Spinel

Hi Bill,
A change from the Sapphire 196?, and the Tourmaline 1964,
nice to hear that you are a site member and still posting.
Did you see the thread a few days ago about Robbies??

Archie ex 2/E TOURMALINE 1964.

Hi Bill,
Replied by PM, not wholly computer illiterate, but if you don't get it
let me know.
Archie

Hi Bill,

You are putting up some great photos , bringing back memories , I met one of the masters of her and his brother who was a chief in Coes at a wedding in Larne a few years ago but at the moment I can't think of their names,

Cheers, Fred.

Hi Fred,

I think that would have been Billy and Jimmy Balmer,I sailed with Jimmy on the Bannrose and was Mate along with Billy on the Amber,sadly Jimmy died last year he was a good age in his 80's,there was another brother Tommy who was master in Robertsons he was on the Agate and then the Olivine for quite a few years,he passed on quite a few years ago.

Regards Bill

Hi Bill,

I remembered the names soon afterwards ,thanks Bill ,

another I met in Larne and also when he took out the new Gem both times accompanied by his wife ,hope you can refresh my memory,

Cheers, Fred.

Back again Bill , I remember Capt. McKay who was on the Topaz for a while on the Casablanca run , and also Capt. Campbell on the Pearl , met these men so often was on christian name terms with them as you know I was a lot with the pilots in those days,

Cheers, Fred.

Hi Fred,Tommy Barry from Larne was senior master with Robertsons and brought out qite a lot of their new ships

Regards Bill

Hello Bill,

No I never heard of this person ,actually I will be in Larne tomorrow will likely get his name then,maybe it will come to me ,many thanks for your reply ,

Best regards,
Fred.

Bill, Near your part of the world now Bill. In Larne today & I was right yesterday in sayin his name was Bill Kerr who took out the new Gem, he died a couple of years ago. Out of the blue in conversation I have discovered while having a beautiful lunch in the home of William & Angela Ingram / Stewart, I have discoverded that Angela is the Grand Daughter of James & Cassie McHendry (ne) Balmer. Angelas uncle Billy, Tommy & James. James died 4 months ago aged 96 years. Tommy died a few years ago. Billy visits Angelas mum every Thursday night. Bill isn't this a small world & as you can guess I am in the best of company today. The bond was opened about 12:00 & no worry about customs. Hopr Billy you were not one of these skippers who took the pilots out to the Foyle Buoy as we were always ina hurry before closing time. Will give Dorithy Hegarty a call tomorrow to say I was speaking to you! Best regards Fred.

SAILED WITH BILLY BALMER ON THE PEARL AND THE AMBER AT THE TIME HIS BRO TOMMY WAS ON THE AGATE DID A FEW TRIPS TO ARCHANGEL, AND KOVDA IN THE WHITE SEA AND TO CASA BLANCA ON THE AMBER WITH BILLY HE WA ONE OF NATURES GENTLEMEN. I LEFT THE SEA IN 1961 TO WORK ASHORE AND HAVE GOOD MEMORIES OF THESE MEN.