Suez Canal

[happy daze john in oz]

Sailed out of Hull on the NZ Paparoa in 64.
We had no idea where to, all we were told was south.
It was not until after Suez we were told Melbourne first port of call.
Water problems so down to two pints of fresh per man per day across the Indian ocean at about 13 knots.

[David Williams]

Hi JS.
One thing I remember about the canal was the fact that
even if you went through on a daytime convoy,you still
had to rent one of those bow lights.
Dave Williams

[Doc Vernon]

Was always a Buzz -for me passing through the Suez
Amazed at just how it all worked!
As said somewhere before I wish I could have seen the Panama Canal.that must have be awesome!
Cheers

[Captain Kong]

Hi Vernon
views of the Canals.
1st,,,, the FUNCHAL approaching the new bridge over the SUEZ built by the Japs. the others are of the Panama
2nd ....The QE2 entering the Panama Canal,
3rd, The Mules,
4th ....the AMSTERDAM entering the Panama Canal.
and 5th the Amsterdam in the Panama by the Trans America Bridge.
Cheers
Brian

[John F Collier]

The only buzz I got from the Suez Doc was from the flies , no I used to really enjoy the Panama canal much more to
see and take in, the Suez was mainly sand and heat whereas the Panama with it's locks was something else, one of the
Snowbow videos had some good coverage of the locks and Cristobal, I'd love to go through Panama again although it's
probably changed a bit now but it must basically still be the same, remember one of our aircraft carriers was in the next
lock going home while we were outward bound it was a very humid day and the poor buggers were all lined up on parade,
RN no thanks give me the MN any day. Cheers JFC

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Ivan.
Always knew on any of the tramps i was on where we were going, generally cargo was designated,cars for Aus ,or steel to somewhere etc, But had it on tankers only because the skipper himself didn't know, on one tanker we were coming up past the Spanish coast heading for home, then there was a change of orders, turned back to Gib, on the way was told Durban, I think there were three more destinations before we ended up in New Orleans.
I loved going through the Suez don't know why, the Panama was terrific, but for me not as exotic as the Suez canal , probably as we were heading to the mysterious East.
Cheers Des

[j.sabourn]

Des did you ever come across this elusive east of suez Bonus (apart from the various abounding ailments) that people used to talk about. ? Can never remember seeing it in the NMB book. Was it a figment of someones imagination or did some companies pay it. I was on two of Jacobs tankers for 12 months but never saw hide nor tail of it. Cheers JWS

[Doc Vernon]

Thanks for those Pics Capt nice to see as said wish I could have gone that way while at Sea in the 50's

JFC Yes probably you are dead right but me just a Lad then and seeing the World so to speak for the first time ,it was a great site to me anyway,but even later trips I still liked it!
The Panama as I hear has always been a great attraction pity that I could not have gone through it! Oh well some have al the Luck ! LOL
Cheers

[happy daze john in oz]

The lights put on ships going through Suez in day light was always a bit of a mystery.
But the chief steward made the cook prepare food for them.
He was as gay as they come and fancied the cook, one way street there.
Cook made a big pot of stew for them which they ate.
Then the chief steward showed them the ham bone he had put in the pot after they had eaten.
All hell broke loose, most went to the side rail and made them selves sick.
Poor cook, he got a fright and hid in the chain locker until we were out and they were all gone.
But he forgave the chief steward by making a special pot of his favorite Tomato soup, garnished with a liberal portion of Goddards Plate powder.
We had three days of peace.

[j.sabourn]

Just got round to reading Ivan’s #10 using a magnifying glas. The magnifying glass brought back the word was looking for in a previous post, so for Ivan’s “ what more could anyone ask for”, the answer is a vernier sextant. Cheers JWS.