The captain name was lloyd.
I take it you left the leeds in the gulf before everything wen wrong.
Rgds
C James

 

Hi,
My uncle, Jack Burgess, was the purser on the Hindustan from mid 1949 to about mid 1952. I came across the Trades Increase a few years ago when I began searching the net for some history on the Common Brothers. I have been researching on and off over the past 4 years (more off than on) and was finally sitting down plotting their passage over that time today and came across this site.

I have some dates and places from June to September 1949, then only have 3 dates in 1950 which I gathered from the Hindustan Herald that my uncle still has. Then I have most of their journeys from August 1951 to June 1952.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a good place to be able to find listings of all ships journeys during a given time. I am restricted by being in Australia, but was wondering if there would be any record that the public can view.

As purser he kept a little notebook in his pocket to note arrival day/time, berth time, what the bunkers, fresh water and draft was on arrival and departure, discharge, loadings, cargo (generally only weight), cash required, any crew information, correspondence etc. This was all transferred into the Captains log. This has been a wonderful resource for me. Something to help me put together a story of his time on the Hindustan (although at the rate I'm doing this, is my version of War and Peace)

He has told me about the time in early 1950 when they were found to have 18 stowaways onboard and how they had three deserters in Sydney late Sept 1951.

He doesn't understand why I am interested as he says it was mostly mundane, but it has been fun when I do spend time with him chatting about this stuff. When I started this in 2004 his wife thanked me as we chatted more in a couple of days than he would in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for any assistance anyone can provide.
Kat.

 

good times

I served my time with commons, joining the Kurdistan in 77, then caribbean progress , Simonburn(ex ria Jean), Strait of Canso, Simonburn(ex back end of kurdistan), first trip 3/0 on the canso in 81, then onto the sheepboats, FernandaF 3 times then Persia.
I sailed on the Ria Jean again late 2004 it was known as the "Ocean Challenge". Paid a visit to the office (bamburgh house) in july 2005 while at college, it was all being packed away, saw Bruce Swinbanks, that was about the end of commons. Went back on the "Fernanda F" then Danny F in '88 and was paid off in Jebel Ali in december, when they made the decision to replace the Brits.

Good times in general with a good bunch of shipmates, I think I received some good training which stood me in good stead over the years.

After 30 yrs at sea the last 10 in command, and once again being replaced by cheap labour, I decided to try different pastures, I am now a surveyor in the UAE where thankfully skill & knowledge are more important than cheapness.
Kev

 

In 1970 I for a short time worked in the personnel office in Exchange building with Bruce Swinbanks and Dot I think the personnel manager was Ebdon any one know what happened to them?

 

hi



Hi Richard I worked in the office next door to you at the time I was doing Seafarers wages, I started Commons August 1969 and left June 1981 Rememer me Jim Humes? It would be nice to hear from you. Bruce Swinbanks sadly died a few Years back. Dot was called Metcalfe

 

I often remember my late father Hugh McArthur (Chief Steward 1960- 1981) mention the name Bruce Swinbanks and never in a negative way.

 

Hi,
Try getting a hold of a book by norman middlemiss travel of the Tramps vol 1-4 not sure which one prob 3 or 4.This give Co History and total amount of ships owned and managed.
kev

 

common bros

hello, I am the daughter of Capt Dennys Watson who sailed with Common Bros and then World Wide shipping until his death in at sea in Jan 1981. I would love to hear from anyone who knew him or sailed with him between 1950-1981.

some of the ships I remember being on with him as a young child are: Fina Britannia, kurdistan, dagestan, pretrobras, renown.

He also served as a north sea and baltic pilot in the late 1970's.

thanks

 

My dad worked for commons in the 60's -70's.....Herbert 'Ken" Graham

 

what was he

 

dear janet, my name is jim thompson, the same as my dad who was second eng on the farid at that time. Dad passed away a few years ago but i remember you and your mum and visiting your house in lambs lane when i sailed with him as a kid. i now live in camborne and have just found this interesting website. i bumped into your dad about 12/13 years ago in falmouth. still dancing?

 

remember the tug of war & quoits competitions on the fernanda in 82?
always knew you'd go far or die laughing. jim thompson, ex 4th eng simonburn & fernanda.

 

John George Lathan




Hi Jim

I am John George Lathan's daughter Jan my father died in july 2002 and my mum Pauline died in july 2003.

I got Married to my husband Mal on may 30th 2004 at the home of newcastle united st james park.

We now live in Skelmersdale Lancashire with our three cat Waffle who is 9yrs old Whiskey who is 7yrs old and our kitten Stevie she is 5 months old

best wishes

Jan Powell

 

How are you Iain,

Still in the Reserves or not? I've got a cracking photo of you and me in boiler suits after our funnel excursion on Fernanda F, black as the ace of spades. What were we in there for? Good memories.

Harry Campbell.

 

Hi Jeff

Yes the building is still there it is now a hotel, i know this because my father woked for common brothers as a c/e his name was John George Lathan.

I am his daughter Janet now mrs powell

 

Hi Jim

My dad John passed away in July 2002 and my mum Pauline passed away in July 2003.

I know Live in Skelmersdale lancashire with my husband and 3 cats.

I gave up wheelchaire dancing when we left cornwall in may 2007.

if you want to contact me please send a private message.

Many Thanks

Mrs Janet Powell nee Lathan

 

ARE YOU Miles Tallantyre?

 

Yes, and you are?

 

I was on the North Devon in '66, North Shipping Company,owned and managed by Common Bros,at the time,like to hear from anyone there at that time.

Stevemim

 

Hi, I did my first trip as third mate on Devon, joined in Nov. 65 at Manchester and left in Dec 66 at South Shields.
I remember her as a great ship tramping around. David Flett was Master. ??Keddy was Mate, Graham & Jamie ?? cadets out on the quarter deck as I recall. Can't remember any more at the moment.
I have a photo of her in my office, she had very nice lines. Enjoyed reading 'The Trades Increase' all about Commons and photos of every ship they owned.
What were you on as. ? Roy Swan

 

I am a border boat man
1966 I was on the KOTC ships met the north Devon in Venus once but a little befor 66

 

Hi Roy,

I do remember Jamie and Graham,Captain David Flett,a Geordie engineer Mick Flint,somalie greasers and a very large Chief Steward 6/6" and 33 stone,sparks was from Dublin.
We were out East japan Australia 9 months I think.Maybe some other names will come out of the grey matter in time.
I rember it being a happy ship, Regards Steve.

 

Hi I am carolyn pines brother son of captin Watson also trying to track down crew members who new him and photos of themselves i have photos on my profile favs of some of the ships and one of crews mess i also have a copy of the crier with the fina britannia in it my father was captin when she blew up and was towed to port i was 3 years old and my sister was 5 we were on bord at the time

 

thowe

To Shaun Watson
I sailed on the Border Regiment with your dad, about 1962,I was first trip apprentice, he was first trip master,did four trips Persian Gulf ports to Japan.
Sailed with Denys as 3/o and 2/o on KOTC tanker AL-Sabbiyah ,three trips
Europe to Persian Gulf. Your mother Ann was on board for those voyages.
WE also did several months on the Caribbean Progress on the Canadian coast.I will have to look up the exact dates but I think you and your sister were just a twinkle in Denys,s eye at that time.
I was still with Commons when Denys was in command of the Fina Britannia which had serious engine problems off the Cape of Good Hope and was towed into a South African port ,repairs taking several weeks

 

Common Bros 1974-1976

Hi,
Just discovered site! I joined as a deck cadet in Sept 1974 along with Ken Coldrick, Warren Newton and Colin Harris. First ship was the Woodburn (ex Halcyon Days) which i left in Feb 1975 in Philladelphia. Joined the Caribbean Progress in Apr 1975 in Halifax Nova Scotia before it was renamed Iranian Progress and carried Mack trucks to Khorramshah in Iran. First trip we had to go via Capetown as Suez was closed but came back via canal. Spent 2 weeks in Mombasa for engine repairs! After 2nd trip to Iran, flew back from Abadjan to go to college. Joined Ria Jean McMurtry in Grangemouth in March 1976 and did 2 trips between Europe and Newcastle, New Brunswick.
Can anyone remember those trips? I am terrible for remembering names but the Captains were E. Judge, C. Anderson and E. Bryan although i can't make out the signature of the Woodburn captain.

Dave Slater.

 

Hi,
Just discovered site! I joined as a deck cadet in Sept 1974 along with Ken Coldrick, Warren Newton and Colin Harris. First ship was the Woodburn (ex Halcyon Days) which i left in Feb 1975 in Philladelphia. Joined the Caribbean Progress in Apr 1975 in Halifax Nova Scotia before it was renamed Iranian Progress and carried Mack trucks to Khorramshah in Iran. First trip we had to go via Capetown as Suez was closed but came back via canal. Spent 2 weeks in Mombasa for engine repairs! After 2nd trip to Iran, flew back from Abadjan to go to college. Joined Ria Jean McMurtry in Grangemouth in March 1976 and did 2 trips between Europe and Newcastle, New Brunswick.
Can anyone remember those trips? I am terrible for remembering names but the Captains were E. Judge, C. Anderson and E. Bryan although i can't make out the signature of the Woodburn captain.

Dave Slater.

Hi Dave,
Ken Coldrick here, I remember you well what are you up to these days. I left in 1980 and went into the software business. Do you know whatever happened to Colin Harris and Warren Newton.

 

Dave
I joined Woodburn (ex Halcyon Loch by the way) in February 1975 at Philadelphia (Sun Oil at Marcus Hook). Capt was Cliff Southcombe from East Boldon. Had his wife and young daughter aboard.

 

Great names from the past Eric Judge got me going for my 2 mates while on the Border Hunter
Charlie Anderson I sailed with also
and Eddy Bryan on the Vastiram.
I was in charge of the Woodburn for the sale in Norway so cold all the toilets froze up. three months of sking.

 

Eric Judge was mate of the Kazimah when I was there. His father had been master with Alder Fyffes and I recall him telling me that it wasn't until he spent a holiday with friends that he realised not all cutlery and bedding was embossed E&F.

 

Kazimah



Dave, were you on, "Kazimah", when the cylinder head studs were breaking? I was the guy in Rotterdam who was removing the broken bits. (Thumb)

 

Billieboy

am pretty sure Kazimah was a steam turbine ship. Do you mean the auxiliary engines ?
tim