Death at sea

[Bill Morrison]

#11 wheelhouse windows had a tendency to come in during the winter in the North Sea. However it was often to those American vessels built for the Gulf of Mexico. Their glass was not built for such weather as the. North Sea at times. And if not replaced with stronger I suspect was the root cause of. If a Bridge window gave in then all your electric control panels were immediately behind it and you were in trouble. I would put more trust in a porthole than a window anytime for strength and watertightness. Most portholes also had deadlights as you say to reinforce the integrity of the glass. JS

Hi john. The Seaforth Hero had that misfortune. She was built initially with a standard tug bow, she took a large one bridge windows stoved in electrics shorted out. Went to shipyard and bow altered to a flare style. Steel window covers made to be fitted in bad weather with slots for vision, you were learning the North Sea in winter takes no prisoners.
Bill.

[Bill Morrison]

Perhaps one reason the Derbyshire inquiry went on so long was to try and protect Swan Hunter.
The last thing Swan Hunters wanted was the Derbyshire to be found.
If it had not been for the persistence of Derbyshire family members it would all have been brushed under the table.

Another thing the builder did not need was for the English Bridge/Kowloon Bridge to fetch up on the Stags Rocks West Cork.

James I have been watching a TV programme called DRAIN THE OCEANS on 5 SELECT Ch. 56. It deals with all ship wrecks over time. The one on the Derbyshire was a real eye opener, all that remains is the bow section and #1 hatch cover the rest is smithereens spread all across the ocean floor. The explanation is to do with the type of construction, you would have to view the programme to under stand it.
Bill.

[James Curry]

Thanks Bill, I have watched a few of these programmes and yes really interesting to see what lies at the bottom of the oceans.
The Derbyshire plunged to the bottom 4kms deep. With the weight of her onboard cargo and the added weight of the ship she must have gathered some speed on her way down. No wonder the debris was scattered far and wide.

Bit of fictional movie some may find it interesting.Strange that a former C/Off says she was a wonderful ship. I have met a few who sailed on her none ever had a good word to say about her , all she did was kill crew members.

https://youtu.be/Nuyi1Wg4g_c

[happy daze john in oz]

If I recall correctly the initial problem with Comet was that the windows were square.
Something to do with pressure from such windows caused them to collapse.
Round ones such as Port hole shape equalise the pressure in a better maner.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Around 54 the Queen Mary had her wheelhouse windows smashed in up near Sable Island, estimated height of the wave, 90 feet, a 60,000 thousand ton ship, I was on a five thousand ton ship not that far away, worse seas I was ever in. There were good ship builders and a few bad ones.
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

Yes Des, recall going through the bay on the Pretoria when a number of waves washed over the bridge.
Some crew had a tough time cleaning up after the bloods on that one

[James Curry]

One of the famous wave encounters we will all know about I am sure must be the Ben Lines Bencruachan. Think she nearly broke her back down around the South East Africa?Bencruachan 2.jpg

Certainly a squeaky bum time. Good job she was not built in Swan Hunters.

https://www.shippingtandy.com/featur...december-2014/

[Neville Jollands]

When I was at sea (Many years ago) the quote was "Only fools and fireman sit of ship side rails"
Neville

[j.sabourn]

#28 First trippers as well Neville . Cheers JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Neville.
Got good advice from my father, he said always sit on the bits not the rail.
What's your take on this god awful weather we are getting? don't know it it's that same in Tathra as Cooma, woke up this morning to belting rain again, but looks like it's clearing now.
Cheers Des