We wish all our Old Shipmates a very Happy and Prosperous New Year for 2007

Capt Steve - Hon. Secretary, Capt Pete - Hon. Treasurer and Derrick - Hon. Webmaster

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
	Photo: Ken Livingston		Photo: Ken Livingston

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), 3 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