Ben Line list

[Celsis]

Hi folks,

I'm putting together a Ben Line list of former seafarers. The idea is to have a record of former Ben Line staff and maybe arrange a reunion at a later date. The list may also help in getting old shipmates back in contact with each other.

All I need is ship name; dates; your email addy and your present location, i.e. where you now live.

If you would like to be on the list, please PM me with your details.

Thanks,

Mike MacKinnon
Mickchick

[Andrew Clark Stewart]

Hi Mike,

In respose to your thread I sailed on the SS Benvorlich as EDH joined in Hamburg 12/11/67 and paid off in London 26/04/68 last trip with British crew before she was scrapped. She was a rust bucket but a great crew! I now live in Helensburgh West Coast of Scotland. e-mail astew3184@hotmail.co.uk

Regards

Andy Stewart R805875

[Brian Westgarth]

Hi, I was with Ben Line (and Atlantic Drilling) From 1961 until its' demise.I'm still in touch with 4 or 5 others, All Engineers, if you call sending Christmas Cards as being in touch.
Regards
Brian Westgarth

[L.Strauss]

Hi Mike,

Name Louis Strauss was with Ben Line from 1968-1974 was senior cadet on the Ben Cruachan when she was hit by the freak wave of SA coast.
Now living in cheltenham contact email strausship@aol.com

Best regards

[Richard Masson]

I wasn't a Ben Line man myself (wrong nationality) but a good friend of mine was. His name is John Watkinson. Last time I saw him he was a cadet on the Ben Loyal I think in about 1964. I dont think he went back to sea after 2nd Mates because, in his words he fought a one man civil rights war with the company throughout his apprenticeship and hated it. It was a shame because he was( is?) a very talented guy.

[Derek]

My name is Derek Spedding, I was with Ben Line from 71- 73 and was second electrician on the Benstac, as I remember it we were only one day behind you when the freak wave hit you. I seem to remember going around the cape at "slow ahead" after we got the news.
Anyway, now living in Burnley.

[davethefish]

Hi there, the name's David Herring. Was briefly an Engineercadet and Junior Engineer with Ben Line (1978-83) then joined Atlantic Drilling until 1992. Was particularly pleased to see the name of Brian Westgarth in your thread. Regrettably I never did bother to keep in touch with many ex colleagues-being made redundant wasn't the best of times.
Regards
David

[Brian Robertson]

Hi, my name is Brian Robertson and I joined the Ben Nevis in Liverpool as 7th Engineer for my first trip in 1970. I completed a couple of voyages and coast run brfore leaving this challenging old ship as 5th Engineer. Coasted on Ben Venue also. 4th Engineer at the time was a little red haired guy called Jack and the 3rd Engineer was Martin. Left to get promotion and more money with Hudson Steamships.

[Alan Bland]

Hello Mike.
Iam writing this on behalfof my brother Arthur Bland of North Shields,who sailed with Ben Line from 1955 to approx 1968,eventually sailing as chief engineer,on various Ben liine vessels he is very ill at moment with althziemers,& is currently in care,he still has memories of MN days .Iwas wondering if any members knew him & where i could obtain a illustrated book of Ben Line ships,

Iam ex MN Ellerman Line ,City - of Exeter ,1953 to 1958.( Electrician )
Thanks ,

[santlay]

Hi there

I sailed on the Ben Cruachan from Dec 1963 until 22nd April 1964 my last trip as a J.O.S.

My name is Allan Sangster