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Welcome to the site Iain. Glad you have found us. Don't worry about being an internet novice. We all had to start somewhere:) You will find that there are any number of members only too eager to help if you get stuck. Obviously a tanker man, but what did you do on them? Enjoy your stay with us.
BRITISH MIGHT 6/2/1951-21/12/51 and 10/1/52-18/7/52
HI john
I was on the commerce in 75. Sulzer rd 90 if i remember. On route from Portland Maine, scavenge fires regularly one of which took out the for,d turbo. Pulling pistons and liners for fun. Air start compressors in bits during standby Ah great memories. ( oily mist detectors i hear you say? thats another story) We had two 4ths, stainless and brainless one came from sheffield and the other; well ------
Davey (well retired)
THE BP TANKERS I SHIPPED OUT ON AS AB WERE,
BRITISH FERN, MAIDEN VOYAGE, 20\1\ 65 TO 16\9\65. GULF TO SOUTH AFRICA, MOZAMBIQUE ALL THE TIME. GOOD SHIP, GOOD RUN.
BRITISH MAPLE, MAIDEN VOYAGE, 4\1\66 TO 30\9\66. OUT TO OZ AND NZ. MOSTLY NZ COAST WITH THE ODD COUPLE OF RUNS TO FIJI. GOOD TRIP.
TOM ABERNETHY. ( R721582 )
Hi Eric.
In the fifties i sailed on the British Pioneer,Resource,
Envoy,Hero and the Duke.
Dave Williams
This was my only tanker but it was a bit special. All other ships were 'tween '42-'45 and '49-'52 after army service.
Be 88 before end of year but remember all ships and events. Great times. Regards, Eric
Rightly or wrongly my whole Mercant Navy Career was on BP Tankers, had its plusses and minuses , I guess I kida regret not doing a trip or so n General cargo .. if just to put all that cargo stowing knowledge that we swotted up for doing our tickets
But BP it was .. and back then BP was a good outfit to sail with m, and probably the best outfit for the Apprenticeship scheme.
After a Year at King Edward VII Nautical College in Poplar E14, for which I got 7.5 Sea Time !! Not Bad !! I joined the
Mv British Kiwi in September 1965 is Middle Dock South Shields as Navigating Apprentice ...............I paid off.....11.5 month later !! phew ! Great trip though ! .. South Africa , Coasting around India and what was then Ceylon ...a voyage around Australia, including 3 weeks tank cleaning in Perth .. good runs ashore !!
all in all a great way to see the world
#2 ship was ss British Statesman Joining in Falmouth Dockyard
Mid Apprenticeship Release Course at South Shields Marine and Tech ... great times ..( the County and other Haunts !!)
#3 was ss British Captain (my ships were gradually getting bigger and bigger and voyages more boring !) Joined in Durban
2nd mates Ticket in South Shields Marine a Tech .. Study and partying was such hard work !! :):cool:
Sailed as 3rd mate ( wanted to Sail on smaller ships if i could )
mv British Laurel Feb 69 - August 69 joined in Durban left is South Wales
ss British Commodore joined in Genoa October 69 left in Dubai April 1970
mv British Resource April 70 Isle of Gran - to End July 70 left in Liverpool
Ist Mates Certificate done in London at Poplar Tech in E14 .. ( part of KE VII) couldn't afford the distraction of South Shields Parties and ladies !!
Extra 2nd Mate - Permanant coast ( No more big ships or deep sea stuff for me !! )
mv British Flag- March 1971 - took her to scrap .quite a sad job really
mv British Sportsman joined in the Isle of Grain June 1971 and got promoted to 2nd Mate later that month
sailed on "British Sportsman" as #2nd mate July 71 to August 71 and paid off in Dubai ..............
and at that time decided to go it ashore ......and never looked back.
But what a great start to working life and Leaderhip, Responsibility, Teamwork and getting the job done ... when you're broken down in the middle of the 'Oggin ..who ya gonna Call ???
Happy days :)
I sailed on the Br Tradition Sept 1952 Capt J G Saunders.
Falmouth Swansea Dakar Pt Said Menna then bound for Dunkirk when in collision with French Naval Tanker Le Mekong off Gravelines.
Proceeded with extensive Bow damage to Isle of Grain to discharge and then to Tyne for repairs. Left her on 20-12-1952 and thus spent first Christmas at home for many years.
Its an ill wind ! ! !
for dave williams,,,,,,, if you sailed out of swansea, you would finish up on a bp tanker........ what did i do wrong to be sent from dock street, london, to join the british builder,,,,, my first trip as deck boy. march 1955.
regards, stan
Hi Stan.
I joined the Builder 8th Nov 55 in dry dock in Newcastle, got back on the 20 Sept 56 last british ship I sailed on before NZ coast. you must have been on her when she was towed from the Gulf ? We broke down that often we only had 11 days in port in eleven months.
Cheers Des
:th_thth5952deef: