[Razor]

Was it the Commercial Hotel near the station in Workington I know the beer was Robert Peel, and as we got on well with the barmaid we pretended to be residents and got a lock in.

Afraid the Commercial is just a derelict building at the moment. Did you never use the Coastguard or the Steam Packet? they were the closest two pubs to the dock, the former was open 24/7, but unfortunatly was closed down a few years ago when a brawl occurred between two Scandiwegian crews. The barmaid tried to control things by brandishing a gun, which someone had given her years earlier and she had believed was a replica ('onest yer honer) the gun when off, blowing a neat hole in the ceiling and upsetting the local constabulary. With the result that the barmaid got a job serving porridge for a wee while and the pub was closed down and is now a private house. Shame!!
The Steam Packet is still going strong, but has been renamed by the locals as the *** Packet due to the clientels preference for "uphill gardening"

John Peel for the beer, Robert was the guy that started the aforemention constabulary.

The ore days at Workington are finished, the steel works are being shut down, the coal trade has finished completely as well, virtually the only seaborne traffic now is tankers. The local council are at present considering closing the docks and turning the place into yet another marina.
Such is life!!

Cheers Razor

 

[John Cassels]

Roddy old pal,

Think you mead Sid(Sandy) CATHRO,

cass

 

[John Cassels]

Roddy.me again,

How could you miss Kirkeness. Don't you remember our 4th trip on the Crinan ?.
Still got photos of you with the whole crowd on the poop , in fact have lots of
them - on our very first ship.

The "sadistic" instructor.......... I got to know quite well afterwards. Maybe he
mellowed with age !!!!!.

Cass

 

[Robinj]

Thanks Razor I thought I had got it wrong still pickled from the stuff. We always seemed to go to the commercial as we got the lock ins.

 

[david smith]

I know I got chucked out of a pub in Costa del Workington for explaining to the Landlord our cargo - Australian coal transhipped from Rotterdam. Spent the rest of the night at the Coastguard.

 

[Frank P]

When I was on the M/S Arabella one of her regular loading ports was Nouadhibu in Mauritania West Africa. If you wanted a drink there you had to travel in to the next country Spanish Sahara, I think it was about 20-30 minutes by car.

Frank

 

[trotterdotpom]

When I was on the M/S Arabella one of her regular loading ports was Nouadhibu in Mauritania West Africa. If you wanted a drink there you had to travel in to the next country Spanish Sahara, I think it was about 20-30 minutes by car.

Frank

Most people don't realize that the word "pisspot" is actually derived from the word "passport".

For ore carrier afficionados with fond memories of Monrovia and Lower Buchanan: today, 16th December in 1821, Lt Robert Stockton and Dr Eli Ayers, a naval surgeon and member of the American Colonizing Society, induced a local African king to sell territory for a colony which later became the Republic of Liberia.

Coincidentally, on the same day 48 years prior to that event, the Boston Tea Party took place - American anti-colonialists chucked 300 chests of tea overboard from a British ship in Boston.

Information from "www.seawaves.com" - free "This Day in History" - check it out and keep up with the nautical past.

Sadly, particularly for any of our descendents who live there, Liberia has been a bit of a disaster area for quite a few years now. Bring back President Tubman - I've probably still got a tee shirt with his picture on.

John T.

 

[Bob Davies]

The Oregis was my first ship - joined her in Irlam dock just before Christmas 1966.
I was junior R/O to Pete Benney.Stayed on her for 3 months before joining the Cunarders (Carinthia then the Caronia)Some good memories!!!
Bob

 

[non descript]

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.

 

[Roddy MacSween]

Memories are fond of Port Talbot (well the local pubs and one crumy nightclub who's name alludes me).

Red House and the Talbot?

 

[Ian]

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

 

[vix]

Ore Carriers

This brings back memories: I was 'sent' to Falmouth...to join the Stancloud...when I got there I was met at the station...2 blokes said, "You for the Stancloud?" Yep..."Would you prefer to join the Pennyworth...going to Vittoria? Would I??!! I met up with the Stancloud 18 months later...in Bandar Mashur...still the same crowd...they came onto a BP...looking for a decent feed!! 'nuff said? Vix

 

[non descript]

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

She was a lovely ship and a lovely name too.

 

[Bob Davies]

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

 

[non descript]

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

 

[Bob Davies]

Hi Tonga,
Oh dear - open mouth insert both feet.
Bob (egg)

PS I must have looked at someon else`s profile.Sorry

 

[non descript]

Hi Bob,

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

Kind regards
Tonga

 

[norsea]

Hi to all ex Houlder Ore Carrier personnel.I sailed in all six ore carriers as well as
Mabel Warwick. First as Apprentice in Oregis in1956 under Capt Denis Parkin (later
Personnel Supt) and finally 1st Mate in Mabel Warwick in `68. Served all my career with Houlders including 5 years in the North Sea. Oregis was converted to a Diving Support Vessel in 74 and renamed Coupler 1, reverting back to Oregis in 76.She carried a full saturation diving team and had a Saturation chamber, Diving Bell and Wet Bell on board.Ship`s personnel were renamed Barge Master, Ass1t Bargemasters,
Roughnecks and Roustabouts as per Oil Rig rating. I was forced to retire on health grounds in 78 so no doubt Oregis is long gone.Incidentally Mabel Warwick had a sister ship Joya McCance.
Regards
Norsea

 

[jordiboy]

I did three trips on Oreosa 1961/62, Pepel Narvik and Monrovia, excellent cabins and food.

 

[non descript]

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.