Where have they all gone?

[Terry Wilcox]

I had some great times back in the 60s on the Port Boats, I was wondering where have all the characters gone? I was in the Catering Dept, starting from Galley Boy, and finishing as Second Steward. I met some great friends in those years, but have not heard from any since. Surely I am not the only one surviving?????? Please get in contact if you were on those good old Port Ships. Take care....... Terry.

[Stuart Henderson]

Hi Terry,
Do you remember Dicky Bird ? He was Relief Cook and general sidekick to the catering superintendent sadly forget his name now. I was on Cunard cargo ships and Port Line supt took over mid sixties I think, Dicky Bird was a character though although not everyones cup of tea.
Stuart

[Neil Morton]

We are all out here somewhere Terry. Scattered to the four winds; most of us in what is left of the old Empire. Some have crossed the bar, some read what we put on this forum but do not contribute, some of course do not have a PC or the knowledge. Rest assured mate those far off days on what was then, to my mind the best fleet at sea, will never be forgotten.
Bernie Myers, Sean Busher, Mad John Murray, Mickey Taman, are here in Oz but do not subscribe to this site. Any memories there? I am still in touch if you know any of the these characters.
Best regards Neil.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Terry.
You'd be surprised by how many are still out there, Here in NSW there are over a hundred in the Vindi association, and there are similar in Victoria, Western Aus, and Queensland, and North and South Islands of NZ, beside these there are MN groups everywhere down under. Don't know how many are Port boats men but must be some.
Cheers Des.

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[Glenn Baker]

I sailed on Port Pirie, Port Wellington , Port Townsville, the best and happiest was the port Pirie, as an old ship she even had Air conditioning, and we built a Bar in the Rec Room , all accom was midships and allcrew departments were terrific and all joined in the fun in the Bar.

We did Australia and NZ on that ship loaded apples in Tasmania got wharfies pay while there, Catering crew were terrific too. For an old ship she was probably one of the happiest I sailed on. Glenn Baker Australia

[R551286]

I was in port line for a few years in the early and late 50s,the catering super was called Browell(Daisy)
and if you stood up to him you would get on fine with him.He used to terrify some of the C/ST/Purser.

[itekweni]

I sailed on the Brisbane 69 as galley boy and our journey back past the Azores we hit a force 10 and took some damage it was hairy

[Jack Jenkins]

I was at Napier when the Port New Plymouth arrived on her maiden voyage,somebody used to play the bugle every morning,was that usual Port line bulls**t ??? LOL

[Neil Morton]

Only on the maiden voyage was the bloody bugle blown arriving in port for the first time. Had it gone on after that I am sure the blower woiuld have been wearing it.

[dixie dean]

Can I add my bit,I was a chippy in Port Line on the port huon 68/69 on the manz run the chief steward as Polly Plumber, great days that can never be repeated,I left the sea in 1997 from P&O,and I always said that the merchant navy I left was a far cry from the merchant navy I joined in 1966.