Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Positive on August 16, 2015, 09:57:51 am

Title: Fifty Years Ago Today
Post by: Positive on August 16, 2015, 09:57:51 am
Fifty years ago today, I joined the cargo ship Richmond Castle for a voyage from Liverpool to Madeira, Luando, Lobito, Walvis Bay, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Dakar, Maresilles, Bremerhaven, Hamburg and the River Blackwater.
Photograph by J. K. de Vries, Jnr, Cape Town.
Bob
Title: Re: Fifty Years Ago Today
Post by: Peter Fitness on August 17, 2015, 05:37:08 am
She's such an elegant looking vessel.


Peter.
Title: Re: Fifty Years Ago Today
Post by: Positive on August 17, 2015, 07:23:38 am
Yes, indeed.     The hull was lavender grey and the funnel was vermilion with a black top.      My cabin porthole is the right had one in the lower part of the  forward bridge section.   The two other portholes in front of it are the chief officer's office and the chief officer's cabin.     Completed in early 1944, the ship was strictly utility and not particularly comfortable.     The only cabins with bathrooms were the captain and chief engineer.   The rest of us had H & C running water in the cabins.     Very hot in the tropics and the food mediocre.     Rattled and shook horribly when in ballast.   A bit like driving a bus sideways across railway lines.       That was the result of a diesel engine rather than steam.      Nevertheless, we had an enjoyable voyage.     At that time, I had already been at sea for four years, and the Richmond Castle was my first ship in a new company.     The voyage  marked a turning point in my sea career, moving from resigned acceptance of sea life, to a dawning enjoyment of it.     I remember the Richmond Castle with great affection, a lovely looking ship of the old style, and am still in touch with her third officer.
Bob
Title: Re: Fifty Years Ago Today
Post by: Brian60 on August 17, 2015, 08:17:31 am
It has some graceful lines that for sure.
Title: Re: Fifty Years Ago Today
Post by: Nemo on August 20, 2015, 10:49:06 pm
Link here for 8 photos of your old ship Positive,  although I am sure you have many.
Bob.   
http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum%20Ships/Old%20Ships%20R/slides/
Title: Re: Fifty Years Ago Today
Post by: Positive on August 21, 2015, 07:11:44 am
Thanks, I do refer to that site often.      They have thousands of ship images there, mainly merchant vessels.     
Bob