Thistledhu

I am sure I was the Radio Officer on that trip to Recife 1966. It was my first voyage on my own and we broke down on the way home.

Thistledhu and her sister--name escapes me-- both arrived light ship Macieo and finished off in Recife--bulk sugar. Both were in Chapman colors and funnel but at that time retained original owners Alan Black names. Used to meet ashore in Recife at the Moulin Rouge.

Remember Maceio! I was there on the Dartbank in1964. Coincidentally met up with the guys on the Thistledhu, at the Moulin Rouge of course. Great nights ashore but as the reporters always say ' I made my apologies and left' so I can't tell you what went on. I think we were there for about 5 days and then another 5 days in Recife. Not sure what we loaded/discharged, memory not that good, I do know that I was really glad to leave that coast for a rest.

Les believe it would be sugar--I had loaded bulk on a cargo ship and second time molasses on a tanker. Recife was a good run ashore --believe now the city is completely developed and a "new" port constructed to the south.

Re 'handybilly7' query re sister ship's name.

'Thistledhu' was built 1955 and the only other possible "sisters" were 'Thistledowne' of 1952 and also the later 'Thistleroy' built 1960. All three ships were outwardly very similar in design and built in Sunderland. So it would have been one of these two.

'Thistledhu' however was built by J. Crown & Sons whereas the other 2 were built by J & T Thompson & Sons also on the River Wear. All 3 ships were sold to Chapman & Willan in 1966 and probably carried their funnel colours a year or so before this.

Rgds

Thank's Handybilly.
Probably correct, I kept a note of all the ports we visited in my 18 month trip with Bankline and it was 1963 not 1964. We went from Recife to Galveston and gulf ports to load for OZ and NZ. It was on the way to the gulf that we heard the news about JFK being shot. I still remember listening to a local US station and the song was 'Harlem Shuffle' by Bob and Earl. The DJ interrupted it to announce the news about Kennedy. They say everyone remembers where they were when that news broke, how true.

thats true les i was in Yokohama