A Kind of Loving

[Roger Dyer]

I can still see her clearly, even now.......................................

................a Sunday morning, one November in London, long ago. She lay there quietly, the pale winter sun leaving part of her in shadow, yet there was no mistaking the indefinable beauty of her. She didn't know I was leaving her and had she done so I still doubt she would have cared.

Our relationship had started in July, just a few short months earlier. I would always remember that first sight of her when she came into my life. That certain aloof gracefulness, she, seemingly unaffected by all that was happening about her. In that moment she had become the underlying object of my attention. Of course, she had known other men, but I would sometimes wonder if they had shared my own depth of feeling. At first meeting I had been little more than a lad and yet much later, long after we parted, I would realise that she had been an integral part of my becoming a man.

I can still recall those warm, almost balmy nights, where in the darkness of the post-midnight hours, we would share a certain intimacy as she moved beneath me responding quickly to my gentle touch. There had also been other occasions when she had acted much differently, seemingly affected by external forces, thrashing about violently before, finally, allowing me to have my way with her.

Like most of her kind she had led an unsettled life, forever seeking new surroundings. She certainly knew her way around and took me to many exciting places, most of which she had visited before, but to me they were then so unfamiliar. They were the sort of places I had often longed to visit but could never afford. I had a wonderful time and just loved being in her company.

Eventually, the time came for us to go our separate ways, just as I knew it would. Her future I could not be a part of for I now had other plans and where she was going I no longer cared to go. I knew with certainty that from now on she would gain the attention of other men. It had been that way before we met and for her it would always be that way. I also knew that most men would treat her just as I had done. I drew comfort from the knowledge that for me there would be others with whom I would become attached although, perhaps, it would never be quite the same as it had been with her.

With suitcase in hand I turned and walked away, struck by a fleeting sadness that I would never see her again. I looked back at her one final time, but she just lay there completely unaware of the poignancy of the moment.

In the after years I was to meet one or two others who had known her and who spoke of her with obvious affection. I would also, occasionally, see pictures of her, but that was all. I had loved her, but we were destined to remain apart. Never again would I sail in a merchant ship with the same beauty and grace of line as that of Port Line's 'Port Sydney'.


............................Roger.

[happy daze john in oz]

Great story Roger, but sadly like so many other graceful ladies of repute, she no doubt met her end in most ungracious manner on some foreign beach. Torn asunder by the ravages of men.

[Captain Kong]

Excellent story Roja,
you had me going for a while, I had visions of a young lady I once knew, bringing back wonderful memories, until it suddenly ended on Ghadani Beach. Pakistan.
Cheers
Brian.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Well said Roger, we have all that favourite love, but unfortunately not all were as pretty as Port Sydney or some of the other Port Line ships. Its always nice to walk along the quay and be proud to go up the gangway rather than hoping no one sees you!

[Pete Leonard (Bruno)]

Nice one Roger. I think you might have missed your vocation, a poet maybe?
I can't say that I ever felt that much love for a ship. I suppose if you have the right crew you can feel a certain affection for the vessel no matter how glamorous or ugly she is.
Cheers
Pete

[Neil Morton]

Being in the catering dept one had little or nothing to do with the mechanics that drive a well designed craft, however the beauty you describe so well is/was never lost on me. I seved in four graceful Port Line vessels, my favourite being the "New Plymouth."
Cheers and thanks Roger.

[Roger Dyer]

Hello John (Happy Daze) and Shipmates.............John, your post #2 refers.

Your comment regarding the demise of so many old ships is, sadly, true - a fact of life. We have all seen the pictures of those ships which have reached their use-by-date, run up on some Asian beach to await the dismemberment that soon follows - the 'ship-breakers' ripping away at them like vultures on a carcass. I am, however, delighted to report that, thus far, my old love the 'Port Sydney (or that part of her still remaining in her present guise) has managed to defer her appointment with the wreckers.

Launched in 1954, she commenced service with Port Line the following year, primarily for use on the U.K. - Australia - N.Z. run, carrying refrigerated and general cargo. Like her sister ship the 'Port Melbourne', the 'Sydney' had a service speed of 16-17 knots which for a passenger/cargo ship was considered fast and compares favourably with most modern day merchantmen. She remained on that trade until 1972 when, with her sister, she was sold to Greek interests. In 1975 both underwent conversion into passenger ships which entailed the complete removal of all the superstructure, finally leaving just the hull and the engines (which I believe are still going strong which says a lot for two 56 year-old 'Doxfords'). I think I also read somewhere that the 'Port Sydney' also bequeathed a windlass and one of it's three cranes, however, don't quote me on that. Nowadays little remains of the ship I knew except for her magnificent hull with that lovely cruiser stern (so popular with Port Line ships as far back as the 1920's). After several changes of name and following a complete re-fit in 2008, the two ships, now known as the Princess Daphne (ex-Port Sydney) and the Princess Danae (ex-Port Melbourne), are owned by Classic International Cruises (C.I.C.) and engaged in a variety of cruises world-wide. Both vessels now fly the Portuguese flag and are registered in Madeira.

For anyone seeking further information see Port Sydney History

..............................cheers, Roger.