[John Rogers]

Three questions in regards to the Crystal Jewel.
1. Who owned her.?

2. Who was at fault for the collision.?

3. And was she totaled.?

[billyboy]

not sure about the owners John. (marsat2 may be able to tell you that) Both captains were at fault for steaming too fast in the fog. Crystal jewel had her midship section rebuilt in rotterdam i believe. in fact she could still be around somewhere under a different name. Bet someone on this site will be able to tell you more. will e-mail you a couple of pics John. Drop me your e-mail address. Meeching man also knows a bit about this incident. My father was mate on the Tug at that time, Marsat2 was deck crew.

[John Rogers]

Thanks for the offer of the pictures William, I dont realy need them I was just wondering whos fault it was after looking at the horrific pictures in the Gallery,very sad for the daughter to loose her life. Thanks again for the offer.
John

[Dave Edge]

John, This was something of a cause celebre at the time being one of the first and best known 'radar assisted collisions'. If I remember correctly each 'sighted' the other on radar and each had the other fine on the opposite bow. Given that the "Crystal Jewel" was hit on the port side I assume she had the "British Aviator" fine to port and the Aviator had her fine to starboard. Each then made a succession of small alterations to increase the passing distance, presumably the Jewel to starboard, the Aviator to port. "Crystal Jewel" was owned by Sugar Line, part of Tate & Lyle. I have posted a photo of her at Calcutta after repairs in the 'cargo ship' gallery.

[marsat2]

Yes, you got it all just about right. When the Meeching got the call she was laying up near the Marine workshops at Newhaven and had almost completed a bit of a service on her main engines.
My father was mate on the Meeching at the time and I was a Deckhand. Paddy Pringle was skipper at that moment, she virtualy had two crews in fact,and the call came through roughly about 0930 to 1000hrs. My father had nipped home to get something, and Paddy asked me to jump on my Motorbike and go get him with great haste. This I did and broke a few road rules in the bargain.
The Meeching was underway very quickly, I remember looking in the engine room doorway to see the engineer still securing the rocker covers on one of the main engines thats how short a notice we got. We actualy took Dr. Alexander, the port doctor out with us to tend to the Capt of Crystal Jewel. you are correct in your theory of the Capt of the Jewel jumping from the bridge wing onto the main deck and breaking both of his legs. By the time we got out there they had already transfered him to the Tanker as I feel they thought that the Jewel was at risk of sinking. Thus poor old Dr. Alexander had the task of scaling the pilot ladder up the side of the Tanker, which was empty at the time so he had a fair climb.
I could go on for ages ith this story but I think you have enough to on with for now. Cheers...JIM

[John Rogers]

Thanks for the story Jim.
John

[MikeBalchin]

Just joined this site.
I was an apprentice on the Jewel (my first ship almost 1 year to the date I joined)when we had the collision.
She was owned by Sugar Line which was linked to Athel Line and Tate&Lyle
She wasn't totalled and after repair was back in service.
Both skippers were blamed for the collision. A radar assisted collision was the verdict.

[treeve]

What I have, on my web pages
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com...cwll/crys1.htm

At official investigations which were held in London on February, 19th, 1962, both captains were suspended for 12 months Owners of CRYSTAL JEWEL made a claim against the owners of BRITISH AVIATOR. The case was considered in the Admiralty Court on October 5th and 6th, 1964. Guilt was laid on both vessels, and liabilities were awarded 60% to BRITISH AVIATOR and 40% to CRYSTAL JEWEL. The appeal of the owners of BRITISH AVIATOR was considered in the Appeal court March, 1965. The Court resolved, that the responsibility should be distributed equally.

Best Wishes
Raymond

[MikeBalchin]

Thanks Raymond
Strange to see the Jewel whole again.

[glancon]

Does anyone have any pictures of the Crystal Bell. I sailed in her in Feb of 1956 when she was fairly new.

Glancon

[treeve]

Hi Glancon, PM me you email and I will send you a picture of Crystal Bell.
see
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com...cwll/crys1.htm
All best, Raymond

[PollY Anna]

Hi Treeve

Just running off thread a bit but were the Crystal Jewel / Cube / Bell sister ships I see they were all built at different yards but was it all to the same design

[slick]

All,
I travelled to Liverpool to join I think the Trelyon and sat opposite a rather nice lady who it turned out was the wife of the Captain of the British Aviator, she was understandably subdued, a Polish name seems to ring a bell.
The phrase "cumulative turn" seems to stir memories and wasn't the collision the source of the notorious Rule 16 Annexe.
Yours aye,
Slick

[treeve]

I can only assume they were to the same design,
the appearance is just so.

All Polish women are nice ...

[treeve]

Got your PM - glad that you like the pictures, Glancon;
Anyone else would like pictures, just send me your email address.

[mclean]

Polly Anna,according to my 1963 LLoyds Register all identical together with ...Crown..Diamond.. and Gem. Colin

[PollY Anna]

Thanks for that mclean & treeve

Ron

[athinai]

''Crystal Crown.'', Was my Worst Ship and that was well over 40 years ago., and I've been on many over the years.,

[treeve]

What was the worst about Crystal Crown, Athinai?

[James MacDonald]

My first trip to sea was on the British Comet as Deck boy on the 29th of May 1963 from Finnart. The Captain was Capt S Butler ,who was involved in the collision with the Crystal Jewel when master of the British Aviator. This mustve been his first command after that tragic collision in the Channel .

[PollY Anna]

athinai

I bet it was the crew it's never the ship you can sail on the same ship on her next trip and it will be completely different trip.

Regards Ron

[athinai]

Hi Treeve, Thanks for coming back., Yep Crystal Crown was a bit of a disaster, it was my one and only Ship where there were little ''Cliques,'' I wasn't much of a Drinker so the Code seemed to be.,'' IF YOUR FLYNN YOUR'E IN but if your '' Trout '' ( If you are Trout you're out ). I paid off the ship and left the Company, what a relief., and what a waist of 2 months and 21 days. Must say From that time on Everything was Great and most enjoyable, with Wonderful Memories., would'nt have missed it for anything.

[treeve]

Thanks Athinai, always interested to hear of experiences. My father always
used to be on about "ruddy clicks" ... he served in all three forces and he
used to say that at sea it was all too concentrated in one tin can.
I always found it best to be true to yourself; no good towing the line
just to be accepted. Not easy on a ship, I have no doubt.
Best Wishes, Raymond

[athinai]

Polly Anna,
Sorry Should have addressed you also in my reply to Treeve, ''You got it in one.''

Regards/

[PollY Anna]

Athinai

It's OK I had the same experience on one of GSNC and for the same reasons (Drink).

So I know where you are coming from

Regards Ron