I sailed on the Hemisinus & Hemicardium in the early 70's also on the Marisa (first trip) and later the Drupa (Lightening ship)
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I sailed on the Hemisinus & Hemicardium in the early 70's also on the Marisa (first trip) and later the Drupa (Lightening ship)
Post is a bit old but Joseph may read it!
Cheers
John, I would second that statement, I was admitted to hospital in Curacao with bad guts and was pretty ropey for first 4 / 5 days; got regular visits from SA who kept my spirits up, they brought mags, chewing gum etc. Eventually told me about another Shell guy in same hospital with broken leg, and I got moved into same room as him, turned out I knew him so made my stay a bit better (sorry I I drank all your beer Jumbo, but it would have spoiled sitting under your bed).
I joined the Hemicardium in London on Christmas Eve 1966 as J O S. We sailed for Curacao then the east coast of the States. I was also on the Horomya, Venasa, Voluta, Marisa and a few others. Seven years with Shell and I enjoyed all my time with them.
###only one shell tanker the hemiplecta ......after a couple of trampers she was like the ritz hotel ....steam turbine ...18 knots compared to 8 to 10 knots with a following sea on the tramps good feeder happy days ..maricaibo......down the plate ...some good ports ...tanker joes in BA oh them steaks in BA ....BA boots and jackets ..in 59 happy days looking for a yacht called gold doubloon sent sos nothing ever found i was told .......cappy
Harpula x 2
Hemitrochus - lube oiler, ex Eagle oil, great runs and good time in port.
Hemisinus - aka Saigon Flyer
All old, but like any vessel, hard work at keeping them good minimised problems.
She was a very nice ship, I believe she was the first all aft tanker in the Shell fleet (maybe first ever). Built at Smiths Haverton Hill, very well designed and laid out engine room. Good accomodation, stone fireplaces (ha ha) in officers bar , saloon and senior officers cabins . Was being built for Eagle Oil, but was bought while on stocks by Shell
Joined Hadra in 1958 at Stanlow. First trip as DA went Curaçao, Argentina, Uraguay ,Nigeria loaded at Port Harcourt worst place in the world then and probably still is. Drydocked in Falmouth.Eventually paid off Shellhaven after 16 months after leaving ship in Venezwala and coming to U.K. on the gas turbine tanker Auris. Second ship Horamya went right round world from curaçao to NZ, to Gulf Rotterdam then Borneo Hong Kong many ports paid off Rouen France came home on train and ferry. No other H boats. They were hard working ships which were also hard work and even then old tech.
I was on the AURIS from 19 August 1959 to 18 October 1959,
From Camel Lairds after being given a new Gast Turbine engine, just went to Curacao and stayed there, I was shanghaied on a Topsail Schooner for a few weeks and the Auris was still there when I got back to Curacao, Captain Brown let me off with a logging as he was an old Sailing shoip[ man, served his apprenticeship on the Cape Horner, MONKBARNS.
Good trip.