Hardwicke Grange = 1961 - 1975
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Sailed as Chippy on Hardwicke Grange 1961-1963.Peter Hector was Chief Mate and the boswain at that time was Jim Irwin hope I have spelt his name proper also sailed as Chippy on the Duquesa and the Oredian had a great time with Houlder Brothers ,had some great times looking back Sam Reed Chippy from Plymouth also friends with Creg Rich Chief Mate Duquesa
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I did my first trip as galley boy/asst cook in 1968 on the HARDWICKE grange I remember the cook was an Irishman named Jim Gordon Ramsay is an amateur by comparison. His previous job was in a London hotel completely mad but a great chef. I think the Chief steward was Irish too little fat guy. A beautiful vessel privileged to have sailed on her.
Just learnt that a friends father by the name of 'Steatham' was a Holders man in the 40's and 50's, employed on the Meat Boats. Presently unaware of what he did, but he was able to take his son on board frequently when alongside in London. Anyone remember him?
MWD.
MWD.
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Thanks Norsea I do believe that was his name, I'm 62 now and 16 then how old would he be now and are you still in touch
Regards
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Angus were you on the HARDWICKE at that time? I remember just after we sailed the quartermaster had a heart attack and unfortunately passed away. We took his body to the Canary Islands but I was told his poor wife couldn't afford to have his body flown home so we had a service and buried him at sea quite an initiation for me on my first trip.
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Spannerman52, Sorry,I can't recall being on board when a QM passed away.My time as 2/O wasJan.63 to Jan.65 and Nov.68 to Nov.70 Marinero, Ted Steatham was quite a character. After promotion to Superintendents Dept. he always made a beeline for my cabin for a swift ale on our arrival at Z Shed. Regards Angus D.
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Morning Angus.
Was Peter Hector the Chief Officer when we were on the "Hardwicke" I sailed with him as Master on the "Bideford Priory" I spent 2 happy years on the "Hardwicke".
Regards
Leo(Thumb)
Thanks Marinero, I shall pass this on to my friend. He may like to have a look at the site. He did not go to sea, so missed out on the fellowship and excitement.
MWD.
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Hi there,
Do you remember if this person that die was name Donald Hugh Richardson? He would be my father and I was 11 years old at the time.
Do you remember if this person that die was name Donald Hugh Richardson? He would be my father and I was 11 years old at the time.
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Sorry Anthony. I don't remember the incident but I am sure someone on here will.
Regards (Thumb)
During my time in the Hardwicke the Masters were Roy Faulkner and T.A.G.Head. One of the First Mates was John McLintock who later went to live in B.A. Chief Officer Stan Edgington later took a Superintendent's post in the B.A.Office. After 49 years afraid I can't remember any of the other Officers I sailed with. Regards, Angus D.
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I served on Hardwicke Grange 1974 to 1975 paid off Southampton Jan '75.
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Hardwicke Grange = 1972
Joined the Hardwicke Dec 71 as J/E having spent the previous 5 years apprenticed at R&H Green and Silley Wier as a fitter at the Royal docks London. I’d taken apart just about all machinery you could think of and now it was time to see it working.
I sailed 6 times to BA with various ports between.
Sailed in Jan 72 after being in the King George dry dock for inspection and painting
Except for the episode with the Royston the Hardwicke must have been the happiest ship afloat.
![Transport Vehicle]()
the Hardwicke Grange going into the lock to enter the King George dock on her way to Z berth in the Victoria
This is my first post if anyone get back I’ve more photos and loads to tell
Joined the Hardwicke Dec 71 as J/E having spent the previous 5 years apprenticed at R&H Green and Silley Wier as a fitter at the Royal docks London. I’d taken apart just about all machinery you could think of and now it was time to see it working.
I sailed 6 times to BA with various ports between.
Sailed in Jan 72 after being in the King George dry dock for inspection and painting
Except for the episode with the Royston the Hardwicke must have been the happiest ship afloat.
This is my first post if anyone get back I’ve more photos and loads to tell
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6 Posts
Sailed with John Purvis 2/E 1972 what a character
![Fun Event]()
In the photo Ken 2/fridge from Liverpool, Sam 4/E From Belfast and then John and a butterfly picture
In the photo Ken 2/fridge from Liverpool, Sam 4/E From Belfast and then John and a butterfly picture
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I sailed with the trio of Capt TAG Head “Bomber”Harris C/E and John Purvis 2/E a couple of times on the Hardwicke during 1972 as J/E
Only had contact with TAG Head once or twice, first time I had just come off watch arriving in Rio D J for the first time.
I threw on a tee shirt and shorts grabbed my camera to take a few photos
The next thing a cadet tapped me on the shoulder saying the Captain wanted me on the bridge
Brilliant I’ll get some great photos up there I thought
I got a rollacking for being on the passenger deck out of uniform
Next the darts match between the crew and officers.
Henry 3/O (cant remember surname) phoned from the bridge to the ER, he greeted everyone, Hello Lah do you know the score of the darts match
I rushed off to the crews mess to find out,returned with with a plateful of savoury bits and pieces for the watch
I called Henry back with a mouth full of sausage roll with the news “Hello Lah the crew are winning 4-3”
“Pardon” came the reply, guess who?
I regained my composure and asked for a time check
Henry unable to get to phone first knew what the call would be and took himself to the wing of the bridge to try and control himself from laughing
Paying off in KG V TAG Head had his car a dark green Ford Corsair at the bottom of the gangway having it it loaded with his gear.
I was local, and my dad worked in the docks so would leave my car where we would berth. I went and got my car and parked behind the Captains car
At the top of gangway l meet Henry leaning on the handrail looking out “ Hello Lah I see you have car exactly the same as the Oldmans then”
One other thing I remember in London was the first people onboard once the gangway was down where HM Customs
Two officers in uniform and four or five rummages dressed in dark blue battle dress type jackets berets on the back of their heads and long hair looking a bit scruffy
TAG Head wouldn’t let them onboard saying they where a disgrace. They duly went and tidied themselves up before being allowed back onboard
The only thing I can think of with “Bomber” is him asking me to take some photos
We had a passenger die on a return trip, his wife was onboard and decided to have him buried at sea.
I never took the photos which “Bomber” thought the Wife might like to have of the ceremony I didn’t think it appropriate
John Purvis what can I say, I real live wire.
https://youtu.be/uDMOkhy0F3k
Copy this URL to YouTube it says it all. The words are with others are sewn into my brain
Enjoy
PS the crew seem to win the dart matches. It was always held in their bigger mess
Officers dart board went from P To S and the crews from F to A
It was a completely different style of throwing dart
![Vehicle Naval architecture Sea]()
The End
Only had contact with TAG Head once or twice, first time I had just come off watch arriving in Rio D J for the first time.
I threw on a tee shirt and shorts grabbed my camera to take a few photos
The next thing a cadet tapped me on the shoulder saying the Captain wanted me on the bridge
Brilliant I’ll get some great photos up there I thought
I got a rollacking for being on the passenger deck out of uniform
Next the darts match between the crew and officers.
Henry 3/O (cant remember surname) phoned from the bridge to the ER, he greeted everyone, Hello Lah do you know the score of the darts match
I rushed off to the crews mess to find out,returned with with a plateful of savoury bits and pieces for the watch
I called Henry back with a mouth full of sausage roll with the news “Hello Lah the crew are winning 4-3”
“Pardon” came the reply, guess who?
I regained my composure and asked for a time check
Henry unable to get to phone first knew what the call would be and took himself to the wing of the bridge to try and control himself from laughing
Paying off in KG V TAG Head had his car a dark green Ford Corsair at the bottom of the gangway having it it loaded with his gear.
I was local, and my dad worked in the docks so would leave my car where we would berth. I went and got my car and parked behind the Captains car
At the top of gangway l meet Henry leaning on the handrail looking out “ Hello Lah I see you have car exactly the same as the Oldmans then”
One other thing I remember in London was the first people onboard once the gangway was down where HM Customs
Two officers in uniform and four or five rummages dressed in dark blue battle dress type jackets berets on the back of their heads and long hair looking a bit scruffy
TAG Head wouldn’t let them onboard saying they where a disgrace. They duly went and tidied themselves up before being allowed back onboard
The only thing I can think of with “Bomber” is him asking me to take some photos
We had a passenger die on a return trip, his wife was onboard and decided to have him buried at sea.
I never took the photos which “Bomber” thought the Wife might like to have of the ceremony I didn’t think it appropriate
John Purvis what can I say, I real live wire.
https://youtu.be/uDMOkhy0F3k
Copy this URL to YouTube it says it all. The words are with others are sewn into my brain
Enjoy
PS the crew seem to win the dart matches. It was always held in their bigger mess
Officers dart board went from P To S and the crews from F to A
It was a completely different style of throwing dart
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