Port Nicholson 1975

[Dex]

I was an AB from Scotland on the Port Nicholson almost all of 1975 was 'working by' then did the run job to Cardiff before a foreign trip to Hobart, via Port Melbourne. We were delayed in Hobart because the apples were not ready for picking. This gave us time for an adventure with local girls and some Hell's Angels, big Football match against a German ship (I think). The Hobart Bridge was down during this trip, a local ship hit one of the legs and a section had collapsed. I was sailing with my mate, Mr Dee EDH from Wigan, who met his future wife ashore on this trip. I still keep in touch with them; they stayed with us last year when they visited from Oz. Others on that trip were Terry EDH, Ross AB from Merthyr Tydfil, SuperTaff AB/EDH from Cardiff, 'Bruce Lee' not his real name a Steward. We hired a van & caravan and toured around England in the summer of 1975, it was hot but not as hot as the following summer.

I made the mistake of rejoining after leave. Same ship, different crew, different atmosphere. I was told by some wise seaman many years before that it was unwise to rejoin a ship that you had so much fun on. Anyway I did the same thing a few years later and both trips were good fun, so I’m not superstitious. Anyone out there from the Port Nicholson in 1975??

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Dex (Is this your real name please?)
Would just like to give you a warm Welcome to this very good site!
Here you will find lots of info,good Crew and with luck also find a few old Shipmates!
So sit back,relax and just enjoy the trip!
Hope we will have you here for a long time!
A site truly worthy of the British Merchant Navy!
Cheers

If this applies to you then please do send in your details!
Note Well

If you would like to join in and have your Full name R Number and First Ship
Included in the Flag project then please pass it on to Mike Hall who is doing a Main Flag for all
to be displayed some time in one of the UK Museums!
We need your names to get the New Flag full,so please do respond!
Thank you
Vernon (castleman)

Please go to following Link

http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=1974

Or reply to me in person! Via Private Message Link above below I will pass on the info!


http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/p...?do=newpm&u=18

If any new Members or old ones too want a bit of info on the Flag Projects please
Go to the following Links where you can see Pics and Write ups on this subject!
Thanks

http://www.merchant-navy.net/gallery...ry.php?cat=558



If you have already done this then please accept my apologies!

[Dex]

Hi Vernon,
My real name is Derek, but throught my 'deep sea' days in the MN I was known as Dex or Del.

[Mike Hall]

now we have your real name,can we have your surname.
mike

[Doc Vernon]

Thanks Derek
Good to have you aboard!
Now that we know your name as requested can we get more details from you for our Flag!?
Thanks Dex!

[Ian Hunter 1]

Hi Dex,
Was on Port Nicholson 1975 as Junior engineer. Joined her in Hamburg July,did the Gulf ports then on to Tauranga N.Zealand, Paid off late December at Singapore.I do seem to remember an AB called Russ or Ross from Cardiff. Was my first trip at sea, Where you on her when we went to the aid of a Fishing Vessel in the Great Barrier Reef and the guys came back with sacks full of Prawns.
Regards, Ian Hunter.

[Derek Bates]

Yes, I was on-board at that time, we paid off in Singapore at anchor on Christmas Eve.

[Dennis Earle]

Hi I was a deck boy on the Port Pirie and my friend another deck boy Jimmy Wadel who was from Greenock been trying to trace Jimmy for years I heard he passed away have you ever came across Jim? Sammy Logan was our bosun maybe you have come across him? I went on to join Holder Brothers, Royal Mail, New Zealand Shipping Company said from KG5 docks London and also from Hull and Prescott street London. Baltic boats, Silver Line, Canadian Pacific beaver boats. Remember the Royston Grange I was on the Hardwick Grange very tragic accident 73 were lost.

[gray_marian]

Hi Dennis, Any idea of Jimmy's birth year?

[Neil Morton]

Hi Dex and welcome. I believe it to be true about a certain crew giving a ship a unique atmosphere. Once they are broken up, for what ever reason, that ship never is the same. Must be a chemistry thing. During my 7 years at sea three ships stick in my mind. Huntingdon, Middlesex, and Port New Plymouth and I still have friends from those voyages to this day.