Empress of Australia and France

[Ian Esson]

My first big ship was the Empress of Australia Mar-Jun 1955. I was PEGGY for the bosun's mess. Looked on it initially as a demeaning job.Mind you I enjoyed the banter between Bosun Bill Somerville and his mates Don?Shaw and Martin Quinn. just working for Martin was an experience in itself. Then there was the the short strike in Liverpool when someone wrote Keep Off De Grasse along the newly painted side. I was on the E Of France for one trip in June /Jul '57.

[Jim Thomas]

I was on the DeGrasse...Empress of Australia..we did one trip and came back in passenger accommodaiton. It was dreadful ship Also on the France april 54 to nov 54.
Jim Thomas Tourist Waiter

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Jim
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 wil have you here for a long time!
Cheers
Vernon

Also"



Just wondering if you would let me have your R Number and First ship mate,as i am doing a database and would like to include as many as possible.
This is only for my personal keeping for future reference.
Thanks
Vernon R697530
Please reply via P Message
Thank You!

Also your full name please!
Will understand if you do not wish to participate!
But just please let me know,thanks!
Thanks
PS If you supply your details would it be OK to 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!
Thanks

See link regarding my personal Flag as well!

http://www.merchant-navy.net/gallery...php?photo=4028

[john middleton]

Did several trips on the France, the last being in 1960 when we went on strike in Montreal, I'd already been logged so it was double up, paid off with about thirty bob, we passed the Saxonia that had broken the strike by sailing from Southampton, the lads put a great big poster over the side 'THE SHIP THAT SAILED IN SHAME'. Happy days hard work cabins over the hill remember?

[john middleton]

Word of warning when the Autralia was going through the pool---Keep of de grasse

[Jim Brady]

I did my first trip to sea on the France,what a memorable experience.I remember the first day of taking on passengers at the Landing Stage,I was on gangway duty showing passengers to their cabins.I was appointed to take this guy to C17 Icarried his bag took him into the cabin put the lights on and showed him his bunk.I think I had watched to many American movies where the Bellboy gets his "Dropsy",what happened was they guy put the arm on me for "One Cigarette".It was the time of the Hungarian Revolution and we were carrying thousands of Hungarians across to Canada.
Apart from that I was on £12.26p per month at the time but I was making that both ways £25.00 every 17 days.
As a kid I think they were my most memorable and happiest days.
Regards.
Jim B.

[Charlie Hannah]

I joined the france on 15 july 1954 and left here on Jan 6/ 55,happy days. charlie.

[Tom Kirby]

hi vangooler I too was on this ship at about the same time as you (ex Vindi) I was bridge boy I think we were cabin mates, is your name peter or phil, I recall the bosun,s you named especially martin quinn, I worked with Q.M.John Costello in the wheelhouse, skipper was Charles de h Bell, there was one other deck
boy named billy savage, crew peggy, I stayed for trooping voyages , did you? I later sailed on the Empress of Britain as Quarter Master at the helm, did many voyages. Went on to sail in every other shipping company out of Liverpool, fantastic memories and adventure. Tom

[Ian Esson]

Hi Tom, My name is Ian, more commonly reffered to as Jock because of my origin. 50+years I'm afraid is a little too long to recall many names. Being my first BIG ship things were a little overwhelming for a 17 yr. old.I do remember vividly Martin Quinn. Tough but honest. He had just returned after some hospital treatment. When I fetched breakfast from the galley he sent me back for grapefruit. The chef told me that was for passengers only. I relayed the message to Martin. Go back and tell the chef who it's for. I did, and he got his grapefruit without arguement. Not many people said no to MQ. His reputation preceded him.

[happy daze john in oz]

G'day Tom Kirby and welcome to the site. If you care to list your ships with some dates you may well get replies from some who knew you. So sit back with a cold one and enjoy the voyage.