Gsnc

Hi KiwiAB......I was pleased to read that there was another member on this site that, like me, held GSNC in such high regard. I never sailed in the Seamew, but having sailed on several other company ships, I knew of her. Having also experienced the dubious joys of living in the forecastle, I can well understand the pleasure you must have felt having your own cabin. It was not something many S.O.S would have enjoyed back in '47 (and for many years thereafter). The fact that most GSNC ships were good 'feeders' would have been an added bonus. I too found the four on, four off, watches a bit hard to take sometimes, more so when, during the daylight hours, there was overtime during an 'off watch'. We were never compelled to work overtime, of course, but I think it was frowned upon if you didn't, and besides most of us were grateful for the chance. On another GSNC ship I was on, the little 'Mavis', the watches were five and five, which was different. I seem to remember always feeling tired whilst 'at sea' on these short-sea traders, but it never stopped me going back for more. I must have spent the greater part of my sea-going career with GSNC, the United Baltic Corporation and MacAndrews. They were all very good 'feeders' and most of the time went to some interesting little ports. You spoke of Oporto and Leixoes both of which for various reasons would fall into the 'interesting' category. Like you, I was amazed at the way in which they used to handle the barges in Oporto. If memory serves right, they were all under sail or if not under sail, would use the strong current of the Douro to their advantage. You also mentioned the high bridge and, beyond, on the very steep banks of the river, the houses seemingly built one above the other. I don't know if you are aware, but some years ago a great many of those houses were destroyed following a collapse. I believe there was also a considerable loss of life which, sadly, does not surprise me. When I first visited Oporto I always felt I was going back in time, but loved the experience. Anyway, nice to hear from you, all the best, Roger.

Firist trip as a deckboy was on board the Sheldrake out of the old London docks back in 1968. As I remember her she had domino hatches so you earned your money on short hops around the Med. Half the time was spent holystoning the bridge deck before brackfast.

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Originally Posted by doc2009

Firist trip as a deckboy was on board the Sheldrake out of the old London docks back in 1968. As I remember her she had domino hatches so you earned your money on short hops around the Med. Half the time was spent holystoning the bridge deck before brackfast.

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Hi doc2009, I was on the Manchester Vanguard which was owned by Manchester Liners who sold her to GSNC and renamed Sheldrake. As you say she had the old domino hatches and was a bit of a workup in that respect. We ran from Manchester to the Great Lakes in the summer and Liverpool to Canary Islands in the winter when the Lakes were iced up. I did two years on her 1956/58, a good little ship.

Here is a photo of her stuck in the ice a few hours from Montreal in Dec. 1958. We should have been home for Xmas but it was February 1959 before we got home as we had to drydock in the States due to ice damage.

Alec.

Nice photo Alec thankful the weather was allot warmer where we sailed on her.
Jim.

I was stuck on Cunards ASIA same time also remember a Watt Watts ship Wendover/Wimbledom ? cant recall anyway an experience to remember......
Stuart

Hi Stuart,

I remember the Asia being stuck as well, we could see her coming up to us from astern going full pelt with the smoke pouring out of her funnel. Being a powerful steamship we thought that she would get past us and we could follow in her wake, we were only a little ship of 250 feet long, built for the old canals. She didn't get very far and she became stuck as well.

The Watts Watts ship was the Wendover, she was stuck almost alongside of us. I will try and post a photo of her if I can find it.

Alec.

PS. Here is one of the ice breaker d'Hiberville coming to the rescue

Thanks Alex for photos. Yes it certainly was a different experience,but didnt turn me off the run always enjoyed Montreal & Joe Beefs in those days and the States run, I stayed with Cunard on the cargo ships mainly for fifteen years,
Good luck
Stuart

Yes Stuart, Montreal was one of my favourite ports. Manchester Liners crew used the Port bar more than Joe Beefs as we didn't want to mix with the Scousers:D only joking.

I see that you are living in France now, my favourite country, I ran there more than any other country as I was on Manchester/Liverpool to Rouen and Paris run for two years in the early 60's and then again in 1967 for three years from London to Rouen and Paris. The company was Wm. H. Muller & Co., A Dutch company but British flag.

All the best...........Alec.

Hi Alec, sorry for mispelling last post of your name. Yes been in France seventeen years now mostly in SW France but did live up in Calvados Normany for a few years, loved it up there but weather a bit "British" so moved south again. Was very interested in your French runs with Mullers. Back in the fifties when I was still deciding where to settle (workwise) I did several GSN ships which of course did French runs Bordeaux etc. Used to see one ship though berthed up regularly near old Prospect of Whitby pub river berth called the "Concorde" who was on regularl Paris -London run, She had a blue hull but cant recall funnel markings and obviously quite small,accommodation aft . I was A/S then but maybe she only carried cook/stwd. Never offered he at dock st pool either but she still sticks in my memory after all these years.
Regards
Stuart

Hi Stuart, I remember the" Concorde" well. She belonged to Lockett Wilson a subsidiary of Dundee, Perth and London Lines and saw her on the Seine many times. You are right, she only carried a cook/steward on the catering side.

The Muller ships that I sailed in were the "Somme" on the Manchester/Liverpool run and the "Scheldt" on the London/Paris trade. We sailed from St Georges wharf, near Surrey Docks entrance and later moved over to Free Trade wharf which also was not far from the Prospect of Whitby. Muller ships were all named after French rivers Garonne, Gironde, Marne, Meuse, Aisne, Escaut etc.

Regards....Alec.