Houlder Bros.

[David Williams]

Hi everyone.
Whenever i read reports or articles on Houlder Bros,
there is never any mention of their Iron Ore boats
the "Orelia" etc,all these ships started their names
Ore.Anyone out there got any information???


Dave Williams(R583900)

[ALAN TYLER]

refer post #1

Hi Dave,
Houlders had six of these ships built in the mid 50,s built at Grays yard at West Hartlepool. They were...Oregis, Orepton, Orelia, Oreosa, Oremina and the Oreridian.They were chartered to the British Iron & Steel Corporation (BISCO). Gross tonnage about 6600 tons and speed about 11/13 knots. Sailing out of Port Talbot, Workington,Avonmouth and Barry and others.
I sailed on the Oreosa, my claim to fame being on the only trip to New York (New Jersey). The Oregis finished her life in the North Sea after being converted into a Diving barge in the 70,s. on which i had the pleasure of working as well. The Oreosa was broken/up in Alang in 1989.
Houlders had the St Margaret and Mabel Warwick ore carriers that were slightly bigger.
Alan T.

[David Williams]

Hi Alan.
Thanks for the info on the ore boats.I had only come
across the Oreosa and the Orelia that I sailed on.We used
to run between Port Talbot,Bone,North Africa,Narvik in Norway
and Irlam in Manchester.I wonder if you ever went to Irlam,did
you ever get into a pub,dont know its proper name but it was
called the Stinking Stocking,then one trip it was done up and
became the Scented Nylon.Hope that your keeping well.Please
stay in touch.


Dave Williams(R583900)

[ALAN TYLER]

Hi, Dave
The Stinking Stocking what a great name for a pub. Unfortunately I never got to Irlam, I always seem to dock down in South Wales ie. Port Talbot, Newport, Cardiff and Barry with the odd run to Birkenhead and Avonmouth. They were great ships, although as the saying goes they could roll on wet grass!! Anyway better go the Sunday roast is ready.
Take care Alan. T.

[Peter Drake]

Hi Dave

I was on an ore carrier in 1962 Ravensworth ( R S Dalgliesh ) Only went to Irlam once but I think the proper name of the pub was the Fox or something like that. My main memory of the Manchester ship canal was the number of french letters floating down it.

[David Williams]

Hi Peter.
Thanks for the info on the Manchester Ship Canal.
So thats were I dropped those French Letters????

Dave Williams(R583900)

[Brian Phillips]

Hi Alan I will have to correct you as regards the st Margaret being an Ore Carrier, no chance.Never Never....
I served on this lovely ship for nearly 2 years in the sixties. as a steward and chef.

Travelled all around the world on her and NEVER once loaded with Iron ore.

I also served on the orepton and oreilia . Ore Carriers going back and forth to the ore producing contries and the UK.
Sept isles was one of the bestOre ports to call at.

I have posted photos of these ships on this website in the past.

Brian Phillips

[David Williams]

Hi Brian.
Cant remember if I been in touch with you before??
I was on the Orelia from 10/5/57 until 2/7/57,not
a very long time,but I can remember her now,a great
little ship.

Dave Williams(R583900)

[Sams Dad]

Saw on this thread some of the ships that my late dad was on, namely MV OREMINA, ORELIA and OREGIS as well as REDEFIELD. My dad was an asststant steward. Does anyone have any recollection of him?

His name was colin Langley R645039 from Swansea. A lot like daishop1 he sailed a lot from swansea, cardiff and tilbury. He had 7 journeys between Swansea/tilbury/hamburg/rotterdam/swansea from 09/0/1957 to 01.09.1957.

MV OREGIS in 58 and OREGIS in 59.

Anyone remember him?

Regards

Craig

[Hiddlydiddly]

Its great finding this site. My Dad (Derek Smith) was Captain on the Orelia, I guess around the very late fifties/early sixties. He came ashore whilst we livedin Newport about 63 ish and worked for Houlders right up until the mid eighties (vie Furniss Withy/CY Tung etc.). Great to see all the names of the ships - Granges etc. it really takes me back. Dad is still active and living in West Wales. I must tell him about the site. Anyone remember him?