When I was a cadet on HMS Worcester (59-61) I seem to remember being told that the bosses at Blue Star Line did not believe in radar and looking at the photo of the Rockhampton (built in 59) I can't see one.
I seem to remember that story about Blue Star in the 50's too. Certainly as late as 1965 , in SSA, on the maiden voyage of Zealandic the Master's Standing Orders included his order to be called if the radar was to be switched on - his belief was that when the radar was on the visual watch was less stringent.
Up until at least the Wellington Star (1950) radar was not fitted to new builds although the ships had all the other bridge navigational requirements such as gyro-compass, echo sounder and radio direction equipment.
The Rockhampton Star had a Coals to Newcastle event when in December 1963 she called into Auckland to load a cargo of pork to meet the demand in Australia, The fourth ship to do so.
I sailed one trip on Newcastle Star as mate, no radar, but told that one would be fitted if and when we had a week in port! Coming round Dungeness in dense fog bound for pilot at Folkestone was no joke, especially as pilot had told us an outbound Indian ship had just left, but whose radar had broken down! Thank god we had VHF and good D/F set plus echo sounder.
Recall Clan Macindoe approaching Humber feb 1973 in thick weather as cadet and gazing into radar. Skipper (F.Moss) said "Suits you well, idiot's magic lantern!"
