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mv Newfoundland

14K views 35 replies 18 participants last post by  trevorwillars  
#1 ·
Anyone out there from the Newfoundland in the late 60's? Be glad to hear from you.
Regards,
Tony
 
#4 ·
Hello Tony. The name's actually Peter Hockaday, but our paths wouldn't have crossed as I've just noticed I put Oct '66 to May '77. Should have read May '67!
The run then was Liverpool to Boston, Halifax, St Johns N.B. Quite a party ship - on both sides of the Atlantic. I was a young Third Mate then, so had the stamina to cope! Didn't go down that well with the older blokes - Master, Mate and Chief, - who always seemed to be grumbling about the noise! Happy ship, and I only left to take promotion.
 
#7 ·
Hello Tom. You're thinking of the small passenger ship's Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, which were replaced in the early 60's by two general cargo ships bearing the same names. I remember the old ships had a reputation for submerging on leaving Liverpool and resurfacing off Newfoundland! I believe they offered the cheapest and nastiest way to cross the Atlantic. Never sailed on them myself, but had friends who did. Windsor
 
#8 ·
Hello.
My father was Bill Swanson, ship's electrician, on the Newfoundland from commissioning at Burntisland in 1966 until he came ashore in 1972. He did the Liverpool - St Johns - Halifax - Boston round trip which was extended to include St John and also down the US east coast to Newport News. The UK base also shifted to Manchester during those years.
I spent many happy weekends on the ship when he was on standby in Liverpool and sailed on her across the Mersey and into dry dock in Birkenhead.
I recall the fire in the forward hold when a cargo of safety matches (as I recall) ignited, did considerable damage and resulted in the ship turning back two days out.
If anyone recalls my father on the Newfoundland or any of his earlier ships (Pacific Fortune to name but one), I'd appreciate hearing from you.
 
#27 ·
Hello.
My father was Bill Swanson, ship's electrician, on the Newfoundland from commissioning at Burntisland in 1966 until he came ashore in 1972. He did the Liverpool - St Johns - Halifax - Boston round trip which was extended to include St John and also down the US east coast to Newport News. The UK base also shifted to Manchester during those years.
I spent many happy weekends on the ship when he was on standby in Liverpool and sailed on her across the Mersey and into dry dock in Birkenhead.
I recall the fire in the forward hold when a cargo of safety matches (as I recall) ignited, did considerable damage and resulted in the ship turning back two days out.
If anyone recalls my father on the Newfoundland or any of his earlier ships (Pacific Fortune to name but one), I'd appreciate hearing from you.
Hello.
My father was Bill Swanson, ship's electrician, on the Newfoundland from commissioning at Burntisland in 1966 until he came ashore in 1972. He did the Liverpool - St Johns - Halifax - Boston round trip which was extended to include St John and also down the US east coast to Newport News. The UK base also shifted to Manchester during those years.
I spent many happy weekends on the ship when he was on standby in Liverpool and sailed on her across the Mersey and into dry dock in Birkenhead.
I recall the fire in the forward hold when a cargo of safety matches (as I recall) ignited, did considerable damage and resulted in the ship turning back two days out.
If anyone recalls my father on the Newfoundland or any of his earlier ships (Pacific Fortune to name but one), I'd appreciate hearing from you.
Hello.
Just joined this site and found your post, bit late I know. Sailed with your dad as 2nd Electrician on a coastal trip on Pacific Fortune, March to April 1963, London to Manchester. Then after trips on Pacific Envoy and Edenmore met up again on Newfoundland at Burntisland shipyard. I did part of the commissioning then sailed from Burntisland to Liverpool. I was pencilled in to take the Nova Scotia out but fell out with management so left Furness. It was good so have sailed with your dad, learnt a lot in that short time, as we say, canny fella. Derek Lewis, The Makem.
 
#9 ·
Hi Billlys Boy
I sailed as 3rd engineer making fourteen trips with your dad in the Newfoundland during the sixties.
Interestingly Denis Griffiths who was junior and then fourth had an article which he called "Twelve months on the Newfoundland " published in the magazine .Sea Breezes.It ran from July to October inclusively. It brought back lots of memories and there are several good photographs as well.
I hope that this is of interest to you.
Best wishes
Peter Woodall
 
#10 ·
Newfoundland

I sailed as 3rd engineer making 14 trips with your dad on the Newfoundland during the sixties.
Interestingly Denis Griffiths who was junior and later 4th engineer during the same period has had an article which he called "A year on the Newfoundland" published in the magazine "Sea Breezes".It appears in the months July to October 2016 , inclusively. It has brought back lots of memories, there are also several good photographs.
I hope this is of interest to you.
best wishes .
 
#11 ·
MV Newfoundland

Hi Billy's Boy,
I sailed with your Dad in 1968 - I was an apprentice, engineer cadet, and I did not hit it off very well with Dad to start with. Honestly, I had trouble with his accent and it took my feeble mind quite a time to get used to the way he talked. In the end we had a very good relationship and, as cadet, I spent some time working directly with him.
Do you have any contact with other crew at that time? It seemed to me that the ship was like an extended family and I enjoyed my time there and it saddened me when I had to move on. Good ship too.
Regards,
Tony Reynolds
 
#12 ·
Hi Peter
Thanks for the reply. Although I don't recall too many of the names from my father's time on the Newfoundland, I do recall Eddie Troupe (Chief Engineer?) and the Cook (was he another Bill??)
Sadly my father died back in 1978 at the age of 54 so he never enjoyed any form of retirement but I know he always enjoyed his time at sea and especially the time on the Newfoundland.
I'll do some digging to see if I can locate the Sea Breezes magazine - I'd love to read more about the days of the Newfoundland.
All the best,
David Swanson
 
#13 ·
Hi Tony
Thanks for replying and its great to learn that there are still a few of the old Newfoundland crew still around.
Sorry to hear you didn't hit it off originally with my father - I agree his Geordie accent could take a bit of getting used to. He was a very proud man, particularly the fact that he was self taught when it came to working on his first AC ship. I recently came across some of his old notebooks, meticulously written. I recall he used to write very slowly and even then it was difficult to read!
As I included in my reply to Peter Woodall, sadly Bill passed away in 1978, hard to believe it is nearly 40 years ago but I know he would be pleased to learn that some of his colleagues had been in touch.
All the best
David Swanson
 
#14 ·
m.v. Newfoundland

Hello Billy's Boy,

I had the pleasure of sailing with your father on the "Newfie" for nearly two years. From joining her at Burntisland at the end of sea trials in November 1964 until, some 17 voyages later, October 1966 when in Liverpool I left her to take the exams for a Second Engineers Certificate.

A couple of memories of Bill.

Sometime during one evening in the officers smoke room, on the maiden voyage I think, Bill and Len Armstrong, C/E, having a somewhat heated discussion about some piece of equipment in the engine room, oily water separator I recall. Anyway after 20 minutes or so the pair of them decided the only way to resolve the matter was to go down below. So they did, this was about 21.30. They were still down there when I went of to bed an hour latter. Think Bill won in the end.

The Clarke Chapman deck cranes, all electric, were your Father's responsibility and may I say burden. All the control gear, fuses etc were hidden behind heavy steel plates each retained by dozens of bolts. At least two plates per crane. So to check even for a blown fuse was not a 5 minute job. Bill's language was not to be repeated having helped him a couple of times open and close these plates. Very soon these plates were replaced by Perspex much to his delight as a quick visual check was now dead easy. Most likely was his idea.

His workshop was on the Main Deck, starboard side of the accommodation block with a watertight door to the deck, easy access to those cranes! However I do recall there was another very small door, last minute modification?, behind the Duty Mess to allow access to the accommodation when the weather was bad. Again some Geordie comments about that arrangement.

You mention that you were on board for the trip to Birkenhead after the fire. So I believe we must have met then, if not previously, as I was the 3rd Engineer at the time. That was November/December 1965.

A few names from my time on the Newfie in addition to Bill, Captain J. Sheffield O.B.E., ? Foxworthy C/Off, Mike Bowen 2/Off, John Smith? 3/0ff, Len Armstrong C/Eng, Joe Richardson 2/Eng, Peter Gee 3/Eng, Ron Mason and/or Ron Ellison 4/Eng

Eddie Troop was a C/Eng with Furness, I sailed with him on another ship, Edenmore I think.

m.v. Newfoundland and her sister m.v. Nova Scotia were the third pair of ships with those names that Furness owned. Having sailed on the previous Nova Scotia these two were much better in all respects.

David Litson
 
#15 ·
Hello David,
Your father was no age when he passed on - I am very sorry. I have an amusing anecdote to relay and it concerns when I worked for him as an engineer cadet. He wanted me to clean all the lenses of the deck lights. A thoughtful sailor had painted them all over white gloss - lots of it. So I started my task and it took nearly two days to get around them all. I told your Dad of my success. Some whil later whilst I was repairing a light fitting from the engine room, he stormed into his little workshop yelling all sorts of abuse at me. When I realised that "hattaway and t'****e) was not a company of solicitors about to serve me a summons, it was apparent that he thought that I had not cleaned the deck light fittings. Much hurt, as I thought I had done a decent job, I went to look and see what had gone wrong. Your Dad was correct, all the deck light fittings were covered in white gloss. But wait, this paint was fresh and still tacky; I sniffed around the other decks, and there he was, the sailor was still diligently painting the light fittings with white gloss. The sailor was totally unmoved by my arguments and pleas and eventually I had to show your Dad. Now, he thought it was great fun! All this was related in the mess - remember it was my first trip - and so I was the butt of many a joke about it!
 
#16 · (Edited)
Memories of the MV Newfoundland

Hi there
I was a good friend of Bill Swanson ( 1964 - good few years) and sailed with him for many years. I was 2nd Eng and Chief on the Newfoundland. I was on the ship from the maiden voyage out of Burnt Island, loading in Liverpool.
The Capatain was Sheffield , Foxy was the mate and Len Armstrong was the Chief and Billy was the electrician.Billy was one of the best electricians I sailed with. We sailed together at the time of the fire.
I had heard that he had died young and was so sad. In fact my late wife and I actually visited Billy and his wife once in Liverpool area - can't remember if any kids were around at that time!
Ps I was also on the Edenmore as well as the the Furness Bridge, Alexander Glen, Lord Kelvin, Faraday, Humboldt , the Cavendish, the Sir John Hunter and lots of others mostly as Chief.
Joe
 
#24 ·
Memories of the MV Newfoundland

Hi there
I was a good friend of Bill Swanson ( 1964 - good few years) and sailed with him for many years. I was 2nd Eng and Chief on the Newfoundland. I was on the ship from the maiden voyage out of Burnt Island, loading in Liverpool.
The Capatain was Sheffield , Foxy was the mate and Len Armstrong was the Chief and Billy was the electrician.Billy was one of the best electricians I sailed with. We sailed together at the time of the fire.
I had heard that he had died young and was so sad. In fact my late wife and I actually visited Billy and his wife once in Liverpool area - can't remember if any kids were around at that time!
Ps I was also on the Edenmore as well as the the Furness Bridge, Alexander Glen, Lord Kelvin, Faraday, Humboldt , the Cavendish, the Sir John Hunter and lots of others mostly as Chief.
Joe
Hello Joe,
I hope this finds you in reasonable health. Were you chief engineer on the Stolt Stuart?
regards,
Tony (one time cadet)
 
#17 ·
MV Newfoundland

David, Tony, Joe,

I apologise for not replying sooner to your posts about my father, Bill Swanson. It was great to read your memories of the time on the Newfie. All the names are familiar - I'm sure I probably did get to meet many of the crew on my frequent visits to the ship in Alexander Dock.

David - I really appreciate your memories of the Clarkie's deck cranes - I think Bill secretly enjoyed looking after them for all the hassle. I recall on more than one occasion I had the chance to 'drive' the cranes after he had done some repairs whilst in port - every schoolboy's dream. Also recall many a happy hour down in his workshop - probably where I got my own love of engineering there and have spent the last 40+ years doing just that.

Once again, thanks for all the memories. Bill would have loved to think he was still remembered by his old colleagues 50 years later.

David Swanson
 
#19 ·
David, Tony, Joe,

I apologise for not replying sooner to your posts about my father, Bill Swanson. It was great to read your memories of the time on the Newfie. All the names are familiar - I'm sure I probably did get to meet many of the crew on my frequent visits to the ship in Alexander Dock.

David - I really appreciate your memories of the Clarkie's deck cranes - I think Bill secretly enjoyed looking after them for all the hassle. I recall on more than one occasion I had the chance to 'drive' the cranes after he had done some repairs whilst in port - every schoolboy's dream. Also recall many a happy hour down in his workshop - probably where I got my own love of engineering there and have spent the last 40+ years doing just that.

Once again, thanks for all the memories. Bill would have loved to think he was still remembered by his old colleagues 50 years later.

David Swanson
David,
it wasn't just the deck cranes that kept your Dad amused, he also spent quite a lot of time fussing around the winches/windlasses (clark-chapman machines as I remember them).
Regards,
Tony
 
#18 ·
I was an engineer cadet on the Newfie, January '72 I joined her. Did three trips with Eddie Troupe. Terrible ship in the North Atlantic but a really good run socially. Arthur Smith (Spock) was third and a chap called Paton was fourth.
 
#20 ·
I think you're right about that Tony. I always suspected he secretly wanted to be a stevedore but they didn't go to sea so it wouldn't have suited him in reality.

I personally learned much about electrical & mechanical equipment during my visits to the Newfie whilst he played with cranes, winches, light fittings, motors, etc and that steered my future career choices to become an engineer. No regrets about that choice!

Regards
David
 
#22 ·
Oh Yes, Captain Sheffield was his name...memory must be fading !! He was a much revered Captain to us on those difficult, cold and stormy voyages. One of the officers took an early video recording of one such North Atlantic storm and it makes one feel quesy just looking at it. The only way we could sleep was to wedge our life-jackets under our mattresses and sleep in a "V" against the cabin bulkhead !!. We spent as much time walking on the bulkheads as we did on the actual deck plates as she often rolled to forty five degrees. Ports of call were Liverpool, St. John Newfoundland, Halifax Nova Scotia, St. Johns New Brunswick and occasionally Boston U.S.A.
Cheers, M
 
#36 ·
Oh Yes, Captain Sheffield was his name...memory must be fading !! He was a much revered Captain to us on those difficult, cold and stormy voyages. One of the officers took an early video recording of one such North Atlantic storm and it makes one feel quesy just looking at it. The only way we could sleep was to wedge our life-jackets under our mattresses and sleep in a "V" against the cabin bulkhead !!. We spent as much time walking on the bulkheads as we did on the actual deck plates as she often rolled to forty five degrees. Ports of call were Liverpool, St. John Newfoundland, Halifax Nova Scotia, St. Johns New Brunswick and occasionally Boston U.S.A.
Cheers, M
[/QUOT. Great old man sheff charlie
 
#23 ·
If there are still a few Newfies out there that are interested, I joined the Newfoundland on 29th March 1965 in Liverpool, as a Junior Engineer, leaving the ship on 24th August 1965 having completed four voyages across the Atlantic. So long ago that I cannot remember names of my former shipmates but in case anyone else still retains their memory, my name is Barrie Willoughby.

There were a number of "incidents" that I do remember though, she had a control room which we Juniors were not allowed to loiter in, having to continuously patrol the engine room and write up the rough log, starting an hour before the end of the watch. When passing an iceberg the sea temperature plummeted and we had to race around adjusting the temperature of the engine cooling water and increasing steam injection at the SW intakes. I remember a leaking blow down valve that a Cadet decided needed fixing and proceeded to remove it from the ship's side. He removed several nuts holding it when the Third Engineer came along and to his horror discovered what was going on, pointed out (amongst other things) that the v/v in question was twelve foot under water.

On one trip we carried the Naval Architect who had designed her, accompanied by his wife. We never saw them all the way across, as I believe they suffered from "mal de mer." Not sure that they didn't fly back. It might have been that trip that we broke the skeg on the way back and had to go into dry dock to have it repaired, using the Thermite Process. We all sat on the dock gate admiring the fireworks.

She was a happy ship and the bar had been supplied with a set of half pint dimpled mugs along with a supply of Watneys Red Barrel Beer. On arrival in Halifax we lost no time in inviting a group of WRENS aboard for an evenings soiree and offered them all the spirits but they immediately made for the Watneys and werenot satisfied until they had drunk us dry. We escorted them back to their barracks but some had already gone AWOL, it was judged to have been a good party. Would be interested to hear from anyone else who sailed on her.
 
#32 ·
If there are still a few Newfies out there that are interested, I joined the Newfoundland on 29th March 1965 in Liverpool, as a Junior Engineer, leaving the ship on 24th August 1965 having completed four voyages across the Atlantic. So long ago that I cannot remember names of my former shipmates but in case anyone else still retains their memory, my name is Barrie Willoughby.

There were a number of "incidents" that I do remember though, she had a control room which we Juniors were not allowed to loiter in, having to continuously patrol the engine room and write up the rough log, starting an hour before the end of the watch. When passing an iceberg the sea temperature plummeted and we had to race around adjusting the temperature of the engine cooling water and increasing steam injection at the SW intakes. I remember a leaking blow down valve that a Cadet decided needed fixing and proceeded to remove it from the ship's side. He removed several nuts holding it when the Third Engineer came along and to his horror discovered what was going on, pointed out (amongst other things) that the v/v in question was twelve foot under water.

On one trip we carried the Naval Architect who had designed her, accompanied by his wife. We never saw them all the way across, as I believe they suffered from "mal de mer." Not sure that they didn't fly back. It might have been that trip that we broke the skeg on the way back and had to go into dry dock to have it repaired, using the Thermite Process. We all sat on the dock gate admiring the fireworks.

She was a happy ship and the bar had been supplied with a set of half pint dimpled mugs along with a supply of Watneys Red Barrel Beer. On arrival in Halifax we lost no time in inviting a group of WRENS aboard for an evenings soiree and offered them all the spirits but they immediately made for the Watneys and werenot satisfied until they had drunk us dry. We escorted them back to their barracks but some had already gone AWOL, it was judged to have been a good party. Would be interested to hear from anyone else who sailed on her.
Barry,
I believe you were on the 12/4 watch with me during the period you sailed on the Newfie.
Must have been me who chased you out of the control room, hard hearted 3/E, Was it your first trip as J/E/? Recall you were an expert at making a strong cup of coca at 00.15 hours.
I have a vague notion that you are a relative, cousin?, of David Bewley,(Pog). If so he and I were engineer cadets with Furness and were at Plymouth Tech at the same time, 1959/61. First two terms he and I shared a room in Merrifield Hall with two other cadets, from Port Line and Reardon Smith I remember. Then all the engineer cadets were asked to leave , chucked out, for unbecoming behaviour etc etc.
I know he did not go to sea after Plymouth, so what happened?
 
#26 ·
seem to remember, at 4 years old, 1950 my mother and my siblings returned to the UK on her from N.Y on the passage out we took Queen Mary and I remember detail of the voyage, like being lost and like finding a wrapped cigar side of my bunk mattress
 
#28 ·
Hello Billy's Boy:

Was on the Newfoundland as Junior Seaman in 1969 when she had the fire. A container broke loose in the twin decks. A mixture of scotch whisky, Swedish matches and Egyptian cotton provided the fuel for the fire. I can still hear the sad sound of the scotch bottles exploding! Sorry cannot remember your Dad but I can say she was a well run and happy ship. The Bosun was from Salford and he was so proud of his ship - kept us all busy. The deck cranes were a talking point and very popular with the stevedores.

We hove-to to in the usual North Atlantic autumn gale to fight the fire. When we arrived in St. Johns NF (still smouldering) it seemed like the whole island and its media turned out to witness the "burning ship." I recall one of the local fire brigade having breakfast on-board. Having enjoyed a Full English, one of the fireman went a bit 'green-at-the gills.' This was after the Cook graphically informed him of the ingredients of the Black Puddings!

Happy Days.

Mervyn