Seascape
The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered.
Bob Asplet
Written up from a diary kept during the time spent on board the Port Invercargill in the Great Bitter Lake, Suez Canal. Jersey March 2007
In 1967, I was Chief Officer (1st Mate) on On arrival at Aden, we found that the port was board the refrigerated cargo ship Port in the midst of a strike of the Oil Terminal Invercargill1 bound from Melbourne to operators, and so we were diverted to Djibouti Avonmouth with a mixed cargo. The ship for bunkers. Unfortunately, a large number of had been refitted in Belfast in 1966, and other ships were also diverted, so there was a delay of some two days before we bunkered. had sailed from the UK in early September 1966. In June 1967, when we After bunkering we set off for Suez – listening were only a week away from home after to the BBC world service which reported on nine months trading away from Europe, the Middle East situation, but we were the Six Day War broke out between Israel reassured by the statements from President and her Arab neighbours and we found Nasser that the canal would remain open – ourselves trapped in the Suez Canal. provided other nations refrained from interfering in the crisis.
We arrived in Suez Bay at noon on June 4th and anchored in the merchant ship anchorage to await the next northbound convoy2. At 0547 on June 5th we left the anchorage to join the convoy as Number 8 of the general cargo section. At this time we were unaware of the dawn attack on the Canal by Israeli aircraft. As MV Port Invercargill we entered the canal we heard distant gunfire, but assumed this to be the Egyptian This is a brief narrative, based on my army on manoeuvres. We were disillusioned diary of events written during the when passing the military airfield of El Kabret relevant period. (about 1 mile west of the canal), where we had a ringside view of several Israeli aircraft On the voyage across the Indian Ocean we strafing the airfield before heading east across were following the events in the Middle East, the canal between the ships of the convoy at where tension was building between Egypt what appeared to be mast height. and Israel, half-expecting orders to divert towards the Cape of Good Hope. This was not We – the senior Officers - held a hurried to be, and we followed our orders to take conference on the bridge and decided that bunkers at Aden, prior to steaming up the Red there was nothing we could do except Sea to Suez.
2 Passage through the canal usually took between 1 1 Port Invercarill, 10.483 grt owned by Port Line eleven and sixteen hours at the low speed of 8 was built by Harland & Woolf, Belfast in 1958 knots. Page
The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered. Seascape continue along the canal. The only defence us, homeward bound from Australia. We were we were able to mount was to close the told that the grounded tanker had been re- watertight door between the engine room and floated and was under way some distance the shaft tunnel and to man the emergency behind the southbound convoy. In order to steering on the poop in case the bridge was allow the Northbound ships to proceed, the hit. To find out what was happening ashore, US tanker – we now knew she was the African we provided the Canal Pilot with a transistor Glen - would anchor at Ismalia and allow the radio so that he could translate the local radio tanker section of the convoy to proceed. It news for us. From this we gleaned the appeared the Canal Authority had decided to information that a state of war existed allow night-time navigation as we were between Egypt and Israel. Much later, we ordered to get under way at 1920. This found out that the initial Israeli attack had changed just as we had the anchor under foot. been from the west – with Israeli aircraft flying All general cargo vessels were ordered to stay along the Mediterranean out of radar range – in the Bitter Lake. The Tanker section was before flying in to the west of Cairo and ordered to increase speed until they reached catching the Egyptian defence looking the the Eastern cut, where they were to remain wrong way! overnight. The southbound convoys were able to continue towards Suez, and were clear of the Bitter lakes by nightfall.
The following morning – June 7th – we waited for orders, but received none. It was assumed that the Egyptian army was moving troops across the canal on pontoon bridges. The tanker section was clear of any such bridges and cleared the canal.
On the evening of June 7th the canal was clear of merchant shipping except for 14 ships, 13 The result of an Israeli air raid of us anchored in the Great Bitter Lake, and We reached the holding anchorage in the the US merchant ship Africa Glen at anchor at Great Bitter Lake about noon. We found out Ismalia. The ships in the Bitter Lakes were from the Pilot that at about the same time as m.v Agapenor British the airfield attack, an American tanker m.v. Boleslaw Beirut Polish m.v. Djakarta Polish carrying grain had run aground just inside the m.v. Killara Swedish Canal at Port Said, blocking the canal. Even m.v. Lednice Czechoslovakian without the warfare, this would have caused m.v. Melampus British considerable disruption and the canal m.v. Munsterland German Authority decided to keep the two m.v. Nippon Swedish southbound convoys moving. (Because of the m.v Nordwind German imbalance of shipping movements, there were m.v. Port Invercargill British two Southbound and one Northbound convoy m.v. Scottish Star British each day.) We were advised that we would m.v. Sindh French m.v. Vassil Lvvsky Bulgarian remain in the anchorage until the following day. We also received instructions to black out Apart from the Port Invercargill, the British the ships at anchor, and the southbound ships ships were all Blue Funnel Line. were tied up in the canal at dusk. On the th following morning - June 6 we were joined by We all felt very sorry for the American vessel, a small convoy of eight ships - including being completely cut off from the remaining 2
another British ship – the Scottish Star – like ships. Page
The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered. Seascape
At this stage, the Canal boat crews and that the Israeli troops were getting closer to Electricians had been taken ashore. Ships the canal as we could see explosions inland to transiting the canal were required to carry the east of the canal. All ships were ordered Canal boats and their crews to allow ships to by radio from the Canal Authority not to put tie up in the canal, and the electricians were boats in the water, or to communicate with required to operate the Canal searchlights the shore. which had split beams to illuminate the canal banks during the night time transits. Because June 9th and 10th were very quiet in our area, of the imbalance of shipping, Port Invercargill however, the British ships started to get more had been asked to carry an additional four talkative and discussed shortages and policy boats – making six in all – which came in over the VHF radio. We were in fairly good useful later. shape, with no serious shortages – but were short of tea, so we arranged to swap some with Melampus who was short of potatoes and yeast. We - the Brits - thought that all ships should be together on this – but as we were working on open VHF channels, felt sure all the other ships knew what we were planning. We heard the two Swedish ships talking together, but couldn’t follow their conversation! [Much later, we found that only the 4 British, one German, both Swedish and the French ship had VHF radio – and the French ship The Great Bitter Lake never spoke to any of us!] At this stage, all on board were concerned that our families would be worried about us. We June 10th. Two of our seamen went swimming were able to communicate with the UK direct over the side without permission and swam to and the Master had kept the company the Melampus about 400 yards away. They got informed of the position, but he had banned there easily enough, but got into difficulties private radio telegrams on the grounds that coming back upwind and had to be rescued by these would clog communication channels. I our motorboat. The ‘Old Man’ gave them a was not in agreement, as we did not know good dressing down but he did not stop how much information was being given to our swimming. families. [It turned out that they knew a lot more than we did, most of the time!] As a result, I was not able to send a personal message home until June 11th.
The Egyptian authorities sent a message to every ship - on a frequency not normally used - instructing all ships in the canal to cease all radio traffic. One ship responded and received this message – all the other ships read the transmitted message but did not A watch on the Canal acknowledge receipt. Apart from the one June 11th. A busy day for us. Some 150 ship, all other ships were able to operate their Egyptian soldiers reached the east bank of the transmitters, and if challenged could plead lake. Melampus was closest to that shore and ignorance of the instruction. reported that a soldier had swum out to them (about 2 miles) and that there were some
th 3 On June 8 the Canal Pilots were other soldiers in the water. They informed us
withdrawn, and it was obvious to us all they would launch their motor boat plus three Page
The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered. Seascape spare canal boats - the idea being to pick up and to tow them to the other side, or at least the swimmers and give them the canal boats as far as necessary. to do as they liked with. The lake is about 6 miles wide so they had quite a long row. When We found the troops very thirsty, some of the Melampus’ boat returned they passed them in a bad way, in fact one died before we what information they had to us. Together got them over to the western shore. I towed with what we could see from the ship, we them all the way to the western bank and in to persuaded the ‘Old Man’ to allow me to take a jetty, which appeared to be part of an army our motor boat, with five canal boats in tow camp, as there were other soldiers and an towards the beach. I had strict instructions not army truck there. I spoke with an army officer to close the beach, and not to approach close – I addressed his as ‘Captain’ but as I was not to any Egyptian manned boats. Melampus had familiar with army rank badges, and he was told us that some of the soldiers on the beach probably much more senior than an Army were armed - mainly with rifles and sub- Captain. He thanked us in excellent English, machine guns. Acting strictly to orders I and asked if we needed anything – we had abandoned the boats about ½ mile from the used most of our water, so were glad to top beach, and about 200 yards from a boat full of up our supply. The temperature on board ship soldiers (I later discovered this boat only had one had been around 100oF and I suspect was oar). Ahead of me the Djakarta had sent three quite a bit hotter in the open boat, so we boats, but had approached the beach much needed to keep drinking plenty of water. I was closer than my orders would allow. Very much asked if we would take the boats back to the later I found out that the Poles had landed eastern bank – five men in civilian clothing their Doctor to tend the injured on the shore volunteered to take the boats into the beach, under a canvas awning. Having abandoned and although I did not land, we took them the canal boats, I returned to the ship. While I fairly close to the beach. We had been out in was out, Melampus had sent her boat with the open boat for about 5 hours without some tea, and Munsterland had been to shelter in the middle of the day and we began collect our doctor to treat a sick passenger, to get some idea of what it must have been and had returned our Doctor. like in the desert. Just before dark one of ‘our’ boats was seen coming away from the beach Both Port Invercargill and Melampus sent and a Canal motor boat took it in tow – we messages to the Canal Authorities to say there could see more than five persons in the boat, were boats full of soldiers on the lake, and so they must have found some more later on a pilot launch appeared to pick them stragglers. We were surprised at how little up. Although we did not venture out again, we help the Egyptians were offering to their own saw several ship’s boats on the move taking men. As neutrals we did not wish to be seen empty canal boats across to the beach for to be helping their war effort, but to help men further stragglers. who had arrived at the lakeside with no supplies, or means of crossing seemed to be a Monday June 12th. We got more adventurous humanitarian act. We heard on the news – one of the Polish boats was first over to the (BBC) that the Israeli’s said they did not want beach but there didn’t seem to be many prisoners, and would prefer the Egyptians to stragglers on the beach, but plenty of walk back to the canal. abandoned boats for them to use. We expected the pilot launch would come to pick June 13th. The Canal launches have been out up any boats that were used, but by lunchtime and about early, so we have not gone towards there was no sign of the pilot launch and we the east shore – we could see a few troops on
could see two loaded boats making slow the beach, but not large numbers. We had a
progress in our general direction. The ‘Old conference with the other British ships – 4 Man’ sent me off in the motor boat to collect Melampus is short of meat – we were able to
them, and give them water and a little food, supply some. Scottish Star is short of Page
The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered. Seascape lubricating oil, Agapenor may be able to help – message was that they could evacuate all the we could have, but as we are trying to keep passengers, and all the crew who wanted to our refrigerated cargo (fruit) cool, we have to go. Had a conference (Master, Chief Engineer use more generators. Fortunately we have Purser and myself) to decide what would be plenty of fuel – but most of it is heavy oil and best, and in the end agreed on a minimum the generators burn diesel. (Subsequently we number to keep the ship operational, but ran our generators on heavy fuel oil quite would not make a decision until the Company successfully, but it gave the engineers a lot of work had been consulted. Master told all maintaining them.) We have started to make our crewmembers that no crew would be going own fresh water – I tried some and it tastes yet. The passengers didn’t want to go, but we quite good. The question is can we make talked them into agreeing – all except for the enough to satisfy demand – we have about 20 supernumerary Doctor and his wife (Our days supply on board at present, but if Doctor was Australian, but of Jewish descent necessary this can be drastically reduced. We so we understood some of his reasoning. He all feel that supplies should be eked out to last had wanted to accompany us in the boat 40 or 50 days if necessary. The non-British when we went to pick up the stragglers, but ships have not joined in our ‘common market’ the ‘Old Man’ refused to let him go with us. yet – maybe they feel it is best not to have Stores boat alongside, crew pleased to see anything to do with the Brits. Have not heard plenty of Tuborg Lager amongst the stores! anything from the American ship –[Found out Water boat came back again, so no water later that they did not have a VHF set.] Shortly worries for the moment. Passengers supposed before 8pm two water barges were seen to leave this evening but informed at 9.30pm coming up from the South, both came to us that they will go tomorrow at 3pm. first, as we were the most southerly ship – we sent one to Agapenor as she really needed June 18th. Finally got the passengers off at water but the French ship grabbed him first. 18.30. I understand they will spent the night in We took water ourselves from the other Cairo, then fly to London via Athens. The other barge, however the ‘Old Man’ was upset that British ships have been told which crew we had started taking water as some of the members will be taken off; we have no such other ships might have a greater need than us, instructions from our Owners. so after taking about 60 tons we sent the barge off to the Agapenor. June 19th. Message from owners giving details of crew to repatriate – mainly boy ratings and June 14th. Big excitement – the Pilot boat came the older crew. Of course the usual happened, alongside bringing the Company agent and the some that are listed to go would like to stay ship providore. The latter took orders for and visa versa! Just as well the decision was supplies – we wonder when we will see the left to the London Office. No word as to the supplies, but at least it is a step in the right departure date. direction. We showed a film on deck last night – despite the blackout restrictions – no June 21st. Our repatriation crew members complaints from either side. A lot of activity were collected this afternoon – had been told on the east bank today – jeeps and a yesterday that they might go yesterday helicopter – we could not identify the evening. We now find that the other British nationality! crews will not go today, so from being the last to hear they become the first to go! June 17th. The Ships Agent called by VHF from the ‘Nippon’, saying he had received a We met some of the American ship’s crew
message from the British Interests Section of today – [diary does not mention how they got to
the Canadian Embassy – Canada has been us] They came to borrow movies, in 5 appointed our ‘Protecting Power’ as there is conversation they told us their ship had been
currently no British Embassy in Egypt. The to Viet Nam and stayed there for 11 days Page
The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered. Seascape without any shooting, then landed up in this stayed for lunch. The Chief Officer and Chief place. Their Mate said “With our luck, we will Engineer were wearing khaki uniform without find riots when we reach New York”. rank epaulettes. The Killara’s agent boarded and saw strangers and thought they were June 23rd. Our repatriated crew are safely in Israelis, so reported this to the army. Just as London, heard two of them interviewed on the Scottish Star’s boat was leaving Killara a the ‘Merchant Navy programme‘ from the boatload of soldiers arrived and carted the BBC. All the British crew members had joined Chief Engineer and Chief Officer off for up in Nicosia and were flown to Gatwick by interrogation. The Scottish Star’s Master chartered aircraft. We have received cables Captain Wood was in the boat, wearing white too, one from John Sadler Apprentice in tropical uniform, but they wouldn’t listen to charge of our crew members saying all well. him. Eventually the Egyptians admitted it had Acknowledgement from the Owners was not been a mistake, but Captain Wood is going to filed until 16 hours after the crew reached complain. Gatwick, and was the last message to get to us! Those of us remaining (43) are settling June 29th. Our Agent came out to deliver down for a long stay, however Mr Sadler’s instructions that no boats are to be lowered cable gave us some hope as it said ‘think relief into the water, also, no radio is to be used, not crew sent if authorities agree’ even to SUQ . Captain Conby sent a message of protest to the Canadian Embassy. nd Owen Parry (2 Mate) took the motor boat to the Eastern shore – to collect some sand for The Killara is due to go alongside Scottish Star ballast – the propeller is half out of the water for bunkers, they have been told not to move with only a small crew on board. While ashore without a pilot, but when they did ask for a they met up with an Israeli patrol in a jeep – pilot were told they would get one in 2 or 3 and having explained who they were sat by days. We now have a small tug watching us all the roadside and passed cans of beer round! night tied to a navigation buoy and showing no lights. th. June 26 We have now been told ‘officially’ to maintain radio silence, except to contact the June 30th. Along with the other instructions Canal Radio station SUQ. All ships were told delivered yesterday, was that the flag signal this morning, unfortunately, although we were ‘N’ should be hoisted if we needed anything the last to be visited, none of the other ships and the canal authority would send a launch thought to pass on the information, so we to find out what we wanted. To see if this was could not contact Portishead Radio to say we effective we hoisted ‘N’ this morning and would be closing down. [The radio Officer had nothing happened. previously told Portishead that we might be forced to stop transmitting, He had arranged for Portishead to send traffic blind, repeating the July 1st. Killara moved alongside Scottish Star messages three times over the next 24 hours at this afternoon without a pilot. This had some specified hours. This allowed us to receive inward effect, it brought two launches out to see traffic - our owners had been advised of the plan what was going on. One launch came to us to but were reluctant to send messages this way] beg for cigarettes, and we forced him to take We heard that yesterday some of the Swedish a message to the Canal Authority. The launch crew went visiting the Israelis, unfortunately had no idea what the flag N meant. they chose to do so close to the signal station, and their boat was arrested and the boat crew July 2nd. I persuaded Captain Conby to allow spent seven hours being interrogated before me to take our boat out today, we had noticed being allowed to return to their ship. The the Polish ships using their boats yesterday sequel to this story was that the Scottish Star’s apparently without any problems. As we had 6
boat went visiting the Swedish ship Killara and three small citizens band radios on board it Page
The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered. Seascape was thought to be a good idea to set up a July 7th. Captain Conby still not looking well, second line of communication with Scottish Captain Arnold (Melampus) and Captain Wood Star and Melampus by means of these radios. I (Scottish Star) came on board and were was on my way back to Port Invercargill when shocked at his condition, particularly as they we saw a launch approaching the ship. As I had not seen him for several days. In was nearer to Scottish Star I went on board to consultation with the Chief Engineer, I decided use the VHF to find out what was going on. I to cable the Owners requesting we send was told that the launch had come to seal up Captain Conby home as soon as can be the radio room. As our Radio Officer was with arranged. me I went back to the ship. The launch was not at all concerned that our boat had been With luck the ‘Old Man’ will improve in the out, so we continued to use it to go from ship next day or so, then I will look a fool for to ship. panicking and sending off cables. I went across to Melampus to get some phenobarbitone We complained strongly that a launch flying tablets, but they did not have any. Scottish the Red Crescent (the Muslim equivalent of Star did have some, so with luck Captain the Red Cross) was used to seal up the radio Conby will get a good night’s sleep. The doctor room. And also to the lack of attention paid to gave him some sleeping pills, but they don’t our flag N signal. seem to have had much effect.
I have asked the agent to arrange for a Doctor July 8th. Captain Conby is much improved to come to see Captain Conby who has been ill today, and is more his normal self although for some days, and seems to be getting worse. still feeling weak. I have not told him about the cable, but will do so tomorrow if he July 3rd. Doctor came on board this afternoon maintains the improvement. to see Captain Conby, he has prescribed some medicine which should be here tomorrow. A launch came out today with policemen on board, all armed with rifles and automatic July 4th. Agent on board, but only briefly. No weapons. We refused to have them on board medicine sent for Captain Conby. I took the armed. Other British ships did the same agent aside and mentioned the Master’s (uncertain about Agapenor who is not condition, and he agreed that the Master answering the VHF). wasn’t looking too well. July 11th. Our boat out fairly early to take our July 5th. Captain Conby still not well, he asked electrician to Nippon, which has electrical me to look after the job for a few days, which I problems and no electrician. On the way back agreed to. Consulted with Chief Engineer and the boat was stopped by a canal launch and Purser. If he is not well by Saturday, I will have boarded, presumably for a search. The boat to decide about cabling the owners. was fairly close, and I was watching from the Bridge. I saw one of the soldiers scrabbling July 6th. Medicine for Captain Conby arrived – around in the bottom of the boat, after which he still doesn’t look well. Received a visit from they got back onto the launch and went off. the Police at noon, a whole mob arrived; some When the boat was back, I asked the 3rd Mate to look at the seal on the Radio Room, others what the fuss was about. He told me that the to tell us we will be getting a Police Guard soldier had bent down for some reason and from tomorrow – supposedly for our benefit. two hand grenades fell out of his battle dress Another party arrived about 4pm to look at pockets into in the bilge. They recovered them
the Radio Room seal again! After this and went away. The 3rd mate was quite
inspection I found out that some ships had nonchalant – maybe he didn’t know what the 7 been told not to use their VHF sets, others like soldier had dropped until they were safely
us, were told nothing. recovered! Page
The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered. Seascape
July 12th. Doctor on board, saw Captain Conby salt bushes, but it is well concealed if it is and persuaded him it would be best if he went there. home. Cabled owners and sent message to agent to arrange transport, visas etc. The Munsterland went alongside Nordwind for fuel today, Munsterland had been complaining July 14th. French ship Sindh dressed overall for about lack of fuel for some time. th Bastille Day – or was it to celebrate our 40 day in the lake? Saw Israeli inflatable boats July 20th. A quiet day – our lifeboat was out on the lake for the first time. stopped on the way to Melampus, and was told ‘no boats’ – a message we propose to th. July 15 Considerable fighting today, mainly ignore. around El Kabret signal station, quite a lot of gunfire and the Israelis called in their aircraft July 21st. Captain Conby mentioned on the BBC to strafe the Egyptian positions. Merchant Navy programme – Mrs Lubbock (one of our passengers who went home) is th. July 16 Sunday boating in full swing today, apparently stirring things, appealing to the U N no ships boats out yesterday by common and International Red Cross on his behalf. consent! U N Observers now in the canal area, Mention also of a cable received yesterday and are to be in position shortly. Our saying he was getting better. We have not policeman still waiting patiently for relief – he sent any cables recently – must be one that is supposed to stay 24 hours, but had been went off a fortnight ago and got lost en route! forgotten for several days. The police are quite [Mrs Adelaide Lubbock was the mother of the friendly, our Purser asked them when they Liberal M P Basil Lubbock] first came on board if they would like some food - yes please was the answer – OK said Further fame for Captain Conby, on an English the Purser, but you will have to help in the language broadcast by the Israelis they are galley in return. They have all accepted this making it sound as if the Egyptians are and are bringing odds and ends back for the deliberately stopping him from moving, which crew when they come back – for cash of is about right I suppose. We await Cairo’s course. reaction!
July 17th. The ‘spy’ launch appeared for the July 22nd. A quiet day shattered in the evening first time since last week. We first saw him at by one of the engine room ratings falling down dawn, going slowly round the ships and then a companionway and breaking his arm. We back towards the south. The policeman was tried to call the Polish ship Djakarta on the taken off at midday, but no replacement. aldis lamp with no response. Munsterland Captain Conby has improved over the last few called us on the VHF to see what was wrong. days. Cable from Norma – ‘unofficial We explained, and they launched their boat to messages delivered’. These messages were collect the Polish Doctor for us. The Doctor regarding Captain Conby, which I asked her to came and strapped the injured arm, taking the pass to a friend in the London Office giving my patient back with him. This is a very good concerns as to his health. The letter left on example of the co-operation that exists July 5th. I am wondering if the London Office between us all. will ever send any messages through Portishead. July 23rd. Our most exciting day so far, at least as far as our ship is concerned. Firstly, our July 19th. Two ‘spy’ boats out today, one very agent appeared bearing mail and a sheaf of
bold, patrolled well to the eastern side – no cables etc. He was followed an hour or so later response from the Israelis. We suspect the by a representative from the Canadian 8
presence of an observation post amongst the Embassy (our protecting power) who had at Page
The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered. Seascape last been given permission to visit. We are told August 1st. Police launch came this afternoon that reliefs are coming – exactly when is not and attempted to put police on board – I known, but apparently the Egyptian refused, giving shortage of fresh water as the Government will issue visas. Most of the ships reason. Scottish Star and Melampus did the are expecting reliefs soon. I took the boat same. I do not think many ships accepted away in the afternoon, visited Djakarta to give guards. Received message from Owners our injured crew member his mail, plus some ‘hopeful of obtaining visa permission this reading material. I then went on the Nippon to week’ collect a film – unsuccessfully as it was on the African Glen, and finally to the Munsterland to August 3rd. Police launch back again – refused negotiate a supply of eggs. to take police guards and they went away.
July 24th. Our boat went over to Munsterland August 4th. Another message from owners to collect the eggs. 10 cases (3,600 eggs) designed to keep morale up, also one from should keep us going for a while. Captain Captain Conby saying he had asked the Hoffmann and his Chief Engineer came back owners to increase the frequency of cables – with our boat to survey our refrigerated cargo. these last few through Portishead, which is They stayed for lunch and were taken back in what we told them to do ages ago! Captain the afternoon. A large group of Munsterland’s Conby had also visited the Foreign Office, crew came over in the evening for a film show. Board of Trade and the Chamber of Shipping, so it seems that apart from his illness, it was a July 26th. Captain Conby went across to the good idea to get a senior Officer back to Djakarta to thank them for their assistance, London to give a factual account of the our injured crewman was sent ashore for an x- situation. ray yesterday and still has not come back. August 5th. Message from owners to the effect July 28th. Our agent came on board this that relief crew passports were handed to afternoon to tell us he would be back in a Pakistan Embassy several days ago. Our boat couple of hours to collect Captain Conby and out around the fleet, delivering fresh grapes to the 2nd Steward for the trip home [We had all the ships. (Instructions from the owners to do arranged that Captain Conby would have an so while they were still in good condition). I am escort.] In the event it was close to three allowing our crew to use the canal mooring hours, but Captain Conby finally got away at boats for recreation, the seamen have fitted 1855. I understand they will fly direct to one of them with a lifeboat sail, and the boat Heathrow on a Japan Airline flight tomorrow. sails reasonably well. The crew was warned to be careful as Scottish Star lost one of her July 29th. Providore’s launch alongside with mooring boats when one of their stewards provisions, including beer – we had run out tied it to the gangway over night! some days ago. Cable from home, with the blind sending system Portishead use, there in August 6th. (Sunday) The Munsterland’s reliefs no chance of getting a repeat until the next have arrived, we did not know they were sked – message read ‘Good luck Adelaide coming so soon, however the present crew are Lubbock --- your chances’. I have guessed the not expected to leave before the end of the missing word to be ‘improving’. week.
July 30th. The missing word proved to be August 7th. Captain Hoffmann came to survey ‘ruined’ the exact opposite of my guess! A the fruit cargo. The Josephine pears seem to
cable from Captain Conby in London was more be ripening quite quickly, and we will have to
hopeful. Our injured crew member returned keep a close eye on them. Munsterland’s 9 on board with his arm in plaster, but feeling crew came for a movie tonight – a big crowd
well. with two crews on board. The film was ‘The Page
The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered. Seascape
Caine Mutiny’, over the last few weeks I felt a August 19th Saturday. Big excitement today, bit like the Executive Officer in that film! The received two cables via Portishead, Visas are police launch delivered two police on board to be issued on Monday next and the relief today – we took water a couple of days ago, so crew will be flown out as soon as possible my excuse that we were short of water was no after that. Two fighter aircraft passed low longer valid. overhead this evening, nobody clearly identified them, some say Israeli, others August 8th to 11th. All on board waiting for Egyptian. news of relief, the same applies to Agapenor and Melampus, they also get encouraging My diary of events comes to an abrupt halt cables, but no news. there, however, it was for good reasons, not bad. The visas for incoming crew were issued August 11th. I attended a farewell party on the and the relief crew was on the way. For all of Munsterland, they are due to leave tomorrow. us it was a hectic few days preparing to leave After they go it will only be the four British the ship, preparing hand over notes, and ships who have not been relieved. briefings for the new arrivals – we were still unsure if we would be allowed time to give August 12th. Our Agent on board, closely verbal briefings, so had to make sure that all followed by an ‘Official’ (I never did find out his was written down. In the event, we left the title) but he questioned me about the use of Bitter Lake on August 23rd. We did have time boats – the Egyptian Army claims that one of to hand over the ship properly before being our sailing boats (Canal mooring boats) went taken ashore for a bus trip to Cairo and a hotel close to the Egyptian shore yesterday which I for the night. The following day we flew to denied. We had a boat drill yesterday at 4pm, Athens and from there to London. Because which was attended by all crew, and there there were about 40 of us, we had to split into would not have been time for a sailing boat to two parties at Athens, travelling to Heathrow cross the lake from then until darkness. The on separate flights. Fortunately the two army claim to have fired on the boat – I had parties arrived in London within an hour of no report of shooting – and I am sure nothing each other. like that would have gone unreported. As a result our boats are restricted to staying I was aware that we were very likely to have within 500 metres of the ship. Protested to the media waiting for our arrival, so asked the the Agent. aircraft purser to tell his cabin staff not to allow my crew too much alcohol on the flight. August 13th Sunday. Agent out early with the He promised to do that but was too efficient – same official as yesterday. This time he apart from myself no one in my party had wanted a letter to say I would not allow boats anything stronger than soft drinks, with the more than 500 metres outside the perimeter result that we landed and meet the press a of all the anchored ships. This seemed a very sober bunch of seafarers. reasonable request so I complied. Quite a lot of visitors on board today including the We met the press – and TV, gave a few Captain of Killara and his wife – the only interviews and were allowed to get away to woman on the lake. meet our families. My wife Norma, and our two children had come over to meet me at August 16th. We heard from Melampus that Heathrow and we stayed in London for a few their agent had told them that as from now no days as I had to attend meetings regarding the
ships boats are to be used. They have refused Ship and cargo before going on leave. Cargo to accept a written order to that effect. We insurers were interested in the condition of
will do the same if we receive such an the fruit and I had carried samples back with 10 instruction, and will also complain to all and me. The fruit was in good condition, which
sundry. surprised most people as it had been kept on Page
The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered. Seascape board far longer than is normal. Good effort maybe, but the ship stayed in the Suez Canal for five more years, during which time they gathered such a quantity of desert dust that they became known as the Yellow Fleet, so it was all in vain.
I finally reached my home in Jersey exactly one year to the day from the time I left to commence the trip.
I saw the ship once more, I passed through the Suez Canal after it re-opened and she was still there – unfortunately, she was towed to the breakers soon afterwards.
Bob Asplet, MNI - Master Mariner rtd endnote
On 19th February 1969, Port Invercargill, still trapped in the canal, was declared a constructive total loss with an insurance valuation of £1,411,000. The insurance company, London & Liverpool Steamship Owners Mutual Association, set up Invercargill Shipping Co. as owners. The Suez Canal finally reopened and on 30th May 1975 the Port Invercargill was towed to Port Said where she was sold a Greek shipping company who renamed her Kavo Kolones (2). They operated her for another four years until August 1979 when she was taken to Taiwan and broken up.
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The Suez Canal, the 6-Day war and the problems encountered.