Bay of Biscay

[Doug Hardie]

I have had no trouble during many passages have taken over the Bay. In fact in general been very lucky with large storms. Having said that we got caught up in the Great Bhola Cyclone in November 1970 which killed at least 300,000 people in modern-day Bangladesh.
we suffered its wrath for about 3 days It was Hell , no Hot food , sleeping on the deck, kept getting throw out my bunk . Climbing the engine room ladders to get ‘down’ to the manovering plate. We went to the assistance of A tanker when she got in trouble after E room took a large green one and lost power . We were beaten to it by a salvage Tug ( based in Singapore I think) so no share in the salvage if there ever was any. We made port in Chittagong and the death and destruction I witnessed on the approach to the coast and in the port area will never be forgotten .Nature can be terrible and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
Doug

[j.sabourn]

We get cyclones here in W.A. About 4 or 5 a year between October and March . Usually never get further South than Geraldton . The same rule applies as that of given a penicillin jab in the safe quadrant of the right buttock so anyone used to a lot of jabs by leading an indulgent life at sea knows which Quadrant of the cyclone to try and get into. If you don’t it’s time to take up one of the Religions recently discussed and use it as best as can. Cheers JS

[happy daze john in oz]

On the way back on a UCL we called into Maderia and loaded about 100 boxes of Tomato's.
They were stored on the forward deck.
Rough in the Bay, but good news for the guys unloading.
Only about 20 boxes left.


Going across the Great Australian Bight on the 'Paparoa' for three days cold food only it was so rough.
52 crew eating salad and ham twice a day and just toast for breakfast.

Scouce the cook loved it, made a change from working.

[vic mcclymont]

The Bay can be bad, first trip saying through th Bay was bad, that only time it was bad.
Entering the channel can be a bit rough had that a few times.
Also saying between the Canary Islands was rough a few times, especially when light ship.
Vic

[James Curry]

Try going down the West coast of India from the Arabian Gulf during monsoon season no sleep for 3 days at least, 35 degree rolls on an LNG carrier is not fun.

[Peter Gill]

Funny how others experiences bring back memories. I was Mate on a 18,000 ton tanker. We were loaded with lub oils heading Southwards through Biscay bound for Gib. The General alarm sounded at about 1015 am. The Third Mate had spotted a dismasted yacht. Mast and sails lying over the side. We circled it twice but could not raise any contact or interest from it. The Old Man was not keen to move on until we were sure that there was nobody left on board it. We put a ladder over the side and I went down it intending to have a look then jump on board if necessary. There was quite a swell. Just as I was about to jump, the walky talky sqeaked and I held back. Message from Portishead - it had been abandoned. Very gratefully I was soon back on deck. We went around and drove over the top of it and sank it properly.
Job done, we went back to our daily chores. At 6.30 the Bosun came up to the bridge and asked Was that a General Call-out this morning. Yes it was. Ah he said, the 12-4 watckkeeper came out, saw what was going on then went back to his cabin without being told. OK I said, let's have the Old Man deal with him. "Can I sort it instead" said the Bosun, "no need to bother the Old Man. I'm sure I can get him to see the error of his ways".
OK", I said reluctantly. At 20 past 8 that evening, just as I was going on my rounds, there was athump on the cabin door. It was the sailor, banging his head on it. He could not knock as the Bosun had put both hands in the vice in the chippy's store and tightened it up. . He would only say he had fallen over. When I tackled the Bosun later, he said " All hands means All hands and now his are useless. He has learned his lesson and so has everyone else." Both the sailor and Bosun left in the next port. After that I learned to ask more questions before delegating even the simplest of discipline.

[happy daze john in oz]

For some bloods crossing the bay was more of a 'spray;'.
Many attempted to speak with Huey but never understood about windward and leeward.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Going across the Great Australian Bight on the 'Paparoa' for three days cold food only it was so rough.
52 crew eating salad and ham twice a day and just toast for breakfast.

.

Sounds better than the rations we had in WWII, talk about rough! I once had to spend three days in an open neck shirt!

[Julian Norman]

My brother in his wisdom booked a return 'cruise ' across Biscay from Portsmouth to Santander (Brittany Ferries) in October one year with his wife who were going through marital difficulties. After a horrendous couple of crossings they duly divorced shortly afterwards!

[Ivan Cloherty]

139 did the Plymouth-Santander-Plymouth passages across the Bay a few times, mostly winter months Oct - Nov and Feb - March, pleasant weather in Santander at those times, never had a rough crossing, (unlike my professional days) but a lot of passengers thought it was rough and windy (it wasn't), but in reality if you stick your head over the railings of a vessel doing 18/20 knots you will find it windy, same as sticking your head out of a car window at 20 mph.