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Oregis

Only sailed on the one - OREGIS - 1966/67. Going round North Cape and having the Captain turn the radar off during a blizzard (for no logical reason other than he had the key and was in charge) was "interesting".

 

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BISCO Submarines when on the Sept Isles run, only bridge and aft accomodation above water.
On the Rievaulx did 3 trips Glasgow Sept Isles, 20 hours in Glasgow then 1Hr 50 minutes loading at Sept Isles. Followed by a trip to Port Elizabeth, 2 weeks loading by hand. least we got a run ashore.

Yes Baltic Wal, that's absolutely correct - the Seven Islands loading in 60 minutes was a thing to remember - amazing stuff. You needed a trip to Vitoria or Port Elizabeth after that one.

As for the Port Talbot Pub... maybe "Walnut Tree" or something similar, but the night club, that name is a distant memory that escapes me too.

 

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Well done Peter, it was indeed The Carlton Club. It was run by Bryn Thomas and apparently the first night club licence in the country to be granted outside London. Specialised in Folk Music and I remember a "Peter, Paul & Mary" act playing there regularly. All I can remember was fancying Mary - which was just as well really given the alternatives....

 

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Bob, there is more than an equal chance that I was on OREGIS at that time, as I joined her in Workington towards the end of 1966 and remember being in Irlam quite soon after joining her and several times after that. Oh the joy or taking 4 hours to sail up to Manchester just to turn the ship round and then pass the berth we had vacated earlier, but now heading the opposite direction some 8 hours later.

 

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WHAT ABOUT MABEL WARWICK, WAS she not a little orecow????

She was a lovely ship and a lovely name too.

 

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Hi Tonga. The Oregis was my first ship.Irlam to Narvik with Pete Benney as Chief R/O.Got a picture of him somewhere.Joined on 28.12.66 and paid off 31.3.67.I remember it was a good trip with a good introduction/training from Pete.I believe you are on Anglesey - so am I (in Llanfairpwllgwyn-etc)Call in to Topaz.Regards.Bob

Hello Bob,

As I did a voyage from Irlam to Narvik in January 1967 it seems very likely we were on board together, The Master was Captain Oddy I think?

I'm not sure why you come to the conclusion that I'm on Angelsey? Whilst Islands are definitely my forte, they tend to be Tongan rather than British.

Kind regards
Tonga

 

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Hi Bob,

No worries, I do that most of the time (and worse)

Kind regards
Tonga

 

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Pepel was interesting because it involved sailing up river and made a change from the usual ocean ore terminal. There was also the chance of monkeys being bought and brought onboard.

 

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Another exciting port was Wabana where you tied up on an exposed berth under a cliff and the ore came by conveyor belt from the mine to the top of the cliff.
.

Was that were the man with a large hammer took a swipe at the bigger lumps as the passed along the conveyor belt, in order to smash them and thereby avoid the huge drop on to the tank top with a 15kilo ore lump?

 

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Thanks Baltic Wal.

 

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Orotava enjoyed a succession of name changes: (1968) Orotava, (1969) Orotava bridge, 1974) Orotava, (1979) Ripon Grange. - At least she ended her time with a proper name (*))

 

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John

Orepton was built 1955, sold in 1971 and re-named Orepton Star, sold in 1973 re-named Maritihi and broken up in 1974.

Regards
Mark

 

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Nova Scotian,

Captain Oddy was a very decent chap. He was Master of the Oregis when I was on her in 1966-67 - the other name you mention does not ring any bells at this stage, it is quite a curious name to have as a Ship's Master.

I was very lucky to sail with the latter; that way I was able to appreciate Captain Oddy's gentlemanly behaviour as well as his ability as a seaman.

Kind regards
Tonga

 

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Trader, if my memory serves me well the first 8 hours of the voyage from Irlam to Pepel was taken up with going up the canal to Manchester in order to turn round, and 8 hours later one passed the berth again, but this time heading towards the sea. (*))
Kind regards
Tonga

 

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Quite right TONGA. There was a turning basin just below Irlam locks near to Irlam steelworks and the iron ore berth. It was only big enough to turn the small colliers (3,000tons) which came to Partington(next door to the steelworks) after they had loaded coal. Any thing bigger such as the iron ore boats had to go up to Manchester to turn around passing through Irlam, Barton and Mode Wheel locks swinging in Salford docks and then negotiate the same locks again on the outward passage and passing the iron ore berth from which you had started about 6 hours later depending on traffic.

It wasn't too bad if the weather was decent but if it was raining it was no picnic as you were on standby most of the time tying up in the locks, making tugs fast etc.

Regards Trader.

Trader,
Come on, don't exaggerate... " but if it was raining it " - are you suggesting that there really are days when it does not rain in Manchester....

(*))

Kind regards
Tonga

 

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Trader/Mark

I apologise - I was getting confused with Pepel.

 

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Leo,
I had forgotten that aspect of Captain Oddy’s lifestyle; I remember him more as having the patience of a saint, as he tried to teach me to play darts, being a gentleman he explained that it was just the roll of the ship that caused my arrows to miss their target. (Smoke)
Regards
Mark

 

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Oreosa

Dave Edge has kindly posted and excellent shot of Oreosa here:

http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34199

 

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Captain George Boothby was a perfect gentleman and tragically lost his life, together with the entire crew, in May 1972 when catastrophe overtook the Royston Grange. He was an excellent seaman and one of the best Masters to serve in the Houlders fleet. I don't remember him serving on the Ore Carriers, but I could be wrong.