Memnon

Not really designed to take containers 4 high. Made lashing a bit awkward without having the correct gear, but we managed, as you do! The 4th. tier was just empties slotted in around the housed derricks.
Mike H

Great picture, Mike. One of my favourites Barber Memnon.
Rgds.
Dave

Not a bad deck-stow Mike considering what you had to work with back then.
rgs

I heard that Bob Parsons, the 'Newfie' was bosun on this when she entered the fleet. Anyone know if this is correct?

I don't know, Pat. In my time it was an all Sierra Leonian crew. The RoRos were (at the risk of offending someone!) white crowd.
Rgds.
Dave

Think it was just the British built M class that had British crews from new. I seem to remember having both Sierra Leone and Indonesian crews on the Japanese Ms, (not at the same time !), when on the BBS round the world service.

Mike H

Lots of maintenance there for the deck crew I think, never seen so many blocks.

Pat, Bob Parsons was Lampy on the Astynax when I was there in 1955. Good seaman and as strong as an ox. Big Jake Cleary was Bosun.

Bob Parsons was without doubt the best bosun I sailed with. I was with him on the Maron, which we joined in the shipyard at Dundee. As you say, he was as strong as an ox, and a 'hands on' bosun. It was like having an extra three men on deck.
Looking at these pics Alec, I wouldn't relish overhauling the gear.
Regards,
Pat