M Y Aronia
I worked on the Aronia for about 6 months when she was at the Lady Bee yard at Shoreham. She was sold and bought by the Count and Countesser as previously stated this I think was 62/63. I worked in the engine room and boat was delivered I think to Biarriatz were the Count has his home. I only got as far as Audierne when I left her.
Apperantly Bilmar lost interest in her after a murder was committed on her whilst in Weymouth, fight between two member s of the crew, hence she was laid up at Shoreham for a few years till sold.
When I was on her she still had her B&W Diesels which were fun to start up as these were compressed air with cartridge in each cylinder head. she was reputed to have speed around 30 nots. When we took her out of Shoreham docks to swing the comps, the new captain rang down for full speed, fortunately the Chief Engineer who had worked on her before with McNab so didn't give him what he asked for but even then we just missed the harbour entrance jettys going out. She did run the blockade during the war and some of her steel around the upper deck had been replaced with armour plating and there was no way you could drill into it. During repainting prior to sailing we still found holes in her around the bow suspiciously like shell damage.
I still have a picture of her and although short was one of the most enjoyable times of my young life.
Trust thesis of interest