Gangway Number 15 Spring 1978 Journal of Blue Star Line, Lamport & Holt Line, Booth Line, and Associated Companies

Contents Correspondents 1 1977 in retrospect News, views, and photographs for North America 2 Australia Star Christening publication should be sent directto any R B Tilley 4 News from the Gulf of the correspondents below, to reach Blue Star Line Ltd 4 Mrs E G George sponsors them by: Suite 2260 'Starman Anglia' 1 January for Spring issue Three Embercadero Center 5 Crusader Service Seminars 1 April for Summer issue San Francisco, CA 94111 7 My years with Blue Star 1 July for Autumn issue 8 BSSM News 1 October for Winter issue. Republic of South Africa 9 Blue Star Line News G G H Jefferys 10 Lamport & Holt Line News Whilst every effort will be made to Blue Star Line (South Africa) Pty Ltd 10 Liner Shipping Agencies News include all contributions submitted, PO Box 4446 11 Booth Line News lack of space may make it necessary to Thibault Square 12 Profiles hold over the publication of some Lower St Georqe's Street 14 Around the World in articles until a later issue. Cape Town twenty-three days 17 The Oxford Diving Expedition Australia United Kingdom to Cabo Frio R Walker D Green 18 Amver Awards Blue Star Line (Aust) Pty Ltd Lamport & Holt Line Ltd 19 The Ghillie-Ghillie man is back Box R21 20 Around the World by box-boat Booth Steamship Company Ltd Royal Exchange Post Office Albion House 21 A year in the hot seat Sydney 22 Twenty to Thirty Coats of Paint James Street NSW 2000 Liverpool L2 7PS 23 News from Australia 24 Kiwi column G E Gunner Argentine 24 Springbok column Blue Star Ship Management Ltd P F McGuinness Albion House Agencia Maritima Mundial, SA James Street Avenida Cordoba 653 Liverpool L27PS Buenos Aires M H R Foster Brazil Liner Shipping Agencies Ltd Cover: Southland Star loading at Benair Freight Ltd, Translode Ltd Terminus Island, Los Angeles. R J Burnett Agencias Mundiais SA 34 Leadenhall Street February, 1978 Caixa Postal 190 London EC3A 1AR Belem RA Russell F C Tate Blue Star Line Ltd Companhia Expresso Mercanti! 34 Leadenhall Street Avenida Rio Brance 25, 10 Andar London EC3A 1AR Caixa Postal 969-ZC-00 Rio de Janeiro

Middle East W H Askew Blue Star Line Ltd PO Box 290 Dubai UAE

New Zealand W Smith Blueport A.C.T. (NZ) Ltd Written permission must be obtained PO Box 192 from the Editor before any of the IBM Centre articles or photographs in Gangway Designed by the Design Studio 157 The Terrace are used or reproduced in any way and printed in England by whatsoever. John Gardner (Printers) Ltd. Wellington 1 1977 IN RETROSPECT

by J G Payne Our business is international and what- responsible for the ship's husbandry. sea staff accept the new challenges of ever happens on the national or Both our container consortia, that is shorejobs and make a successof them. international scene is more than likely ACT(A) and Johnson ScanStar, had a to affect our business, somewhere and reasonable trading year. somehow. For this reason the Chair- Our trades with South America man, Senior Managers, and myself produced about the usual mix of keep in touch with the national and problems and frustration, but taken asa A personal note international affairs of our industry and whole the results were about average, On a more personal note I found 1977 try to playa constructive role whenever except for the Amazon where we a year which gave a lot of satisfaction we can. decided to stop trading with the within the Group, despite the frustra- 1977 was a year which will be United States, since there was little tions of the never ending problems for remembered in the Industry for the hope of our ever getting sufficient the industry on the international scene, inevitable wage discussions affecting cargo as a cross trader to make a some of which have already been both sea staff and shore staff, by the reasonable living. Liner Shipping mentioned and few of which appear expected surplus capacity of the inter- Agencies in the UK and Eirehad a busy to have a ready solution in sight. The nationalshipbuildingindustrybecoming year representing Group interests, Group problems-which are few a reality, by the increased capacity of Johnson ScanStar, Atlanticargo, and indeed-always seem to have a the Russian Merchant Marine which many other outside agencies. LSA's solution in sight which can be planned has become increasingly evident on 14 offices now employ some 300 for and action taken as appropriate. most trade routes, and by the inter- people. More of my time is now spent pretation and administration of the travelling-which has its advantages United States' shipping laws becoming and disadvantages. A glance in my so confused that one is never certain Staff changes diary tells me that in 1977 I visited whether one is operating inside or out- There will always be staff changes of Kuwait, Abadan, Bandar Shahpour, side the law. course, but 1977 tended to produce an Bandar Abbas, Dubai, Bahrain, Our own government, in the mean- acceleration in staff turnover at most Dammam, Jeddah, San Francisco, time, has excelled itself by getting in levels because of government pay Guayaquil, Quito, Miami, Grimstad, such a muddle over 'employee parti- restraints.We dislike government inter- Bremen, Oslo, Stockholm, Paris, Ham- cipation' that the subject has been ference in our business at any time, burg, Bremen, Rotterdam, Venice, relegated to the 'too difficult' file even more so when it disturbs the loyal New York, Copenhagen, Geneva, meantime a decision which seems to relationships which we, as a family Montreux, Pretoria, Cape Town, Rio have received fairly widespread company, try to establish with all our de Janeiro, Manaus, Abu Dhabi, approval. staff. Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Christ- I do not intend to mention all church, Wellington, and Los Angeles. The trading year changes for yet a second time, but it is I visited some of these places twice or difficult to beli~ve that it is only just more, plus one or two other places, At the Company level all the plans over a year since Ken Churchouse not mentioned above, for an hour or so! which the Chairman outlined in his retired in New Zealand; furthermore, In between I have been a regular foreword to the summer edition of David Habgood seems to have been visitor to Liverpool and other places in Gangway are either a reality now, or General Manager of Blue Star Ship the UK. In all the placesvisited we have will be in 1978-which is ,how things Management in Liverpool for a long, offices, partners, and/or customers. should be! Some of these plans are long time-yet his appointment is only In conclusion may I repeat what reflected in ship deliveries. Starman just over a year old. Mr Edmund Vestey said in 1977: 'Our Africa joined the Starman fleet mid- Henry Gray joined us from West reason for being in business is to year, and we were pleased in the week Coast Stevedoring in Liverpool to- satisfy our customers. We will only before Christmas to christen Starman wards the end of the year and is a succeed if we give them the service Anglia and see Timaru Star after her welcome member of our management they want, in the way they want it, as conversion to full refrigeration at 'A' team. John Nickels left Booth Line economically as we can: I must add Berth, Victoria Dock. to live in Switzerland and 'Geoffrey to this that we will only succeed in We further expanded our reeferfleet Bishop returned to Liverpool after a this objective if we are efficient and by chartering some smaller vessels, sojourn in Singapore. Archie Gilbert profitable. which helped to make our overall fleet decided to take early retirement on the During 1977 our customers once more flexible and, hopefully, more Pacific coast and we wish him well. again proved their negotiating ability economic. 1977 was a good high These changes, coupled with new in controlling rates of freight. To season in the reefer market, but the challenges, have given further oppor- maintain our customer service and last six months of this year were slow tunities to a number of our own staff make profits we must, wherever we and therefore disappointing, a fact and we were very happy to have Mike can, make our total operation even that will not have escaped the notice Morse join usfrom ACT(A) to open our more efficient in 1978. Thank you all of sea staff. ACT 7 joined the ACT(A) office in Dubai. It has also been for your contributions towards these fleet, with Blue Star Ship Management rewarding to see one or two of the objectives in 1977. 1 new building capacity. In this very gravely distorted scene the Common Market Commission in Brussels is pressing the EEC ship- builders to cut their capacity by one ~ustraliaStar' third-and it is this same Commission which sanctions both the British Intervention Fund as a whole and each individual deal within it. We will, of Christening course, be doing everything we can through the Government to persuade · the EECto adopt a different policy, but what we are up against is typical of the 81ueSt ar IlJaugurates ~;;~;~~~~:~~can spell life or death for service The nameof the game is survival and w~ ~an't I?ok to the British taxpayer or new container British shipowners to do much more Australia Star, the first of a new class 'The name of the game than they have done already-both of container ship, was named on 25 - _, have their own problems. No, the January 1978 by Mrs Sally Nixon, wife IS survival answer lies in our own hands. We are of the Australian Federal Minister for Admiral Sir Anthony Griffin's speech all members of the same club, and Transport, at Haverton Hill Yard of at the Christening of 'Australia Star' every time we compete amongst our- Smiths' Dock, Middlesbrough. Of course some people, -like Mr selves and try to take the mickey out The new 16,000-ton fully-cellular Vestey perhaps, think they own the of each other, our true opponent is vessel will inaugurate a regular con- ship becausethey paid for it. The ship's laughing happily into his saki. tainer service operated by Blue Star Master is also sometimes referred to as British Shipbuilders' strategy has Line between Australia and New the 'Owner'-but as decently as I can been to give priority to obtaining new Zealand and the Gulf States of the I have to tell them that they can never orders so that we can stabilise a near Middles East. A sister ship, New own the ship in the sensethat you (Mrs catastrophic situation and gain time Zealand Star, is being named at the Nixon) do. By naming her, she is yours to sort out our fundamental problems, same yard in April and will operate on for life-and if I was the ship I'd live particularly in the field of labour the same route. Sailings will be at happily ever after. relations. Here the origins are at least monthly intervals, out of one New She will be a very fine ship, and we 100 yearsold and have resulted in deep Zealand port and two Australian ports all confidently expect her to match up rooted and deeply felt attitudes which to one port in Iran and three or four to the great new trading initiative arevery hard indeed to change quickly. ports in the Gulf States. which Blue Star has taken in the Gulf/ However, change they must and only The two specially designed 19-knot Australasia route. The Company those yards where this has happened container ships are equipped with the deserves every continuing success, al~eady,<;>r is likely to happen very soon, latest navigational aids and cranes, especially as it was they who placed will survive. capable of handling 20-ft and 40-ft the order with this yard in December It's no longer a matter between we containers. Each ship can carry 308 1976, thereby saving 1500 jobs for and they. 'We' are now us-and we refrigerated containers and 346 general nearly 18 months. all need to act as though we were self- service containers. Gas tight sub- It's all the more regrettable, there- employed. divisions in the hold spaces will give separate containment for groupings of fore, that we have such serious Having said all that, I wouldn't 24, 60, 80, and 140 containers, industrial problems here as to disrupt want anyone to think that British allowing carriage of a wide range of the building programme. However, I Shipbuilders lack confidence. We have want to say nothing on this occasion the most versatile Shipbuilding Cor- non-compatible temperature-con- trolled foodstuffs at temperatures to embarrass or prejudice those who poration in the world, with the skill ranging from minus 23 degrees centi- are trying to sort things out on the and ability to build anything from small grade to plus 12 degreescentigrade. spot. That's where the solution lies.The craft to VLCCs, from patrol boats to Mr Jim Payne, Deputy Chairman of further you get from the problems the nuclear submarines and aircraft Blue Star Line, commented that the further you get from the solution, and carriers. ships had been specially designed with I have repeatedly represented this to We are competitive with most West the congestion problems of the Gulf in the Government. European shipyards and in certain mind. Consequently, they were highly Having said that, no-ons should classes of ship we are competitive self-sufficient and able to load or dis- ignore what is going on in the world even with the Far East. Relative to our charge at almost any port in the Gulf. about us. Forces are operating there normal capacity we did better over He added that Blue Star Line had which will destroy all but the best of us. new orders last year than most other chosen the fully cellular design be- The effect of world trading conditions free world countries, including Japan, cause it had proved the most efficient not coming up to expectations is that and many yards have full order books concept for refrigerated transportation the world's shipbuilding capacity is until the end of 1979. and offered adaptability for most about four times the demand. We are trying to make a decentra- general cargo. The world order book, and our own, lised system work by concentrating on Speeches were made at the have halved in the past eighteen broad policy and leaving its execution Christening by Admiral Sir Anthony months. Many yards in Europe and to the people on the spot. As part of this Griffin, GCB, Chairman of British Ship- even in Japan have gone bankrupt scheme we want to encourage parti- builders, and Mr Edmund Vestey, and closed. The Japanese order book cular yards to sustain or develop Chairman of Blue Star Line. The text at the end of 1973 stood at 63 million special relationships with their of their addressesis reproduced below. GRT; it is now down to 12 million, and customers-and here the close liaison Also present were the Line's General much of that is due to be completed in between such a distinguished line as Manager for the new service, Graham the next six months. Meanwhile, the Blue Star and Smith's Dock is a most Lightfoot of BSL Australia, and the Comecon countries and third world encouraging example for -the rest of Gulf General Manager based at Dubai, nations such as Korea, Taiwan, Brasil, the industry to follow. Perhaps I might Michael Morse. and Mexico are producing even more be allowed to make special mention of 2 Mr Tune and his staff and the tre- cup of tea and a large drink, the tele- Meantime, with ourfriends in ACTA mendous help he has been to the firm. phone went. I picked it up and it we had become partners in the We in British Shipbuilders salute wanted to speak to me, so, unwisely, I Australian National Line, and I hope your enterprise, Mr Vestey, and are said I was me, upon which they said they have enjoyed their association determined to meet your requirements 'this is the Sunday Times, we want to with us as much as we have ours with so that you come to us. not simply know what you are going to do about them. through partriotism, but because you this man on hunger strike in Sydney.' We are a little sad that Australia Star believe that we can produce the quality I asked which man, and why he was is being built by Blue Star alone, as we you need, at a world competitive price, on hunger strike, and was told it was had hoped that the new container and delivered on time. all because I was being beastly to an trade from Australia and New Zealand Aboriginal tribe in the Northern Terri- to the Persian Gulf-or, if you prefer, Taking the plunge tory called the Gurindji. 'Why: they the Arabian Gulf-would be an ACTA asked, 'don't you give them the land trade. We had talks too with AN L to Mr Edmund Vestey's speech at the they want?' see if they would come into the trade. Christening of 'Australia Star' I explained that it was not our land The result is that Blue Star is alone; but I would like to add my thanks to to give. We were only tenants of the I would not like to let this moment pass those of Admiral Griffin to Mrs Nixon Australian Government. We always without saying that the initiative came for so kindly coming all the way from what the Government wanted, pro- from ACTA management, who did an Australia to christen Australia Star. It vided we were left with a sensible, enormous amount of work in preparing is sad indeed that it has only been a workable lease. Next morning in the their recommendations to their share- Christening ceremony, and we have Australian papers were headlines such holders, and did a first class job. not been able to see the ship go down as 'VESTEYS WILL GIVE UP LAND the slipway and enter the water-a TO GURINDJI'-which servedto keep Having taken the plunge, I only hope sight which has a thrill all its own and a few telephone operators a bit busy. our faith is not misplaced. We have which never fails in its magic, how- Our Manager in Sydney said, rather been greatly encouraged by the enthu- ever many times one sees it. than asked, 'What have you done?' siasm for what we are doing shown by Mr and Mrs Nixon are a very special I was going out to Australia a couple so many Australian exporters who have couple, and I am delighted that Mrs of weeks later in any case, so I was so far been denied a regular container Nixon, as wife of the Australian told that I had better go and explain service to the Gulf area. Minister of transport, is here as sponsor myself to the Minister, who was not The last ship Mrs Nixon named was of the new Australia Star. Mr Nixon quite amused. Feeling rather like a five or six times the size of this one, and was in a different role when I first met small schoolboy I duly arrived outside she did see her in the water as a him a number of years ago as Minister the Minister's office in Canberra. He finished ship. The bottle of champagne of the Interior. listened to my tale and, unlike any was on the end of about thirty feet of I was on holiday in Scotland and other Minister I have ever met in any string and it was with great skill that had been out deerstalking all day. I part of the world, then said, 'Right, I she broke the bottle first time. With wandered for miles and miles and as I think you had better leave this to me: even more skill she then went and walked into the house longing for a which I happily did. spoke Swedish to the works band.

Mrs. Sally Nixon, wife of the Australian Minister with Mr. G. H. Parker, Director and General Manager of Smith's Dock 3 At least she has been spared that today; but it is so very sad that she has not seen her Australia Star launched today as she and all of us News from the Gulf here had hoped she would. A few years ago it would have seemed building and are gradually preparing We have grown to know and expect most unlikely that we would be for the great day when the first of our so much of Smith's Dock that we had reporting from a Blue Star Line office new container ships, Australia Star, rather taken it for granted that the new in the Middle East. Now, owing to inaugurates the container service be- yard they have been given to manage changing trades and interests, we have tween New Zealand, Australia, and would have the same attributes. Sadly, an area Management Office in Dubai the Gulf area. There is still much to be we seem to have been wrong, but I in the United Arab Emirates,and this is done before the first ship arrives, but want to reassure all our friends in is the first newsletter from the Gulf. the pattern is taking shape. South Bank that what has happened At present our staff consists of just In the meantime the conventional in Haverton Hill in no way alters the three men. Our General Manager, ships are not ignored and we are respect we have for them. Mike Morse, took up residence here pleased to be able to assist when ships I hope that those members of British in September. He is well known from call for stores or crew change. We are Shipbuilders here will forgive me if his last appointment as General delighted to see familiar faces and I say that I wish I could find a Manager of ACTA in London. hope that our presence helps to make nationalised industry that is as efficient Bill Askew transferred from Blue passing through the area more and successful as its private counter- Star Ship Management in September pleasant. part. I hope, and like to think, that as and arrived in Dubai in October to Since opening the office here we part of British Shipbuilders, Smith's take up the post of Operations Manager have had visits from Mr and Mrs Dock will prove to be just that. for the area. He was closely followed J G Payne and Ian Simpson from However, I understand that while by Ian Nicholls, who transferred Head Office and took great pleasure in the present Government wage guide- from Blueport ACT, Auckland Con- showing them around our new terri- lines may be guidelines for me, (though tainer Terminal, to assume the post of tory. We look forward to receiving I may have to face the consequences Technical Manager. many more visitors in the coming if I break them), they are mandatory We can report that we now have our months. instructions for your industry. This own office within our Agent's office W H Askew rigid ruling, added to the time it seems to take the Government to vet annual pay awards, makes it almost impossible for local management however good, Mrs EG George sponsors to solve the problems arising in individual shipyards. I say this as part-owner of a private 'Starman Anglia' family company, and my cousin, who Starman Anglia, sistership to Starman builders, and shippers also attended. owns the other part, is here today too. Africa, was christened at Haverton Hill Starman Anglia, the third specialist We have seen, in so many countries Shipyard, Middlesbrough (managed heavy lift vessel to join the Starman around the world, Government help by Smith's Dock Co, part of British fleet entered service in January 1978 given to private companies when help Shipbuilders) on 21 December 1977. and since then has been busy in was needed and appropriate, with The christening ceremony was per- European waters carrying a variety of good results. I am sad to see Smith's formed by Mrs Megan George, wife heavy loads, including some massive Dock, a company with excellent of Blue Star Line's General Manager, pre-assembled units for the North Sea. management and with the same indi- Mr Eric George. She is a highly manoeuverable vidual and family outlook as ourselves, The Owners were represented by vessel, capable of lifting 300 tons and now hampered by these rigid Govern- Blue Star's Deputy Chairman, Mr J rolling-on 1000 tons. A special feature ment controls; but if any yard in G Payne, General Manager G J is the hinged funnel on her portside British Shipbuilders deserves to Gibson and Messrs M Reincl

From left ro right: Mr W EHunter, Admiral Sir Anthony Griffin GCB, Mr L G At the Christening (left to right): r George Parker, Director and General Manager of Smith's Lightfoot, Mrs Nan McArthur Dock, Mrs Megan George, and M, Jim Payne, Deputy Cbetrmen, Blue Star tine 4 Crusader Service Seminars

In the July 1977 issue of Gangway we reported on the arrangements being made to operate the new containerised service between the Pacific coast of North America and New Zealand. At that time the newly-formed Blue Star Line office in San Francisco was housed in rather cramped temporary accommodation, awaiting a permanent home in Suite 2260 at the Embarcadero Center Three Building. This is a new complex overlooking the San Francisco Bay; Three Building can be seen in the foreground of our picture. Envious readers might pause awhile and sympathise with our intrepid staff, who remain dutifully at their air- conditioned posts on the 22nd floor, completely disregarding the flickerings on the Richter Scale which warn of impending earthquakes. We were able to move to our new office on 18 November and on the following morning we received our first visitors: Mr and Mrs J G Payne, en route from New Zealand to London. All our staff were present, busily employed in a race against time to complete the folders and .manuals for the forthcoming seminars. It was not long before the Deputy Chairman and Mrs Payne were hard at work on the production line. A very successful seminar was held on 21 and 22 November in San Francisco attended by some 30 dele- gates representing the USA Mainland, Canada, Hawaii and Fiji. We were also pleased to welcome Messrs. Lambert and McGregor from Wellington. After an introduction to the new service organisation, Ray Tilley explained pro- cedures for bookings and operations, and aIsogave detaiIsof the conversions being undertaken on the two ships. This was followed by a talk from John Forster outlining the container control and documentation systems se out in the manual, using a slide projector to illustrate the various accounting forms. Presumably as a courtesy to the visitors from 'down under', the majority of these pictures firs appeared upside down, but at least ere should be no excuse for errors .hen completing the forms in ellington. The following day featured Jack Den on who promptly divided the t",,.i7~ delega es into small groups with the ~l,_,,"-,,::-,_..;;o ••.•. ~ •.•• _ task of studying and reporting on The Embarcardero Center

5 different marketing projects. This (Overseas Shipping, Vice-President The Wellington Seminar was proved to be a novel approach, Sales) journeyed from San Francisco attended by about 30 representatives cunningly allowing the speakertime off to Auckland. The sight of several from all offices and was, perhaps, less whilst the audience was hard at work. hundredweight of manuals and pub- successful than its predecessor. The The proceedings concluded with a licity material immediately attracted dictionary defines a seminar as 'a review of the northbound trade by the attention of a senior customs group of advanced students pursuing Bill Lambert, and a closing address by officer and we feared that a substantial research under a teacher.' Con- Mr Payne. import duty was about to be levied. tainerisation is not new to Blueport Fortunately the official became im- ACT (NZ) and it was soon apparent Wellington Seminar mersed in the container control section that a fair number of the students In preparation for the New Zealand of the manual and readily accepted were extremely advanced and doing Seminar, held in Wellington on 28 and our explanation that this was compul- their best to overwhelm the visiting 29 November, a small Blue Star Line sive reading for all port agents in New 'teachers' ! delegation together with Evan Pugh Zealand. An encouraging feature of both

Refrigerated containers arrive at Auckland to be positioned in A specially designed 40-ft flat awaits shipment from Liverpool to readiness for the northbound trade Vancouver for use on the Crusader vessels

Conversion work in progress on 'Southland Star' at Bremen 6 seminars was the considerable amount of audience participation and we would like to thank all those con- FROM SAN FRANCISCO cerned in San Francisco and Wellington for their valuable contri- butions. After many months of detailed ~~ t//~aJiLeQlb preparatory work it is gratifying to note the enthusiasm with which this new container service is being received. The inaugural southbound voyage of Southland Star from Vancouver took place at the end of January. G J Gibson

by Archie Gilbert, who recently retired from the Company's San Francisco office My first business trip for Blue Star why I was not 'in the Company'. This Line took place at the tender age of decided me, and on my return to six months when my father brought the Hollywood I resigned from the camera family to the Pacific Coast to in- business and returned to Seattle to augurate the BSL North Pacific enter the Blue Star office. R B Tiley, Operations Manager Service. Apples were the principle commodity of interest to Blue Star and Learning the business Seattle was the major port for the Shortly after I began work, my father's apple-producing areas of the states of assistant, Clifford Greene, died of a Oregon and Washington and the heart attack. Mr Ronald Vestey, then Province of British Columbia in Chairman of Blue Star, called me to Canada. Apples being a seasonal crop, New York and suggested that I spend the family spent the winters in Seattle six months in London learning the and the summers in New York, where business. In those days Blue Star my father managed the Spanish Cork Head Office was in Smithfield, the Company on behalf of the Vestey Freight Office was in Lime Street, and family. the Passenger Office was in Lower Eight years later, the businesses had Regent Street. advanced to the point where they each Returning to the Pacific Coast, I needed year-round attention. My father entered into a period of serious opted for the steamship business and training under my father. Ten years so the Gilbert family settled in Seattle, later he retired at the age of 73 and I my first permanent home and the town was appointed General Manager of where I received my schooling. Blue Star Line lnc. with instructions When war broke out in 1941 I was to move the Pacific Coast Head Office attending the University of Washington to San Francisco. J A Forster, Accountant and promptly took employment in the These last 15 years have been very engineering office of Todd Shipyard in exciting. Major projects have included Seattle, which was building destroyers an attempt to rationalise the services of for the United States Navy. I am proud all the British Lines on the Pacific to say that two of these ships were Coast, which was scuttled by Furness mentioned in dispatches in the action Withy, a strenuous and successful off Omaha Beach during the 0 Day effort to mechanise our operations with invasion. containerisation, and the commence- I spent a period in the US Navy, but ment of our 'Viking' containerisation did not see action. I was in my early scheme, in partnership with the Danes twenties when I returned to civilian life and Swedes. We also gained the and although attracted to the steam- Agency for Crusader Line in San ship business I was reluctant to dwell Francisco; the service was later taken in my father's shadow. I struck out on over in its entirety by Blue Star and we my own and pursued a varied career, are now in the process of containerisa- including two years in farming and six tion. years in Hollywood, manufacturing I can look back on a most interesting sound motion picture cameras. and rewarding career, during which I A decisive point in my life was made many good friends in the reached with a trip to England, during Company. When I get settled into J V Denton, Marketing and Sales which I was entertained at the home of retirement I hope to write a history of Coordination Lord Vestey. His Lordship enquired Blue Star Line on the Pacific Coast. 7 B:I:Z 8SSM news Discipline at sea Much has happened on the personnel Company contract officers, and the During 1978 it is expected that there front since the Christmas issue of confirmation of the standard tour of will be certain changes of a quite Gangway was published. Our payroll duty with compensatory benefit for radical nature in the law affecting computer hiccupped violently with the those serving more than the four discipline at sea. I do not propose to refund of back tax in December and months. go into detail here, but suffice it to almost went into convulsions sorting We have endeavoured to answer say that all of our Masters have no out Phase2 and productivity payments. satisfactorily numerous questions con- attended a 1-k-day GCBS-organised But by the time sea staff read this all cerning the application of these new seminar to introduce them to the ne should have been sorted out. If it hasn't and improved benefits. All senior staff system. In due course every UK sea- you will doubtless let us know! in the Fleet Personnel Department are, farer, officer, and rating will receive a Measures introduced in recent of course, fully conversant with them Code of Conduct. This Code will be months include improved benefits and will be pleased to explain matters the cornerstone of the new system and linked to a new voucher system of if there are any members of sea staff I therefore hope that all employees a uniform allowance, the introduction of who are still not clear on these points. sea will 'read, learn, and inwardl assisted air travel for the wives of digest.'

Sad deaths vessels trading from London to the off Malta in July 1941. Plate. He commanded Brasil Star from Service on various vesselsfollowed, Appreciations will appear elsewhere in 1958 to 1963 and Iberia Star from among them Columbia Star, New this issue or in future issues for Chief 1963 to 1965. transferring back to Zealand Star, and Australia Star, before !EngineerEJ Barnes, Mr WE Cox, Brasil Star until 1968. His final posting being promoted Chief Engineer 0' formerly BSL Marine Department, before retirement in 1969 was as Melbourne Star in May 1954. His Captain P Hunt, MBE, formerly Master of Paraguay Star. career as a Blue Star Chief Enginee Marine Superintendent, Blue Star Line, All who knew, admired, and re- continued on the vessels Imperial Star, and Captain L Vernon, former BSL spected Leslie Vernon will have been Paraguay Star, and Argentine Star; ill- Master. greatly saddened to hear of his death. health then intervened and Ted was Their deaths gave great sadness to We extend our heartfelt sympathy to appointed Chief Relieving Engineer on both shore and sea staff alike, and, on his widowand family. Brasilia Star. behalf of the latter, I would like to offer Many other relieving positions sympathy and condolences to their followed on BSL vessels and later, relatives. Death of Mr Edward Barnes following the formation of BSSM, on Death of Captain Leslie Lamport & Holt and Booth Line ships. It is with the deepest regret that we Although Ted was dogged with ill- Vernon announce the death of Mr Edward health over the years, he was never Captain Leslie Vernon, MBE, died George Barnes, Chief Engineer, at a heard to complain and was always a at the age of 68 on 5 January. He hospital in Liverpool on 7 November most charming person to know. The joined Blue Star Line as a Cadet in 1977. comment made by all who knew him- 1926 and progressed steadily through 'Ted', as he was known to all, 'he was a gentleman'-perhaps de- the ranks, reaching command in 1943. joined Blue Star Line as a Junior scribes him best. Captain Vernon was awarded his Engineer and was appointed to At this sad time our thoughts and M BEfor outstanding seamanshipwhile Imperial Star in June 1937. He was condolences go to Maisie, his wife, in charge of a lifeboat in bad weather in later promoted to 4th Engineer on and Julie, his daughter. mid-Atlantic, following the torpedoing Auckland Star and was torpedoed off J SLow of Empire Star in October 1942. the Irish coast in July 1940. Whilst Senior Supt Engineer In the postwar years he spent a long serving as 4th Engineer aboard Sydney period as Master of various passenger Star he was again torpedoed, this time

M r F J Page celebrates of the voyage he had accumulated Marshall, Mr Page helped to bring fifty years' service three hours' overtime, amounting to the vessel into port. (Full details of 12-kp! this action can be found in Sea On 12 December 1977 a small party In those days Lamport & Holt Line Breezes, October 1977.) met at Albion House, Liverpool, to was very different from today. Lord Since those days he has sailed into celebrate with Mr F J Page, BEM, Kylsant was Chairman, Alfred Woods quieter waters, but still works very his completion of fifty years' con- General Manager, F H Lowe Assistant hard to ensure that our vessels are tinuous service with Lamport & Holt General Manager, and George Melly properly stored for their voyages across Line and BSSM. Mr Page is now the (ancestor of the renowned writer and the world. Those attending on 12 Ships' Stores Supervisor at Liverpool. jazz singer of the same name) had that December were privileged and glad 0 Mr D J Habgood welcomed year completed fifty years as partner the opportunity, on behalf of all his Captain F E Crebbin, Captain J E and director. The Head Office was still ship and shore colleagues, to pa Lenham, Captain A Braund, Mr R in Liver Buildings, although in that tribute to his comradeship and wis Webb, Mr H Bennett, and Mr T D year it was transferred to Fenchurch him well in his continuing service. Tozer chatted informally about Mr Street in London. There was a fleet of Page's long service, recalling that he 45 vessels. had joined Lamports in July 1927, In 1944 Mr Pagewas honoured with remaining with the company until the the British Empire Medal after his ship Congratulations setting up of BSSM. Delius had fought a five-day battle Fred Page set sail from Liverpool on with fires below deck. A German long- We offer our congratulations to 2nd 14 July 1927 as deck boy on board range bomber had attacked the ship Engineers T G Forster, C J Ellis, Browning, with Captain Taylor and whilst in convoy, destroying her bridge D J Darrah, and D A Paize on their Chief Officer W C Blake. He earned and killing the Master and Second promotions to Chief Enqineer. £2.50 per month, although by the end Officer. With the Chief Officer, G M W Hornby 8 Captain E J Jones joined Fieet Personnel Department as Marriages Cadet Training Officer, the position Second Officer W F (Bill) Huqhes Towards the end of 1977 it became originally held by Tom Crool

like to take this opportunity to con- siderably hampered his studies. Cadet news gratulate them. D J Schultz, who is presently Engineer Cadet I R Bowing has We have recently conducted inter- serving as 3rd Officer on America Star, been awarded the Cayzer Irvine OND views for both Deck and Engineer has been awarded the Furness Withy Prize from Southampton College of Cadets. Our interviewers have included (General Shipping) Prize from South- Technology for his excellent perfor- C Ballinghall, Chief Engineer, G ampton School of Navigation. Mr mance during the first year of his M Hildred, 2nd Engineer, Captain Schultz was the A level student in the; training there. R M Burns, and P J Newton. We summer term of 1977 who passed the Engineer Cadet W R Kerswell 2nd Mate's Certificate with the highest would also like to make mention of J has been awarded the Mobil OND H Mockett, Chief Officer, who marks. This is an excellent result which Prize from Southampton College of does Mr Schultz great credit. assisted us with Officer Trainee inter- Technology for his' very good work Engineer Cadet J Brackston views earlier in the year and whom we D during the final year of his phase one has been awarded the Texaco Prize omitted to thank in Gangway. training there. We are most grateful to all these from Highbury Technical College for M W Thomas, who is now serving his excellent performance in Marine gentlemen for their assistance. I believe as Junior Engineer on Gladstone Star, Engineering Practice and instrumenta- that they found the experience to be has been awarded the P & 0 METAC tion during his final year of studies both interesting and enjoyable, Prize for his very good work during which ended in December 1976. The Awards for Blue Star the fourth year of his training at prize awarded was a copy of The Southampton College of Technology. Running and Maintenance of Marine cadets This award does Mr Thomas particular Machinery. Awards have recently been made to a credit as he suffered a serious accident T Crool

Death of Captain Ben demolished the 3.5 inch gun on the wet Metcalfe poop. ater I was Officer on the watch at this It is with great regret that we record time and observed the efforts of the the death of Captain Benjamin Captain to keep the submarine astern, Mitchinson Metcalfe on 14 October but this proved difficult because the 1977, at the age of 69. enemy could not be seen in ~ e Ben joined the Company as a Deck darkness, except when she fired er Boy in December 1924, retiring as armament. Eventually the ship caugh Commodore in December 1971 after fire amidships and, with shrap ~ 47 years' service. After obtaining his flying about in all directions, Captai 2nd Mate's Certificate he was unable Everettgave the order to abandon i. to find work as an Officer for some time The two starboard boat and sailed as Quartermaster on the launched successfully, bu e 0 er cruise ships Voltaire and Vandyck. He two were hit, killing the 3rd Officer. received an official commendation for Captain Everett was taken aboard e his services during the last war and submarine as a prisoner and the appended to this obituary is an extract enemy commander furnished r from Sea Breezes recounting some of Metcalfe with a chart. He apologised his experiences as 2nd Officer of for the sinking of our ship and the Willimantiz, when she was sunk by death of our shipmates and then set enemy action in 1942. His first off on a north-easterly course. The command came in December 1951, raider had obviously been on patrol for when he was appointed Master of some time and was now out of Sallust. torpedoes. Ben Metcalfe was finally laid to After spreading the boat cover as an rest at Brathay Church in a lovely awning, and rigging up another jury setting in his beloved Lakeland, with sail, I discussed the situation with the the sound of water running down the Chief Officer in the other boat. He hillside. Captains Crebbin and decided to steer due west and make Nylchreest represented Directors, for the American coast. I had already Management, and Staff at the funeral. decided to makefor Antigua, SSW 800 The Rev Graham Hartley made miles, since I thought that trying to referenceto the way he had fitted in so cross the Gulf Stream was impossible. well with the local community since My plan had the advantage of fair retiring to Skelwith, Ambleside. When winds and current and I estimated that he visited Liverpool he always made a we would make it in ten days. The point of calling in at Albion House in Chief Officer was of the opinion tha order to keep abreast of Lamport his group had a better chance of being happenings. picked up; I wasn't, knowing that in Ben Metcalfe will be sorely missed wartime ships were routed well away by his many friends both ashore and from shipping lanes. afloat and we extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and family. Extract from 'Sea Breezes' Steering by the stars Action at sea, June 1942 We steered by compass during day- On 24 June 1942, at 0345 hours, we light, and when darkness fell e weresuddenlv attacked by asubmarine steered by the stars. I rationed the men which opened fire on the surface. First to one eighth of a pint of water dail , she blew away the wireless room and and one meal of corn beef mixed . after end of the chart room, killing the crushed biscuit-all we had. During two Radio Officers. The next shot the heat of the day the men kept under 10 Appointments sonnel moved into the Royal Liver Belles Lettres Building and Jack transferred to The Atlanticargo Agency of the General L~mports as Freight Manager. In 1952, The article in the Winter 1976-77 issue Agencies Division was strengthened in With th.eexpansion of Group interests, of 'Gangway' has unearthed this January by the appointment of .J A E an office was opened in Swansea unusual painting on porcelain of Privett as Assistant General Manager under the title of Liner Shipping 'Bellenoch'. This photograph was sent and the transfer of D.J Baker from the Ag.ency Ltd. managed by Jack Smythe. to us by the grand-daughter of a Lon.d.on Area Office to take up the This was the first office of Liner Donkeyman who served aboard the position of Commercial Manager. S.hipping-the title then being in the ship. Singular and not, as now, in the plural. Retirement of Captain Stanley Williams. Pioneering work Captain Stanley Mason Williams Jack Smythe speaks with feeling of retired in February after 28 years in those years in Wales: it was pioneering command. Stan Williams was born on work in the true sense of the word for 12 November 1914 and served his calling upon South Wales shippers apprenticeship with Moss Hutchinson. entailed travelling over long distances He joined Lamport & Holt Line in often in bad weather. ' January 1941 as3rd Officer on Bruyere In 1957 Jack returned to Lamport & and was torpedoed later that year off Holt, this time in London, and in the the coast of Sierra Leone, being years that followed visited the rescued after seven days in a lifeboat. Company's offices in Brasil, Uruguay, Because of his resilience he was and the Argentine. promoted in February 1942 to 2nd In 1969 he moved to Manchester, Officer of De vis. This vessel was where he was involved in the establish- torpedoed in July 1943, just before the ment of ScanStar at the containerbase. all.iedinyasion of Sicily. For his part in When Johnson Line joined forces with this action Stan Williams received an ScanStar to create Johnson ScanStar, Jack moved into the city office of Booth line News official commendation. He served in various Lamport vessels Liner Shipping Agencies and remained Honour for Director until his promotion to Chief Officer in there until his retirement at the end of 1977._ ~illiam H Grannum, Managing October 1946 on the East Coast Director of the Booth Steamship Co North America/North Brasil service. To mark his retirement, the manage- ment organised a splendid and most (Barbados) Ltd since its formation in He was promoted to Master in 1950. 1962, has become the first Barbadian During his early years in command successful party on board Townsville Star. Many of Jack's friends attended ever to be honoured by the Govern- he succeeded in refloating the Booth ment of Francewith the OrdreNational passenger ship, Hilary, hard aground and those unable to be there sent messagesof goodwill. Short speeches de Merite, the highest distinction following the failure and loss of the available to a non-national of the tug engaged to do the job. After the were made by Gordon Gibson David Barber, and Sam Britland: Republic. establishment of BSSM, Captain The medal was bestowed upon him Williams moved from the regular and Jack was presented with a hand- some, beautifully engraved pewter at a ceremony which took place at his South American run and spent a while home in Hastings, Barbados, by His in command on Blue Port vessels. tankard. Having helped to establish Liner Excellency M Henri Chollet, French His last appointment, however, was Ambassador to the island. M Chollet on Roland when, accompanied by Mrs Shipping Agency in 1952, it is fitting that Jack Smythe should retire in this spoke highly of Mr Grannurn's service Williams he was able to say farewell as Consular Agent for France in to his many friends in South America. Royal Silver Jubilee year; having seen the Company attain its own Silver Barbados, a post which he has just Jubilee. We all wish Jack and Mrs va~ated upon reaching the compulsory Retirement of Jack Smythe Smythe long years of good health and retirement age of 70. Jack Smythe joined Blue Star Line a very happy retirement. William Grannum has been in back in 1935 at the Liverpool office in We would like to close with a few shipping all his life, having joined the Water Street and was involved with the words from Jack himself: shipping firm of Thom and Cameron service to South Africa when BSL 'I do not feel that I am closing the (l?ter.Robert Thom) on leaving school. first joined the Conference. He remem- door tonight-rather do I think of it HIS first association with Blue Star bers those days vividly, particularly the as a stable door with only the bottom Line came in 1938 when Robert first sailing of Imperial Star under the half ~Iosed. The top half will always Thom took on the representation. command of Captain Macfarlane. remain open that I may keep in touch Presentation of the blue and silver In 1945, when Lamport & Holt Line with my friends and follow the progress medal was hosted by the Ambassador joined the Vestey Group, BSL per=; of the Company: and Mme Chollet. The guests in- cluded government ministers and the British High Commissioner.

Buenos Aires I used to call it 'Bewnus Airs' Until a friend protested That anyone who ever dares Say that should be arrested. I called it 'Bonus Iris' then But that provoked such la~ghter, I vowed I never would again Pronounce the words thereafter. But now, at last, no more disgrace I know just what to say. From left to right: Mrs Audrey Shepherd, Mr Sam Britland, Mr Jack Smythe I look the whole world in the face Mrs June Crov den, Mr W A Byers ' And call it plain 'B.A: K SLow 11 Captain W A Sparks William Sparks was born in Birken- head on 4 January 1923. From a very early age it had been his ambition to go to sea and on leaving elementary school at the age of 14 he set about fulfilling this dream. With the help and encouragement of his father and a family friend he joined Lamport & Holt Line's Voltaire as a Deck Boy in May 1937. For the next eight years he served asa rating with a number of companies. In 1945, whilst serving on a Whitby tramp, Dunsley, as an Able Seaman, the idea of progressing to Navigating Officer was first suggested to him by the deck apprentices. Having left school at a rather tender age, the main problem was to come to terms with the mysteries of mathematics. In 1947, after two years' hard work with the text books, Bill Sparks presented himself to the examiner and, he tells us, 'surprised myself and everybody else' by passing the 2nd Mate's Certi- ficate first time. At the age of 24 he rejoined Lamports as 3rd Officer, finally ob- taining a Master's Certificate in 1952. He left the Company in 1953 and spent five interesting years tramping, receiving his first command in 1956. He returned to Lamport & Holt in 1958 as a Chief Officer and command followed in 1963. Captain Sparks is married, with a teenage family of a daughter and two sons. Last year he and his wife attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Bill Sparks never leaves for a tour of duty without at least one book of poetry, Kipling and Masefield being his particular favourites. In more recent years he has become an MMSA Council member and attends meetings whenever he is at home. But navigation remains his greatest interest and he enjoys taking an active part in the day-to-day navigation of the ship. As he himself says 'I don't see why the 2nd Officer should have all the enjoyment.'

12 Mr D A Barber David Barber is General Manager and a Director of Lamport & Holt Line, Liverpool. He was born on 3 December 1924 at Leeds and spent his formative years in that city. (He reckons to qualify as a Leeds 'Leiner") After leaving school he enrolled as a cadet with the Indian Army and was posted to the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force). He served in India, Burma, and Japan and, for a short spell after Indian independence in 1947, with the 6th Gurkha Rifles during the formation of the British Brigade of Gurkhas in India and Malaya. He returned to Britain in 1948 and took one of the short business courses provided for ex-servicemen at Leeds College of Commerce. In the following year he joined W Weddel 'B' Depart- ment at West Smithfield and spent some time as a 'runner', first for the late E J Bowater and later for Mr R A Vestey before moving on to Lamport & Holt Line. David Barber was appointed Assis- tant Manager of Larnports and then begun a long and instructive 23-year association with' Mr W Lough -atthe Head Office in Royal Liver Building, Liverpool. He succeeded' Mr Lough as Manager in 1955 and as General Manager in 1974. ' He married one of 'Lamport's young ladies' and has lived happily ever since 'over the water' in Wallasey, He lists his leisure activities, according to season and inclination, as reading, pottering in the garden, gentle explora- ations of the countryside, and occasional forays to savour the scenery and serenity of the North Yorkshire National Park. David Barber's wife, Marjorie, has interests on and off the stage with the Wallasey Amateur Operatic Society and counts on his support in their activities-so long as this is strictly confined to audience participation! Aroundthe orldin twenty-three days by IDM Simpson

I set out on my trip on 7 November The following day we travelled by their own products. 1977, feeling glad to leave London car down the coast to Abu Dhabi, a At first light the next day we set off behind me. Winter was setting in, two-hour journey. The road is in good for our next destination, Singapore- random blackouts stretched out the condition, but there are no wayside but first of all one or two problems had dark days still further, and a telephone facilities at all, the only landmarks to be overcome. I noted on leaving my engineers' strike hindered our com- being dead camels and wrecked cars. hotel that a taxi fare to the airport had munications with the outside world Whereas Dubai is the commercial been added to my bill, but on arrival at and even disrupted BSL's internal centre of the United Arab Emirates, the airport the wretched taxi -driver system. On top of all this, my flat was Abu Dhabi is the capital and perhaps (complete with his fan belt, white robe, without hot water, due to a fault in the richest city in' the domain. The and sandals) wanted his fare and not the boiler. city is coming to resemble any western just a tip. After some minutes of slow Our departure from Heathrow was metropolis, with skyscrapers and English and wild gesticulation I delayed for an hour in the aftermath of masses of greenery-both pet likes managed to make him and a police- the Heathrow air traffic controllers' of the ruler. In fact there are only two man understand my position-or at strike-but in the circumstances I buildings in the city over 15 years old, least I thought I had. suppose that we were lucky to get namely the Emir's old palace and the However, as I passed through away with only one hour's waiting. prison, and a million qallons of water customs I was collared by this same At 11.15 that night, local time, we are pumped into the city every week policeman and instructed to follow landed in Dubai, a hot and dusty port from a nearby oasis to sustain all the him outside to begin negotiations with in the Gulf. greenery. the taxi-driver all over again. The Our party (Mr and Mrs Payne and situation seemed hopeless and I re- myself) were efficiently whisked Land of opportunity luctantly agreed to lose the fixture and through customs by a little Arab clad The Gulf states are a land of boundless pay an additional fare. in sparkling white and were then opportunity and anybody is welcomed On arrival at Singapore we were met greeted by the cheerful faces of to help development-provided that by David Bungard and his wife Michael Morse and Bill Askew. they are prepared to work. Facilities of Eliana. Dinner was taken at the Gordon After my first 24 hours in Dubai two all kinds are gradually being improved Grill in the Goodwood Park Hotel that things especially impressed me. First and the climate is not unpleasant, evening where, to my astonishment, there was the continual sound of except for the months from July to the room was decked in tartan, and motor horns at various pitches like September when the heat becomes haggis, neaps, and tatties were in- staccato conversation; secondly, the humid and intense. However, air cluded in the menu. Many thousands rapid rate of development, with new conditioning is being installed every- of miles away-and yet home from apartments, schools, and hotels spring- where. home! ing up everywhere. Perhaps this head- During a recent power cut the locals Singapore is dominated by its long expansion is proceeding rather all took to their air-conditioned cars to modern skyscraper architecture. The too quickly for the country's good, stay cool, resulting in an enormous city is immaculate with greenery since the projects never seem to be traffic jam. Besides the heat, other abounding. We were lucky enough to completed properly. One also feels that disadvantages are that public transport take lunch in a restaurant at the top of with a little more organisation, wastage is nil, bar taxis, and a private car is one of the highest buildings: the (which is considerable) could be cut essential. Apartments are expensive to restaurant revolved once every hour down. rent and cannot be bought by giving us a panoramic view of this Trade Unions are not permitted in foreigners. famous and beautiful port. Dubai and government control is Dubai is very much geared to Life goes on at a bustling pace in the strict. The framed face of the ruler progress. A new industrial town is humid heat. The roads are well laid peers down from every office wall. being built around the new port of out and thronged with cyclists as well Severe punishments are inflicted for Mena Jebel Ali and is due to be as cars and buses. Commercial life criminal acts and the system appears to completed in another two years. goes on for seven days a week, with be effective, for there is never any Facilities will include eight container shops staying open and manned by need to lock your car. Recently an berths and seventy conventional energetic and skilled sales staff, solicit- Asian convicted of theft in the neigh- berths. A white elephant maybe, but ing customers. Bargaining is the usual bouring Emirate of Abu Dhabi was perhaps in the not too distant future custom and prices shown on the tabs sentenced to have his right arm lopped we shall see the UAE, with the help of are subject to discount in this way. off. their oil revenues,_pr.99l,!cingmore of Politically and socially the country 14 .'~.,.." Singapore.' lain Simpson (left) and Mrs J G Payne (right) with David and Eliana Bungard and their deuahter seems to be in a very sound state with I was continually reminded of tends to be slightly cooler and breezier the government very much in control British connections by the style of and life goes by at a slightly less hectic of affairs. Trade unions exist, but are architecture, street names, and statues pace. moderate in their aspirations. Economi- of such notables as Queen Victoria and Our stay in Australia was completed cally, too, Singapore is making rapid Robbie Burns. It was a pleasure to by a buffet dinner at the Sydney Hilton progress, and whilst visiting the ship look around such a fine city and where we met members of the BSL Harvest Gold, now chartered by BSL, Richard and Fleur Thorpe made Sydney staff and their wives. It was I was able to see the new industrial excellent guides. both a sad and a happy occasion for estates, many of which are connected We travelled down to Melbourne it was announced by Mr Payne that with shipbuilding, repairing, and for a luncheon at the Naval and Mr Chilcott (Company Secretary) was engineering. Military Club for meat shippers, Dairy/ soon to be retiring from the Company Whilst in Singapore we enjoyed a Meat Board representatives, and and that a new face, myself, would be Chinese-style dinner at the Shangrila, ACTA/BSL personnel. The atmosphere joining the Australian team early in where Mr Abraham (Assistant and surroundings there are completely 1978. Manager of Merlion) and Mr Chisholm English (I hope that the many Our next port of call was Christ- (Manager of Malayan Meat Co) Australians present will forgive me for church, New Zealand, where we were joined us with their wives. This this observation). welcomed by Bob White and Peter evening, and indeed our entire visit, The assembled company were put Spratley. Compared with the high rise was expertly organised by David clearly in the picture about the latest blocks of Singapore and Sydney, Bungard. developments in BSL by Mr Payne.The Christchurch has a much lower skyline luncheon was also an opportunity to and has much of the atmosphere of a bid adieu to Colonel Malcolm market town. Our short car journey to British connections MacArthur, who is retiring from his Lyttelton could have been a drive in the We left the heat of Singapore in our post as Chairman of the Australian Scottish highlands, with equally be- wake and travelled south-east to Meat Board, and to thank him for his guiling scenery. In Lyttelton we Australia. Light rain was falling in efforts in co-ordinating the activities of inspected Auckland Star, under the Sydney but soon the sun emerged, ship operators and meat shippers. command of Captain Windle, and a bathing this lovely city with an Whereas Sydney must have changed dinner was held that evening where irridescent light which sparkled on the considerably in recent years, we were joined by Mr and Mrs Groves waters of the harbour and highlighted Melbourne has retained an old world (ex Blueport and Turnbulls) and other the pleasant combination of old and look and remains the financial centre friends of the Company. new buildings. of the country. The weather there The following day, at the crack of 15 dawn, we boarded a chartered light aircraft which took us down to Timaru for, cf"isit to Canterbury Star. We were greeted by Peter Weith of Turnbulls, our Agents, and later met Captain Pitcher and Tony Smith from Sydney. Next stop was Wellington (and back to the tall buildings) where Gladstone Star and ACT 7 were in harbour, under the commands of Captain Bee, and Captain McPhail respectively. After an inspection of Gladstone Star, a luncheon was held in town for the many shipping friends of the Company. It was my great pleasure to meet Ken Churchouse, a man whose name has been synonymous with BSL's New Zealand interests for many years.

Magnificient vessel By courtesy of the Wellington Harbour Police we were whisked out by launch for a visit to ACT 7, out at the anchor- age. Our guided tour was conducted by Captain McPhail and, despite one or two quibbles, I must admit that the vessel is magnificient. This was the official end of our New Zealand visit, but before we caught Ready for take-off from Timaru: lain Simpson, Bob Whyte, Mrs J G Payne, and Peter Spratley our flight from Auckland we were of Christchurch Office treated to some further New Zealand- style hospitality by the Jones family Final) was televised from Montreal. at their farm outside the city, situated even more imposing from the in the most beautiful rolling hill surrounding waters and the tour My opinion is that we are very lucky country. It was most enjoyable and covered the two bridges, the Island to have games like soccer and rugby, set us up nicely for the long journey to of Alcatraz (as foreboding as its 29 November saw me being 'trucked San Francisco which now lay ahead. history), Treasure Island and Angel out' by Keith Crocker, a local broker, Island, and the impressive container in his four-wheel drive: I was off for After some hassle at Los Angeles terminal at Oakland. my last port of call, New York. The Airport we finally arrived in San After a successful Crusader Seminar sheer pace of this city hits the visitor Francisco four hours late, where we the visit was completed by a dinner immediately. For example, among the were met by Archie Gilbert who had held in aid of the WCNA Crusader jostling throng in the lobby of my been waiting patiently for those four Agents present. The after dinner hotel were a middle-aged couple hours. After the relative calm of New speeches were ably led by Chris Blom, locked in a raging argument, apparently Zealand we now found ourselves who is also an expert conductor of oblivious to the fact that they were amidst the bustle of California. Follow- traditional Norwegian drinking songs, sharing their conflicting points of view ing a brief inspection of the new BSL Mr and Mrs Payne left for London with the world at large. With the offices in the Embarcadero Building on 23 November, whilst I travelled on continual whining of police sirens at and a meal, rest was the order of the to the French-Canadian city of Mont- all hours of the day and night you get day. real. After a scenic flight over the the impression that anything can Thanks to an excellent tour arranged Rockies I was met by snow and near- happen in New York. by John Forster, I managed to see zero temperatures which, added to a The hotel's last piece of advice for many parts of San Francisco and bus and underground strike, returned the day is hardly designed to make you experience its steep hills and wide me to reality, Despite the frequent use feel comfortable. Beside your bed is a choice of restaurants. I was also able of the French language there does not note saying: 'Please remember to bolt to view the impressive Berkeley appear-on the surface, at least-to be and chain your door before retiring to University complex and will long much French influence, apart from the ensure your privacy and security. Best remember the incredible view of San occasional 'beret noir.' wishes for a good night's sleep: Point Francisco Bay at night. The friendliness noted. A taxi-driver told me the next of the inhabitants is amazing, the morning that a Brazilian had been city offers many amenities, and the Third largest city murdered the previous day in the hotel. -standard of living is high. One great On 25 November I moved on to My opinion of this city did not alter on asset is the tram system, built in 1887. Toronto, which is a considerably more seeing it in daylight. It is friendly, yet There are only two circuits in operation modern city and, after New York and unfriendly, beautiful yet ugly, exciting now, but they are both extremely Los Angeles, is the third largest city in and frightening at the same time. picturesque, as well as efficient and North America. Ontario is entirely So ended my 23-day trip around economic. English-speaking and a certain anti- the world which, considering the A highlight of our stay in San Quebec feeling is apparent-a number of places visited, had passed Francisco was. a cruise round the response to the province's separatist off with hardly a hitch. In all ports of 'famous Bay. Local Blue Star employees movement. call one thing that really impressed me and their families were joined by Temperatures here fell to minus was the loyalty of our Blue Star Gordon Gibson from London, Bill twelve degrees Celcius-quite a personnel. Their expertise and ex- Lambert and Alex McGregor from change from Singapore! It was in perience at all levels is both astonishing 'Wellington, and our own party, aboard Toronto that I had my first taste of and reassuring. a motor boat chartered by Ray Tilley. 'Canadian football' when the final of To sum up these 23 magic days: The bold skyline of the city appears the Grey Cup (equivalent to our Cup it was the trip of a lifetime. '16 / E OXFORD DIVING ·XPEDITION TO CABO FRIO

angst those sailing aboard Romney mid-July 1977 from Liverpool to io De Janeiro were two members of e Oxford Diving Expedition from

. erpool to Cabo Frio. The leader, 57 artin Whittle, had lived in Brasil for ten years and possesses a good . orking knowledge of the language, and the other passenger, Bill Watts, as extensive experience in photo- graphic techniques. The Expedition, financially aided and approved by the 51:1" 'oyal Geographical Society, also in- 29 cluded Miss Astrid Milner and Miss Christine Maggs. All four members are now back in Britain and Bill Watts has kindly sent

us the following report for Gangway: 59' It all began in the Summer of 1976 35 hen Martin Whittle was invited by a M Brasilian admiral to bring a group of Ponta, dos Fer-r-eir-oa diving biologists to his project at Cabo Frio and study the effects of the up- elling there. (What an upwelling is 23"-1' _ isn't important at this juncture; suffice 4L it to say that it is a rare enough phenomenon to justify a trip of 8000 miles to study it.) 30 5 So, in the following year, Martin and 38 three carefully chosen colleagues set M about organising an expedition. z' " Amongst many other letters, Martin i wrote to Blue Star asking for. help in 35 shipping our equipment to Brasil. In 49 49,/ his reply Mr Payne kindly offered us ...... two working passages on Blue Star 49 ships. M 39 By this stage (early summer) it had 2' become apparent that our funds would not run to four return air tickets, so we were extremely grateful for the offer. After a short correspondence with Captain A J Braund it was decided that the two boys (or men, shape looming out of the darkness. cerned with the upwelling. Upwelling after being on deck) would travel by The first glimpse of Rio wasn't much is the process by which cold, deep sea and that the girls would fly. better since it was covered in fog. I water that is rich in nutrients comes to We had a good trip out with plenty could just make out Sugar Loaf on the the surface; the main aim of the project of things to occupy ourselves. Besides radar screen. is to utilise this in any way possible. discovering what 'soo-qee-inq' meant, We left for Cabo the next day, Some schemes include making ice there were many other excitements, leaving the bulk of our equipment in (in great demand from the fishing such as getting lost in Las Palmas, customs to be sorted out after the industry for transport) using the cold knowing -that ships don't wait for weekend. This was the last we saw of water. The high concentration of people. We both managed to escape the crates for three weeks, We were nutrients is employed in culturing the barbaric rites of King Neptune warmly welcomed by the people in the algae, used to feed marine animals. when crossing the equator. I claimed project and given a great deal of There are also people engaged in that I had crossed it when coming to valuable assistance. A boat and driver biological research not related to the England by ship from my birthplace. were put at our disposal, as well as a upwelling phenomenon and the Indonesia-a claim which I later lab. We stayed in dormitories con- eventual aim is to establish a 'Univer- established to be true. nected to a certain 'Hotel Ressur- sity of the Sea'. We first saw Cabo Frio Island at gencia (Hotel Upwelling) run by At the end of our third week in midnight, a few hours before getting Projecto Cabo Frio for its guests and Brasil our equipment was finally into Rio. It would have been nice to employees. released from customs and we were see it for the first time in bright sun, able to start doing some of the things surrounded by a placid sea, just to University of the Sea that we said we would do in our ease our minds a little. However, our As can be guessed from the name of prospectus. This included general calc introduction was a rather ominous the hotel, the project is mainly con- lecting of specimens, taking photo- 17 graphs, and making a detailed survey all the samples that had been brought nests of spines under the skin. Despite of a few sites. up that day. all the old seadoq tales of sharks re- Our day was more or less totally The animal and plant life to be seen counted to us with glea on Romney, filled with preparation for and recovery at the depths we were diving to (down there were none to be seen. from a dive, which at the most would to 25 metres) was quite beautiful. The Martin enjoyed a very pleasant last an hour. It is not an exceptionally predominant specie that we found was return voyage aboard Raeburn and we efficient method of research. After we the jewel anemone; clusters covered are now trying to put our results into had recovered-a process which en- the rock faces in brightly coloured some sort of meaningful order. All in tailed washing the equipment, taking patches. There were also many sea all it was a most rewarding trip and we a shower, and eating-we might or urchins which the unfortunate diver are most grateful to Blue Star for might not go back to the lab to sort out got swept onto at times, depositing making it possible.

Basically the system operates as facilities of merchant vessels near an follows. After completing a question- emergency. naire regarding radio watch schedules To demonstrate their appreciation of and available medical and communica- the support given to this international tion facilities, a vessel forwards a lifesaving programme the US Coast simple passage plot to the Amver Guards make an annual award of blue Amver Centre in New York and this informa- Amver pennants and Certificates of tion is fed into a computer. Periodic Recognition to ships qualifying for position adjustments and reports are such an award for the first time, and a sent free of charge through any of gold pennant to those vessels which approximately 70 cooperating radio have qualified for an award for five Award stations throughout the world. consecutive years. During 1976 New The majority of our seagoing personnel Through this computerised system Zealand Star gained her first award, arefamiliar with Amver, the Automated for search and rescue the Coast California Star her third award, and Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue Guards are able to forecast and Columbia Star her fourth award. system. identify the names, locations, and

Captain T D Brewster of 'Columbia Star receives his vessel's pennant from Rear Admiral Raymond H Wood, US Coast Guerds, at a ceremony at the US Embassy in London

18 by Eddie Oakes

=- ~ead slow as we took the two gangway and into the ship. been waiting for: Mike, the burly 3rd __~ard-one ataciturn European The more experienced quickly set up Engineer, looked genuinely embar- . the other a shirtsleeved shop-as it happened, right outside rassed as the magician's deft fingers . ith a more flamboyant style the Mate's cabin, which caused an drew not one, but three live baby ~-- eaded into Port Said. explosion when he came down from chickens from his shirt. --:c - l thought on coming aboard the bridge. One flourished a rather ;} a reversal of time honoured grubby sheet of Blue Star Line headed Shock of her life u the 'dirty postcard' trade. notepaper containing a 'certificate' that Brenda, the 2nd Engineer's pretty wife, au any Penthouses, Play- one 'Jock McLean' had shown himself got the shock of her life when, with a ayfairs ?' they asked the Mate. at all times 'to be well behaved when whispered 'do you mind?' she felt the go see if other officers have aboard ship.' agile fingers toss a chicken into the top - cabin?' The wives, most of them visiting the of her blouse, then drop another in as as e approached the channel Canal Zone for the first time, were he produced the first one, There were = in 0 the port, with a sunken soon trying to 'bargain'. The purser, delighted roars from that part of the ::0=-. er yellow goalpost derricks an old hand with the traders of Port audience out of reach -of the Ghillie- - isted, forming the end of the Said, was not impressed.'Not even a Ghillie Man's flickering, long-fingered '~-'-'-"'-er, the little group on the filthy postcard: he remarked. 'It's all hands. thinking back a decade and ,just rubbish.' 'It was horrible when I felt him do other passagesof the Canal. Cleverly constructed small tables it-but now I can see the funny side: asn't improved with age: and stools, a little rough in their finish, she confessed later. 'I wanted to go I .,...... •'••-"'.J Captain Jones. produced the most spirited bargaining. all modest, but he didn't give rne.timel' aye the people: grunted the Nobody wanted the large bags of 'The best show I've seen for a:long o obviously was not on the roasted peanuts, the kilos of Turkish time', was a comment that summed up - terms with the pilots. He had Delight, or the tinselly toys. the general view, and the tribute, was since leaving Genoa, think- Gradually, the bum-boat men drifted generous when the inevitable rays to keep the ship secure away to try other ships in the assembl- collection came. e inevitable invasion of the ing convoy as they moored nearby, ACT 1 was moving again at 2 am, men with their travelling ready for the early morning start south- near the middle of the 18-ship convoy. ot 'souvenirs', ranging from ward. But the Ghillie-Ghillie Man Sun-up revealed that the northern end ic 0 the downright tawdry. stayed on board, first to give his street of the Canal at least is still the front- - is passenger there were magician's show to the crew, then to line of a war: the defensive positions = of wartime days, and also of come up after dinner and sit cross- were fully-manned and the guns in - armed and abortive Port Said legged on the floor near the bar in the place. __ :0 by the Anqlo- French force Officers' lounge, his audience all The Egyptian radio, relayed loudly by ~ 4 ::=-. oday most of the wreckage around him and literally breathing a harbour tug, had been full of as been cleared, although the down his neck from above and President Sadat's peace-making area has business-like flak behind. mission to Jerusalem, then about to --=.. ••••.•'••s mounted to deter any low- He was a quiet, hawk-faced man, take place. But here there seemed flying Israeli jets. However, the off- wearing a neat grey suit and speaking little relaxation. shore smells were the same as we all excellent English, Quickly the Ghillie- EI Oantara had obviously taken a remembered. Ghillie Man summed up his audience. bashing. Across Lake Timsah more He drew the Master's t l-vear-olo son, distance made Ismalia seem like its Eager hawkers Nigel, down beside him to 'help' with old self. But the north bank, where the After the Agent had come aboard, the card tricks, then gradually brought in Israelis had built their fortified line Mate made sure that the gangway was others. -had 'largely been cleared, although quickly lifted out of reach of the bum- His smooth patter was climaxed by there were hints of minefields along boat men. For an hour they circled- the repeated 'ghillie-ghillie-ghillie' as deserted stretches. in motor launches now-frustrated. each trick was expertly performed, and By 11 am, ACT 1 was stopped on But when the Agent called-in his the audience visibly warmed to an the southern side of the Great Bitter launch he was virtually swept aside unusually good performance. Then Lake, where Scottish Star had _once by the rush of eager hawkers up the came the moment the old hands had lain rusting for so long, as we waited 19 for the northbound convoy to come labour-intensive exercise with hun- It had taken us only 15 hours for the through from Suez. By 2 pm there were dreds of fellaheen in progress on the 100 miles passage, instead of the some 56 ships of all sizes, shapes, and shore. usual 18. As we dropped our Canal ages in sight. The new retaining wall, being built pilot and came up to full speed, the It was slow ahead again, promoted by Egyptain masons with crushed Russian ship was soon behind us. now to second place behind a Russian stone, matches exactly the wall of the However, ACT 1 was well in the lead ship, as we entered the southern half old canal, now being broken down as as she surged down the Gulf of Suez of the Canal. A big tanker filled the the sand behind it is cleared away. towards the Red Sea. channel behind us. In this area the Little changes in Egypt. (Eddie Oakes was a passenger widening of the Canal is in full swing, By 5 45 pm battered Port Tewfik aboard 'ACT l ' on a recent voyage to with Japanese dredgers at work and a was sliding past in the gathering dusk. Australia).

who, in the face of overwhelming police numbers, staged a candlelight procession outside the docks. After the Around the World violent scenes that had been antici- pated it was rather an anticlimax to find the uranium safely on board with scarcely a murmur of protest. bybox-boat As we left the Australian coast and headed for Auckland the voyage had by Deck Cadet AR Baragwanath fallen well behind schedule after delays at each port. A few days spent at Even through the almost opaque allows the rattle of crockery and the anchor off Auckland started some window of a railway carriage, my second steward's directions to be lighthearted speculation about the first sight of ACT 7 gave me some clearly audible at each meal. The prospect of spending Christmas at sea. impression of her great size. She was, engineer's alarm, even in the public A fortnight spent at Wellington at the of course,the object of my journey, and rooms, emits a shriek that can almost mercy of strike-minded wharfies I confess to having felt a certain shatter glass and is unpleasant in the pushed the ETA at Tilbury back excitement that was lacking when extreme. Taken individually these may dangerously close to Christmas. How- joining other ships. This was to be my seem petty matters,but being constant ever, at this stage all was not lost for first trip on a container ship and she irritants their existence becomes more if all went smoothly at Port Chalmers, was by far the largest, fastest, and prominent as time passes. if we averaged 24 knots all the way newest ship I had been on. She would We left Suez as the fourth ship in home, and if we transitted Panama in also be full, no doubt, of a great deal the southbound convoy. Immediately 12 hours, we would arrive at Tilbury of sophisticated equipment-who ahead of us was a large Japanese late on 23 December. Then, if reliefs could fail to be impressed? container ship reputedly capable of were available and the trains were The true size of ACT 7 cannot be 26 knots. By the time we had worked running, Christmas at home was a fully appreciated until. one is faced up to full speed she was two miles possibility. with the problem of carrying a couple ahead of us and it was a long time Port Chalmers let us down. Cargo of suitcases up the accommodation before we were seen to be closing the work progressed very smoothly, the ladder-the same ladder which, later gap. It took about two hours to failure of one compressor .cast doubt in the trip, was to induce attacks of finally overtake the Japanese, but the upon our sailing, but a weekend tug vertigo in at least two people and leave sense of pride in the ship was obvious strike finally settled the matter: Christ- countless others breathless at the top, amongst the spectators who crowded mas would be spent in the Channel. Fortunately, having reached the ac- her side. Cold turkey indeed. commodation, the lift makes further Fremantle was the first Australian Most of the time at sea I spent on ascent much easier. port of call and we were accompanied watch, and now that I could see the My cabin struck me as being of there by several ships of the United initially awe-inspiring array of 'elec- adequate size, comfortable, and smart States Navy along with over 5000 trickery' in action it inevitably lost -a great contrast to the more Spartan American sailors. The next port of call some of its mystique. While in port, surroundings I had become accus- was Melbourne, and then on to apart from working cargo, there were tomed to. However, there was little Sydney. frequently visitors to be shown around time for a gentle settling-in for, Our stay in Sydney threatened to be the ship. This necessitated a fairly straight after dinner, and half-an-hour the most eventful period of the trip as good general knowledge of the vessel after first setting foot on board, a wad we were due to load a large consign- and a quick brain to answer some of the of flow sheets was thrust at me and I ment of uranium. The mining and more probing questions. started my first cargo watch. The trip export of uranium is a controversial had be.gun. subject in Australia and demonstrators From a personal point of view, the Good and bad points had already tried to disrupt the loading black spot of the voyage was un- of ACT 3, which was taking uranium doubtedly the week spent stripping The ship sailed for Zeebrugge, Liver- to Canada.After their failure to prevent oil-saturated insulation from a hot and pool, and then Genoa. As the trip or even significantly delay the loading, cramped cooling space. The total haul progressed, first impressions were the 'Friends of the Earth'were expected was sufficient to completely fill the modified as good and bad points were to mount a considerable assault upon Bedford truck sent to collect it. noticed. There is very little vibration at ACT 7. Consequently the police main- At the risk of being considered a sea and the noise of the main engine tained a constant watch over the docks, 'box-boat man' I would say that I does not intrude upon life in the even to the extent of having a police especially looked forward to this trip on accommodation. However, the posi- launch patrol the harbour. a container ship as a chance to dispel tion of the crew's bar on the third deck Anticlimax some of the myths surrounding them. means disturbed sleep for those who I shall certainly not be dismayed if, at must live directly above or below it. The 34 containers of uranium arrived some time in the future, I am sent to The absence of a pantry separating in the early hours of the morning, join a container ship-particularly if the· galley from the dining saloon witnessed by about 20 demonstrators she is ACT 7. 20 year inthe hot seat - by Sam Britland

appointed Manager of Lamport & to discuss all increases in costs. For disrupted the port for four weeks and Line in Manchester in July 1959 example, the last meeting discussed which caused the Association great it was part of my duties to attend proposed increases in the costs of worries, e monthly meetings of the Towage, Ship Dues, and Canal Tolls On the lighter side, the Chairman anchester Steamship Owners on goods. Whilst these days increases receives invitations to some very ociation. Lamport & Holt had been may at times appear to be imposed pleasant social events, such as the embers of the Association for many willy nilly, I believe that the continued Annual Lunch of the Manchester ears as they were amongst the first pressure that the Association brings to Branch of the Institute of Freight ersof the port. Inevitably, as I learned bear does have an effect and the Forwarders. By tradition, the Chair- ore about the work of the Associa- Port Authority is able to produce man makes a short speech on behalf 'on, I became increasingly interested, statistics to justify their proposals. of the guests, many of whom are :: d some twelve years ago I was personal friends. - ected to the Executive Committee. Busy year My wife and I were guests of the The Ship Canal and the main docks I have attended several meetings of the Local Consular Association at their :: anchester were opened in January Pilotage Committee, which is perhaps Annual Banquet last November, but #894. The owners are the Manchester the busiest, dealing as it does with the Annual Dinner of the General ip Canal Company, together with the accidents to vessels, the appointment Council of British Shipping at of Manchester, which provided a of pilots in the port, and fees. This Grosvenor House is the most out- reat deal of the finance for the project year has been a particularly busy one, standing occasion in the Chairman's a d is represented on the Board by the because the port's pilotage arrange- calendar.A glittering, splendid occasion _ord Mayor and a number of ments are being brought moreinto line -and particularly so in the Council's uncillors. with other ports', ready for the intro- centenary year. The Port Authority has the right to duction of the new National Pilotage My year of office ended in February ovide all the port services, such as Scheme later in 1978. and I look back on it with great pleasure gs, dock labour etc, the licensing of This is just a brief outline of the and pride and with my grateful thanks ilots, and authorisation of other duties of the Chairman in routine to the Management for their support companies to provide services such as matters. There are also the other 'one- during the year. I hope that I have ry docks. off' problems which concern him, contributed something useful to the such as the recent strikes of checkers Association and wish my successor a Trepidation and lockgate men which seriously similar happy year. The Manchester Steamship Owners ssociation came into being in the ear that the Canal opened and amongst the early Chairmen are num- bered a great many who came to Manchester and with their energy and expertise helped to establish the port in those early and difficult days. Through my membership of the Executive Committee, I had grown to appreciate the efforts that successive Chairmen had put into the job, and it was with some trepidation (but a great deal of satisfaction) that I accepted the invitation to become Chairman in 1977. I was told that I would be taking OVEra very 'hot seat', as the year was likely to be a most trying one. However, one cannot pick and choose, so I took up my post and began to preparefor the Association's Annual Dinner, which is always the first event of the Chair- man's year. I was the first Vestey Group employee to occupy the position and I must say that I received all the support and encouragement I could wish fer. Mr J G Payne, Mr D A Barber, and a number of my colleagues came along, and a most convivial evening it proved to be. In addition to the Executive Com- mittee of the Association there are several others, dealing with pilotage, . shore labour and so on. The Executive Committee meet the Canal Company . 21 , by Eddie Oakes

Like all radio officers since Marconi's men, he is known on ACT 1, as he has been on all other Blue Star Line ships, as 'Sparks'. But Douglas Owen is better known to his present and former shipmates, and to a large number of ship lovers around the world, as a skilled builder of model ships. Douglas has been Radio Officer aboard ACT 2, and then ACT 1, for seven years now. He has also served on Melbourne Star, Brasil Star, and Sydney Star. 'Although I'm not actually employed by the Company, I feel like a member of the Blue Star family; he says. During those past seven years this Douglas Owen's model of 'Brasil Star' quietly-spoken Welshman from Barry has completed superb scale models of Melbourne Star, Sydney Star, Hobart original plans of her or some good occurs when a containership is travel- Star, Townsville Star, Montevideo photographs before I can do it: ling at full speed-as it tends to do Star, Auckland Star, Tasmania Star, for most of the time. As he cuts tiny Brasil Star, Uruguay Star, Almeda Star, Honoured around the pieces of fusewire, dips them in thick Africa Star, ACT 2, and ACT 1. world paint, and fits them to form a ship's During the latest voyage of ACT 1 How did he begin this hobby, which rail, held together only by the paint around the world, 'Sparks' has com- now plays such a big part in his life, at itself, 'Sparks' adjusts philosophically pleted a model of the Company's big seaaswell ason land, and hasgiven his to the annoying movements. new containership, ACT 7, at the same work honoured places in maritime Employed by the International time working on another, smaller, museums and shipping offices around Marine Radio Company of Croydon, model for Blue Star's Agent at the world, from Australia and New Douglas Owen works two watches a Zeebrugge, who already owns Owen Zealand, to South Africa, South day aboard ACT 1, from 8 am to noon, models of ACT 1 and Hobart Star. America, The United States, Britain, and from 4 pm to 8 pm as a rule. He 'They have all been made on a scale and Europe? devotes about five hours a day to his of one-sixteenth-of-an-inch to a foot, 'It all started when I first went to sea modelling, with an hour in the early from the original shipyard plans of the as a radio operator 18 years ago; he morning, up to three hours in the ships; he explains. 'I've also made recalls. '1 was bored, with nothing to afternoon, and then a further four in some larger models on a scale of one- do for much of the time whilst serving the evening when he comes off watch. eighth-of-an-inch to a foot.' on the China coast. I had always been 'It takes around four weeks to Douglas Owen's model of ACT 2 interested in woodwork and doing complete a model, about 140 hours. was aboard ACT 1 on the outward jobs around the house when I was at When I started making them it used voyage to Australia, bound for the home. to take me about 240 hours; he says. Maritime Museum in Brisbane which 'Over the years I've accumulated a Many of those hours are spent in already possesses Owen-built models fine collection of tools-drills and putting the finishing touches to the of Auckland Star, Brisbane Star, and knives and small files-and I always models, for 'Sparks' is not content Port Brisbane. 'The museum there is have a supply of mill plywood with me merely with sanding down the wood run by a surgeon who is a shiplover,' aboard ship: and adding a coat of paint. Douglas explains. 'He wants me to do The only problem, apart from the 'After I have rubbed it down properly a model of the old Ellerman ship, City painstaking attention to detail required I put on twenty to thirty coats of paint of Brisbane, but I will need either the in model making, is the vibration which to finish it off properly.' 22 ws Irom slralia

Old friends together again: Blue Star pensioners pictured at the Christmas party (standing, left to right) D Willson, H Dean, A Gregory, E J Brady, H Thornpsett, A Long, D Dargan, Z Blair, and L Macintosh (seated, left to right) W A Craig, F N Riley, G H Chilcott, W G Middleton, and S Turner The event of the year Manager; Alex Long, Marketing; Guy Middleton, Secretary; Stuart The annual Christmas party was held in Turner, Stevedoring Manager; and the office on 23 December and we Joyce Wright, private secretary. were pleased to welcome a number of Also present were retired Masters retired Blue Star people, including F N Riley and H Thompsett, and Bert Dean, former General Manager; Chief Engineers E J Bardy and L Allan Craig, Manager for Queens- Macintosh. All those present voted - ee Company Secretaries, past and land; Jack Gregory, Assistant this the event of the year. zresent, pictured at the Christmas party. eft to right) G H Chilcott (just retired), G Middleton (1934 onwards), and J C hi (the present Secretary)

David and Yum Yum and Retirement of Geoffrey Mercy mission Cheri and Cuddles ... Chilcott Rapid communications are taken very G H Chilcott retired at the end of much for granted these days. How- concluded January after more than 40 years' ever, Mr T Thornton, Chief Refrigerat- Auckland Star arrived in Sydney on service with Blue Star Line and Joint ing Engineer on Queensland Star will 21 October with one of the most Cargo Services. probably agree that this is one aspect unusual groups of passengers ever Geoffrey started as an office boy in of the modern world that is well seen in the port-the four African the Sydney Office and after service worthwhile. elephants featured in the last issue of with the AI F in World War II progressed Queensland Star was proceeding Gangway. through most departments. He was from Chittagong to Tauranga on 4 Unloading of the giant beasts at appointed Company Secretary upon January when Captain Findlay tele- No 10 Darling Harbour went without the demise of Joint Cargo Services in graphed that Mr Thornton had suffered a hitch and Auckland Star sailed for 1973. a badly broken arm and that he Melbourne later that day. After a 30- Geoff and his wife Barbara are both proposed to call at Carnarvon, Western day quarantine period at Taronga Zoo keen golfers and in future will be Australia, the following morning for the rare animals (there has been only spending a good part of each week at help. one African elephant in Australia Massey Park Golf Club. Carnarvon, a town some 500 miles previously) were despatched to the We wish them both a long and north of Fremantle had not, asfar as we new Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo. happy retirement. know, been visited by a Blue Star vessel before. Our Fremantle Agents Retirement of Doug White were alerted and found that assistance D L Whyte retired from the Sydney was indeed available at Carnarvon, Office on 31 October, after 23 years' although Queensland Star would have service with the Company. to stand some three miles off, while Doug was mainly involved in the patient was transferred ashore by Accounts work, but in later years his launch. duties also included providoring. We are relieved to hear that Mr Unfortunately Doug suffered a Thornton was disembarked safely and serious illness in the last few months admitted to Carnarvon Regional Hos- before his retirement. However, pital during the morning of 5 January, although he will always need to take while Queensland Star was on her way good care of himself in the future, the to New Zealand within the hour. relaxed atmosphere at Port Macquarie, African Elephants in their native habitat 300 miles north of Sydney, will no taken by GG H Jefferys doubt be just what the doctor ordered. 23 Kiwi column 'Gladstone Star' firefighting exercises Last autumn, whilst Gladstone Star was lying in Wellington awaiting a cargo home, the Wellington Fire Brigade asked if they might make use of her for a series of firefighting exercises involving as many members of their Brigade as possible. This request was, of course, granted, for the more we know about firefighting At the reception: Alison and Peter with their guests (top row, left to right) Peter Suckling, on ships, the better. Colin .Elms, Ceptein Owen Mrs Owen, (Middle row, left to right) Bill Carrig, Robyn Carrig, The exercisestook the form of visits C Cteire.Elms, Ian Reay, Warren Denton Mrs Duell, Captain Duell, Tina Neenan to the ship, so that as many members Alison O'Sullivan, former secretary of the Brigade as possible could gain Ship and shore wedding with Blueport, Wellington. an impression of a typical ship's layout. On 19 November 1977 a colourful and Amongst the large crowd were a fair The exercisesinvolved fighting imagin- enjoyable ceremony took place, result- sprinkling of shipmates and Blueport ary fires within the ship, using real ing in a further 'mating' of ship and ACT shore friends. The O'Sullivan equipment. The ship's Officers and shore personnel. The couple joined in family did the guests proud by provid- Crew took part and learnt a great deal wedlock were Chief Officer Peter ing an excellent buffet lunch and a about the best way of containing and 'Masterman' Stacy and Miss steady flow of liquid refreshment. putting out fires, and cooperating with shore-based fire brigades in the event of a fire breaking out while in port. This fine Lego model of ACT 7 was built Volley ball champ In all firefighting, time is of the by nine-year-old Andrew Renton, son of essence. Time wasted or saved can I M Renton Blueport ACT Terminal Ati Lamsan, who works in the mail mean the difference between life and Engineer in Port Chalmers room at our Wellington Head Office, death, and saving or losing a ship and is a member of the Champion New her cargo-so we are sure that the Zealand volley ball team. He has instruction gained has been highly played two tests for his country and beneficial. Although one always hopes hopes to represent New Zealand devoutly that fire will not break out on against Australia in 1978. one's own ship, it is wise to be well practised and prepared if the worst should happen.

Captain Bee is 'rescued' from 'Gladstone Star' by Snorkel fire rescue appliance

Springbok column

Welcome to Chris Childs who re- cently arrived in Capetown aboard Townsville Star to join our staff. Before leaving the UK Chris was Assistant Operations Manager with Star Offshore Services Marine in Aberdeen. Chris's wife will be joining him in Cape Town in the near future.

24 anagement responsibilities within the Group Shipping Companies

EdmlUld Vestey

Chairman - Blue Star Une ltd. Blue Star Ship anaqement ltd, Booth Steamship Company L d.. Lamport &Ho tine .

,J G Payne

Deputy Chairman - Blue Star ne Blue Star Ship Ma _Sffi$l1 Booth Steamship Couspen Lamport & oil t..iIE

Location o A B-arber Uverpool

D Barraclouqh Bulk centers and spe.cia!it.' ;-re==:S London

G.J Gibson Blue Sial New ZeelandtF~i<1:Ii'kQ::asCt =~""Setvire London and San Francisco Liner Shipping Agencies Starman investments

R C Glover Blue Star inte!natiotJeJ R~ T London

D,J C Habgood Blue Star Ship ';fa~~ Liverpool

L G Lightfoot Blue Ster Austtalial =wZs~~·.£LB:;""s.st,.. --' f2 Sesvtce Sydney

HE Tune Newbuildings for zI! 8=;> ==:p<:=£s London

DR Waller Blue Sial Leisure Colne

All the iOlegoo,g r;p:r. - ;:';',0:3='" 2:n1lDeputyChairman.

Blue Star's i ~=::cl~d (::c..:aoue<'l2nsportEtion (Australia) Limited co l---iiSi' ~ ~ are attended to at Board level by the - ,

Group Shipping Representatives overseas are as tottows:

ARGENTINA P F McGuinness _ to: hima eundta! SA, Arem:E Oxdobe 653, "Cl5? 3UENOSAIRES. (Casilla de Correo 997) .e!JE!r 122047 j~e:392-2471

AUSTRALIA LGUgbtfuo =.b &=I Line (Aust) PlY Ltd. 31-49 Pbt S ee SYl) =v SW 2000 (Box R21, Royal Exchange) .eE:x:21~ .~ ne:27-1271

BRASIL (North) R,J Burnett A:;=rx::ias Mundiais SA.. AYalida Presidente Vargas 119, 3Et.EM.(PO Box 190) T~911184 TElephone: (0912) 234613 234822 234013

BRASIL (South) FCTate Cornpanhia Expresso Mercantil, A-enida Rio Branco 25 -10th Floor aro DEJANEIRO. (PO Box 969) 'e/ex: 2123416 Telephone: 021-223 8772

MIDDLE EAST eM 0"'"' Blue Star Line, PO Box 290, DUBAI United Arab Emirates Telex: 6733 Telephone: 432 525 434525

NEW ZEALAND RC Whyte Blueport ACT(NZ) Ltd, IBM Centre, 157 The Terrace, ELLINGTON 1. (PO Box 192) Telex: 3583 Telephone: 739-029

NORTH AMERICA G J Gibso ' Blue Star Line Ltd, Suite 2260, Three Embarcadero Center, SAN FRANCISCO CA94111 Telex: 33341 9 Telephone: (415) 434 3780

SINGAPORE D J Ba:ag;ard Ierllon Shipping Agency Pte Ltd, 11018 Marina House, 70 Shenton Way, SINGAPORE 2. (PO Box 2164) Telex: 21020 Telephone: 2201244

SOUTH AFRICA GG H ,J ef'ferrs Blue Star Line (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd. 407 Trust House, Thibault Square, Lower St George's Street,· CAPE TOWN 8001. (PO Box 4446 Cape Town 8000) Telex: 57-0272 Telephone: 41·0921 There are 184 good reasons for booking with us Our 184 helpful and experienced staff are waiting to answer your travel enquiries and make your bookings at the 41 different locations listed below:

ASHTON-U-LYNE GILLINGHAM MANCHESTER BCA Travel, 16 Staveleigh Way. Blue Star Travel. 148 High St. BCA Travel. 71 Deansgate Tel: 061-3307439/7430 Tel: 063454065 Tel: 061-832 7891 AYLESBURY GLOUCESTER NEW MALDEN Blue Star Travel, 12 Market Square BCA Travel. 10 Westgate SI. Fairways Travel. 121 High St. Tel: 02963747 Tel: 045231231 Tel: 01-9429405 BIRMINGHAM HUDDERSFIELD . REI GATE BCATravel, 30 Paradise SI. BCA Travel. 99 New St. Fairways Travel. 61 High St. Tel: 021-6438271 Tel: 048434151 Tel: 0737248383 Blue Star Travel, 2270 Coventry Rd .. HULL RUGBY Sheldon. Tel: 021-7425151 Blue Star Travel. 89 Paragon SI. BCA Travel. 9 Church St. BLACKBURN Tel: 048226981 Tel: 078873249173240 Blue Star Travel. 35 Church SI. KINGSTON ON THAMES RUSTINGTON Tel: 025456200 Fairways Travel. 37 Fife Rd. BCA Travel. Churchill Court BRISTOL Tel: 01-5462257 112 The Street. Tel: 09062 73655 Blue Star Travel. 17 Union SI. KNUTSFORD SOLIHULL Tel. 0272 294057 BCA Travel. 44 King SI. BCATravel. 517 Poplar Rd. BURGESS HILL Tel: 056552163/53245 Tel: 021-7054941 Blue Star Travel. 4 Church Rd. LEEDS SOUTHWICK Tel: 044462861 BCA Travel. 4 Holt Park District Cen. BCA Travel. 2 Southwick Square. BURTON-ON-TRENT Tel: 0532 610011 Tel: 0273594374 BCA Travel. 17 SI. Modwe ns Walk LIVERPOOL SUTTON Tel: 0283 67761 Blue Star Travel. 18 Castle St. Blue Star Travel. 5 High St. BURY Tel:051-2360411 Tel: 01-642 8182 BCA Travel. 9 The Mall LONDON Derwent Travel. 156 Epsom Rd. Tel: 061-7648523 Blue Star Travel, 29/33 Osborn St. Tel: 01-3370011 CHEAM EI. Tel: 01-2474425 WAKEFIELD Fairways Travel. 45 Station Way. Blue Star Travel. Albion House. BCA Travel. 2a Bullring. Tel: 01-6420012 Leadenhall St. EC3. Tel. 01-4806785 Tel: 0924 72175 CHELTENHAM Blue Star Travel. 71174 Mark Lane. WARRINGTON BCA Travel. 27 Winchcombe SI. EC3. Tel: 01-4806531 BCA Travel. 5 Buttermarket SI. Tel: 0242 29372 Blue Star Travel, 273 New Cross Rd .. Tel: 092536991 CHORLEY SEI4. Tel: 01-692)471/8849 WORCESTER BCA Travel. 36 Market St. Olley Travel. 12/14 Warwick Way. BCA Travel. 101 High St. Tel: 02572 2516 SWI Tel: 01-8284171 Tel: 090525030125044 CRAMLINGTON WORTHING Blue Star Travel. 17 Dudley Court. Southern Travel. Teville GMe. Tel. 067071,6421 Tel: 090335101/36121 CREWE YORK BCA Travel. 64 Market St.. BCA Travel. 1 Davygate Centre. Tel: 027056411 Tel: 090456892

Incorporating: BCA Travel, Olley Travel, BlueSt:ar Derwent Travel, and ~avel Fairways Travel. Officially appointed agents for all Airlines, Holiday Companies, and British Rail.

A BLUE STAR LEISURE COMPANY