| |
From: Jim Lomas
MANCHESTER COMMERCE BELL
The Printers Cottage, 24. Oldham Road, Denshaw,
Saddleworth.
Oldham.
Thank you for Newsletter No.9, which I found very
interesting. Hope the enclosed photo will be of some interest.
From 1966-1981 I was the Manager of the Salisbury
Hotel, Trafford Rd. Salford, where we were in constant touch with
all the Office and Seafarers of Manchester Liners. It was during
this time that I acquired THE BELL, which retains the original Turk's
Head.
I wonder how many people have rung this Bell.
It is sitting comfortably at the above address,
and if anyone has the urge to ring it, you are more than welcome
to do so.
Previously I served on the Manchester Division – Regiment – City
-Port, also Prince Line and Furness Withy. (During the years 1946-
1957).
Sincerely,
JIM LOMAS
|
|
 |
From: Bancan
Maritime Management
Sent: 19 December 2006 02:44
To: mailbag@manchesterliners.co.uk
Subject: Xmas 2007
| CHRISTMAS 1976
Whilst going through some old papers,
here’s a ghost of Christmas past….30 years ago
to be exact!
Best wishes to all for a Happy Holiday Season.
Capt. & Mrs. J. Nelson
|
|
 |
As with every item of memorabilia, there’s
a story behind that 1976 menu.
The “Crusade” was the commodore ship with Denis Millard and
Alan Cookson alternating as master. However being the “Christmas
trip,” as a junior master I was drafted for relief duties. Not
unwillingly, I might add, as (my future wife) June was waiting in Montreal.
June kept the menu of that Christmas dinner as a valued
souvenir, to resurface 30 years later!
We sailed in mid-December with a crew freshly picked from various hostelries
along Trafford Road and for whom festivities were already underway!
In different circumstances we might have made it back for New Year, but,
at that time, there were various problems causing severe draft restrictions
in the Eastham approach channel. Hence, we were all aware on sailing
that our earliest inbound canal transit would be on January 5th, so New
Year at sea (or anchor) was a certainty.
However, the prospect of Christmas in Montreal was
eagerly anticipated by all, so it wasn’t good news when we passed
another outbound “Magic Boat”
near Escoumins and were told, “Jean (Vandenengel) is determined
to get you out before Christmas holidays!”
Given that our ETA was evening of the 22nd, the 24th
was an (unofficial) holiday and that there was no night navigation, it
seemed highly unlikely. One look at a determined JVD though, bounding
up the gangway two steps at a time, confirmed the worst. There weren’t
many boxes on the dock but, in any case, the “Crusade”
would load until labour finished on 23rd and sail Christmas Eve daylight.
Lest the message be misunderstood/or erroneously transmitted, I didn’t
say much to JVD other than to convey our general dismay and disappointment,
but receiving the advance warning had at least allowed one time to think
and develop other plans.
Accordingly, on the morning of 23rd, I called Dave Nutton, the former
Chief Officer who had become Operations Manager at ML. Dave already knew
of our scheduled turnaround but had not considered the tidal situation
delaying transit until January 5. Thus he was perhaps caught unawares
with my proposal that, in view of that, maybe we could sail Montreal
on Boxing Day instead of Christmas Eve.
This was also a period of high fuel costs, but being prepared I was able
to inform Dave that even proceeding on one engine for most of the way,
we should easily make the “stem.”
To his credit, Dave neither approved nor forbade the idea, he merely
said, “Up to you, but you better not miss that tide!”
Naturally there was uninhibited exhilaration aboard once the “galley” radio
broadcast the news, with much subsequent splicing of the mainbrace. Things
were also exciting but more intense at dawn on Boxing Day when a defective
VHF (of all things) delayed sailing for three hours. But, given a clear,
moonlit night, we still passed Quebec outbound that night.
And, yes, we did make the tide on the 5th. In
fact, we anchored off Lynas awaiting it…
Blake Nelson
19 December 2006
Xmas 2006
From: J
Catlow
To: mailbag@manchesterliners.co.uk
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 10:06 PM
Subject: Old Shipmates
Hi there.
Anybody remember me Jim Catlow joined 1972 left 1978.
I was privledged to serve with Mannie Liners during those years and was
guarantee Engineer when we sold off the Courage. I remember relieving
the second Eng lets see Fagan was the last name. at the container berth
in Liverpool, George Namson leaving a note for me saying we had no chance
of getting home for xmas. This was to be her last trip. We departed Liverpool
and when we ran up to full speed on the Port Engine had high scavenge
pressure and high scavenge temp at low load, anybody remember that engine
with the brass shims on the chocks the one we always had to do deflections
on. Well finally diagnosed a damaged turbo,outbd. Aft as Mr. Fagan had
dropped an exh valve on the cylinder adjacent. The previous trip.
Cut a long story short we worked on the turbo as soon
as we where alongside Montreal had the Nozzle ring out and the turbine
re-bladed balanced etc. Remember distinctly letting go off the Berth
on the Starbd, eng whilst flashing up the port and allowing to warm up
and as soon as we had gone up to the bridge and swung her round we where
on line.
From that time we had to do one of the fastest return
passages that she could do. Tweaking engines and that, Captain picking
the right route. We had no bad weather and where the last vessel in the
ship canal day before xmas eve. Anyway remember that I was completely
exhausted and celebrated with amore than one stiff drink. Also office
not too happy as we had done a record passage and on her last.
Plenty of more stories etc, best time I spent a sea.
I remember sailing with Harry Wright, Josh white, fast
eddie, John Ramwell etc.and my mate Roger Llewelyn who at the time was
fascinated with a friend who was a black belt Karate so the saying of
the day was on your Knuckles , as that’s how he did his press-ups!
On yer Knuckles Rog!!
Presently I work for an American Oil Company specializing
in Deep Water Systems. Look it up Helix far away from what I left with
mannies.
The present project work is on a DPAAA M.P.V called
the Q4000, is it a ship I ask myself, well good to see Roger on the National
Geo last night. Bloody hell Roger will you recognize me!!
All the very best to everyone in the association and
would like anyone who remembers me to contact me via Hon. Sec.
J Catlow
From: Ken Livingston
TORPEDOED?? SUNK??
As a point of interest through the Liverpool branch
of the Institute of Marine Engineers, a guy not associated with the Institute,
is looking for survivors who were "Sunk"
during World War 2.
His name is Pat Moran on 01704 536796. He is looking
for people to be interviewed about their "Horrible"
experiences for a USA film crew.
It would be nice for people to know that there were
also losses from an inland port like Manchester.
Ken Livingston
From: LESLEY LIVINGSTON
To: mailbag@manchesterliners.co.uk
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 15:18
Subject: Photograph
Attached are two photos:
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
| |
Manchester Faith - Autumn 1967
|
|
Sea Train Bennington - New Year 1978
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
1) Manchester Faith - Autumn 1967
From the left Jeff Clements (4th Engineer), Ken Livingston (2nd Engineer)
? (3rd mate),
Eddie Richardson (Chief), ? (Junior Engineer), ?
2) Sea Train Bennington - New Year 1978
Bill Cain (Chief), Ken Livingston (2nd Engineer), Dougie Park (Junior
Engineer), Phill Griffiths & Wife (4th Engineer), Frank ? (Mate),
Les ? (Junior Engineer), ? ? ? Three Deck Cadets.
Steve and Carol
Thanks for another great weekend at St Annes, all your hard work made
it very enjoyable. Request for next year, please can we sit at the same
table with the same people to win all the raffle prizes again.
Regards
Ken & Lesley Livingston
|
|
