[Roger Harrison]

For any Wirral-based Member ex Blue Funnel, there is a ships bell from the Rhexenor (1945) up for auction at Kingsley Auctions, Hoylake this coming Tuesday November 16th. 2010

go to http://kingsleyauctions.blogspot.com (or google)

Note : They have moved from the Station Roundabout further down Market Street to near the Blue Anchor

If you go, give Ian the Auctioneer my regards

Roger Harrison
Perth, Australia

[Barrie Youde]

What an excellent thread this is! Well worth reading.

My own time in Blue Funnel was only a little over twelve months, when straight from school, but it certainly taught me the practical value of setting the highest possible standards and making every possible effort to maintain them.

About ten years ago the Birkenhead News published a brief profile of the newly-appointed Master of one of the Birkenhead/Belfast ferries. It outlined his career from the outset saying, "Captain (Bloggs?) first went to sea in a company called the Blue Funnel Line." My immediate thought was, are memories really quite so short? Not long previously, to say in Birkenhead (of all places!) "a company called the Blue Funnel Line" would have sounded as ill-informed and naive as to say "a company called Marks & Spencer" or a "a bank called Lloyds Bank."

For sure, also, a baptism in Blue Funnel began to teach me the hard lesson that there are both pleasant people and unpleasant people in the world; and, happily, that the former heavily outnumber the latter.

[DURANGO]

Originally Posted by Barrie Youde

What an excellent thread this is! Well worth reading.

My own time in Blue Funnel was only a little over twelve months, when straight from school, but it certainly taught me the practical value of setting the highest possible standards and making every possible effort to maintain them.

About ten years ago the Birkenhead News published a brief profile of the newly-appointed Master of one of the Birkenhead/Belfast ferries. It outlined his career from the outset saying, "Captain (Bloggs?) first went to sea in a company called the Blue Funnel Line." My immediate thought was, are memories really quite so short? Not long previously, to say in Birkenhead (of all places!) "a company called the Blue Funnel Line" would have sounded as ill-informed and naive as to say "a company called Marks & Spencer" or a "a bank called Lloyds Bank."

For sure, also, a baptism in Blue Funnel began to teach me the hard lesson that there are both pleasant people and unpleasant people in the world; and, happily, that the former heavily outnumber the latter.

Memories are truly that short to not remember the Blue Funnel line where have these people been then I have to remember that I was with them nigh on 50 years ago when some I speak to where not even born just reading through the thread I picked up on stockholm tar used on the stays and the lowering procedure I,m getting on now so someone will put me right if I have this wrong ,but didn,t we used to be lowered down on a gantline on the winch drum end and on the bosuns chair I,m sure we had a large shackel secured round the stay , I can well remember an a.b. Edgar Owen my cabin mate [ one of lifes diamonds ] climbing down a stay instead of using the mast ladder this was in the Agapenor my first Bluey regards Dave .

[Barrie Youde]

Hi, Durango,

The explanation as it seemed to me was that the journalist who had interviewed the shipmaster ten years ago was probably too young (even then) to have seen any Blue Funnel activity of any kind. But I was surprised that the editor (presumably a more senior figure) seemed similary unaware.

Best,

BY

[sparkie2182]

Maybe the editor had once sailed with Harrison's or Palm Line or Cunard or Canadian Pacific or L+H or Brocklebanks or...............

[Barrie Youde]

Unlikely in the extreme..... but you never know!!

[Hugh Ferguson]

Quote:- "Agapenor, my first Bluey"

She was not my first Bluey but she was my first as a brand new 4th mate in the brand new Agapenor in Aug. 1947.
Captain Longair; c/o. Punchard; 2nd mate Kilmarnock Robbie; 3rd mate John Moore.
I joined her in Glasgow where I discovered my room was still in the process of being constructed! I slept in the unfinished chartroom, fully dressed in a brand new uniform, to awake next morning stuck to the newly varnished back-slats!! We sailed for Hamburg via Oban shortly after with a still considerable number of shipyard finishing workmen remaining on board all the way around to Birkenhead from where we eventually sailed for the usual Far East voyage.
The photo is of her sailing down the Mersey on that maiden voyage.

[Pat Kennedy]

Hugh,
I was AB in her in 1962, when she was showing her age a little.
Still a good ship though!
Regards,
Pat

[Ken Green]

Ah, happy days! I sailed on her as EDH in 1948 and 1949. Quite an eye opener after nearly two years on the "Lovely" coal burner "Diomed"
All the best, Ken

[DURANGO]

Originally Posted by Pat Kennedy

Hugh,
I was AB in her in 1962, when she was showing her age a little.
Still a good ship though!
Regards,
Pat

I must have just missed sailing with you Pat I joined her on the Java run on the 6th /7th/1962 ,Charlie Taylor was the bosun great crowd and a great run all long gone best regards Dave .

[Pat Kennedy]

Originally Posted by DURANGO

I must have just missed sailing with you Pat I joined her on the Java run on the 6th /7th/1962 ,Charlie Taylor was the bosun great crowd and a great run all long gone best regards Dave .

I paid off in Glasgow, 26/6/62. I think Ned Phillips was bosun. I was daywork AB along with Matt Dillon, who later became dockmaster at Alfred Locks.
Regards,
Pat

[DURANGO]

Originally Posted by Pat Kennedy

I paid off in Glasgow, 26/6/62. I think Ned Phillips was bosun. I was daywork AB along with Matt Dillon, who later became dockmaster at Alfred Locks.
Regards,
Pat

Did you also do the Java run in her ,I had a large ciggie bill that trip , I think I was in her when the Dutch blueys had all been moved off the Java coast would I be correct about that Pat best regards Dave .

[Pat Kennedy]

No Dave, not the Java run, it was Penang, Swettenham, Singapore, Belawan and then Manila, Hong Kong, China coast and return the same way.
regards,
Pat

[TonyAllen]

Originally Posted by Pat Kennedy

No Dave, not the Java run, it was Penang, Swettenham, Singapore, Belawan and then Manila, Hong Kong, China coast and return the same way.
regards,
Pat

Pat. Ah memories memories what a run, the smell of the coast after the outward run and getting the bronzie on the back trip. tony

[DURANGO]

Originally Posted by TonyAllen

Pat. Ah memories memories what a run, the smell of the coast after the outward run and getting the bronzie on the back trip. tony

I would have loved to have been on that China run that Pat did in the old girl , because I had not long paid off sick in Shanghai when I did the Java run , I would loved to have been able to go back to the Shanghai seamens hospital to thank them for caring for me so well having said that although I had been to Belawan before in the old tramp that I was taken ill aboard doing the Java run in a bluey was a total different experience numerous ports for a start and as you say Tony the smells off the coast wonderful times for a young man best regards Dave .

[Pat Kennedy]

Tony,
I often regret that I didnt do a voyage on one of the 'P' class. They only called at the good ports like Singapore, Manila, HK, and on to Kobe and Yoko. None of those other hellholes for them!
Regards,
Pat

[Julian Calvin]

When the Gulf was closed and had to go the long way around via Durban or Capetown, number of mates were reduced for voyage out and back. Was sent out to Penang for six months as 4th mate. Would coast all around the usual Far East ports before transferring back to Penang or Singapore to await the next vessel.
It was hell!!! Don't know how I survived. Two weeks at a time living in Penang or Singapore at seamans mission was a struggle I can tell you. Could be seen wandering around at times, completely broke but with a happy smile on my face.

[TonyAllen]

Originally Posted by Julian Calvin

When the Gulf was closed and had to go the long way around via Durban or Capetown, number of mates were reduced for voyage out and back. Was sent out to Penang for six months as 4th mate. Would coast all around the usual Far East ports before transferring back to Penang or Singapore to await the next vessel.
It was hell!!! Don't know how I survived. Two weeks at a time living in Penang or Singapore at seamans mission was a struggle I can tell you. Could be seen wandering around at times, completely broke but with a happy smile on my face.

I bet you were smiling as you wrote this Tony

[Peter Martin]

Ah yes! Connell House could be hell. Especially the swimming pool.

[John Gillespie]

Originally Posted by price

Bill,
It was Joe Barlow who I knew, probably not your friend John, I just thought that there may be some connection.

Bruce.

John and Joe were brothers.
John, who was C/O, left BF in the 70's and joined Bell Line,a coastal container line sailing out of Waterford to the UK and the Continent.
Last I heard of him he was Harbour Master in Wicklow,probably rettired now.
Regards

[KatLouJon]

Originally Posted by rebbel

Does any one remember Glyn Jones from Nefyn North Wales who sailed on the Antilocus in the late 60s early 70s

Hi there, I only recently saw your thread and I am certain that the man you asked about is my father. He is Owen Glyn Jones, and he still lives in Nefyn - I know that he was at sea during the 60s/70s but am not certain of the name of the ship he sailed on without asking him. It was a very nice surprise to see him mentioned on this forum!

[Barrie Youde]

THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT SHIPOWNER

It is an Ancient Shipowner.
He hath a tale to tell
Of how much prospect turned to dross
Which started off so well.

And all forgot the start of it:
E’en all the men who knew
And saw the fortunes rise and rise
By credit-balance true.

And still they held a dinner-feast
When all was at its end.
And of the Ancient Shipowner
His ghost was there. A friend.

He was not dressed in sack-cloth.
Much decorum did prevail.
His suit was made of canvas
From a fore-t’gallant sail.

“My boys,” quoth he, “’Twas at a time
When England could expand:
And trade was in the market
In each continent and land.

And trade was driven then by sail
Dependent on the wind.
A power more dependable
I knew that I could find.

And did. The future was in steam.
I would forsake all sail
When possible. This was no dream.
My methods would not fail.

I was ahead of all in trade
In that mad, glorious world.
And lived to see my ships at sea
Without a sail unfurled.

At heart I was an engineer.
I knew that I could make it;
And did. And built the very best.
The fortune, I would take it.

‘Steam gives way to sail’, men cried
And some men were not pleased
To see the competition raised
As wind-dependence eased.

By halves I did not do things.
I’d compete on longest routes.
And traders to the China seas
Were shaken to their boots.

And envy then was in their eyes.
‘Who is this driven man?
Who’d take the cargo from our ships?
We’ll catch him if we can.

He sets his standards highest,
It appears to us, in greed,
That he would sweep us from the seas
By steam-power and its speed’.

I was not greedy then, my boys,”
The Ancient Owner spake.
“No more than any other,
For we all were on the make.

My engines were efficient
So I had the bunker-space
To get my vessels there and back
And still to win the race.

My ships were named as heroes
From the great Olympiad,
Moral courage was the watchword.
Honour good. Eschew the bad.

And others then would follow
When they saw what steam could do.
And so, to make a further mark,
I painted funnels blue.

At this, the envy rose the more
And I had many a rival.
On good Welsh coal I staked my soul
And gambled my survival.

The gamble worked, I prospered well,
And so did all my crew;
And so did all who trusted me,
And funnels painted blue.”

“Are you the Holt who started it?”,
The dinner-guest enquired.
“Tonight we all salute you.
We are all of us retired.

But, tell us please, what happened,
As still trade is done by sea.
You were the boss. What caused the loss?
What was the destiny?”

And spake the Ancient Shipowner,
“I’m puzzled. I don’t know.
Most trade is carried still by sea
And likely will be so.

My vessels were the best of all
As also were my crew.
In two World-Wars they showed their worth,
And in the peace-time, too.

And I am somewhat baffled, therefore,
Why there was a loss.
Though I sent many a ship to sea,
I shot no albatross.

Or did I? All those years ago,
When I eschewed all sail?
And placed my faith in coal and steam?
Was I then doomed to fail?

Did I then blight the world,
Although most people said ‘twas good.
A century has seen me gone.
Am I yet understood?

Or did the Devil catch me out
As wily as a fox,
The day he placed upon this Earth
The foul container-box?

I built my ships for strength and service.
Profit, yes, and speed.
Until the box-boat came along
I stayed well in the lead.

But then the heart went out of it,
The soul and spirit, too.
There was very little purpose
In a funnel painted blue.”

The dinner-guest was horrified
As also was the Holt.
Here was not mutiny by crew,
But owner in revolt.

‘ “To serve, to strive and not to yield”,
You taught us all to do it.
Did you then simply chuck it in?
Good Sir! How could you do it?’

“The best laid plans of mice and men
Alas, gang aft agley.”
Thus spake the Holt in wisdom.
No, he did not turn away.

“Nothing lasts for ever,” said he,
“This I’ve taught you, too.
And I thank you for your loyalty
To funnels painted blue.

There’s more to life than shunting cans
Along the ocean tracks:
Though, pleasant it might be for some,
With sunlight on their backs.”

“Certum pete finem”, said the scholar
As he thought,
What next to do, when browsing through
The classics, as he ought.

“Thank you,” said the Holt
“I’m glad you’ve learned a little more.
Please may I join your table?
It is draughty at this door.

I weep to see what’s happened:
That the fleet has long been sold;
Though all of us have values gained
Which far exceed all gold.

Are you here in my memory?
Or does that ask too much?
Or simply camaraderie?
To rubbish me, as such?

You are here for your own reasons, sure,
And I am here for mine.
And the evening’s far from over.
Could we share a glass of wine?

There is more that I could tell you,
If you really want me to,
Of ships and string and sealing wax
And of the Chinese crew.

I chose them for intelligence,
For industry and clout.
That they could turn the tables
There was never any doubt.

And that is why I warned you all
To take the utmost care
In dealings with your fellow men
On Earth. We all must share.

The day is gone when funnels blue
Would dominate the seas:
But lessons have been learned by all.
Mark well and follow these.

Do unto others only
What you’d have them do to you
On oceans or on battlefields
Or peaceful pastures new.

Fear nothing save the truth
Which you must follow to the end.
I thank you for your loyalty.
Now I must go, my friend.”

BY
16.06.2012

[tailgunner]

went to corporation road and trained by OBE O'Brien........a gentleman Bosun.....Werent Blue Flu just the cats pjamas....never to be forgotten!!!!!!!!

[Hugh Ferguson]

Originally Posted by tailgunner

went to corporation road and trained by OBE O'Brien........a gentleman Bosun.....Werent Blue Flu just the cats pjamas....never to be forgotten!!!!!!!!

Yes, indeed, the "immaculate" Blue Funnel Line, as John Briggs described them and I'm sure it wasn't tongue in cheek!

[John Gillespie]

Coasted with Liptrot on Glenorchy in 1967. He wasn't a very pleasant Master,went out of his way to make life hell for Elder Dempster officers.
Coasted with Capt.Rea on Anchises in 1968.Found him straight,fair,abrupt with a good sense of humour. He was from Dundee or maybe Aberdeen