[duquesa]

Can someone please tell me all they can about the above named college and, if possible any of the cadets who passed through it's doors in the 1950's. Thanks.

[Alan Lord]

Hi duquesa,

I was a cadet at Reardon Smith Nautical College Jan-Dec 1960. Please get in touch if you think I can help,

Regards,

Alan

[duquesa]

Hi Alan, very good of you to get in touch. I was there 1957/58 and have been keen to track down any of those who were at that time. I have had absolutely no success. They must all have vanished into the ether. However, thanks to this site, last year I was put in touch with one of Capt.Rose's daughters. As a result of that contact,I now have some photographs of my fellow cadets and of the sail training vessel. She also brought me right up to speed on the staff. Many thanks. Enjoy your retirement.

[cymruman]

Just a quick update, sadly the college has been replaced by a housing estate Which I think is named Reardon Smith Court or something similiar.

[duquesa]

Indeed, correct.

[Rogerwebb]

I left in Summer 1961 to join the Clan Line. I found my old ID book a few months ago and can't believe such a fresh young man ever existed.

I went on afterwards to do a degree in UWIST which was the CAT in our days but have been involved in the sea and ships ever since.

I think it's a drug that hooks us all

[Alex Baxter]

Originally Posted by Rogerwebb

I left in Summer 1961 to join the Clan Line. I found my old ID book a few months ago and can't believe such a fresh young man ever existed.

I went on afterwards to do a degree in UWIST which was the CAT in our days but have been involved in the sea and ships ever since.

I think it's a drug that hooks us all

I was there in 1970, engineer cadet, what was the training vessel called, from memory it was a fairmile? I spent 10 years at sea with Reardon Smiths, happy days spent in a haze of alcohol! Captain Ball was in charge, best lecturer was Durham, as he'd been there and done it..

[Lancastrian]

There is an RSNC group with a few photos on Friends Reunited.
The TV in my day was a proper one, only an auxiliary engine!
http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/galler...hp?photo=57501

[Alex Baxter]

Margarita! They were all named that..

[Lancastrian]

Yes, I believe Captain Rose was fond of the name.

[peter3807]

I had just left school and was sent there for a two week induction course for the new ONC courses which started in 1970. The Margarita then was an ex mine sweeper. Sailed out of Barry.
It seems now to be something from a bygone age. Us ONC lads didn't even have uniforms. Woken up by bugle, climbing that bloody great mast and ballroom dancing lessons. Great induction for life on a tramp bulk carrier.

Peter

[duquesa]

The original Margarita was no minesweeper but a very excellent sailing vessel of which we were all extremely proud. The minesweeper came later. Possibly the ex. St.David and no doubt under the command of the redoubtable Fred Ball.
I spent many happy nights on watch duty in both Barry & Penarth docks on the old girl. I have some excellent pics of her if anyone is interested.

[Jacktar1]

Saw the name mentioned. I was a good friend of Fred Ball through the 1960's and 1970's, both of us were attached to HMS CAMBRIA, South Wales Division, RNR at Cardiff. I did some annual training cruises on board HMS ST DAVID the ton class coastal sweeper attached to HMS CAMBRIA.
Usually Fred who was a Lt Cdr was in command and I a mere Lt was first Lieutenant, good old days and many happy memories.
Sadly Fred passed away last year.

Cheers.......Glan

[jrg]

Originally Posted by Alex Baxter

I was there in 1970, engineer cadet, what was the training vessel called, from memory it was a fairmile? I spent 10 years at sea with Reardon Smiths, happy days spent in a haze of alcohol! Captain Ball was in charge, best lecturer was Durham, as he'd been there and done it..

Hello I took Part A Seconds at Cardiff in 1973-I found all the lecturers good, but Mr Durham stood out-and excellent mentor.

jrg

[Lancastrian]

The TV of the 1950s/60s (Ex Nocturne) was spelled MARGHERITA. (Link to photo above). I'm fairly sure the minesweeper was not the late Fred's St David but a Ham Class.

I now find the name can be traced back to Sir William in 1925 - http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/rhag...play_mode=text

[Billieboy]

Been trying to remember St.Davids number, I think it was M101.

[Lancastrian]

• HMS Brereton was HMS St David between 1954 and 1961
• HMS Crichton was HMS St David between 1961 and 1976.
• In my Ian Allan (1960) St David is M1113 which doesn't match either of the above.

[Billieboy]

That's it Lancs, I was thinking 1101just a minute ago!, M1113 it is, used to see it every morning, when walking to work from James street station to the central workshops Cardiff Docks, as an apprentice.

[duquesa]

I have found a decent pic of the 50/60's Margherita but have no conceivable idea how to get it from my desktop unto this page. Beyond the limits of my PC know how. So, if anyone has instructions in idiot proof language, I may give it a whirl.

[vasco]

Assuming your pic is on your desktop.

When you have the Reply to Thread window open

1) Scroll down to additional options.

2) Click manage attachments

3) In the new window that opens click browse

4) Look to your left and you will see desktop

5) click on desktop

6) click on the pic, or folder then upload and away you go (hopefully)

[Lancastrian]

Even easier is post it in the Gallery under Sailing Ships and the put a link on here. Anyway whats wrong with this one?

[duquesa]

Vasco, Thanks for the tips. It is telling me the pic is too large and I've resized it down as far as it will go.

Lancastrian, wrong colour. She was all white when I was there.

[Lancastrian]

OK here she is in white but not a good copy.

Is your image a .jpg? The limits are 293KB at 1024x 800 which is quite generous. If its something else you should be able to convert it. If need be email it to me and I'll have a go at sorting it.

[duquesa]

Many thanks. I'll have a go myself and see what happens - then....I'll attach it to an email (that I can do)

[Jacktar1]

Re the HMS ST David I mentioned, the ton class coastal minesweeper attached to HMS Cambria, Sth Wales Division, RNR. She was ex HMS Crichton, I was one of the officers that picked her up from HMS Vernon (Shore Establishment) Portsmouth. Had a name change to HMS St David.....M1124.
Cheers
Glan