[Brian Graham]

Did my last trip as Engineer Cadet on the Newfoundland about August 72, quite a change from my previous trips on the Rowanmore

 

[Michael77]

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

 

[Porthole Billy]

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.

 

[TonyReynolds]

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)

 

[Micky Bodill]

Sailed with the Spock (Arthur Smith), on the PSNC Orduna a few times. Partial to a can for breakfast and great fun. Sadly no longer with us.

 

[stuarth44]

Anyone out there from the Newfoundland in the late 60's? Be glad to hear from you.
Regards,
Tony

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

 

[The Makem]

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.

 

[MervR]

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

 

[inglisedward5]

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.

I did 8pr 9 trips Circa 1971/2 on the Newfoundland as a junior Engineer got to know Bill well smashing bloke and good leckie rem going to his house in Wigan, He had a black Alsatian would not let us out when time to go.Chief Eddie Group 2nd Jack ???? 3rd Arthur Smith 4th Tony Patton. Juniors self Eddie Inglis, Clyde Foster. Could be wrong after 50 plus years. Eddie Inglis

 

[inglisedward5]

Should read Group not Group.

 

[inglisedward5]

Should read Group not Group Eddie Inglis

 

[David Litson]

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?

 

[Billy's Boy]

Found the attached couple of photos from the Newfie days and the original Furness Lines info sheet.

 

[trevorwillars]

willars rsaillw

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.

Great parties with the nurses I St John’s and Halifax trevor willars aka charlie

 

[trevorwillars]

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.

Not wrens but nurses in my day charlie 3rd mate

 

[trevorwillars]

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