Athel tankers

[jimmys]

I joined the Athel/Anco Sceptre in late 1981 as extra 2/e for motor time. I left in mid 1982. She was carrying chemicals and had deck tanks.
When I look back on it I would not join a ship like that again. It was a six months slog. What a state the ship was in engineering wise. I would need a book to write it.

Europe, States, Panama, Pitcairn, New Zealand, Aussie, Pacific Islands and back. A hard slog for an engineer on a poor ship. It was a job to make it go.

regards

[R864382]

I joined the Sceptre in Panama on her first deep sea trip from the builders. She was not finished then
and a lot of work had to be finished before we picked up our first cargo.The pump rooms were in a right
state bits of valves and blanks all over the place. As an AB it was a nightmare trying to paint an unfinished
vessel that had been quickly spray painted so she could be handed over to Athel Line. Problems seemed to
dog these new ships and on reflection might have been the sad start to the end of Athel Line.

[Tinker Taylor]

I did several trips on the Anco Sceptre.

Deck Cadet 1972
2nd Mate 1974/5
2nd Mate 1977
Ch. Off. 1982/3

The last trip was particularly problematic as the ship was showing her age. Even found a hole in the bottom of the ship iwo the aft port cofferdam.

Subsequent History of the ship:
1983 STOLT SCEPTRE
1991 IVER SCEPTRE
1992 SCEPTRE

Broken up at Alang 20.7.03

She must have been a heap at the end!!!!!!

[alf corbyn]

hi lads i was on the athel chief1948 and the athel viscount 1950. the viscount was twin screw but was always breaking down. top speed nine knots(twin) seven knots single.both good ships though. bit before your time.cheers. alf

[R864382]

Morning All sad day when Athel Line went . I did time on the Sceptre Soverign and Templar. They were new ships then but in a state when they left the builders yard.Did only one molasses run from Macio where we took the stuff is lost in time.Tinker was a cadet then fond of taking photo's as I recall.Remember a new order came out and all chemical ships had to have bright orange hulls so they could be seen and a warning to other ships to keep thier distance. One of the ships left port with half the job done One side blue the other orange.Happy days.

[Norval Young]

I served my time with Athel Line from an apprentice in 1944 and left in 1954 after gaining my Master's Certificate.
Found the various vessels I served on were excellent. The reason I left was because I was married and found the voyages exceptionally long. Quite often ten months before leave was given.
Also one Master Capt. T Maxwell convinced me that I would have a better life if I found a good shore post. I then left to join UAC in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This was the start of a very successful career ashore. Although I purchased a large motor cruiser and named it "Athelregent". This says something for my affection for Athel doesn't it ?

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Norval
Would just like to give you a warm Welcome to this very good site!
Here you will find lots of info,good Crew and with luck also find a few old Shipmates!
So sit back,relax and just enjoy the trip!
Hope we will have you here for a long time!
A site truly worthy of the British Merchant Navy!
Cheers


Note Well

If you would like to join in and have your Full name R Number and First Ship
Included in the Flag project then please pass it on to Mike Hall who is doing a Main Flag for all
to be displayed some time in one of the UK Museums!
We need your names to get the New Flag full,so please do respond!
Thank you
Vernon (castleman)

Please go to following Link

http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=1974


http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/p...?do=newpm&u=18


Or reply to me in person! Via Private Message Link above and I will pass on the info!




If you have already done this then please accept my apologies!

[Trisha Wiggins-Browne]

Hello Norval
My dad was also on the Athel ships from 1949-1953 - he worked on several - I have his book here in front of me now - his name was David Alfred Browne and he was 17 when he first joined the MN .

Athelduke

SS Capsa

Ardrossan

SS Canton

MV Port Macquarie

Strathnaver

SS Strathmore

SS Stratheden

I wonder if you ( or indeed anyone reading this ) were ever working on the same ship by coincidence?

[Stuart Henderson]

[REF POST #4

Hi Alf,
I a;lso sailed on two Athel tankers in the 50s and like you enjoyed them. We were on the molasses run,Cuba & US ports so good run,better than Abadan !!!!
I sailed on Athelcrest in 1952 and like you the OLD Athelviscount in 1954. In later years I sailed on Panoceans first ship the Post Runner 1971,they were all associated companies I believe though I didnt realise it at the time, she had a great crowd aboard,trip with palm oil Far East.
Long time ago now eh ? Cheers
Stuart

[R864382]

Even though the the Anco chemical parcel boats were so called did one molasses trip from Macio to the states and two palm oil runs one to Japan and one to Rotterdam. Best type of cargo to carry easy to tank clean and the puddling money $18 a tank for palm oil at the end of the trip. Long time ago but seems like yesterday. Regards to all.