I was 3/Eng, then 2/Eng. on the Mercury 1962 -1965. She was a great ship with British Officers and Spanish crew and had a superbly equipped engineroom workshop. I attach a pic. of the 1:100 scale model I made while serving aboard the ship.
Hi Kevin, you probably don't remember me - I was 5th engineer on Mercury from April 1962 for two and a half years. Great times!
Loved the workshop, I used to do all the machining for everybody as I was a fitter and turner - I figured out how to stop the engine room salt water pumps' glands from leaking, they had been a source of mystery for everybody for months.
We never could stop the laundry washing machines' water level sight glasses from leaking though!
Nice model!, have you been to the C&W museum in Porthcurno? They have a large scale model of Mercury there in a glass case.
As a matter of interest, I was working in Cammell Lairds when that Mercury was fitting out. One day there was a commotion up on the boat deck, and ambulances arriving etc. I found out later that three shipwrights had been on hands and knees caulking the deck planks, and the crane lifted a sling of steel plates on edge right over them. A plate slipped out of the slings and like a guillotine blade, cut the three of them in half.
The worst accident I ever heard of in Lairds, and there were plenty in that yard. Health and Safety was not on the agenda those days.
Pat
What a horrific accident, Pat! First I have heard of it, though I joined "Mercury" in Birkenhead during the final phases of fitting out, and subsequently sailed on her for the next 2 years.
My most vivid memory of that time was lunchtime when all the workers swarmed over the road to the pub (forget it's name) and every horizontal surface had a pint of beer on it - hundreds of pints - and everybody knew exactly where their beer was! We used to get in there early to get a drink before the rush.....
Kevin,
That pub was the Royal Castle and I've had many a pint in there.
Now called the Hotel California it is still going strong but mainly as a very noisy heavy metal type pub for youngsters.
A good photo of it here; http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/630873
Regards,
Pat
I missed the 1973 Lay, (on leave) but did complete 2 commissions before and after. I am new to this site but I sailed with KevinR and Dave Watson. Are there any other C&W marine staff members?
Ray
Cable laying ships have become much more functional in design since Mercury was built.
Here are some pics of the Cable ship Nexans Skaggerak undergoing a refit in Cammell Lairds about three years ago.
If I remember correctly - the Skaggerak was (prior to 2009 at least) - about 1m narrower down one side (around the C/L) where it had been 'shaved' to get it through some canal (corinthian?).
With reference to the Youtube footage (janmarsh 10th March 2009) there was an Australian professional film crew that sailed with us on that lay, filming every aspect of the operations from loading to slipping the final and life at sea . If you look closely at the youtube footage you will see them filming using a tripod shooting aft. They had a collection of their work with them and showed us one that they had filmed of an alligator farm in Australia. Excellent.
Pity that the film of the lay was not available.
Regards.
Ray
G-day all. just caught up with the thread. served as 2R/O on the first voyages laying COMPAC, offloaded to Retriever in the middle for six months in Suva and Honolulu. What a life for single young man. Great company, great ships, wish Id stayed for another shift. Have still got photos of the Radio Room somewhere
John Flower
Hi John.
I sailed at various times with R/Os: Des Gallagar, John Oxley, Derek Steele, Paul Money, George O"Brian, Shaun Hasslett, some of whom were around during your stint with C&W.
Ring any bells?
I agree that it was a great company in those days.
Ray
Did u see Paul money as Rob pilot on the tv Quest channel when they go u nd a ship in the channel'with $200 million in silver bars they are now selling them on eBay. Paul was due to retire after that find
good day cable history,2end,march.2006,00:15.re:cable laying on cs.mercury.1973.a most interesting thread,i have just watched your link.most informative.you certainly sailed with good mates.having a collection for you.and you having a non stop party in return.thanks for posting.ben27
Hi all,
I'm new to this site, and not sure how it all hangs together.
I was with C&W from 1970 to 1980.
I was Junior Eng. on the Sentinel based in Bermuda 70/72. 3rd Eng. on the Mercury 73/74 laying the CANTAT 2.
3rd/2nd Eng. on the Retriever in Honolulu 75/76. and again on the Mercury in 78/79.
I agree with the comments above it was certainly a great company. Happy times.
Hi all,
I was very briefly with C&W in 1979, as one of 4 3/Os on Cable Venture laying cable off Libya. I hope that isnt too off topic for this thread. I may have some pics somewhere.
nina
Rather new to this forum. I was RO on Mercury for two 'tours' after
standing by at Lairds - maiden voyage 1962 - laying Compac.
I well remember a few names -Alan D. Law, Sid Bayfield, John Patterson, Ian Bosworth, John Neal, Mike Forshaw, Capt Paddy Garrett, John Oxley (my boss), John Peck, Kevin Routledge,John Flower. We had a 5 months stint alongside in Suva to repace the Retriever. Wow a good company and many memories.
Rather new to this forum. I was RO on Mercury for two 'tours' after
standing by at Lairds - maiden voyage 1962 - laying Compac.
I well remember a few names -Alan D. Law, Sid Bayfield, John Patterson, Ian Bosworth, John Neal, Mike Forshaw, Capt Paddy Garrett, John Oxley (my boss), John Peck, Kevin Routledge,John Flower. We had a 5 months stint alongside in Suva to repace the Retriever. Wow a good company and many memories.
I well remember our stint alongside in Suva, John!! Your list of names also brings back memories of our voyage. You will remember of course, the Red Dragon nightclub! We had a regular contract (unofficial!) with the taxi firm, receiving a personal bill at the end of the month. All the taxi trips were itemised, and usually consisted of only one outing :- "Ship to Dragon" and "Dragon to ship". Great times.....
Looking for long lost uncle last heard of on a cable ship his nam. is Jack Jenkins a
Hello I'm asking for any information about cable ship mari Makay? My fathers brother May of been a crew member my dad has always wanted to find any information,his name is Jack Jenkins,my fathers name is Walter jenkins he was at sea for 40 years starting out as a deck boy 1944 on HS ST Andrew in Anzio New Zealand shipping co, P&O u tell 1983 after having a bad accident in Japan was retired out of the MN due to his health.He would be so pleased to have any information about his brother will be appreatiated thank you .
Mercury Engineers may recall when the engines were converted from gasoil to fueloil. If I remember correctly gas oil was still used when docking and manoeuvring, then switched over to fuel oil for passage. Blackouts were not unusual when leaving port! Must have been a nightmare down the pit.
Couple of her lifeboats still giving sterling service as ferries in Bristol.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ships Nostalgia
1.1M posts
124.7K members
Since 2004
A forum community dedicated to Ships, boats, and vessel owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about crew logs, maritime history, shipping lines, shipwrecks, cruise ships, weather, and more!