Britannic

[Fairfield]

Built by Alexander Stephen in Glasgow in 1967,she is moved from her fitting out berth because of a launch taking place across the river in September of that year.

[flyer682]

In 1974, BRITANNIC became the NZ WAITANGI of the newly formed Shipping Corporation Of New Zealand. Shaw Savill and SCONZ set up a subsidiary Company - New Zealand Line Ltd. - in which SCONZ had 75.1% of the shares and Shaw Savill the remaining 24.9%.
In her early days with the Corporation she had New Zealand Line emblazoned upon her hull in large capital letters, but this seemed to disappear after the first survey! (Thankfully).
The photo shows her at Timaru in April 1980 on what was to be her last voyage for the Corporation.

[noel robson]

Brittanic Sulzer RD90 main engine.
4-Paxman genys V12 rph-awful.
A very nice ship,sailed on her for 5 years with SS&A
any one else on here remember the Hobart incident.

[John Crossland]

Hi Noel,

I was 3'rd Mate in Brittannic 1972, but am unaware of a Hobart Incident.

Please do spill the beans .....

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/5030/012britannictk8.th.jpg (http://img55.imageshack.us/my.php?image=012britannictk8.jpg)
(c) Victor Young

Cheers,
John

[noel robson]

Britannic had discharged cargo around the Australian coast and was due to load at Beauty Point and Hobart, we loaded at BP and arrived in Hobart, just across from the port there was a restaurant, a few of the crew tried it and complained about its very high prices for quite ordinary fare, a definite tourist trap.Durring our stay the old man
went there with the shipping agents etc.for a meal and a few drinks and some how he was left to foot the bill and he did not have enough cash on him, explained that he could return to the ship for more funds and return to pay. However the manager was not having that, so they beat him up and took what money he had and through him out. Well the old man(no name supplied)was not having that either so went back onto the ship collected more cash and the pistol from his safe and returned to have it out with the manager, there was another fight and the captain shot the manager not dead but very seriously hurt. Every one not on watch was up town and the first we new that
Something was up was when the local police picked us up and transported us back to the ship and stayed on the ship all night. Maybe thought that we would do something.
We was all told to say nothing to anyone, and it might be better if we stayed on the ship. The ship was sailed home with the mate acting as master forgets his name.
All the top lawyers from Australia where employed and he essentially got off, but was finished at sea. We heard that the manager, a bit of a lad if you get me, died from his wounds although I cannot confirm this. Just to finish this trip off we left without the ships papers and had to go back for them only about two hours out though.
Noel

[Shamus]

I did two trips on the Britannic from July 1970 to May 1971 as an Engineer cadet.

I remeber very well the Hobart incident!

[Vince Scully]

In 1974, BRITANNIC became the NZ WAITANGI of the newly formed Shipping Corporation Of New Zealand. Shaw Savill and SCONZ set up a subsidiary Company - New Zealand Line Ltd. - in which SCONZ had 75.1% of the shares and Shaw Savill the remaining 24.9%.
In her early days with the Corporation she had New Zealand Line emblazoned upon her hull in large capital letters, but this seemed to disappear after the first survey! (Thankfully).
The photo shows her at Timaru in April 1980 on what was to be her last voyage for the Corporation.
I spent most of my deck cadetship and first trip as third mate on NZ Waitangi's last voyage. This photo is not of NZ Waitangi. It looks like the Holmdale.

[John Crossland]

I spent most of my deck cadetship and first trip as third mate on NZ Waitangi's last voyage. This photo is not of NZ Waitangi. It looks like the Holmdale.

Hi Vince,

Welcome to SN (Thumb)

I don't know where you are looking to see a photo of Holmdale ??? (EEK)

[non descript]

I spent most of my deck cadetship and first trip as third mate on NZ Waitangi's last voyage. This photo is not of NZ Waitangi. It looks like the Holmdale.

Oh I have worked it out..... goodness I must be slow, because I have been looking at this for ages trying to work out the slip-up (EEK) .

The "photo" is the avatar of flyer682 and is merely the image he uses in the same way that I use the two flags as my avatar.

The photo that he actually added is of course the Brittannic.

On your first posting may I say a warm welcome to you and I hope you enjoy the Site.
(Thumb)

[John Crossland]

Ahhhhh I get it now.
Good deduction Mark (Thumb)

[ferrandou]

I was on the Britannic that voyage, the mates name was John Seidler

[Butters]

Regarding the South America incident . I sailed with Mike Culley in Union Co.,
who once told me that he took either 'MEDIC', or 'MEGANTIC', back from South America as Acting Master after his predecessor had been shot and I think it was a Captain Williams . It is about 35 years ago since he showed me a newspaper cutting about this incident but it is one thing that has stuck in the grey matter.

Butters

[ferrandou]

The mate's name was John Seidler and ironically the restaurant was oeiginally the old gaol for transportees.

Bob Hollis

Britannic had discharged cargo around the Australian coast and was due to load at Beauty Point and Hobart, we loaded at BP and arrived in Hobart, just across from the port there was a restaurant, a few of the crew tried it and complained about its very high prices for quite ordinary fare, a definite tourist trap.Durring our stay the old man
went there with the shipping agents etc.for a meal and a few drinks and some how he was left to foot the bill and he did not have enough cash on him, explained that he could return to the ship for more funds and return to pay. However the manager was not having that, so they beat him up and took what money he had and through him out. Well the old man(no name supplied)was not having that either so went back onto the ship collected more cash and the pistol from his safe and returned to have it out with the manager, there was another fight and the captain shot the manager not dead but very seriously hurt. Every one not on watch was up town and the first we new that
Something was up was when the local police picked us up and transported us back to the ship and stayed on the ship all night. Maybe thought that we would do something.
We was all told to say nothing to anyone, and it might be better if we stayed on the ship. The ship was sailed home with the mate acting as master forgets his name.
All the top lawyers from Australia where employed and he essentially got off, but was finished at sea. We heard that the manager, a bit of a lad if you get me, died from his wounds although I cannot confirm this. Just to finish this trip off we left without the ships papers and had to go back for them only about two hours out though.
Noel

[grant1]

Was on Majestic maiden voyage, Feb 1967 .The captain was J Williams,and I am pretty sure the mate was John Seidler,one of the best 1st officers I have ever sailed with. Thanks to ferrandu for nudging my memory.

[Malcolm S]

Britannic had discharged cargo around the Australian coast and was due to load at Beauty Point and Hobart, we loaded at BP and arrived in Hobart, just across from the port there was a restaurant, a few of the crew tried it and complained about its very high prices for quite ordinary fare, a definite tourist trap.Durring our stay the old man
went there with the shipping agents etc.for a meal and a few drinks and some how he was left to foot the bill and he did not have enough cash on him, explained that he could return to the ship for more funds and return to pay. However the manager was not having that, so they beat him up and took what money he had and through him out. Well the old man(no name supplied)was not having that either so went back onto the ship collected more cash and the pistol from his safe and returned to have it out with the manager, there was another fight and the captain shot the manager not dead but very seriously hurt. Every one not on watch was up town and the first we new that
Something was up was when the local police picked us up and transported us back to the ship and stayed on the ship all night. Maybe thought that we would do something.
We was all told to say nothing to anyone, and it might be better if we stayed on the ship. The ship was sailed home with the mate acting as master forgets his name.
All the top lawyers from Australia where employed and he essentially got off, but was finished at sea. We heard that the manager, a bit of a lad if you get me, died from his wounds although I cannot confirm this. Just to finish this trip off we left without the ships papers and had to go back for them only about two hours out though.
Noel

I am a bit late on this but only just noticed this posting. I was on the Britannic doing a coastal at the time. I had left the Saracen and was working my passage home. I flew from Hobart the day it happened and only heard about it after I had joined the Norther Star in Melbourne.
Hobart was a good run shore, as I recall the night before some of us had been out for a drink or two (as one does) and one of us - not me - fell through a shop window, we of course bolted and later while walking back to the ship completely lost were picked up by a cruising police car, the two police turned out to be Brits on assignment and gladly showed us some of the scenic sights before we all came on board for a few more drinks.
Malcolm

[mickris]

Here's a photo of the galley staff and Chief Steward on Brittanics maiden voyage.
Tony (Chief Cook) Gorden ex RN (2nd Cook and Baker) and myself Mick ( Galley Boy and first trip to sea aged 16yrs)

[Malcolm S]

I was on my way home from the Saracen and SSL had me do an Aussie coastal on the Britannic before joining the Northern Star for passage back to the UK. I left the Britannic in Hobart the day that happened and I heard they tried to get me back but too late as I was in the air flying to Melbourne for the NS.
The Captain I believe ran a pub in Dorset or Devon after this event.
The Mate was John Seidler, 2nd Mate R. Mimmack and Chris Jenman.
Chris kindly passed over his uniforms so I had something to wear on the NS.
Rgds
Malcolm


Britannic had discharged cargo around the Australian coast and was due to load at Beauty Point and Hobart, we loaded at BP and arrived in Hobart, just across from the port there was a restaurant, a few of the crew tried it and complained about its very high prices for quite ordinary fare, a definite tourist trap.Durring our stay the old man
went there with the shipping agents etc.for a meal and a few drinks and some how he was left to foot the bill and he did not have enough cash on him, explained that he could return to the ship for more funds and return to pay. However the manager was not having that, so they beat him up and took what money he had and through him out. Well the old man(no name supplied)was not having that either so went back onto the ship collected more cash and the pistol from his safe and returned to have it out with the manager, there was another fight and the captain shot the manager not dead but very seriously hurt. Every one not on watch was up town and the first we new that
Something was up was when the local police picked us up and transported us back to the ship and stayed on the ship all night. Maybe thought that we would do something.
We was all told to say nothing to anyone, and it might be better if we stayed on the ship. The ship was sailed home with the mate acting as master forgets his name.
All the top lawyers from Australia where employed and he essentially got off, but was finished at sea. We heard that the manager, a bit of a lad if you get me, died from his wounds although I cannot confirm this. Just to finish this trip off we left without the ships papers and had to go back for them only about two hours out though.
Noel