Arisaig Greenock 1971

[Robert George Young]

Dad sailed on this ship 1971

Went to Murmansk where he had been involved in the Arctic Convoys nearly 30 years previous...

Wonder if anybody knows about this run from Irlam?
Interesting voyage as he was on same ship in Monrovia 6 weeks later

a bit warmer!

[j.sabourn]

Believe she was an ore carrier Robert, others can confirm this. Going to Murmansk would of been for Iron Ore which many on site have done. There would have been no need for your Dad to jump ship on this one as only had to give 72 hours notice to leave , and one of the longest trips away from the UK was 6 weeks. In between Murmansk and Monrovia would have been back to the UK so could have left legally if he wanted before going to Monrovia. So he didnt leave every ship in disgrace whatever you may think. I think by the law of averages there must be someone at least who sailed with your Dad on site, could be even me if was the right ship , but I have a helluva a memory for names , but with a reputation as you think your Dad had feel sure would have remembered. I was on 4 ore carriers at various times and the crews on such were mostly men who wanted more closer contacts with families ashore , and not the long periods away. JS

[Brenda Shackleton]

Hello Robert
Do you know which Arctic Convoys your Dad sailed on?
Brenda

[Robert George Young]

Brenda

Dad was part of this operation
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oper...odwood_(naval)

I received Arctic Star a few years ago.

The next deployment for the group was Operation Goodwood, a diversionary air raid on the German Battleship Tirpitz hiding in a fiord in Northern Norway as cover for a Russian convoy, the group sailed from Belfast on 12 August 44 to join up with the rest of the ships involved at Scapa Flow.

When the operation began the 5th EG were to act as A/S screen to the two Escort Carriers H.M.S.Nabob and Trumpeter, a Cruiser and a flotilla of Fleet Destroyers, tension rose as they entered the Barents Sea, the hunting ground of the U-Boats and of course they found that the asdic operators were having difficulty due to the layering of the different water temperatures, which led to the sad ending to the operation.

Just after the aircraft returned from their operation, the force was due to turn west for a refuelling rendzvous when a torpedo hit the carrier Nabob and was settling by the stern, Commander McIntyre ordered the diesel division to screen Trumpeter and the cruiser H.M.S.Kent and ordered all ships to stream Foxers, but at that moment Bickerton was hit in the stern by a torpedo which destroyed the whole after part of the ship.

They escorted a convoy on way up
I’ll try to find number
I think it was JY59
But could be wrong letters

Thank you
Bob

[Robert George Young]

Goodwood was timed to coincide with the passage of convoys JW 59 and RA 59A

[j.sabourn]

Robert I certainly hope on your 70th birthday next month you can achieve peace of mind on having a better idea of your fathers life and think a bit more if necessary of him .He as so like many more of his era .Today he maybe looked on as out of today’s asperations of what they think as correct . But during his life he was so like many others and many can put themselves in similar positions .I hope the author for your book can see through the veils of our so called civilisation and see the true man underneath warts and all .He was your father and you have every right to be proud of his achievements in his own life span.you are getting on in years yourself and will be hoping you were right in your assumptions , by following your posts you were.Dont compare then and now it never works
Regards JS

[Robert George Young]

John,

I got peace of mind.
When looking back I ridiculously wish I had the brain I’ve had in recent years back in the 70’s and 80’s.
In some ways I expect a lot of us do. I might have understood him more. Maybe?

I’ve told lady that is writing the book the truth. Good and bad.

Dad was a rascal. Not suited to the life mum wanted in the 50’s.
Many things contributed to Dad’s outlook. The war, the only thing he really knew, the sea
His tough character and certainly the booze.

Me and him got on ok on the rare occasions we seen each other.
Thank you for all your help and insight into the subjects I’ve been posting recently.
The more information I get, the more I appreciate the man.

[Denis O'Shea]

Robert no matter what you may have found out, he was still your Dad. Den

[vic mcclymont]

ARISAIG
O.N. 185788. 6872g. 3115n. 427.5 x 57.3 x 25.4 feet
Oil engine 2SCSA Doxford type 600 x 2320mm, 2500BHP. Speed 10.5knots.
3.6.1957: Launched by Lithgows Limited (yard No.1110) Port Glasgow for Scottish Ore Carriers Limited (J & J Denholm, managers, Glasgow). 09.1957: Completed.
01.05.1972: Arrived Faslane for demolition by Shipbreaking Industries Ltd.

Vic

[j.sabourn]

Think originally she was built for Port Talbot ,as Port Talbot was restricted for Size for getting in /out lockwise. Think Irlam did as well. Cheers JS