Bridge destroyed by a containership

[Tony Taylor]

John, smith's dock closed in 1987 I think, housing on the site now, I haven't been there for years but I think they kept 1 or 2 docks as marinas.
Had some good times in the jungle, good job the bus used to come down the bank to the ferry landing.
Regards Michael

In early 80s I used to visit Smiths at least once a week; I used to see the fitting shop manager, it was huge and lots of men working in there as well as the guys actually onboard the vessels in dock.
Always got clear before knocking off time as it was like a tidal wave of humanity surging out of the gates; it was also a good idea to get through Wallsend as well before Swans chucked out as you couldnt get past the yard till it subsided.

[j.sabourn]

Tony a good friend of mine was a ship repair manager in Smiths a Bill Irving from Tynemouth he went with Port line in his early years and got his Chiefs ticket , and sailed as Cheng deep sea and offshore where we sailed together over the years. He was sadly drowned in the North Sea in 1989, from a Seaboard offshore vessel. To make me feel worse it occurred within days of me leaving the vessel and I didn’t find out until my return to same ship. One of my reasons for finding work elsewhere. As regards Smiths I had 2 uncles worked there both Riveters at the time . Cheers JS

[Gerald Farr]

On one of our News reports here in Oz they said that the authorities had recovered the ship's Black Box. Firstly the vision made it appear as large as a rubbish bin and secondly I didn't think it had been lost, I think it was more likely to have been impounded or even confiscated but not recovered, also as one of our members has already said it was reported that there was the vital two minutes when the accident happened the recording is missing but surely that would happen if there was a total power failure. Back when I was at sea we didn't implement the operation of our black box until we had rung off "end of passage" and were either proceeding to anchor or pick up the Pilot. Only a record of all engine movements and their time was kept back then along with the time of dropping or weighing the anchor. Also if I remember correctly it wasn't even called a black box, I believe it was called a Third Mate with a notebook and pencil.

[happy daze john in oz]

Black box on cruise ships, know this from asking and seeing, is painted yellow and sits on the fore deck.
It has it's own source of power, battery back up, in case there is a major power break down.
Maybe this ship did pot have such, but would have thought such an item would have to have some form of back up.
Sounds very convenient that the two vital minutes are missing.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Bill
Your post #90 The reason I asked John about the Wilhelm? Ruys is because when in Antwerp back in the never never, me and my mate where in a bar, surprise, surprise, and this girl came in, with apologise to my wife she was the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. My mate Joe Driscoll immediatey was in there, but before he could even talk to her a group of Indonesians surrounded her to keep us away, she was a stewardess on the Wilhelm Ruys and they where her crew mates.
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

Bit in the news today.
Another ship just missed a large bridge in the New York area.
Has some shipping company got it in for USA/

[John Arton]

#96
That was a MSC container ship that lost power as it was passing under the verrazo narrows bridge but the actual bridge was not in danger, the ship had tug Escort at the time.
As regards the Baltimore bridge incident there is hope that a reduced depth channel will be shortly be opened to allow the roro car carriers and smaller container ships can access the inner port berths.
The USCG have upped their inspection criteria to include actual checks on crews ability to cope with loss of propulsion incidents.
Rgds
J.A.

[Derek Overton]

Feeling my age at the present time!! when we went into Baltimore the bridge wasn't there

[j.sabourn]

Derek in your other post which comes up on my IPad like a sheet of foolscap with no way of replying…. Re the Dartmoor was one of the ships I was on as second mate and belonged to Sir Walter Runcimans and Co. Ltd. Apart from all the other company ships I was on think I was only on the Dartmoor for coasting UK and loading and discharging general cargo so may have been the trip you left , think it was about the early 60s will have a look in my book tomorrow to see what dates was there. It was a fill in job until I rejoined my own ship which think was the Hazelmoor. Who was the master when you were there? Was it Bradfield or Lamb ? Was with the Moor line for 11 years . Cheers JS

[j.sabourn]

#99 . 0900 hrs. W.A. Derek how wrong can one’s memory be. I was on the Dartmoor as 3 mate on HT articles for 6 days in January 1958 and the master was Bradfield. Cheers JS.

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#99 . 0900 hrs. W.A. Derek how wrong can one’s memory be. I was on the Dartmoor as 3 mate on HT articles for 6 days in January 1958 and the master was Bradfield. Cheers JS….