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17th September 2017, 01:20 AM
#41
Re: Transvaal Castle/ S.A.Vaal
Hi, was ship's photographer on board before and after name change. Gave up being ships photographer and trained as R/O and spent several years with Maersk on Danish Flag ships.
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8th July 2018, 04:01 PM
#42
Re: Transvaal Castle/ S.A.Vaal
Hia Peter, i was on the Transvaal/Vaal from 25/08/1964 to 02/12/1968. was a very very good ship, i was messman/utility stwd and peak Stwd,.
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16th July 2018, 10:29 PM
#43
Re: Transvaal Castle/ S.A.Vaal
Thanks for the posts guys, I sailed as extra 2nd & 2nd engineer on S.A.Vaal in 1971, she was a lovely ship and they were happy days. Now trying to put together an article comparing the pax vsls of 1960's/70's with the modern monsters, can anybody assist with engine room manning level for the Vaal, I think it was C/E, 1st, 2nd, extra 2nd, junr 2nd, 3rd, extra 3rd, junr 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, Chief Elect, 2 x asst elec, Chief Refrig, 2 x asst refrig, 1 x D/man + 3 x oilers/watch plus daywork squad. Can anyone give me more definite listings. Also interested in any confirmation details for the main machinery specification (Turbines/Boilers/Evaporators/Demin plant/Turbo & diesel alternators) and any performance/consumtpion data. Any input will be gratefully received.
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17th July 2018, 03:13 AM
#44
Re: Transvaal Castle/ S.A.Vaal
If you look on the b&c staff register site it has the ships lists
Home they go back several years so you can check the Manning of any of the ships
I had a funny feeling that there was he for 2nd 3rd and 4th electrician on the SA Vaal , and I thought that it was all scheme alternators as opposed to a choice of Steam and diesel but I'm sure that Vic has a much better memory of it than I have
Last edited by robpage; 17th July 2018 at 03:16 AM.
Rob Page R855150 - British & Commonwealth Shipping ( 1965 - 1973 ) Gulf Oil -( 1973 - 1975 ) Sealink ( 1975 - 1986 )
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17th July 2018, 08:54 AM
#45
Re: Transvaal Castle/ S.A.Vaal
The SA Vaal had four 1500kw alternators and three 250kw Petbow RR emergency diesels.
She carried 4 electricians.
I believe that the boilers (3) were of Foster Wheeler design
Her turbines were two hp,two intermediate and two LP
Vic
Ps voltage was 440v AC.
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17th July 2018, 02:54 PM
#46
Re: Transvaal Castle/ S.A.Vaal
Out of all the variety of generators that I sailed with over the years the Rolls-Royce straight eight D-Type 1800 RPM 60 cycle generator which I think was supposed to be swapped over for a complete exchange unit every 25000 hours was the most unreliable troublesome unit that I ever came across
Rob Page R855150 - British & Commonwealth Shipping ( 1965 - 1973 ) Gulf Oil -( 1973 - 1975 ) Sealink ( 1975 - 1986 )
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17th July 2018, 04:32 PM
#47
Re: Transvaal Castle/ S.A.Vaal
If memory serves m coorectly there were two companies using the RR engine, Pelafone (or similar name) and Petbow. Petbow had the more reliable controls.
Vic
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17th July 2018, 05:58 PM
#48
Re: Transvaal Castle/ S.A.Vaal
the Woodward governors were very complicated , but because the swap out overhaul hours went from 25.000 to 32,000 the mechanical reliability was the pits
Rob Page R855150 - British & Commonwealth Shipping ( 1965 - 1973 ) Gulf Oil -( 1973 - 1975 ) Sealink ( 1975 - 1986 )
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17th July 2018, 07:07 PM
#49
Re: Transvaal Castle/ S.A.Vaal
Other problems with them were:-
Weight of the alternator rotor was at the maximum distance separation for the bearing support.
The non-drive end of the exciter was unsupported (no bearing) and tend to rub on the exciter stator.
Vic
Last edited by vic mcclymont; 17th July 2018 at 07:18 PM.
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17th July 2018, 07:11 PM
#50
Re: Transvaal Castle/ S.A.Vaal
I wasn't aware of that problem Vic , the fact they used to throw con rods out of the side was scary enough for me
Rob Page R855150 - British & Commonwealth Shipping ( 1965 - 1973 ) Gulf Oil -( 1973 - 1975 ) Sealink ( 1975 - 1986 )
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