Golfito

[Michael Rossouw]

This was my last ship out of UK before I went home to New Zealand,from
13 May 70 to 9 June 70.I ended up as Bosun,s Mate / Quatermaster. Said my fond farewell to Southampton and sailed to NZ as passenger on the Greek ship Ellinis,talk about a booze trip duty free drinks every day ,was glad to reach dry land and get a job back in NZ.But was soon back as sea on the coast. Michael Rossouw [KIWI]

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Michael.
I left the coast in 65, great times were had by all. Have you tried the Wellington Maritime web site? some great photos of many of the old coasters and Transtasman Union ships on it.
Cheers Des

[Michael Rossouw]

Des `only three years before i swallow the oar ,can you send me the Wellington web site . May go back deep sea for the last time out of NZ on one of our new coastal ships to Chattam Islands /Napier if all goes well Mike Rossouw

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Michael.
For some reason it has gone from my favorites site. But just Google" Wellington Maritime Museum' should get it there is also the" NZ National Maritime Museum" which is on the viaduct in Auckland.
My brother used to be on a scow running cattle and sheep from Lyttelton to Chatham Island around 1947.
Cheers Des

[Neil Morton]

Hi Michael I've only been on this new site for a couple of months and have just come across your message re the "Golfito".. I joined her in May 1961 in Port of Spain Trindad where I had been living for a year or so, and progressed over four trips from A/Stwd to Lounge steward. We were never alowed shore leave in Jamaica but a great many of the crew would swim off the side hauling themselves back aboard on a rope.One day the rope became entangled in the screw which may have been turning slowly.Talk about panic. The Mate was doing his nut, the bosun charging about like a bull in a china shop trying to find out who had thrown the rope over.Not a single crew member said a "dickey bird" although they all knew it was me.Thats what a call a good crowd and yes Golfito was a very happy ship.

Happy sailing Neil "Mort" Morton.

[Terry Worsley]

Hi Mortnj. I was interested to see your message about the Golfito. I did the maiden voyage in her back in 1949 as a Donkeyman/Greaser. A very comfortable ship. A couple of days before we were due to arrive at Pot of Spain (on Christmas Day when a posh reception was to be held) A fuel tank overflowed spreading thick fuel oil over the deck and down the ships side. Calamity! Sailors were employed over the ships side to clean it up - I have never seen that at sea before. The decks couldn't be cleaned properlyand a shore gang was hired in Trinidad to use holy stones. A good time was had by all and a further reception awaited us in Golfito. Happy Days

[John Callon]

Regarding the Golfito, I have just bought a resin model of the vessel cast on a scale of 1/1200, the cost being GBP8.00. You have to paint the ship yourself but it comes with full painting instructions along with the masts which are made from brass pins. The seller also has hundeds of other models and I have personally bought 9 models from him and fully intend to buy more as the detail is excellent. I received a lot of advice
about these models from a member of this site who also paints this type of model.
John C.

[Ron Stringer]

I joined her in May 1961 in Port of Spain Trindad where I had been living for a year or so, and progressed over four trips from A/Stwd to Lounge steward. We were never alowed shore leave in Jamaica

Neil,

I joined the Golfito in Avonmouth, June 1960 and did 7 trips as 3rd RlO, finally signing off in February 1961. No shore leave was allowed in Bridgetown, Barbados or Port of Spain, Trindad but we did get shore leave in Kingston and in Port Antonio, Jamaica. None at the other loading ports on the Jamaican North Coast (Montego Bay, Oracabessa, etc.).

Master was G.M. Roberts, a fine man to sail with. We had a Captain O'Neill for one trip, nothing to add there.

Great ship and good run, but I was only getting my 6 months supervised sea time before being allowed loose on my own. The Chief RlO's job was a prized one, reserved for more senior guys.

Ron

[Michael Rossouw]

Nein Mort ,times did soften up we were allowed ashore in Kingston ,but you had to walk back as a big group as their were always dodgy people around ready to take your hard earned money at knife point. Anyway the Skipper and Mate did not get on together and as we were comming into Kingston the Skipper yelled to the mate to make the Port anchor ready to drop,I questioned the Mate as we were comming alongside Port side to. The mate said the skipper knew what he was doing and that was that .As we were within heaving line distance and a spring was out the skipper yelled drop the anchor,I let the brake go and their was one hell of a crash as the port anchor pluss chain went through the jetty decking and sending the locals into a screeming frenzy. It took nearly all day plus a crain and shore gang to retrive it . The Skipper took full rap for his part as all heard him and stood by the mate.