[stevesherratt]

My Ships:

MV Amarna, Liverpool 26/05/62 to Liverpool 26/06/62, Pantry Boy
ESSO Portsmouth, Genoa 08/04/68 to Bahrain 22/07/68, Junior Electrician
ESSO Lancashire, Rotterdam 04/09/68 Fawley 26/12/68, Electrician
ESSO Cardiff, Fawley 03/02/69 to Amsterdam 07/07/69, Electrician
ESSO Mercia, Rastanura 04/10/69 to Milford Haven 05/11/69, 2nd Officer Electrical
ESSO Mercia, Milford Haven 06/11/69 to Rotterdam 05/01/70, 2nd Officer Electrical
ESSO Mercia, Rastanura 08/04/70 to Rotterdam 27/04/70, 2nd Officer Electrical
ESSO Edinburgh, Rastanura 23/07/70 to Portland USA 03/10/07, 2nd Officer Electrical
ESSO Scotia, Milford Haven 11/11/70 Milford Haven 12/01/71, Electrical Officer
ESSO Lancashire, Milford Haven 16/01/71 to Bahrain 12/02/71 Electrical Officer
ESSO Lincoln, Baltimore 16/03/71 to Kalundborg 22/06/71, Electrician
ESSO Portsmouth, New York 18/08/71 to Fawley 14/11/71, Electrician
ESSO Hibernia, Fawley 29/12/71 to Rastanura 29/01/72, Electrician
ESSO Caledonia, Rastanura 27/03/72 to Rotterdam 30/04/72, Electrician
ESSO Cambria, Fawley 05/05/72 to Rastanura 10/08/72 2nd Officer Electrical
ESSO Mercia, Fawley 28/11/72 to Marseille 05/03/73 Electrician
ESSO Mercia, Mina al Ahmadi 16/04/73 to Savona 04/08/73 Electrician
ESSO Bernicia, Rotterdam 25/10/73 to Dubai 06/12/73 Electrician
ESSO Mercia, Mina al Ahmadi 12/12/73 to Tenerife 26/01/74 Electrician
ESSO Bernicia, Cape town 21/03/74 to Wilhelmshaven 19/04/74 1st Officer Electrical
ESSO Anglia, Cape town 23/04/74 to Rastanura 18/05/74, 1st Officer Electrical
ESSO Mercia, Bahrain 19/05/74 to Fawley 01/07/74, 1st Officer Electrical
ESSO Anglia, La Vera 10/09/74 to Fawley 08/01/74, 1st Officer Electrical
ESSO Bernicia, Singapore 14/03/75 to Dubai 03/07/75, 1st Officer Electrical
Seconded to the Capital Projects Group July 1975 to December 1978 on UMS and Burner Management projects on ESSO Anglia, Northumbria, Bernicia, Cambria and Hibernia.

Ten fabulous years with ESSO, lots of great shipmates would do it all again, they paid me much more than I was worth and thought I would never leave them. Gave it all up when a little voice one day said “Daddy, don’t go” I was the poorest, happiest man I knew for years after.

Steve R770014 South Derbyshire

[K urgess]

Welcome to the crew, Steve.
We shared a couple of ships but not at the same time unless you were on the Northumbria in drydock Singapore 1977.
Find your way around this ship and have a good trip.

[R58484956]

Greetings Steve and a warm welcome to SN. Bit of a jump pantry boy to lecky. Perhaps an apprenticeship in between. Enjoy the site and bon voyage.

[bert thompson]

Welcome Steve to this great site. Never sailed with Esso but did a lot of repair and installation work in drydocks
Best wishes
Bert.

[seandixon]

Hi Steve
When did you sail with the Esso Cambria?
I'm trying to peice some history together regarding my Grandfather- John Macleod.
Appreciate your help on this
Regards

Sean Dixon

[Jay Wye]

Sean,
Could your John Macleod be the same JM who sailed as Master on the Esso Oxford in1968? He was from Lewis but lived in or near Chandlersford?
I was 3/0 on the Esso Oxford for quite a few trips, John as Master and Reggie Rendall as Chief Mate. (I think!)
Regards,
John Y

[sidsal]

Hi Steve: Bit before your time when I was in Esso. I think it was 1947 when I did a trip on a T2 tanker to Aruba and back ( 2nd Mate) and we had a passenger who was the newly appointed electrical superintendent. He spent quite a bit of time in the afternnos chatting with me on the bridge. He had shared £20K award during the war for perfecting gyro controlled firing of guns on warships. Before then , when a warship was rolling they could only fire once on the down roll and once on the uproll. Gyro cotrol kept the guns pointing in the right direction whilst the ship rolled. Devilishly clever stuff !
PS Whilst he ws on the bridge we got a bit of a scare when a loose mine appeared close ahead. The bow wave washed it away and it started to come towards us amidships but we went hard astarboard towards it and it swung the stern away from it. Narrow squeak.

[seandixon]

Yes!

Thats him. From Harris and lived in Chandlers Ford and then moved to Balvicar (near Oban). He didn't have many years of retirement which still saddens me.
My Grandmother (Winnie) is still alive and living with my mum. My granny still misses him and still waits for him coming home.
Did you know him well?

Sean

[Jay Wye]

Sean, just checked my discharge book, John had signed off five for me.
I had left the Esso Oxford and was on the Esso Lincoln, when JM requested me back on the Esso Oxford, the Company had just started GP manning and were trying to keep the same men on the "the" ship. John wanted me as his 3/0.
One occasion I remember with a smile, was a voyage from Kalundborg in Denmark to La Salina in Venezuela, -- through the Pentland Firth and down the West Coast of Lewis and Harris. I wondered for a while why we sailed particularly close to the beach!!! Would not be allowed today with separation zones! I did meet your Gran on occasions when we were in Fawley.
You have brought back some very happy memories. Although he, like myself, was a bit of a dour Scot, there was always a wee bit mischief there,--- he had a certain smile!!!!!!!
Charlie Patterson was his C/E for quite a while!
January 1968, Fawley, the Esso Oxford, my first tanker, first job as 3/0, ink still wet on my Second Mate's Certificate and JM intimidated me,--- but only for a while! A great guy and I am delighted to hear a wee bit about him but sorry to hear, like so many seafarers, he did not enjoy a long retirement.
John Y

[seandixon]

Wonderful way to start a Monday.
Its good to hear that you remember him and the details that you have given.
He retired to Balvicar and bought a Nicholson 32, on which he taught me to sail and navigate, and today still have a chart that I "practised" on which coincidently is The Minch passing Harris.
I am putting together all the photos that my Grandmother has which included stills from the Cambria and if she can find the cine film, will be putting footage onto disc.
I hope to be going back to Balvicar soon and intend travelling up to Harris.
I remember Harris well where he showed me his birthplace in Kyles Scalpay and explained his childhood and the way of life there.
I have no records of his life at sea with the exception, now, of yours and it is warming to have you share these with me.

Sean

[randcmackenzie]

My uncle, Kenny MacKenzie, knew him well, sailed with him, visited his houses in Chandler's Ford and in Balvicar, and he my uncle's in Inverness.

He tells me your grandmother's name is Winnie, your mother's is Rachel, you have an Uncle Murdo who was also a Master at sea, and another uncle who was in the New Zealand police.

Kenny is 87, and as you will gather, has an exceptionally good memory, he still gets a Christmas card from your grandmother.

Best regards.

[seandixon]

I will be visiting my Grandmother by the end of the week and look forward to telling her of your contact.
She is in her mid nineties now but still retains a degree of reality although not for prolonged periods!
As you have gathered, I am tracing my Grandfather's history and fill in the parts that he never got to tell me.
He was a great influence throughout my life and I think to know more about him would be great testiment to the direction he gave.
About two years after he died, I went with my Grandmother to Tarbet, as she wanted to visit all my Grandfather's relatives. This was the first time I had met Uncle Murdo in my mature years and his resemblence was upsetting. It was as he knew, as he put his arms around me for what seemed ages, saying nothing.
Tell me more about your Uncle Kenny..

Regards

Sean

[eriskay]

Small world - there's always been a bit of an affinity between the Islands of Scalpay and Eriskay, not the least being their great successes at the ring-net fishing for herring. The Scalpay boats were always the best - well looked after by men who knew their boats and took their upkeep very seriously.

Some years back when Stolt were building the factory (and what a sad outcome that was to become) I went to Scalpay to install a small Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant that produced 100 tonnes of fresh water from seawater, for use in the Plant. It was found to be less expensive than running a pipeline from Harris, somewhere in theTarbert area. It was in early January and the conditions out on that new jetty were absolutely Baltic.

As though that wasn't bad enough, the room heating in the Tarbert Hotel was dysfunctional so the conditions inside the room were not a lot better than the pier! The heating boiler worked okay, the problem was that the upstairs radiators were air-locked and the Hotel couldn't find a key to vent them! There was something to be said for the peat fire and Tilley lamps of the old days!

Your enquiries and the responses have been fascinating, Sean, the high regard in which you held your grandfather is very clear, good luck with your continuing research.

Angus.

[Jay Wye]

Eriskay, whilst you are there. Hector Maclellan was C/O on the Esso Oxford. I bought a Morris Oxford off one of the engineers in April 1968, and drove it via London overnight, to Glasgow with Hector as Navigator. I dropped him off in Argyle street in Glasgow. On the subject of Eriskay, Ian Campbell was my 2/O on the Donaldson's Letitia, I was apprentice. I spent many a long Midnight to Four with him on the Western!

[seandixon]

I've heard the name Hector Maclellan, I think it was my Grandfather who talked of him.
Would they have sailed together?

[eriskay]

Jay :
Interesting anecdote - thanks. He joined 'Esso Oxford' on 2nd Sept 1968 at S'hampton as Second Mate, and signed off 14th October that year.

(That was his third period of service on Esso Oxford, having done two previous trips on her in 1966 and 1967, again as Second Mate)

He joined her again as Chief Officer at Milford Haven, on 4th December 1968, and signed off at S'Hampton on 14th March 1969.

Sean
The package went off to you by 1st class mail this morning, you should have it in a day or two.


Angus.

[Andy Skynner]

Hello Steve,
vaguely remember you from Esso Mercia & Anglia?

Best wishes Andy Skynner - 4OE to 1OE - Left Esso 1




[






QUOTE=stevesherratt;282058]My Ships:

MV Amarna, Liverpool 26/05/62 to Liverpool 26/06/62, Pantry Boy
ESSO Portsmouth, Genoa 08/04/68 to Bahrain 22/07/68, Junior Electrician
ESSO Lancashire, Rotterdam 04/09/68 Fawley 26/12/68, Electrician
ESSO Cardiff, Fawley 03/02/69 to Amsterdam 07/07/69, Electrician
ESSO Mercia, Rastanura 04/10/69 to Milford Haven 05/11/69, 2nd Officer Electrical
ESSO Mercia, Milford Haven 06/11/69 to Rotterdam 05/01/70, 2nd Officer Electrical
ESSO Mercia, Rastanura 08/04/70 to Rotterdam 27/04/70, 2nd Officer Electrical
ESSO Edinburgh, Rastanura 23/07/70 to Portland USA 03/10/07, 2nd Officer Electrical
ESSO Scotia, Milford Haven 11/11/70 Milford Haven 12/01/71, Electrical Officer
ESSO Lancashire, Milford Haven 16/01/71 to Bahrain 12/02/71 Electrical Officer
ESSO Lincoln, Baltimore 16/03/71 to Kalundborg 22/06/71, Electrician
ESSO Portsmouth, New York 18/08/71 to Fawley 14/11/71, Electrician
ESSO Hibernia, Fawley 29/12/71 to Rastanura 29/01/72, Electrician
ESSO Caledonia, Rastanura 27/03/72 to Rotterdam 30/04/72, Electrician
ESSO Cambria, Fawley 05/05/72 to Rastanura 10/08/72 2nd Officer Electrical
ESSO Mercia, Fawley 28/11/72 to Marseille 05/03/73 Electrician
ESSO Mercia, Mina al Ahmadi 16/04/73 to Savona 04/08/73 Electrician
ESSO Bernicia, Rotterdam 25/10/73 to Dubai 06/12/73 Electrician
ESSO Mercia, Mina al Ahmadi 12/12/73 to Tenerife 26/01/74 Electrician
ESSO Bernicia, Cape town 21/03/74 to Wilhelmshaven 19/04/74 1st Officer Electrical
ESSO Anglia, Cape town 23/04/74 to Rastanura 18/05/74, 1st Officer Electrical
ESSO Mercia, Bahrain 19/05/74 to Fawley 01/07/74, 1st Officer Electrical
ESSO Anglia, La Vera 10/09/74 to Fawley 08/01/74, 1st Officer Electrical
ESSO Bernicia, Singapore 14/03/75 to Dubai 03/07/75, 1st Officer Electrical
Seconded to the Capital Projects Group July 1975 to December 1978 on UMS and Burner Management projects on ESSO Anglia, Northumbria, Bernicia, Cambria and Hibernia.

Ten fabulous years with ESSO, lots of great shipmates would do it all again, they paid me much more than I was worth and thought I would never leave them. Gave it all up when a little voice one day said “Daddy, don’t go” I was the poorest, happiest man I knew for years after.

Steve R770014 South Derbyshire[/quote]

[bill connolly]

Hi Steve,

I think our paths crossed in 1971.

I was master of the Lincoln when she went to Baltimore for drydock.
The dockyard were serving green beer on the 17th.

Bill Connolly

[callpor]

Bill,
Your memoy is incedible? But guess the Green Beer rang some bells?
Chris

[bill connolly]

Chris

I don't drink beer (the "water of life" yes), but the colour would put me off.
Bill

[stevesherratt]

Yes Bill I remember the ESSO Lincoln I joined her March 71 going into Dry Dock in Baltimore, I had my Wife Sue with me that trip and yes I remember the Green beer on St Patrick’s day. We had a Trainee Lecky that trip too Charlie ?? was his name, the lads called him Charlie Tenants!! and he liked the green beer!. I remember sitting with him in a Bar on the 17th and some girls on the next table overheard Charlie’s Glaswegian Accent and came over screaming “We’ve got one, We’ve got an Irish Man” and as they dragged Charlie off he was heard to protest “But I’m a Scots Man” to which the girls replied “That’s near enough” he was missing the next day and when he got back to the ship, all he could say through a toothless grin was “I havnea spent a penny”

We left in Kalundborg in June with the Sparks, Mike Pike. I think Stuart Murray was Chief Engineer and Dave Cartmer was Second am afraid that’s all I can remember – but happy days.

Regards

Steve R770014

[wilsonw937]

hello steve, i was the lecky you relieved on the esso lancashire at rotterdam in sept. 1968. the lancashire was changing over to gp manning, and i was to do some engineering training. you travelled in company with my wife sonia, who was doing a trip with me.happy days.
walter wilson

[stevesherratt]

Hi Wally,
Yes I remember you and Sonia when she did a trip I think I joined with her at Rotterdam, hope you both are OK and that the years have been kind to you both. I seem to remember you living in Washngton? We are still in South Derbyshire. I remember leaving on Boxing Day for a 10 hour drive north as dit was in those days. My Dad was a bit worse for the drink after a session with Willy Brians and Albert Nelmes!! Happy days.

All the best

Steve R770014

[AJC]

Originally Posted by wilsonw937

hello steve, i was the lecky you relieved on the esso lancashire at rotterdam in sept. 1968. the lancashire was changing over to gp manning, and i was to do some engineering training. you travelled in company with my wife sonia, who was doing a trip with me.happy days.
walter wilson

Hi Wally, I remember you as Lecky on the "Warwickshire" (I think??), I remember helping you when we had trouble with the lift, I was a Cadet, along with Steve Crawley and Simon ?, Chief was Bob Bailey/John Steward! happy days indeed, remember Manny Borg???
My Dad was a Lecky in Esso, Jimmy Chapman, I've just retired, 60!! this year!
I ended up as Chief on the Tugs in Leith!!!
Best wishes
Hope you are well
Alex Chapman