The A boat run to B A

[busbar]

Hi All,

Never sailed on an A Class, but I stood by the Aragon in London as relief lecky (1965). I worked on the Amazon and Arlanza in H & W Belfast as an apprentice electrician. I see others did'nt think much of the Essequibo, but I had a great time on her. I first joined her in Avonmouth as relief, during a dockers' strike. I think we spent nearly five weeks there. Bristol was a great place, plenty of pubs, and my first night club and stripper! Then two trips on her to the WCSA. Ah, the memories!! Does anyone know if the Yakko Bar in Callao still exists? The second trip we were on charter to the Dutch line KNSM, and had our funnel painted in their colours. The biggest mistake I ever made was leaving Royal Mail early!
Anyhow, enough for now.

Cheers all,

David Chambers
R804438

[steve]

When exactly were you on the happyest ship afloat, gay weddings at sea, remember the Count? I stagered back to her in B.A. in the we hours at sweet 16 and got a guys tounge in my throat, scared me ****less as I locked my self in my cabin with a frustrated man hamering on my door, That was the only gay incident i experienced, there seemed to be a huge number of gays on that ship. I did three trips on her, monkeys in lockers, even a python in the plate locker. 1st 2nd and 3rd class passengers and cargo. 28,000 tons I think she was. I dont remember what year maybe 54 ish? I would realy like to know, Maybe someone can remember what year a tug broke its cable in B.A. so we listed heavily as it snapped. I sailed on the Southern cross after that, what a come down saddest ship afloat, I left her in New Zealand, got stuck in Mount Eden nick 6 months later and was sent back DBS on the Karamia. then followed the French Foreign Legion and more missadventures, which is why I have trouble working out what year what happened, Now at 70 ime trying to piece it all together. sorry my spellings so atrociouse steve.

[rigger]

hi steve i was also in mount eden 1957 bailed out of ss mataroa auckland it was her last trip not befor time im also 70 now i worked in the rock breaking gang some tough men in there glad to get out

[Dennis McGuckin]

ref post#51

Remember them in Bombay!
Den.

[Dennis McGuckin]

Aw Capt. You have gone and burst my bubble. Always fancied a trip back to BA.

[steve]

hi rigger ta for your message, they locked me in a padded cell first night and there must be a railway running just outside the place what a shock when a train passes and you dont know about it I was given one to six pending deportation , then they found i was to young and hooked me out after a few days, I never did see the outside! I guese you never do? Rigger I am trying to find anyone who saied on La Estancia Burries Matks line on her 1st trip which started from M****ille mid 1960 with a crew flown out from London. by now Steve

[Pants]

No never made tha A boats (not good enough)
Made my first 2 trips to sea on the Pardo and went to Rosario both times
Did a trip on the Highland Monarch,one on the Deseado,2 on the Highland Brigade
I did my last 2 trips at sea on the Darro
Having read that no bars are left there I have no desire to return.
It was while on the Highland Brigade that Juan Peron was ousted so the Bristish Embassy said there was to be no shore leave, however the Captain Trevor Powell said he wouldnt stop us if we wanted so went ashore only to find the bars closed,so spent 3 weeks drinking out the 'pig'

B.A. no drink = no good

[Patrick Collins]

Hello David Williams, I joined the Alcantara in Oct 1953 as a lift boy, then page boy then Pursers page,left end of 54 rejoined July 55 as asst linen keeper, of all the ships I sailed in the Alci was the best,as you say David, she was the best tipper and money maker I ever sailed in, I have only recently found this site and I cant tell you how the memories have come flooding back, we may have been on the Alcantara at the same time, hope to hear from you,Patrick R587805.

[Rodney Jenkins]

Hi, did one trip on the Aragon in late 64, really enjoyed it, but as I rolled my own fags, I couldn't understand the big west indian engine room rating, when he kept saying I needed cartons of ready mades? so I bought a couple of packs, and never regreted it!! I used those Board of trade anti VD kits, but it did tend to take the romance out of it, having to join all the other blokes in the bogs, scrubbing at your you know what.

[lima]

Hi,
I did my first trip to sea as deckboy on the Deseado,we went from Barry to Esberg and loaded potatoes for B.Aires. The crew were mostly from Barry where i live and looked after me as i was as green as grass,typical Royal Mail though with the class barriers.Skipper was RNR and ran the ship like the navy but it was'nt too bad. Loaded meat in Rosario,La Plata and tomatoes on deck from Las Palmas. Paid off Liverpool Dec23rd and headed home and had a very merry Christmas with the boy's in the "Chain Locker".
Ray. L Barry