Great to see some other contributors to this thread! I really only started it because the "Nautical, Strange but True" thread was more about sea-going life as opposed to the actual ships.
I recall the "Newton" very well. Her design was miles away from the "Bull-Boats" (WW2 cable repair ships), and made quite a contrast with the C&W ships of the time. But then again, she (the "Newton") had a very different function to perform compared to the (mainly) civilian activities of the C&W vessels.
As far as the Heavy Lift ships are concerned: I don't think the Ben Line ever thought of buying anything other than the "Bel" design.
The Borneo log trade was big in all senses of the word "then", and the ships were ideal for it. But I would imagine that that trade is now in the same bracket as whale catching. Apart from the notion that 8ft diameter logs are not now available.
I, for one, would welcome some memories of older ships being posted. But PLEASE not the modern slab sided clones that prevail these days.
Recent contributors have mentioned "St.Helena" and union Castle ships (see "lifeboat drill"). I would like to see previously unseen pics of this era of shipping in all its forms.
As far as the "War Canoe" brigade is concerned, well, most of their ships are pretty well documented.....but not much is said about life on board them. I know that some of the weapons systems were "odd" and didn't last long, so why not hear from those who had to struggle with them? In anticipation.....cheers, BY.
