[John McPherson]

Originally Posted by Chrisskye

Hi,
I am very interested to read about these experiences.
Can you tell me where I acn read his writings?
Look forward to your reply.
All the best,
Chris

Hi . I was the relief 3rd mate on the Agalampus (Agapenor/Melampus) with Capt McMannus. after the original 3rd mate was captured by the Isralies. Have many photos, some cine film and many good memories of my 4 months in the lake.

[Chris Dugan]

Originally Posted by Alfredo

Does anyone remember anything about the swedish ship NIPPON who was stucked there with you...

According to a 1967 NY Times article, the polish seamen built a giant floating Christmas tree near the Nippon complete with lights. The article said that on christmas eve GBLA members surrounded the tree to sing carols. Anyone remember that? I'd love to hear more about it.

[bitterlakes67]

Hi
Myself and Graham Mc Morine were invited to take part in a documentary being produced for German telivision[3rd to 6th May 2009 in Hamburg].
sadly Graham [Ex 4th Engineer Melampus 1967]. Had a heart attack and is now well on the way to recovery. To say the least he is well p***** of with the fact he could not attend do to Travel Insurance issues.

To get back to the situation at this " film shooting" many German/Chez/Polish ex members of the GBlA were present. Like Phil Saul I was not a member leaving Blue Flue on my return home from Egypt. At the event the chap that engraved the plate for stamps.

Sadly he does not have a copy of Captain Bryan Hill's Book on "The postage Stamps of the Great Bitter Lake association. As the engraver [ex Marine engineer]. He has set me a quest to try and obtain a copy for him.

If you have knowledge of how we can contact Captain Hill or how to obtain a copy then we would be most greatful for any help.

His name is Josef Gattermayr now retired in Austria.
We read a copy [Number 181] that a Polish Radio operator had at the meeting in Hamburg.

This meeting was a closure for me in a Forty year plus to find out information on the full entrappment.

If you have information then you can contact me

Regards

John
John L hughes
Ex 2nd Electrician Melampus 1967
[Bitterlakes[Ismalia]]

[Ian J. Huckin]

I have had this picture for some time and always wondered where it was taken. Could it be that this is part of the GBLA fleet?

Thank you in appreciation for your stories here. Great thread and you should all be very proud....

[Phil Saul]

Originally Posted by Ian J. Huckin

I have had this picture for some time and always wondered where it was taken. Could it be that this is part of the GBLA fleet?

Thank you in appreciation for your stories here. Great thread and you should all be very proud....

Hi Ian,

Afraid those ships are not part of the Bitter Lakes fleet.
I've no idea of the location but definitely not Bitter Lakes.
Maybe someone on this site can identify the ships and location?

Regards Phil

[Ian J. Huckin]

Originally Posted by Phil Saul

Hi Ian,

Afraid those ships are not part of the Bitter Lakes fleet.
I've no idea of the location but definitely not Bitter Lakes.
Maybe someone on this site can identify the ships and location?

Regards Phil

O.K. Phil, thanks. I was up there several times, once immediately after the war. I have a load of decent pics back in Wisconsin of shelled buildings and burned out tanks etc. I just don't remember what the lakes looked like.

As you say, maybe somebody else can identify it.

Best wishes,

Ian

[Bitterlakes1967]

Originally Posted by Chrisskye

Hi Terry,
I have a very great collecting interest in the GBLA ships. I have many envelopes posted from and to the ships. Many have some of the special stamps on them.

I would be very interested to know of any recollections you may have of the production and use of the specail GBLA stamps.
Very much look forward to your reply,Chris

I was at a filming session in Hamburg this week[3rd to 6th May] for a film shoot on the GBLA here I met Josef Gattermayr .Josef would like to have a copy of Captain Bryan Hill's book on " The stamps of the Great Bitter Lakes Association"s

If you have a contact for a copy we would like the information.

John L Hughes Ex 2nd Elect Melampus 1967

[Bitterlakes1967]

Originally Posted by Vaclav

I send greetings for all crew member, who were on Great Bitter Lake in the years 1967 - 1969, in this time I was on the board of M/S Lednice. Vaclav

Hi Ing Vaclav

Did you get my email after our "film making sojorn" in Hamburg this week 2rd to 6th May.

I am attempyong to find Josef the book By Captain B Hill. It's out of print.
Do you have the email for the Czech Radio Operator [the one that drank all the snaps and has a young misisi!!]

Regards
Eur Ing John.
SN Handles [Bitterlakes1967]/bitterlakes67]
I hope to visit Praha one day and I will contact you.
If you speak to Josef tell him I am on the quest for the book

[PeterBJ]

Hello Phil,

Just found this site and saw your note.
I was a first trip middy on Melampus so must have
been shipmates!! I went off with the first group
via Nicosia etc etc!!
Pete

Originally Posted by Phil Saul

Hi Peter,
I was trapped in the Bitter Lakes aboard the Blue Funnel ship Melampus and then transferred to the other 'Bluey' Agapenor in '67.
The '67 war was known as the 'six day war' while the Yom Kippur War was '73.
Just being a tad pedantic there.!!!
I was in the lakes for three months before being relieved and did not go back out at the completion of my leave as I found it too ruddy boring.
The Bitter Lakes Assoc. was founded by the relieving crowd so I was never a member and to date have never come across anyone who was.
I was in the UK recently for my mothers funeral and while there met up with two members of this site who were in the Melampus with me, Graham Mcmorine, 4th Engineer and John Hughes, Junior 'Lecky.
I was Engineers Asst steward at the time.
We met in a pub in Nantwich and spent a very pleasant couple of hours going over old times.
Graham and John are in touch with other ex-members of the crew of Melampus being the 6th Engineer (I think) and the Chief Electrician.
I don't think any of us were members of the Assoc but if you require any information about the 'Six Day War' from our perspective I would be only too happy to assist, as I'm quite sure would Graham and John.
I have a few photos and letters from that period which I can make available to you if you wish.
Good luck with your article.
Regards Phil Saul

[Phil Saul]

Originally Posted by PeterBJ

Hello Phil,

Just found this site and saw your note.
I was a first trip middy on Melampus so must have
been shipmates!! I went off with the first group
via Nicosia etc etc!!
Pete

Hi Pete,

Great to hear from you.
Do you remember the lifeboat trips to the beach in Trincomalee ?
You middies were hooked up with some good looking expat girls who came along to the picnics but can't remember where they came from.
Long time ago !!
John Hughes, the Junior leckie who escorted you guys home is a member on this site as is Graham McMorine, 4th Eng.
Trust life has been good to you.

Regards Phil

[kentanner]

I was assiat ops manager to peter ross and john robinson - good guys - and for £1/2 m we got em out in 1974 - tit willow was the oldman.
The cargos were removed in Trieste all cargos were paid for by the war Protection and indemnity club who then sold the cargos and ships. melampus went for 2m agapenor 1/2m. The cargoe were 1500 tons palm oil - still edible after 8 years - the 500 tons of latex was still runny.
The cargoes were "swapped" it was one haselblad camera off the norwind for one pair jeans off the agapenor. Agapenor carried "explosives" with pineapples loaded on top the sulphuric accid in the cans had dropped onto the "explosives".