Wellington Star/tasmania Star

[Rob Randle]

Hi Guys,
I was a deck cadet in the Welly boot from 19thMay 65 to 29th Sept 65. Outward from UK to Aus, discharge on Aussie coast across to NZ to load for home, via Panama. Great trip. Spent weeks under the meat conveyers in the Bluff. The HMNZN Otago arrived about a week after us but by that time we had most of the local talent sewn up, didn't go down to well with matelots as was prooved at the local hop thrown for the warships company. I seem to remember we left early, about 5 mins after arriving descretion being the better part of valour. Happy days! On another post there is mention of a murder on the Hobart Star ( my first Ship) Does anyone know the details of the murder in the New Zealand Star in about 1965? The chief Steward (I think) was found dead in his bunk drowned in his own blood after being beaten with a gangway stanchion. When the ship arrived in Auckland a police inspector called Bird was sent to stay aboard whilst he solved the mystery but he too was found dead, hanging from the deckhead. I'd met the guy awhile before when I was serving on the Wellington. I can't vouch that the story is all true as I heard it second hand in Ma Gleesons or some where similar.

Regards Rob Randle.

[raymond]

shipped home on tasmania star in 72 after spending four weeks in the local prison one advencher that went wrong happy days of youth and free spirits

[Captain Kong]

There was a murder on the old NZ Star I was on her a few years before, It was done by a member of the Catering staff, and the Detective sent from England did indeed die as well.I have forgotten the exact details now.

[Roy Dadge]

Hi Rob,

I was in the engine room on the New Zealand Line SS Hororata in the Pacific at the same time as the murder took place, some time over new Year 1964. We sailed from Panama on the 16th December 1963 and arrived off Rangitoto Island to unload explosives on the 7th January finally arriving in Auckland Harbour on the 11th January. We sailed from there to New Plymouth and then to Wellington. The star boat (I had forgotten it was the Hobart Star) docked alongside, having previously been in Napier where a Police Inspector had come down from Hastings and solved the crime. Unfortunately, he had cancer and decided to commit suicide. This is the story I heard from the crew of the Hobart Star while we were drinking in the Wellington (though hear again I am a little rusty on the name of the nearest pub to the docks). Tied up on the other side of us was ship that traded solely between Japan and New Zealand and never went home, probably a Smiths Boat, with a crew that were never seen again. Anyway the Storekeeper’s girlfriend was having a baby and the Storekeeper asked the Captain if he could have shore leave to be with her while she had the baby. The Captain refused but the Storekeeper went ashore to be with his girlfriend anyway. On his return the Captain logged him two weeks pay. The Storekeeper was rather sore at this so he decided to exact his revenge by informing the New Zealand Customs, of the contraband that was on board, transistor radios etc. The New Zealand Customs descended on mass and took the ship apart. You can imagine our lunch hours, for over two weeks, we had the crew from one side telling the latest stories of the murder and the other crew explaining the latest finds by the customs.

Regards Roy

[adrianvare]

on welly 1970 done 2 manz runs on her .......happy memories

[michael thorogood]

I was a baker on the ]wellington star from may 1960 to december 1960. the trip was to new zealand via.panamar and lasted 7 months. I then worked by on the english star in the victoria docks befor joining the saw savill runic for a trip to australia. Ithen joined the orient liner oriana as second baker.
At the end of this trip i came ashore and got married never to go to sea again.
I would like to know if anybody remembers me as i have a lousy memory for names?

[Jacyn Wade]

Hello gents,

Just wondering, since you all sailed quite a bit on BSL ships, did any of you come across Ron Wade? He sailed on quite a few BSL ships, last one in my records as a mechanic on California Star in 1972. I'm thinking he may have stayed with Blue Star beyond '72. Anyone remember him?

Cheers,
Jacyn

[alexander robertson]

hi barry just got some paper work through was on the wellington star same time as u frm 30/11/74 to 29/04/75 was salon steward think we went a shore a few times in nz also signed on the afric star same time as u 05/05/75 got the afric mixed up with nz star my last trip see u lost ur dis charge book No did u ever get it as i have it on the paper work if u wont it