Bibby Line ---Message

[Gulliver]

Keith,Wecome Aboard this Great Ship,and in particular to the Bibby Mess!
There are quite a few guys from the 'Heyday' era,which unfortunately (?) I missed,due to being at school!. I joined Bibbys as Deck Cadet 69-72,then moved on as one usually does . A great company though.
I sailed on a sistership(Shropshire) to your Cheshire. Last of the 'proper' ships. I too was local,living in Warrington at that time. In 71 I was aboard the Staffordshire when she made the last 'line' voyage out to Ceylon/Rangoon, from the Bibby/Paddy Henderson berth in Birkenhead,which in it's way was the end of another era.
I see the pic of the 'Cheshire' (below) you mentioned was built in Cammell Lairds,so I bet you are ex-dockyard apprentice?.
They sold her in 68 to Messageries Maritime(French) for a good price(Very shrewd are Bibby's!) and she eventually did 25 years at sea,like many proper old ships did.
Anyway,why not list your ships and dates within the forum,Keith,as someone may know you.
Cheers from Davey
http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/ship/show/95734

[Gulliver]

Hi,just found this great site.
I was with bibbys from 1970 to 1977. Sailed on , old & new yorkshire, shropshire, berkshire, hampshire, ocean bridge, atlantic bridge, australian bridge.
I then left to work in canada, usa, mexico, before retiring.

Regards to all
colin

Hi Colin! Sorry I missed your posting(earlier this month)! Welcome aboard,too!
Maybe we've met...I was on 'Shropshire' March to Aug 71?(I think your 'old' Yorkshire had just been sold(after coming off that fantastic South American charter...which I missed....story of my life.....)
Anyway,welcome aboard,perhaps if you list your dates/rank etc,you might find someone knows you!
Cheers from Davey

Pic of '' Berkshire' here....

[Colin McClelland]

DAVEY, Thanks for the welcome and the Pic. of the Berkshire. She looks in need of a paint job here.
I stoodby the ship build then did the maiden voyage as 2/Eng.

regards to all
Colin

[lunarshot]

hi i was on the last trip of the ocean bridge with the late captain pyle as master any other crew members still afloat

[lunarshot]

yes remember him well attended his memorial service at bishop auckland head gasket blew on my hillman minx on way back

[Gulliver]

Hi "lunarshot"- !. Welcome aboard here,particularly to the Bibby Line forum.
I was on the 'Staffordshire' when we heard the news about 'Ocean Bridge'.
If you attended Capt.Pyles Memorial service you may know his daughter.Her future husband(Harry Pyle's son-in-law) is a member here, and he posted a thread in another sub-forum a while back. I'll copy it below for you. His member name is Stubbsy 5050 if you want to get in touch.,as he is asking for any information about Capt.Pyle's sea career.





"Thanks for your posting. Harry Pyle was my father in law.

The family are sad that we know very little about his career. We know he captained Pacific Bridge, Atlantic Bridge and finally lost his life on Ocean Bridge (later renamed, I think, Gloucestershire) so the fact that he was on the Shropshire adds another piece to the puzzle.

If you can add any dates it would be appreciated, .
as would any other information on Harry Pyle from
you or any other members
Captain Pyle's body was recovered and buried at Huelva in Spain when the salvagers put into port. We visited the grave last year to find it sadly unmarked and overgrown. We have now had it cleaned up and a proper headstone put in place.

Thanks again.

John S."



Cheers!
Gulliver

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Lunarshot
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!
Strange name ! haha
Cheers


Also"

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!
Thank you

Please go to following Link

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

[John Callon]

Hi Lunarshot,

I gather from your post regarding Captain Harry Pyle and Ocean Bridge you were on the vessel when she blew up at No. 9 tank. Perhaps you could give out your real name as we have almost certainly met. I flew out with John Weale on a chartered 707 to arrange the repatriation of the cew of Ocean Bridge from Corunna in Northern Spain. After the the vessel was salvaged and rebuilt I done the 2nd maidan voyage so to speak on her.
Regards,
John Callon

[lunarshot]

maybe you could contact jim gavin not sure if spelling correct he was first mate on the voyage

[John Callon]

Hi Lunarshot,

Would contact Jim Gavin if I knew his address. Do you know it. Jim was a good friend of mine and I sailed with him when he was Captain of the Ocean Bridge.
John C.