NO 47 SPRING 2011
L
The
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Newsletter of The Merchant Mariners of Wight
THE MERCHANT MARINERS OF WIGHT
MARK THEIR TENTH ANNIVERSARY
The Max Aitken Museum, Cowes.
Friday 11th March
We could not have chosen a finer venue for this important
day in our calendar than the Max Aitken Museum. For
this choice and, indeed the idea of a celebration, we have
to thank Peter Hedley.
The ambience of this splendid museum with its fine
pictures and artefacts was the perfect background for our
celebrations.
Amongst some seventy guests, we were delighted to
welcome aboard for the occasion, HM Lord Lieutenant,
Major General Martin White, CB CBE, Mr. Andrew
Turner, Member of Parliament, IW and Mrs. Margaret
Plumley, Chairman, Cowes Sea Cadets - TS Osborne.
Unfortunately, due to illness, Mr. Derek Bristow, Chief
Executive of The Federation of Merchant Mariners was
unable to join us.
We were also so very pleased to welcome Mr. Kit
McGinnity, son of our Founder, Tony McGinnity and
Tony’s long time partner, Ms. Georgie Hibberd.
We paid our respects to Tony, for his foresight and strength
of character in founding
our
Association
and
leading us towards the
strong and successful
position which we enjoy
to-day. We will always
remember Tony as ‘A man
who rejected rejection’.
We briefly reviewed our
progress over the years
and it was pleasing to
record that all our
objectives:
Charitable activities,
Promoting the good name
and image of the Merchant
Navy, past and present,
and Comradeship,
have been and continue to be successfully achieved.
Georgie gave us a
charming and amusing
account recalling a few
of
Tony’s
earlier
maritime
business
ventures;
ventures
which on reflection
would perhaps be
better described as
‘adventures’!
Thank
you Georgie.
Mrs. Barbara Stanford, Curator of the Museum was in
attendance to conduct our guests around the museum, for
which, Barbara, we are truly appreciative.
Indeed, a most successful celebration and an occasion that
we will remember for many years to come.
THE OBJECT OF THE MERCHANT MARINERS OF WIGHT
“To bring together like minded people with a professional maritime background and
qualifying for membership, for the purpose of comradeship, social and charitable activities
and to promote the good name and image of The Merchant Navy, past and present.”
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NEW MEMBER
Mr William (Bill) Gardner
Age Profile of MMW
Mr Gardner began seagoing at the age of eight,
sailing with his father on five Ellerman’s ships, of
which his father was Master. At the age of 16 Bill
was signed on as ‘AB’.
After studying
Environmental Chemistry at
University, Bill worked in financial services before
joining the RNLI and was coxswain of the St Abbs
lifeboat for 9 years. Redundancy led to him
studying to become an instructor teaching RYA
and MCA courses; he now lives at Cowes and
lectures at Red Ensign Maritime Solution Co.
Bill was the Guest Speaker at the February
luncheon and informed and entertained us with his
talk on Current Maritime Training Arrangements.
We Welcome him Aboard!
TRAINING SHIP SAFETY CALL AFTER
CADET DEATH
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The Membership Secretary, Paul Hartstone, would
like to remind members that subscriptions are due
for this year and that his new address is:
10 Admiral Gardens
Cowes
Isle of Wight
PO31 7XE
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At the Friday 18 February Committee meeting I was asked to
determine the age profile of our membership of the MMW
from the Archive.
The results are as follows:
Sample population (from Archive pro-formas): 23
Age range: 50-06
Mean:
72.87 (say 73)
Median
74
Mode:
73 & 74
So there we have it, the average age of the members held in the
Archive is 73.
I hope this may prove of some use but it confirms our
suspicions.
There was no violation of the DPA during this survey and no horses
were injured during the making of this production.
The Marine Society & Sea Cadets has been urged to improve its
safety procedures following the death of a 14-year-old sea cadet
Jonathon Martin onboard TS Royalist last May. He fell 25 ft
from the foremast of the ship when he had been helping to furl
the topsail while the vessel was taking part in celebrations to
mark the 150th anniversary of the cadet movement.
The MAIB recommended that the MSSC and the Royal Navy
both review their safety management procedures and reduce the
risks to anyone participating in ‘this challenging but potentially
dangerous activity’.
Nautilus International telegraph
k out
Newsletter of The Merchant Mariners of Wight
MARINERS' GROUP
GROWING
By County Press Reporter Tuesday,
February 11, 2003
By Peter Orchard
THE Merchant Mariners of
Wight's third AGM was a time for
celebration, with membership
continuing to grow.
More than 50 people now make
up the group, much to the delight
of association chairman Tony
McGinnity, who was re-elected to
the post for a fourth year.
Mr McGinnity talked about the
rapid growth in numbers and
reflected on the events of the past
year, which included visits by a
number of distinguished speakers
including Vice-Admiral Sir James
Weatherall, former marshall of the
Diplomatic Corps.
He told members of the growing
reputation of the Island group in
maritime circles.
Meanwhile a new charitable
initiative is being developed to
support other maritime-based
groups.
Last year donations were made to
the Ocean Youth Trust and the
Merchant Navy Band.
HOW TO LAUNCH A LIFEBOAT? - CAN YOU HELP?
I have been passed a letter from a lady in Ryde who writes:
‘Some years ago I worked for a fishmonger who, on cashing up at the end of the
day used to recite a ryme he learnt while in the Merchant Navy about the correct
way to launch a lifeboat.
He said that they were taught this as an easy way to remember.
I cannot now remember how it went and would like to know it again.’
Can anyone help? - Ed
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Minutes of AGM held at the New Holmwood, Cowes,
Friday 25th March 2011
The Chairman, Graham Hall took the chair and opened the meeting at 11.30 hrs, welcoming 22 members.
1
2
3
4
Apologies for absence
Hedley Kett, Jack LeBrecht, Richard Carpenter, Graham Ferris, Tony Westmore, Paul Townsend, Brian
Hedley, Martin Scott & Georgie Hibberd. (Apologies were also received from invited guest Derek Bristow)
Approval of Minutes of 2011 AGM
Proposed by Tony Brindle, seconded by Andrew Asher, unanimously approved and signed by the Chairman.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
Chairman’s Report
The Chairman reported as below:
As we reach the end of another year I can report that your Association continues to flourish due in no small
part to the support of the membership.
Financially we remain in a sound position with our charity fund reaching expectations as Alan will report in a
moment.
This year your committee have decide to award the Tony McGinnity Memorial Award to Cowes Sea Cadet
Corps to help with their excellent work with young people and we will be making that award to their
Chairman, Margaret Plumley, following our lunch when Margaret will be describing their activities. Whilst
on the subject we must thank them for providing our standard bearer where we have been represented, the
smart professional way the Cadets have conducted themselves is a credit to you.
We will also be making a donation to the Federation of Merchant Mariners who do so much to enhance the
profile of the Merchant Navy. Unfortunately, their Chief Executive, Derek Bristow, cannot be with us today
due to illness.
During the past year two stalwart members, Ian Card and Molly Burman have passed away. We remember
them with gratitude.
Our membership remains reasonably steady at the 63 mark and we are still recruiting new members and
welcome Bill Gardner, our speaker in February.
The programme of events is designed to provide you with a series of interesting and enjoyable experiences, we
hope our speakers were varied and interesting. The visit to the Inshore Lifeboat Centre was a successful
‘awayday’. We must thank Robin for hosting our garden party in June, as always a great success, and our
anniversary celebration at The Prospect was certainly successful. We have received many complimentary
comments from our visitors and guests. All of these events take much organising and we thank our events
secretaries for all their hard work and expertise.
The Association was represented at:Veteran’s Day in June
Merchant Navy Day at Tower Hill
The Service for Seafarers at St Paul’s in October
The Remembrance Day Parades at Newport and Cowes
I am sure you will agree we have been splendidly supported here at the New Holmwood Hotel and we thank
them for all their efforts.
On a more personal level I would like to thank all the committee for their support during the year and I’m
sure I reflect the views of everybody in saying a big thank you to them all.
Looking to the future all organisations such as ours require an injection of fresh blood from time to time and I
am hoping some of you will come forward to assist, we are always open to new ideas so please talk to any
committee member if you have any views that you wish to be considered. However, we look forward to the
future with confidence.
5
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer reported as follows:
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Happily we have had another very satisfactory year from the financial point of view. We have maintained a
good level of income from member’s subscriptions and your additional donations to the charity fund have
been truly generous.
The first paragraph of the accounts details the state of our reserves at the bank and the working funds available
for the coming year. The level of our reserves have fallen by £1.81 over the year which, I am sure you will
agree, is insignificant
The summary of income and expenditure details exactly where the income came from and how it was spent.
It is a fact of life that costs in general go up. Postage and the ‘Lookout’ are large items and this year we had
the additional expense of setting up our web site.
Our reserves which have been built up over the lifetime of the Association might well be at a plateau at this
time. The level of member’s subscriptions has remained constant for a number of years in spite of rising costs.
Your committee will endeavour to economise wherever possible and strive to hold subs at their present level
as far into the future as possible.
I would particularly like to draw your attention to the details of the charity fund. The association can be justly
proud of their charitable efforts. The annual “Tony McGinnity Award” continues to honour the memory of
our founder.
In addition to the main statement of accounts you will find attached a detailed analysis of every payment
made on your behalf during 2010.
I would like to thank Captain Henry Wrigley, who audited the accounts so rigorously, and all members who
have been so prompt and accurate with their payments. If I could make one final plea, please try to avoid
payment in cash, it complicates my work no end to return home with a pocket full of cash and only my short
term memory to help me sort out where it came from.
The Treasurer reminded the meeting that he was due to retire at the next AGM and was looking for a
replacement.
6
Election of Officers
The current Vice Chairman & Events Secretary, Peter Burman, stood down this year. The Committee
recommended that Peter Burman be elected in a new role as Vice Chairman and Peter Hedley be elected as
Events Secretary. These elections were proposed by Henry Wrigley, seconded by Andrew Asher and
unanimously approved.
The Secretary advised the meeting that the Rules of the Association required Committee members who have
served for more than three years be only re-elected with the unanimous approval of the Committee. Richard
de Kerbrech agreed to continue as Archivist and Ted Sandle to continue as Editor ‘Lookout’. Proposed by
David Burdett and seconded by Yvonne Hartstone, unanimously approved.
The following Committee members, serving less than three years, indicated their willingness to continue in
their positions. The elections were proposed by Ted Sandle, seconded by Henry Wrigley, unanimously
approved.
Chairman
Graham Hall
Treasurer
Alan Tulloch
Membership Secretary
Paul Hartstone
Hon Sec
Robin Ebsworth
7
AOB
David Burdett asked if The Charity Bank would be a better home for the Association’s funds. The Treasurer
advised that the Lloyds Bank account was simple, there were no charges on the account and that in the
current climate interest payments were minimal. Henry Wrigley reminded the meeting that only registered
charities could use The Charity Bank which precluded the Association.
Richard de Kerbrech advised the meeting that out of 70 members he had only received 23 completed CV’s.
The purpose was to provide an archive for future reference, the security being high these were not committed
to a computer data base, only statistical information being gleaned. Richard requested members return a nil
return if they did not wish to complete a CV.
Andrew Asher questioned if the level of gratuity being provided to Holmwood staff was sufficient. The Vice
Chairman advised on the level of payments being made and felt that in the current financial climate members
should make their own judgement.
The meeting closed at 11.58 hrs.
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EVENTS
LOOKING ASTERN
Friday, 28th January
Luncheon – New Holmwood Hotel
Twenty-seven members gathered at the New Holmwood
Hotel for our first luncheon of the New Year to welcome
aboard our guest speaker, Mr. Phil Jones, Chartering
Director, Carisbrooke Shipping Co.
Phil’s subject was, naturally, our local shipping company,
‘Carisbrooke Shipping’
Whilst we were aware that Carisbrooke Shipping was a
significant company in the industry, most of us were
surprised to hear that it operated a fleet of some seventy
modern ships, and others on the stocks.
Thank you Phil for such a fascinating presentation, which
gave us such an informative insight on the management of
a modern fleet in to-day’s commercial world.
Friday, 25th February
Luncheon – New Holmwood Hotel
We were pleased to welcome aboard Mr. Bill Gardner,
tutor at The Red Ensign Training Academy, Cowes.
Bill’s subject was, ‘Current Maritime Training
Arrangements’. His absorbing talk raised a number of
questions and subsequent discussion and, subsequently,
we were delighted to welcome him aboard as a ’Special
Member’ of the Merchant Mariners of Wight.
Friday, 25th March
AGM, Luncheon and The Tony McGinnity Annual
Memorial Award – New Holmwood Hotel
The report on the
AGM appears
on pages 3 and 4
in this issue of
The Lookout.
The
luncheon
following
the
AGM was well
attended with a
muster of 30.
We
were
delighted
to
welcome aboard
Mrs. Margaret
Plumley,
Chairman of the
Cowes
Sea
Cadets ‘TS Osborne’ to receive The Tony McGinnity
Award on behalf of the Cowes Sea Cadets Unit. The
Cheque of £500 will be used to purchase sea-going clothing
for use by the cadets.
Margaret gave us a most interesting presentation on the
objectives of the Corps and in particular, the activities of
the ‘TS Osborne’.
They are a fine group of young people who have never
failed to impress us with their Sense of Purpose,
Enthusiasm, Great Spirit and Impeccable Turnout.
When we recall Tony McGinnity’s deep interest in the
maritime training of young people, in particular his deep
involvement in the TS Foudroyant, we feel certain that he
would have whole-heartedly approved of this year’s award.
LOOKING AHEAD
Friday, 29th April
New Holmwood Hotel
Annual Dinner and the MMW Annual
Dog Race Meeting.
We meet at 1830 for pre-prandials and Dinner at 1900. Our
dogs have remained in kennels for their annual rest and
recuperation.
Unfortunately, our winning dog last year, ‘Up the Creek’,
suffered injuries following the final race. He has been
under the tender and loving care of our resident vet, Mac
the Knife, aka Peter Hedley, and will be declared fit, albeit
under another name, for the 2011 meeting.
All dogs are currently undergoing their annual intense
training programme, which, to keep up their spirits,
includes twice-daily injections of Plymouth Gin.
The usual tote will be in operation and the winner of last
year’s ‘Presidents Cup’, will be present to defend her title
and take home the cup for another year.
Friday, 20th May
Luncheon at the New Holmwood Hotel
Our Guest Speaker at this luncheon is Captain Peter
Jackson, RN Rtd and his subject is,
‘Motor Gunboat Activity in the Baltic
Prior to the First World War’
The following extract is from an e-mail received by
Peter Burman from Margaret Plumley, on 1st April:
‘It was a pleasure to meet so many new faces and chat
and share with them news about our Cadets and their
achievements. Without the support of the MMW we
would not have been able to give the Cadets the support
they so rightly deserve and the opportunities and I
thank you on their behalf.’
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MOLLIE BURMAN nee MARSH
19th May 1928 - 13th December 2010
Mollie passed away peacefully at the Hospice on December 13th, aged 82 years. The Association was well
represented at the Service in St. Mark's Church, Wootton on Wednesday, December 22 at 11am.
Her calm smiling presence will be missed at our events. Our thoughts are with Peter and his family.
Mollie was born on the 19th May 1928 in what was then,
a small country town by the name of George, in the Old
Cape Province, now known as the Eastern Cape, South
Africa. Her father was of English descent and second
generation in South Africa. He was a close friend of Jan
Smuts, who made a considerable impression on the young
Mollie and undoubtedly influenced her then developing
character and personality. Her mother was a direct
descendant of the original 1652 Dutch Settlers in the old
Dutch Cape Colony.
On leaving school, she commenced her nursing training at
The Elizabeth Donkin Hospital, Port Elizabeth and
completed her training at the Port Elizabeth Provincial
Hospital., specialising in Maternity Nursing.
Much of her post training period was spent working as a
Maternity Nurse in the old area then known as ’District
Six’ in Capetown. This was a former inner city slum
residential area with no street lighting, and populated
mainly by Cape Malay residents. It was a crime-ridden
area, full of immoral activities and a dangerous place in
which to practise her chosen profession, particularly when
on nighttime call outs. However, she was quickly
promoted to the status of Sister and she and her team soon
became highly respected and much loved for their
commitment and genuine care towards the young mothers
and families of District Six. Mollie returned to the Port
Elizabeth Provincial Hospital as Ward Sister until 1951.
She immigrated to the United Kingdom in 1952 and
joined the nursing team specialising in the care of patients
suffering from cancer conditions at the Royal Marsden
Hospital, London.
Mollie subsequently joined Union-Castle as a Nursing
Sister in 1953. Her first and only ship with the company
was the Round Africa Intermediate, ‘SS Braemar Castle’
17,059 grt. Following intense competition from both Deck
and Engineer Officers, and as an ‘added interest’, a couple
of Masters who also paid her close attention, she decided
to opt for life with the Second Purser and married him in
March 1956. Mollie always insisted that her only
attraction towards this young ship’s officer were his sturdy
brown knees when on show in tropical waters! Never the
less, the marriage retained its strength for nearly 55 years.
On coming ashore, Mollie devoted most of her time to
raising her young family but continued nursing on a part
time basis, mainly in the care of terminal cancer patients,
both in England and on her return to South Africa from
1975 to 1984. She finally retired from her nursing career
on her return to England in 1984 when she joined Peter as
his partner in their hotel/restaurant venture close to
Exeter.
Above all else, Mollie was a wonderful wife, mother,
grandmother and a true friend with all who came into
contact with her. Ever ready to bear the weight of the
problems of others with a smile, thoughtful words of
wisdom, love. encouragement and support; described by
so many as ‘A lovely lady’.
Mollie joined the Merchant Mariners of Wight in 2000,
was the Association’s first lady member and rarely missed
a luncheon or outside event. She will be greatly missed by
her many friends within our Association.
A lovely lady indeed.
Peter Burman wrote this tribute and read the poem (below) at the
service
Laugh and be Merry
Laugh and be merry, remember, better the world with a song,
Better the world with a blow in the teeth of a wrong.
Laugh, for the time is brief, a thread the length of a span.
Laugh and be proud to belong to the old proud pageant of man.
Laugh and be merry: remember, in olden time.
God made Heaven and Earth for joy He took in a rhyme,
Made them, and filled them full with the strong red wine of His mirth
The splendid joy of the stars: the joy of the earth.
So we must laugh and drink from the deep blue cup of the sky,
Join the jubilant song of the great stars sweeping by,
Laugh, and battle, and work, and drink of the wine outpoured
In the dear green earth, the sign of the joy of the Lord.
Laugh and be merry together, like brothers akin,
Guesting awhile in the rooms of a beautiful inn,
Glad till the dancing stops, and the lilt of the music ends.
Laugh till the game is played; and be you merry, my friends.
SS Braemar Castle’ 17,059 grt
(Photo from Order of Service)
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Revd Captain T. Ian Card RD
13th January, 1936 - 2nd January, 2011
After a brave fight against cancer Ian passed away on 2nd January, the Association was well
represented at his funeral at All Saints’ Church on January 12th.
Ian was chaplain to the Merchant Mariners of Wight and will be sadly missed by us all. Our thoughts
and sympathy go to Mrs Card and her family.
Ian was born in South Shields in 1936. After pre-sea
training at Pangbourne he joined Alfred Holts as an
apprentice - his favourite ship was the Cardiganshire..
Ian’s father, Tom Card, was Commodore Master of the
RFA and Ian was carrying on the seagoing tradition.
He attained his Master’s certificate in 1961 just after
marrying ‘the girl next door’, Dinny, to whom he was
married for 51 years. It has been said that he went a long
way to work, but a short way for his courting - and he
arrived home a week late for wedding because of bad
weather in the Bay of Biscay!
The resultant family meant everything to Ian, with great
pride in his sons Julian and Anthony, and their respective
wives Maxine and Michelle, and then in due course four
grandchildren.
In 1968 Ian came ashore to become a Pilot, clocking up
29 years’ service, first with Trinity House and later with
Southampton Port Authority.
He was a member of the RNR from 1952 until 1978 and
was awarded the Reserve Decoration in 1978.
Ian was prominent in the work of the Mission to Seafarers,
which he encountered nearly 60 years ago when he first
went to sea. His own service to the Mission took off when
he was ordained Deacon in 1989, serving as the Mission’s
Honorary Chaplain for the Island and on their committee.
He encouraged the Island knitters to make gloves, mittens
and balaclavas for seafarers. But it wasn’t just wool; other
threads of his life were brought together in his work of the
Mission - his love of preaching, the missionary work of
the Church and care for his fellow seafarers. Ian was a
keen churchman for many years.
He spent time at Binstead Holy Cross and Havenstreet,
where his ministry was greatly valued, before eleven
years of service at All Saints’, Ryde.
Ian enjoyed hosting occasions, and he kept a number of
interests going, including playing croquet, participating
in the life of the Merchant Mariners of Wight and upon
retirement, learning Italian - at 65 he got a Grade A in
GCSE, fifty years after getting an A for French. The
Italian was useful for holidays. He enjoyed travelling, but
it did take a while to get him aboard ships for cruises, in
retirement, as a mere passenger, and he was known even
then to take a preliminary look at the lifeboats, sprinkler
systems and any rusting bolts.
Dinny, and sons Julian and Anthony. were very grateful
for the many sympathy cards and letters received. There
was not one day in the last 19 months of Ian’s illness that
he did not receive a phone call, message or visit from
someone wishing him well.
Based on the Address given by Fr. Jonathan Redvers Harris,
Vicar of Ryde, at Ian’s funeral.
Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Photograph copied from the order of
service booklet.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness or farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
This poem
was read at Ian’s
funeral
Alfred Lord Tennyson
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Our story begins in March 2000 when our Founder,
Tony McGinnity, thought that it would be a good idea to
gather together a few
former Merchant Navy
Officers residing on the
Island to meet for lunch
in order to exchange
views on the possibility
of forming an Island
Association representing
the Merchant Navy.
Thirteen attended this
inaugural luncheon held
at The Royal Solent
Yacht Club on 30th
March, a Committee
was formed and our
Association
formally
launched on the 3rd
May, 2000.
Of the thirteen who
attended the lunch, ten became founder members of the
Association:
Tony McGinnity, Richard Barton, Peter Cripps, Mike Guy,
Mike Leek, Peter Roberts, Alan Tulloch, Andrew Tyrell,
John Ager and John Woodford.
Tony was elected Chairman of the first Committee whose
members were: John Ager, John Woodford, Mike Guy and
Mike Leek.
Following news of the launch in The Isle of Wight County
Press the membership increased to seventeen within a week
and a steady growth continued throughout the year 2000.
Our first lady members
were admitted in 2001
and our growth has
been sustained over the
years, maintaining a net
membership of around
seventy for a number of
years.
Tony stood down as
Chairman in 2004 and
in recognition of his
determined leadership
and
inspiration
in
guiding
us
from
strength to strength,
was
unanimously
elected
as
Life
President and served
until his untimely death on 10th June, 2008.
Peter Burman became Secretary, combining Membership in
2002, the Membership Subscription has remained at £20 p.a.
ever since In March of that year there were 45 members.
The first edition of the ‘New Look’ newsletter (No 13) was
published in September 2002 under the header ‘The Lookout’,
and Peter continued as editor until December 2004.
THE
HOLMWOOD
HOTEL BEFORE
IT WAS ‘NEW’
Since September 2002 the
Association
has
been
welcomed at the New
Holmwood Hotel for its
monthly luncheons and
other functions.
Ted Hook, who
was
negotiating
for
the
purchase of the Hotel back
in the 1960s, has kindly
lent me this brochure and
price list from about 1965
of the Holmwood, before it
was ’New’.
Ted tells me that he did
have an even earlier
brochure which had a tariff
for rooms with or without
hot water!
Dogs were welcome, but
not admitted to the dining
room; 2/6 each day. A
private lock-up garage was
charged at 2/6 per night.
(Please state size of car.)
Hotel private car park free.
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By Sea Dog
Captains & Insignia
Although you’re all dying to have more of those idiot
yarns about the Poor Little Mites (PLMs) I thought it
might be prudent to give them a rest and tell you about
some of the more unusual things that have been
encountered since the last Lookout.
This photograph of
this old seadog was
found in an antique
shop at East Cowes.
His face full of
character complete
with walrus
moustache and rollup in his mouth,
resplendent in his
Guernsey sweater
and polka-dot
bandana. On the rear
of the photo he is
identified as ‘Capt
Harry Gauge’ (or it
could be Gouge).
What was he Captain
of I thought? His cap
badge was a clue-a white W on what might be a red
swallow tail flag. Woolwich Ferry or William Watkins
Ltd were the options and in fact it was the William
Dear All,
A photo of my grandson Luke Arai Townsend
(photo right) in the Colour Party at the Merchant
Navy Memorial, Sunday the 14th Nov 2010.
Afterwards there was a reception at Trinity House.
Luke is a foundation pupil at Bearwood College,
the Royal Merchant Navy School.
Regards Paul,
Capt. Paul Townsend
Master Mariner (F.G) F.I.I.M.S.
Email : [email protected]
Received too late for previous edition - Ed
Watkins tug company on the River Thames. So Capt
Harry was one of that unique body of mariners that
worked the Thames. In the same exalted company of the
PLA lock keepers, Thames Lightermen, bolshie Dockers
and Swan-uppers, all scurrying around the Royal Group
of Docks. The pubs that deep seafarers used to use,come
to mind; The Prospect of Whitby, The Roundabout and
the Kent Arms. Nostalgia’s not what it used to be.
The William Watkins tug outfit was absorbed into the
Ship Towage London (Ltd) back in 1950 so Capt Harry
will be long gone but his image lives on.
I recently bought a tome of a book called ‘Harrisons of
Liverpool’, not because I’m particularly interested in
Harrisons but the fact that it contained a plethora of
photographs of cargo ships through the Company’s
history. It is by Captain Graeme Cubbin and at 400 pages,
a veritable breeze-block of a work jointly published by
Ships in Focus and the World Ship Society.
What did intrigue me was that there is a photo of the
author inside the dust jacket in his Harrison’s uniform.
His Master’s sleeve insignia are four rings with the
‘executive curl’ similar to that of the RN rather that
standard MN rank insignia. So now we know there were
three companies with the executive curl; Clan Line (The
Scots Navy), BP Tanker Co and Harrisons. Are there any
more??
And Finally: I was recently away from the Island and
called in to see my old mate John Siggins whose
retirement project is drawing all his artefacts and
memorabilia into the Merchant Navy Archive & Museum.
He has erected a utility storage building which is at
present being fitted out with panelling from the old White
Star liner Olympic and with shelves for shipping
company ephemera and he is planning to extend it into a
Portacabin. It’s early days yet, nevertheless what he has is
impressive. He showed me some Senior Radio Officer’s
epaulettes with the two standard pattern wavy lines on
them with the word ‘Mexico’ under them. That posed
several questions.
He also had some brass buttons with ‘Southampton
Wireless College’ on them. Where or what happened to
that? Answers please via the Editor.
The L
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TEXT FROM THE PRESENTATION GIVEN BY
CAPTAIN DUNCAN GLASS TO THE MERCHANT
MARINERS OF WIGHT LUNCHEON ON FRIDAY
26TH NOVEMBER 2010
As requested, I have lifted the text from my slides and
placed them in a word document as attached.•Please feel
free to use it for your internal publication - The Lookout although you would need to obtain the permission of the
Corporation of Trinity House if it was to be made
available to the general public, of course. However, I
hope it is of interest to you and your colleagues.
In the 13th Century Archbishop Stephen Langton (c.1229)
called upon a guild of sea samaritans, a corporation of
merchant masters to do more to protect the mariner and his
dependents.
Trinity House, this guild, fraternity or brotherhood of Mariners, was granted its first Royal Charter by Henry VIII in
1514… “so that they might regulate the pilotage of ships in
the Kings’ streams”. Thomas Spert was Master of the guild
and Master of the ‘Mary Rose’ and ‘Henri Grace a’ Dieu’
50 years later Elizabeth I gave them powers to erect
seamarks and by the 17th Century, there were few maritime
matters in which the Guild of Brethren of Trinity House did
not have some authority or interest. It was their business to
erect beacons, lay buoys, grant licences to pilots, set the rate
of pilotage, examine Masters for the Navy and much more.
Since that time Trinity House has continuously provided for
the Safety of the Mariner. These ancient responsibilities
have evolved into statutory undertakings enshrined in the
Merchant Shipping Acts of British Parliament.
Trinity House is a private Corporation and a leading maritime charity. The Headquarters building on Tower Hill,
built in 1795, is the fourth site of Trinity House since the
earliest records.
History of Lighthouses
Longstone 1826, Farne 1673, Whitby 1858, Flamborough
16691806, Cromer 1676/1833, Southwold 1889, Lowestoft 1609,
Orfordness 1634, North Foreland 1499/1866, Dungeness
1615/1961, Beachy Head 1828/1899, St Catherines 1323/1836
Needles 1786, Hurst Point 1786, Anvil Point 1881, Portland Bill
1716/1906, Casquets 1724/1877, Start Point 1836, Eddystone
1698/1882, Lizard 1619/1878, Wolf Rock 1795, Longships 1795,
Bishop Rock 1858, Godrevy 1859, Trevose 1847, Hartland Point
1874, Bull Point 1879, Flatholm 1737, Nash Point 1832, Mumbles 1794, Caldey Island, 1829, St.Annes 1714, Smalls 1776,
South Bishop 1839.
Eddystone Lighthouse
In 1695 Henry Winstanley built the first light having lost 2
of his ships on the Eddystone Rocks. Before completion in
1697 and during war with France, a French privateer took
Winstanley and his workers prisoner and took them off to
France. When Louis XIV heard of this he ordered the
prisoners be brought to Versailles where the ‘Sun King’
released them – saying he was “at war with England, not
with humanity” In 1703 Winstanley went to his lighthouse
to witness a huge storm that was approaching. Tragically
the lighthouse was swept away and all were lost. The next
Eddystone was built by John Rudyerd in 1708, but this was
burnt down in 1755. Keeper William Hall (84) fought the
fire from below, but swallowed lead and died 12 days later.
Lighhouses by Smeaton and Douglas followed. The latter
still stands today.
Trinity House Lighthouse Service
The Examiners, Mariner Elder Brethren of the Corporation
define the navigational requirement by assessing the risk, to
all classes of mariner, of dangers to surface navigation,
fulfilling the UK SOLAS Conventions responsibility. They
prescribe the aids to navigation that mitigate such risk, in
some of the busiest waters in the world. They also
mark/remove dangerous wrecks.
We work closely with The Northern Lighthouse Board of
Scotland (NLB) and The Commissioners of Irish Lights
(CIL). These three General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs)
are funded by the payment of light dues by all commercial
vessels calling at ports in the UK and Ireland. A wholly
‘User Pays’ system.
Aids to general Navigation provided by Trinity House:
69 Lighthouses, 8 Lightvessels, 2 Light floats, 22 Beacons,
447 Buoys, 7 DGPS stations, 3 (35) AIS AtoN
Significant reductions in the number of Aids to Navigation and
Lighthouse Service resources having been achieved in the past
twenty years. Light Dues remained static for 16 years.
Statutory Duty – To Mark and remove wrecks posing a
danger to navigation
The GLAs Emergency Response Criteria lays down the
requirement for locating, surveying and marking a new
hazard to navigation and warning the mariner by all means
available of the presence of such a hazard. The Authority
must continue to mark the wreck or take possession, remove or destroy the wreck if it continues to pose a hazard
to navigation.
The Navigation Directorate
Is where the navigational requirement, decided by the Examiners, is developed based on risk assessment and user
consultation and the risk management process is that which
has been developed as a guideline by IALA.
The Operations & Asset Management Directorate actions
the decisions of Examiners and establishes, changes or
discontinues aids to navigation in question.
International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation
and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)
As a founder member of IALA we continue active participation in its work. We provide members for all four committees. We consider the work of IALA to be essential and are
keen to develop stronger links and co-operation with other
aids to navigation providers around the world The new
edition of the IALA Maritime Buoyage System Booklet can
be obtained from Trinity House.
User Consultation
Is an essential part of identifying the navigational requirement. Ship owners and operators, fishermen, the coastguard
and the Lifeboat Institution, as well as Yacht clubs and their
associations and all users of the area in question are consulted where a change to aids to navigation are proposed.
Traffic flow and density is examined in all areas where there
are hazards and where aids may be established or changed,
as well as the draught of vessels, depth of water and tidal
effect that may impinge on safety.
The L
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AIS vessel tracks from the MCA UK AIS Network is of huge
benefit when assessing risk.
The navigational requirement to mark, by means of visual,
radar and/or electronic aids to navigation, all natural and
man made obstructions and dangers will not significantly
change in the foreseeable future. There may be an increase
the number of aids to navigation required to mitigate increases in the degree of risk and volume of traffic.
Operations & Asset Management Directorate provide and
deploy the Aids to Navigation prescribed. Each Aids’ performance is measured by its Availability to the mariner and
is aimed at exceeding the agreed IALA minimum standards.
Any spare capacity that occurs in Operations & Asset Management can be used to undertake contractual works for other
providers of aids to navigation – eg ports, utilities etc.
All lighthouses and light vessels are automated. Most are
solar powered, as are all lighted buoys. Our solarisation
programme promotes minimal maintenance and environmental protection.
Aids to Navigation, having been established, are reviewed on
a regular basis and the future provision of aids is the basis for
our Marine Aids to Navigation Strategy to 2020 “2020 The
Vision”. Endorsed by Government and soon to be updated to
2025.
The widespread use and accuracy of GPS, as the primary
means of position fixing and timing, has meant that visual
and radar aids to navigation provide the terrestrial back up so
necessary for safety of navigation and spatial awareness. We
see this continuing, even with Galileo and other GNSS.
Mariners rely on GNSS for position and timing input for:
Position fixing and DGPS, Radar stabilisation, Electronic
charts, Auto-pilot track keeping, AIS transmission & display,
GMDSS, EPIRB & SART - this reliance is on a Sole means
of position fixing! Dynamic positioning, Multi-beam surveying, Long range tracking, Synchronised lights are all reliant
on GNSS a Single point of failure.
GNSS is vulnerable to interference or jamming and physical
Aids to Navigation as the backup will always be needed to
provide a reversionary capability, but mariners may not maintain the skills to use physical AtoNs, There is an ongoing
drive for AtoN service providers to deliver higher levels of
safety to support new, more demanding operations while
becoming increasingly cost-effective.
The future e-navigation environment will rely heavily on
GNSS for both its navigation, timing and surveillance functions. The mariner onboard a modern ship has never had so
much to assist him, most of which relies on the GNSS signal
for position and timing.
The temptation is to believe what the screen is telling you. But
reliance on a sole means must be discouraged and training of
watch-keepers must address GNSS vulnerability. A terrestrial
radio navigation system is essential to facilitate e-navigation.
The GLAs Aids to Navigation Strategy to 2020 affirms the
mix of visual and electronic Aids that will be provided,
concluding that:
•
lighthouses will have decreasing significance
•
unlit beacons will be lit or discontinued
•
MFAs will be replaced by super-buoys
•
fog signals are limited as hazard warning
•
Racons are an integral part of mix of aids
•
e-LORAN must be GNSS back-up
•
AIS technology will enhance existing aids
•
DGPS will continue to be provided
e-Navigation Definition
e-navigation is the harmonised collection, integration, exchange presentation and analysis of maritime information
onboard and ashore by electronic means to enhance berth to
berth navigation and related services, for safety and security
at sea and protection of the marine environment.
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)
AIS traffic monitoring as a risk assessment tool provides
improved planning in the provision of aids to navigation.
The application of AIS as an Aid to Navigation is multifaceted. An AIS unit on a buoy, beacon or lighthouse can
provide extensive information such as AtoN health check,
meteorological and hydrological data. Synthetic and Virtual
AIS aids to navigation are also possible and under development.
We see the future of navigation around our coasts as being
achieved by a mix of Aids to Navigation – both traditional
and electronic/radio based. We will continue to provide this
mix by means of our well developed risk assessment and user
consultation structure.
We Provide superintendence and management of all aids to
navigation
We have a responsibility for the Aids to Navigation provided
for local navigation within the jurisdiction of ports, harbours
and all navigable waters. We inspect and audit all aids to
navigation that are the responsibility of local light-house
authorities, ports and others – currently 10,746 – (plus a
further 797 on offshore wind farms) and report annually to
the Secretary of State on the performance of these aids. We
also inspect around 134 offshore (oil & gas) structures within
our area of responsibility, ensuring that the IALA Standard
Marking is strictly complied with. This also applies to offshore renewable energy developments
Offshore renewables
We are also responsible for the specifying the marking of any
structure or development that may impinge upon navigable
water, as part of the Consent process. We are currently very
busy with offshore wind farm developments.
The Corporation of Trinity House is a Deep Sea Pilotage
Authority. We examine and licence 35 Deep Sea Pilots at this
time, who specialise in large ship navigation in the English
Channel, North Sea and UK coast. The Elder Brethren of
Trinity House who are Examiners & Mariner Assistants act
as Nautical Assessors for the Admiralty Court when required.
The Corporation provides a Merchant Navy Scholarship
Cadet Training Scheme
Currently 70 Navigating and Engineering Cadets are in training with host Shipping Companies, wholly funded by the
Trinity House Maritime Charity.
Trinity House Maritime Charity provides 18 purpose-built
homes for retired mariners and their dependants in Walmer
Homes at Deal in Kent. The Trinity House Charities dispense some £3 million annually to maritime charities focusing on welfare of mariners and their dependents, youth
opportunities and training young people for careers at sea
and promoting navigation safety.
I am grateful to Captain Glass for the work involved in
preparing this article.
The L
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Sea Fever
Cargoes
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the
sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's
shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.
Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir,
Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,
With a cargo of ivory,
And apes and peacocks,
Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running
tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls
crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a
whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
CADET WHO BECAME POET
LAUREATE
John Masefield is perhaps best
known for the two poems above,
however they were among the
earliest of his published work.
John Masefield was born in
Herefordshire in 1878, close to the
Hereford and Gloucester Canal
which was still active with the
movement of coal. Water had a
compelling attraction for him After
a very happy early childhood when
he acquired a love of poetry and
literature from his mother and
godmother, he became a border at Warwick School before he
was 10 years old; when they found out that he wrote poetry,
his first year became rather difficult.
After his parents died John was taken under the guardianship
of his aunt and uncle. His aunt’s personality did not permit a
happy atmosphere and she was brutally scathing about the
boy’s artistic leanings which were met with crushing
disapproval, whilst his love of books aroused her scorn. To
toughen him up his aunt suggested that he should be trained
to go to sea and was sent to HMS Conway when he was 13.
(A PLM as Sea Dog would say)
However, Masefield was delighted with the chance to become
a cadet At the time HMS Conway was moored in the River
Mersey. He was overawed by his first sight of the great port
of Liverpool, where his first sight of the four-masted barque
Wanderer became branded in memory. His time at Conway
was a happy one and his ability to ‘spin yarns’ much
appreciated by his fellow cadets. John discovered a talent for
sketching ships and kept the drawing in albums which became
a life-long hobby.
John soon adapted to the ways of shipboard life and
flourished in class. He was able to concentrate on history and
English and in his final year won an essay prize - a
magnificent telescope. He left Conway in 1894, still not 16,
after being a senior petty officer for a term and recognised as
a leader in his age group.
Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus,
Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores,
With a cargo of diamonds,
Emeralds, amythysts,
Topazes, and cinnamon, and gold moidores.
Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack,
Butting through the Channel in the mad March days,
With a cargo of Tyne coal,
Road-rails, pig-lead,
Firewood, iron-ware, and cheap tin trays.
Masefield’s first ship was the Gilcruix, a four-masted barque
belonging to White Star Line. He joined in Cardiff for a
voyage to Chile, which meant facing Cape Horn and being at
sea for several months. The Gilcruix eventually reach her
destination, Iquique, after 13 weeks of freezing cold and
stormy seas. While in Chile John became seriously ill and was
sent back to England as a DBS by steamship. While
convalescing on the leisurely voyage home, he decided not to
finish his apprenticeship and abandon all ideas of a sea career
but to pursue his earlier aspirations to be a writer. His
guardians scorned
this determination and made
arrangements for him to join another sailing ship, this time to
America.
John Masefield deserted his ship in New York, and at the age
of 17 became a homeless vagrant. Half-starved and unkept, he
later declared that he was also ‘marvellously happy’.
Eventually he found work in an hotel, then secured a job in a
carpet mill. During a two year period he became friends with
his fellow workers and was able to build up his own library.
While working as a bank clerk in London, Masefield
experimented with verse, and at the age of 23 gave up the
security of a regular job for the uncertain life of a freelance
journalist. Eventually he had successes with the Tatler and
Pall Mall Magazine and by 1913 his contribution to English
literature meant he had become a public figure. He was
appointed Poet Laureate by King George V.
In the first world war, although too old for the army,
Masefield worked as an orderly for the British Red Cross at a
hospital in France and was invited by the organisation to lead
an expedition to the Dardanelles. He secured funds,
purchased launches and a barge and made passage from
England. They arrived only to witness the final annihilation
of Allied hopes on the Gallipoli peninsula.
In the second world war, Masefield's son, Lewis - a
conscientious objector - enlisted in the Royal Army Medical
Corps and was killed by artillery fire in the African desert.
John Masefield produced a book about the evacuation of
Dunkirk , but for security reasons it was not published in full
until 1973 as The Twenty Five Days.
He died in 1967 and was buried in Poet’s Corner at
Westminster Abbey.
Taken from an article by Trevor Boult in the Nautilus
International Telegraph.
The L
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BOOK REVIEW By Ted Sandle
Beckman M. 2011: Flying the Red Duster - A Merchant Seaman’s First Voyage into the
Battle of the Atlantic 1940.
Spellmount, an imprint of The History Press ISBN 978 0 7524 5900 4 160 pp including index,
with 8 pages of black and white photographs soft back £12.99
(Review copy provided by publisher)
This is the author’s second book on the subject of the Battle of the Atlantic: his first
being Atlantic Roulette (1996).
Taking into account the title, I was surprised to learn that Mr Beckman was a Radio
Officer, the book tells of his first trip to sea in 1940.
Much of Mr Beckman’s account of joining his first ship will strike a chord with many
of us who went to sea in our teens. I hope the ship, SS Venetia, a small tanker which
had been reprieved from the scrapyard by the war, was worse than anything our
members sailed on. The accommodation was dirty and ridden with cockroaches; the
food was usually very bad; partly because of the poor ‘rate’ set by the owners and
also due to the Chief Steward’s penny-pinching, apparently with the Master’s
connivance.
The natural hunger of a teenager was made worse because, as a Jew the author was
not able to eat sausages or bacon; he was also allergic to cheese.
Mr Beckman’s first trip was Shellhaven to Aruba and back with a brief mention of his next trip on the Hylton to Vancouver.
(That ship was torpedoed on the homeward crossing south of Iceland and he was picked up by the corvette Dianella and
the voyage was the subject of Atlantic Roulette.)
The characterisation and dialogue ring true and the strain of living with the constant threat of being torpedoed and the
misery of winter in the North Atlantic are well conveyed, as the the humour even in these circumstances.
It is an easy book to read and to ‘get into’ but could have benefited by better proof reading by someone with a seagoing
background. The book is peppered with spelling and a few factual errors; the errors seem to come in groups and break the
‘spell’ of the narrative.
A few examples are: runnel (funnel), stock (stocky), lined (linked), read (red), I (it), I (he), Reny Martin (Remy Martin),
when (where), ignoring (ignored), she (he), traders (trawlers), Naval (merchant), etc.
Factual errors include: ‘chronometers’ in the officers’ dining saloon and the Radio Room, 800 metres (600 metres),
Captain of the Jervis Bay given as Fegen Fogarty (He was Edward Stephen Fogarty Fegen) Sunderland Short flying boat,
Latitude 30 degrees west. He constantly referred to the Captain as ‘Mr Michaels’ although he called him the ‘Old Man’
and Captain at other times. Some other errors might be put down to difficulty remembering facts and events that took
place so long before the book was published.
A good proof reader could have removed these minor irritations.
WW2 MERCHANT NAVY GRAVES
ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT
The following list was sent to me by e-mail from Billy McGee
who sailed for 12 years with Fred Bolton, Turnbull Scott, RFA
Ropners and P&O Ferries. His father spent 14 years at sea with
BP before becoming a Prison Officer on the Island. Billy hasn’t
been back to the Island since he attended his parents’ funerals.
Billy is the author of "Ropner's Navy” ISBN 978-0-95585935-9 & "They Shall Grow Not Old" ISBN 978-0-9557441-3-6
ARNELL, Third Engineer Officer, WALTER JACK, A.D.C.
527. Merchant Navy. 8th January 1946. Age 24. Son of
William John and Lilith Virtue Arnell, of West Cowes. Buried
Cowes (Northwood) Cemetery. Cons. Sec. Grave 10040.
A.D.C. 527 (Armaments Disposal Craft) had been en route
from Silloth to Cairnryan carrying surplus ammunition to the
Beaufort Dyke dumping grounds, a chasm midway between
County Down and the South-West coast of Scotland. This
trench was about seven miles long, two miles wide and 144
fathoms at its deepest point and was considered to be an ideal
dumping ground for nearly two million tons of surplus
ammunition and explosives. On the 8th January 1946 A.D.C.
527 blew up and disappeared after her cargo accidentally
detonated, killing twelve crew. Nine bodies were eventually
washed ashore.
LYNCH, Sailor, MICHAEL, S.S. British Renown (London).
Merchant Navy. 24th June 1944. Age 17. Son of Richard and
Catherine Lynch of Youghal, Co. Cork, Irish Republic.
Buried Parkhurst Military Cemetery. Plot 20. Grave 213.
At present I am unable to find to find how Michael Lynch lost
his life. The ship was around the Solent at this time and was
at Utah Beach the day after his death, which would suggest
he had left the ship earlier. I do know the ship was damaged
twice earlier in the war and he could be a belated casualty
from one of these incidents.
HAYWARD, Butcher, ALFRED ARTHUR, S.S. Isle of
Thanet (London). Merchant Navy. 14th June 1945. Age 45.
Son of Alfred and Ellen Hayward; husband of Florrie Etrene
Violet Hayward, of East Cowes. Buried Whippingham (St.
Mildred) Churchyard. Plot B. Row 3. Grave 10.
Isle of Thanet, 2,664grt, (Southern Railway) had been
requisitioned in 1940 as a Hospital ship and was involved in
the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. She successfully
evacuated nearly 900 troops in two trips before she was
eventually damaged in a collision with the minesweeping
drifter Ocean Reward.
Mr Hayward died in 1945 and was granted full war grave
status, which would indicate his• death has to have been
attributed to the action undertaken at Dunkirk.
The L
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SOUTHAMPTON AND LIVERPOOL
IN CRUISE SHIP ROW
A "last stand" meeting is taking place to discuss Liverpool's
bid to rival Southampton as a terminus for cruises.
Councillor Royston Smith, leader of Southampton City
Council, is talking to Transport Minister Mike Penning
ahead of a government decision.
A new terminal in Liverpool was partly paid for by an EU
grant, which amounts to "state aid", argues Southampton.
A final decision on Liverpool's plan, which needs
government approval, is expected to be made within weeks.
Mr Smith said: "We will make a last stand at this meeting.
It's vital our voice is heard. The Port of Southampton has
positioned itself as the cruise capital of northern Europe by
means of private investment. Liverpool must do likewise.
The government is taking a new look at Liverpool's
application, which had previously been rejected. It needs
to approve the plan because a £9m EU grant helped pay for
its cruise liner terminal, which cost £20m.
Mr Penning previously said he wanted to "maintain a level
playing field across the UK cruise industry". Currently
cruises can call at Liverpool but not start or end journeys
there.
BBC Story 29.03.11
Portsmouth's new cruise and ferry
terminal opens - BBC 1 April 2011
Passengers have
begun using a new
£16.5m ferry and
cruise terminal at
Portsmouth International Port.
The new 2,700sq
m (29,000sq ft)
complex opened
on April 1st, replacing one dating
from the 1970s.
Manager Martin
Putham said: "It's
a very modern and
up-to-date terminal, meeting the requirements of modern travel."
More than two million passengers a year are expected to
use the city council-owned terminal.
The port said the new building is heated and cooled using
thermal energy from seawater, using only 20% of the
energy of a traditional boiler and chiller system.
As you are probably aware a massive earthquake
measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck Liverpool in the
early hours.
The earthquake decimated the entire area causing about
30 quid’s worth of damage. Several priceless collections of
ashtrays from the Balearics and Tenerife were damaged
beyond repair. Three historic areas of burnt out cars,
some over seven years old were disturbed.
Many locals were awoken before their Giro's arrived. The
Liverpool Echo reported that hundreds of locals were
confused, bewildered and still trying to come to terms
with the loss of Ladbrokes bookies. One resident, a Miss
Sharon Smith, a 15 year old mother of six said "It was a
shock to my little Chardonnay Mercedes. She came into
my room crying and put me and Winston off our stroke
but my youngest two, Tyler Morgan and Brooklyn
Romeo Rainbow, luckily slept through it all. I was still
shaking whilst watching Trisha the next day".
Apparently looting, mugging and car crime did carry on
as normal.
The Red Cross has so far managed to ship 4,000 crates of
lager into the area to help the stricken locals. Rescue
workers are still searching through the rubble and have
recovered large amounts of belongings including Benefit
Books, jewellery by Elizabeth Duke at Argos and finest
bone china from Mad Harry's.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
This appeal is to raise money for food and clothes parcels
for those caught up in the disaster.
Clothing is urgently needed and amongst the most sought
after items are:
* Fila or Burberry Baseball caps
* Kappa Tracksuit tops (his and hers)
* Adidas Trackie Bottoms 3/4 length
* White socks
* And anything else from the Donnay shop
Food parcels must take into consideration local tastes and
should include Micro Meals, Pot Noodles, Baked Beans,
Super Noodles, Sausage Rolls and Greggs pasties for the
babies.
Special Brew or Thunderbird would also be gratefully
received.
Every little helps. Remember:
* 22p buys a biro to help fill in a compensation form
* £2.00 buys chips with curry and blue Panda pop for a
family of nine
* £5.00 buys 20 B&H and a box of Swan Vestas to calm
the nerves of a grieving ten year old.
Drivers Fined: two Polish lorry drivers put lives at risk
on a cross-Channel ferry by failing to declare
dangerous goods onboard their vehicle, a court heard
in October. Sebastian Filipowicz and Piotr Jakobek
were conditionally discharged for two years and
ordered to pay £1,500 costs each after admitting failure
to present the paperwork for the dangerous goods - a
cargo of air-bags - when they boarded the Norfolk line
ferry Maersk Dover in Dunkirk in April last year.
The L
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From Oil Refinery to LNG Terminal
Esso acquired land near Herbrandston, west of the town
of Milford haven in 1955. Construction of a refinery was
started in 1958, with the first ship alongside to discharge,
the “Esso Portsmouth”, 36,000 tons deadweight on 8th.
July 1960. A loading/discharging arm leaked oil ; there
was a massive explosion with the ship seriously damaged.
The terminal was repaired and operations continued until
the early 1970’s when the refinery was expanded and two
large coaster berths added to the two main and one small
coaster berths.
At the beginning of the 1980’s the refinery was deemed
surplus to requirements and shut down. The plant was
dismantled and shipped to Ajman, reassembled and began
operating
in 1988, a
capacity of
100,000
barrels a
day. Pipes
and tanks
were cut
up
and
shipped to
Spain as
scrap.
The jetty was stripped of the pipes and loading gantries,
these also went for scrap. The jetty remained, as to have
built a new one in the future would have required an Act
of Parliament.
The
new
LNG
installation,
recently
completed,
known as
“South Hook
Terminal”.
Takes
it’s
name from
the
Victorian Fort, 1860’s. This was on a promontory facing
down the Haven to seaward, and one of the defences for
the naval port of Pembroke Dock. The jetty deck was
stripped off, re-laid and the two main berths fitted out with
modern loading/discharging arms. In shore 5 large tanks
fully insulated have been built each large enough to
contain the “Albert Hall”. At the ex-Gulf Oil refinery,
now called “Dragon Terminal” an additional two tanks
have been built for LNG. In Qatar from where the
contract for the LNG is being shipped, the plant there is
about 1 Kilometre long and capable of compressing a 600
cubic metre cloud of gas into 1 cubic metre of liquid. This
is then shipped in a fleet of tankers. Part of the project was
to transfer the LNG to Gloucestershire from Milford
Haven, this contract was to supply a 4 foot in diameter
pipe and bury it 20 feet under ground. Esso still remains
a partner in the company importing the LNG.
Andrew Asher (By e-mail)
PIRACY OFF SOMALIA
Extract from an article on piracy off the Somalia
coast which appeared in the Daily Telegraph, sent
to me by John Eastwood, who thought the readers
might like to see it - Editor
‘Our own Royal Navy has shown its muscle only once:
in November 2008, a frigate returned fire on pirates
who had fired at it, and two of the attackers were killed.
But a Ministry of Defence directive since has forbidden
RN captains to confront or arrest pirates “for fear of
breaching their human rights”.
‘Some are not so meek. A Malaysian Navy patrol ship
opened fire on pirates that had boarded the MV Bunga
Laurei off the Comoros. Commandos fired more more
than 600 rounds before the pirates surrendered.
Perhaps Kenya’s navy has the answer. Its patrol craft
covertly operate a shoot-to-kill, take-no-prisoners policy.
The Tanzanians almost certainly do the same. The
safest ships of all are flying the Russian flag: armed
guards aboard them simply blow pirate boats out of the
water and leave any survivors to drown. Attacks on
Russian vessels have abruptly ceased.’
Stranded cargo vessel off the Isle of Wight
The Paula-C grounded on a shingle bank near the
Needles on Sunday 20th March during the lowest tide
of the year.
The 295 ft-long (900MW) ship belonging to
Carisbrooke Shipping was assisted by a tug at about
2125 GMT to break free. The vessel was subsequently
refloated and made its way under its own power to
Saltmead off the entrance to Beaulieu River. A survey
was carried out on the ship which found it did not
sustain any serious damage.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said
there had been a big tidal range recently because of the
proximity of the moon, which may have been a factor
in the grounding.
The crew pumped out some of the water ballast in a bid
to make the ship lighter.
No-one was injured.
From BBC & IW County Press reports.
The L
k o u t
From lighthouse to Icehouse
German
vandals
target Street
View optout homes
Street View is
rolling out
across
Germany
German home-owners who have chosen to opt out of Google's
Street View service appear to have become the unsuspecting
victims of anti-privacy vandals.
Local media report that homes in Essen, west Germany have
been pelted with eggs and had 'Google's cool' notices pinned to
their doors. The properties involved have all chosen to be
blurred on Google's Street View service.
A Google spokesperson said."We respect people's right to
remove their house from Street View and by no means
consider this to be acceptable behaviour," It said it was a oneoff incident.
The Cleveland Harbour West Pierhead Lighthouse on
Lake Erie.
16th December 2010
A RN Lieutenant’s collection of uniforms
in 1894. No doubt most will seem familiar
to our P&O colleagues!?
Street View is rolling out across Germany and is proving a hit
with users, according to Google. The German government
took a hard line on the service, mandating that citizens be
allowed to opt out, before pictures went live. Almost 250,000
Germans requested that Google blur pictures of their homes on
the service.
Since going live in Germany, the service has captured a series
of bizarre events, including a naked man climbing into the boot
of his car on the driveway of a house in Mannheim, south-west
Germany. Another camera appeared to capture the birth of a
baby on a street in a Berlin suburb, although there are
question-marks over the veracity of the incident.