Blu Flu 1964-1967

[Tony Wilding]

before i lost my pc i found a site that had all the ships i had sailed on and lots more .If my failing memory still works i am sure it was in the blue funne#s own web page Wil have tlo start again it brought back so many memories.And yet hardly anyone on here who i sailed with has passed my wa,y apart from Biffo whos daughter got intouch with me here in Australia

HI, lots of blue funned ships photos on Photoship. website.

[Trader]

Some great photos there Tony. I have left a few comments. I was with Bill Thomas, bosun, on the Bellerophon in 1952, my first ship as deck boy. I did six Far East trips and a few coasting trips in her, two years in all.
You mentioned Barry Cavanagh in one of your posts, I see him sometimes here in Dover.

Alec.

[Peter Trodden]

Hi Alic,
I came across Barry Cav, a few weeks ago while surfing thru Friend Reunited. As you know,He's a transplanted Northener like you. originally from my neighbourhood in Birkenhead. Most of the Seamen in our N/hood (Dock area) were Blue Flu (China men) I never sailed with Barry or some of the younger guys.After a few years I went to the "Pool" (A row with Mr Greenwood) Barry said he works in security now and again,so if you bump into Him on your walkabout,give Him all the best from Me.
ttfn. Peter T.

[James A Stuart]

Hi Alec (AKA Trader)
Thanks for the comments, I'm glad the snaps were of interest to you. I wouldn't have thought there would have been any controversy turning up of the topping lift, it was as you say, two ROUND turns on the bottom, three Round turns on the top then crossed maybe three times on the top, finished off with Whammy. Where I did always find discrepancies was with the Chain Stopper. We were taught by 'O'Brien' and Bob Parsons at Blue Funnel that it was always a 'Cow Hitch' starting to your left with the first hitch so you would always end backing up against the lay of the wire after the second hitch. I saw so many variations of this practice that it got quite scary at times. Quick comment regarding 'Banjo Fleets' I would have thought one would fail their EDH cert for not knowing that one!
Best Wishes James A Stuart (Tony)

[Capt Bill Davies]

An interesting post Tony and one that addresses many points discussed in the past. Your description of how to 'turn up' the topping lift is absolutely correct (could never understand those insisted there were three round turns below the lip as common sense tells you it will jam). As for the Chain Stopper it has to be a 'Cow Hitch' and left handed is how remember it. I too find it very difficult to comprehend that there are deck personnel that did not recognise the term 'Banjo Fleet'. Certainly would not have got a job on a Blue Funnel boat.

Brgds

Bill

[Tony Wilding]

Hi, seems Blue Funnel were a unique company in many ways, they seem to have a band of dedicated followers. think i missed out.

[Capt Bill Davies]

Tony,

With a background in Watts, Watts you missed nothing. It's all a Blue Funnel 'Thing' and nothing to get excited about . We spoke a different language than the rest of the Merchant Navy.

Brgds

Bill

[Tony Wilding]

hi Bill, i think mostly its the far east run they were on i missed, never got there, India was my furthest and Sri Lanka, and that was on a 6 months holiday, allways fascinated by the Orient, Bank line had some good runs there, but at that time i was not aware of it, anyway soon my wish is fulfilled when i move to Cebu in the Philippines. cant come soon enough.

[Trader]

Bill,

The reason I brought up the old topping lift thread was a photo put up by Tony Stuart. It clearly shows the bitts and the turning up system. I think the photo was taken in the Suez canal and the derrick must have been topped to bring the mooring boat on board.

If you go through the thread you will see the post where he put the photos up. Click on the red HERE.

Alec.

[Capt Bill Davies]

Alec,

Many thanks.

Brgds

Bill