Request for help please - Blue Funnel

[Frances Robinson]

I have been asked to help a man who was on Blue Funnel ships from 1952 to 1968 who has an asbestos disease. He says he went to South Africa and Fremantle on occasions and handled asbestos cargo. I am trying to back up what he says from anyone who might confirm they too went to South Africa and Fremantle and can confirm asbestos was cargo. His name is William Morris. Maybe you remember him? Or maybe you were on the ships at the same time or in years close to the time he was on them. Any help would be gratefully received.

Thank you.

Fran Robinson

I am copying below all the ships he was on and the dates in case that helps.

AENEAS– 13.10.52 - 6.11.52


MARON – 21.7.53 to 2.8.53. 19.12.60 to 11.4.61. 11.4.61 to 28.4.61

PYRRHUS 7.8.53 to 10.11.53. 17.11.53 to 28.11.53. 7.12.53 to13.3.54. 18.3.54 to 30.3.54. 6.4.54 to 11.7.54. 15.7.54 to 28.7.54. 7.8.54 to 9.11.54. 7.4.55 to 1.7.55 21.7.55 to 7.8.55.
28.11.55 to 11.3.56.
PATROCLUS 16.9.57 to 28.9.57. 7.10.57 to 10.1.58

NESTOR 3.4.58 to 10.7.58

ASCANIUS 31.7.58 to 2.8.58

AJAX- 15.9.58 to 4.10.58

PERSEUS –17.10.58 to 30.10.58

MENELAUS –18.11.58 to 2.3.59. 4.3.59 to 20.3.59. 3.4.59 to 4.7.59. 18.8.59 to 1.12.59. 10.12.59 to 20.12.59. 2.1.60 to 13.4.60

LAOMEDON–11.9.60 to 29.9.60

AGAPENOR 11.7.61 to 9.8.61

PELEUS–16.8.61 to 30.8.61

CLYTONEOUS –2.9.61 to 14.12.61. 11.1.61 to 30.4.62. 8.5.62 to 11.5.62

MENESTHEUS
24.8.63 to 7.12.63. 1.1.64 to 24.1.64. 20.3.64 to 18.4.64

HELENUS –1.7.64 to 15.7.64

ANTENOR– 22.7.64 to 23.9.642.10.64 to 31.10.64
11.11.64 to 26.11.64

MELAMPUS Nov 1964 to Jan 1965
TANTALUS –21.1.65 to Feb.65

PERSEUS –16.12.65 to 24.2.65

AUTOLYCUS 1.3.65 to 27.3.65



ANTILOCHUS 24.3.67 to 11.7.67. 16.7.67 to 29.7.67. 7.8.67 to 7.8.67


PRIAM –25.2.68 to 29.2.68

AJAX 25.11.60 to 8.12.60. 10.3.68 to 19.3.68


PEISANDER–21.3.68 to 1 4.68

[cappy]

i have a mate who is now really really ill with the asbesosis ....he was with port line ;;;;;when the vessel was in heavy weather the asbestos came down from the engine room tops like snow ....but he cannot prove it was that vessel that gave him this disease

[Frances Robinson]

I've just edited the post because some of the dates were missing when I pasted them in the forum.
Thank you for responses so far. Much appreciated. Fran

[Frances Robinson]

I am so sorry to hear this Cappy.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Fran, we wish you luck on this one, as most of us oldies sailed on ships which had asbestos content, with asbestos clad pipes running through our cabins (all ranks and ratings) as it was the de-riguer pipe cladding at the time on steamships. Unfortunately most shipping companies no longer exist nor are their names remembered. Blue Funnel/Alfred Holt lasted longer than most and may have interests beyond the shipping sphere, as most shipping companies divested their interests in ships and went into the construction industry which was booming in the 60's to 80's when shipping was declining.

There is a Blue Funnel section on the internet, but trying to get any ex employee to say anything against them may be like trying to get blood out of a stone.

Sorry to be so negative, but we have found through our long careers that shipowners stick together and seamen are just numbers and are dispensable, or should that be disposable, but if we can help, we will.

[Frances Robinson]

Thank you Ivan. Hope springs eternal as they say and maybe somebody will be able to help Mr Morris.

[john walker]

I was wrongly diagnosed in January 2020 with what was first thought to be lung cancer. The hospital went into overdrive as after questioning by a consultant ,I had stated (As mentioned by Ivan) That most ships had numerous pipes and even fire fighting equipment lagged with asbestos. I also had been on Union Castle owned cargo ship that took regular bagged cargoes of the mineral from South Africa to the UK/Europe in the late 60's/70's. There were no special rules in place when loading the cargo unlike other dangerous cargoes loaded today the dust would be floating around the deck spaces and cargo areas.
There are no time limitations at the moment when it comes to compensation for asbestos related occupational diseases. When I started looking at pointing a finger of blame towards the shipping company I discovered that even though the shipping companies may be defunct there was a ruling that had gone through (I think ) the House of Lords that made the insurers of the company/ships or cargo liable to compensation payments. The government also set up a scheme in 2012 that pays up to 123,000 pounds for Asbestos related Mesothelioma and those who have been negligently exposed to asbestos and who cannot trace a liable employer or employees liability insurer.
I have had a quick look on google and I am sure that by entering some of the things like asbestos compensation you will find plenty of helpful advice there is also an abundance of information on the mining of asbestos in South Africa and the resulting health problems for those involved, as far as I have looked it started in 1928 and did not finish until 2002. I have no idea if you have a lawyer or where to get one as there are plenty of the no claim/no pay variety on line but you can maybe contact the present day Rail and Maritime Union (R.M.T.) for information on the subject as I know over the years that have sought compensation for ex National Union of Seaman members which your friend would have been at the time. Anyway good luck with your search and I truly hope it proves fruitful .J.W.

[Tony Taylor]

i have a mate who is now really really ill with the asbesosis ....he was with port line ;;;;;when the vessel was in heavy weather the asbestos came down from the engine room tops like snow ....but he cannot prove it was that vessel that gave him this disease

Most of the jobs I was on were like that every time you went astern, showering the manoeuvring platform.

[Frances Robinson]

Dear John Walker.

Mr Morris has a solicitor and they have asked me to do some research around the Blue Funnel Ships. You bring up some interesting points though and I shall explore all of them.

Thank you very much for responding to my post. Fran

[Ivan Cloherty]

#8 Thank you John, very useful leads indeed.