CNCo he left to start a new life in Hawaii, marrying there, working there and becoming a US citizen. He leaves a wife in Hawaii and a son in Japan. JC That's a shock, Jim. I knew him well myself from his time on "Coral Princess". If you are in touch with his family, please be so kind as to convey sincerest condolences from all Dave's friends at the SMA. Thanks - MAJB 235 February 07, 2010 - 10:12 PM Tony Ravenhill   Please Mr. Steer may I come to the party, I think you owe me 124 1/2 G&T's. I will get there early and leave late, happy Chinese New Year!! Why did you kick out St. Vinnie's???? All will be revealed on the day TR 236 February 03, 2010 - 11:23 PM bob steer   On Sunday 28th.Feb.the Sydney reunion will be held at the usual venue,with the usual tales/lies being told but I do hear tell we will be regaled by a different story teller from the Olde Country this year.He will be joining the Island Chief table I wonder who it will be???? The stock of the finest gin is being increased but will The "Most Ancient of the Ancients" be partaking of same???? We are all awaiting his decision with bated breath.Will he escape the Dragons clutches for a day or two???? Stay tuned for surely we will know in the not too distant future. I have a superb cold gin and tonic waiting if he so graces our company and not everybody gets that!!! cheers. 237 February 03, 2010 - 11:21 PM Jim Snape   I have just received a letter from the UK Revenue and Customs stating that they will start taxing my pension from John Swire&Sons and possibly the Merchant Navy and UK State retirement pensions. I thougt all this had been settled with the UK Inland Revenue back in 1989 when I became resident in Japan, and have paid Japan taxes since.Have any nonUk resident members with income from UK received similar tax letters? I tried telephoning the tax office but just got an engaged signal. 238 February 03, 2010 - 09:22 PM Mark Beaumont 239 January 27, 2010 - 04:49 AM Ancient Mariner   Bob, Working at it but not sure! M 240 January 26, 2010 - 03:53 PM bob steer   coming to our reunion??? 241 January 25, 2010 - 03:58 PM Ancient Mariner   Bob, Depends who is asking! Some time ago the then Chairman of the Urban Council in HK, (sort of mayor), suggested that he have an official car with the number plate "UC1". A certain wag, believed to be a pilot in the well-known airline, wrote to the SCMP asking if the rear number plate would read "RU 12". If this needs wxplanation Bob you'll have to see me in Cygnet, Tasmania in late Feb! Regards, Maurice 242 January 24, 2010 - 04:30 PM bob steer   "THE MOST ANCIENT OF THE ANCIENTS" ARE YOU OR ARE YOU NOT,THAT IS THE QUESTION. 243 January 21, 2010 - 04:55 AM Ancient Mariner   No doubt a sistership to Rimsky! Don't think the Somalis have managed to orchestrate that one, AM! Interesting list of Somali piracies and their cost here - MAJB 244 January 21, 2010 - 04:00 AM Gilbert Reid   I see another article in the Jan. edition of the Nautilus (MNAOA) TELEGRAPH (page 19) on the Somali piracy of the "Svitzer Korsakov" with SMA member Capt.Colin Darch. 245 January 19, 2010 - 10:44 PM Peter Empson   For all the friends of Ryoko and John McCall, just to let you know that "wee" Jimmy McCall and his wife have presented them with a grandaughter, mother and child are well. Excellent news, Pete, thanks! Please pass congrats & regards from all at the SMA if you are in touch with John and family - MAJB 246 January 15, 2010 - 06:36 AM Ancient Mariner   The last time I went through Sunda Strait was in 1960. We made the passage in moonlight as Indonesian lights were erratic or non-existant in those days and the only aids to navigation on "Yochow" were a magnetic compass, deep sea lead and a chronometer. Happy days! 247 January 10, 2010 - 05:14 PM Terry Connell   Hello there, Long time no chat. I am using three sites http://sail.zezo.org/charts.html http://andrew-gray.com/dist/ http://easycalculation.com/trigonometry/triangle-angles.php to help me plan my courses and distances in the VR program/site http://www.virtualregatta.com/index_clipper.php All great fun but a nuisance when I have to make a 0200 alteration. Keep up the good work, Terry Thanks, Terry. Fascinating stuff. Winning yet? - MAJB 248 January 10, 2010 - 12:36 PM Terry Connell   Hello Robin, Thanks for your message and it's contents. The virtual chart of the Sunda Strait doesn't show anything to the NE of Sankiang Island but in any case I shall be hugging the coast of Sumatra.As to the passage South of Sumur Island I made a mathmatical error in deciding to go North of and lost a lot of places as a consequence. Thanks for your offer to look at charts but,as I said, I don't need the info know. As a simulator geek ('planes, cars, trains and ships - some of which is forced on me by a four-year-old but most of which I enjoy, given that we don't do the murder and mayhem stuff) I'm curious to know what software you are using for your challenge. MS Ship Simulator? - MAJB 249 January 10, 2010 - 11:12 AM Robin Lewis   Hi Terry, Had a look at Google maps and from what is shown, it looks aok, back in college tomorrow (Monday) but dont think I will have access to charts till later in the week, not sure how long your charterers will allow you to "delay" your transit!! Cheers Robin 250 January 09, 2010 - 05:35 PM Stu   It looks to me like GAD isn't getting his shoulder right behind the effort in the photo below. 251 January 09, 2010 - 09:18 AM Mark Beaumont 252 January 09, 2010 - 08:50 AM Stu   All this talk of navigation is bewildering.....the only navigation I do these days is around the snow drifts to the pub. The nose has never failed yet though. However,on the 6th February, I'm going to have to navigate to GAD's house where the SMA committee is holding a meeting to finalise the date for the exotic cruise on the Manchester Ship canal in June. Shortly after that, I will be writing to all those that have expressed an interest in both the June outing and the October gathering in Hartlepool. The situation currently stands as follows:- Man ship canal:- 29 Yes 33 Maybe 34 No 3 Doubtful Hartlepool:- 30 Yes 17 Maybe 26 No 1 Doubtful However, and you all know who you are, there has been a total 49 who have not responded to my letter, either with subs, or their intentions over 2010. That is 27 UK residents plus 22 overseas residents. Please respond soonest.....just a maybe will be enough for me to keep you informed. 253 January 08, 2010 - 02:52 PM Terry Connell   I left a few words out of my previous.Another senior moment! The passage I seek to use is South of Sumur Island. Again,thanks. Terry 254 January 08, 2010 - 02:50 PM Terry Connell   Hello Robin, Thanks for your info. However I find now that I asked for the wrong passage. I am hoping to be able to sail between Sumur Island just to the North of Panaitan's Northern point. The other passage is further East.Do you sail North of Pulau Sangiang Island or South of it? About five miles to the East of the latter is a suspiciously looking blue blob,in Google maps,NE of the port of Merak. Can anybody tell me what the depth is over that please? My boat is a little bit back from the leaders at the moment and I need some advantages to get ahead. Thanks in advance 255 January 08, 2010 - 01:35 PM Robin Lewis   There is a national park between Panaitan and Java with a very narrow channel in the middle of the parks, maybe best to go west of Panaitan and t'fore stay west of Sangiang. Safe sailing and hope this helps, from a just as cold Glasgow! 256 January 08, 2010 - 10:32 AM Terry Connell   Happy New Year from the big snowy,that's Edinburgh,Scotland. Three weeks so far of snow and ice lying in my garden. However, I am sailing a virtual boat in a virtual race from Geraldton to Singapore and like many other competitors I am going to use the Sunds Strait. My questions are is there a safe passage between Panaitan Island and Java and Sangiang Island and Java? I have not been through the Strait in a ship before but many of the Swire Mariners must have. Officers on the Coral Princess perhaps? Any,can you let me know what is a good safe route please? A T B Terry 257 January 04, 2010 - 01:09 PM Don Ramsey   Members will be saddened to know that Jenny Humphry died peacefully in the early hours of New Year's Eve as a result of cancer. The funeral is due to take place on the 12th January at 2pm in St Barnabas Church in Queen Camel. Chris can be reached at chrisandjenny.h@googlemail.com I regret that Jean & I will not be able to attend, but perhaps others may be able to be there. Don (in Dubai) 258 January 03, 2010 - 07:35 AM Ancient Mariner   Next thing you know we shall be going "all ahead one third"!! The jargon,meaningless in most cases, that one sees in nautical magazines would make any self-respecting mariner shudder. But do we know any self-respecting mariners? Sad piece of news last week that Bridget Swire, J.K.'s eldest daughter had died. 259 January 03, 2010 - 06:07 AM David Walker   Mark, In CNCo. we never went "hard astern" It was always "Full Astern" or "Double Ring Full Astern", or even perhaps in exstremist "Jesus Christ !!! Full Astern" hard astern must be America influencing your once impecable CNCo. credentials. I'm doing my best to avoid becoming linguistically-challenged, DRW, but that one slipped through, it seems. It's bad enough having to listen to people talking about 'sailboats' and 'airplanes' in the U.S. but the height of ignominy is being offered a 'lite' beer.. - MAJB 260 January 02, 2010 - 10:59 PM Wallaby Supporter   Things must have changed since I left CNCo. Then we didn't worry about the date or location to decide to have a party - any place, any time !!!!! 261 January 02, 2010 - 09:06 AM Ancient Mariner   Must have been Frank Cunningham in command of that ship, Mark! 262 January 01, 2010 - 08:37 PM Mark Beaumont 263 January 01, 2010 - 04:40 AM Stu   Looks like Gilbert beat me to the punch but no matter.......Happy New Year everyone and looking forward to seeing all your happy smiling faces on the Manchester Ship Canal cruise in June and at Hartlepool in October. 264 January 01, 2010 - 02:09 AM Gilbert Reid   Can't really make an entry here as it is only 11pm.(Vancouver) 1 Hr. before 2010. Guess out here we are "tail end Charlie"!! 265 266 Page #1 of 1

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