Cable and Wireless

[David Howard]

Hi to anybody who served on any of the Cable and Wireless ships!

I was on the Mercury (lovely ship) from 1964 to 1966 as a 5th engineer and sailed to some great places and met some really interesting and lovely people, then was on Retriever in Suva (Fiji) for 2 years and then Cable Enterprise for 6 months (also in Suva), rising to the dizzy heights of acting third engineer, LOL.

Not much to do on those ships except party hard - and we did!

Cheers,
Dave.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi to anybody who served on any of the Cable and Wireless ships!

I was on the Mercury (lovely ship) from 1964 to 1966 as a 5th engineer and sailed to some great places and met some really interesting and lovely people, then was on Retriever in Suva (Fiji) for 2 years and then Cable Enterprise for 6 months (also in Suva), rising to the dizzy heights of acting third engineer, LOL.

Not much to do on those ships except party hard - and we did!

Cheers,
Dave.

Hi Dave,
Never was on any of those Ships,but they sound as if they were fun!
This is mainly just to Welcome you to this great site!
I am sure you will find much to interest you and also will meet a really good Bunch of Lads!
Also hope to get more good posts from you in the near future!
Cheers

[Jack Jenkins]

Hi to anybody who served on any of the Cable and Wireless ships!

I was on the Mercury (lovely ship) from 1964 to 1966 as a 5th engineer and sailed to some great places and met some really interesting and lovely people, then was on Retriever in Suva (Fiji) for 2 years and then Cable Enterprise for 6 months (also in Suva), rising to the dizzy heights of acting third engineer, LOL.

Not much to do on those ships except party hard - and we did!

Cheers,
Dave.

Hiya Dave....Welcome to the site,I sailed as jun-eng,maiden voyage
of the Mercury.

Jack

[brianofarabia]

Served on a few Cable & Wireless ships from 1978 to 1990 from 3/0 upwards.

Mercury, Recorder, Pacific Guardian, Cable Enterprise, Cable Protector and Sir Eric Sharp, went ashore and worked in the Head Office, saw the writing on the wall and left. Now in Saudi Arabia as Hydrographer for the Saudi Ports Authority, less partying but more rewards.

Brian Goodsir

[happy daze john in oz]

g'day Brian anad welcome aboard, great ship, even greater crew, sit back and enjoy.

[Geoff Anderson]

Another welcome brian.
i hope you enjoy this site. and hope to see you in the posts.
best wishes geoff.

[David Howard]

Hiya Dave....Welcome to the site,I sailed as jun-eng,maiden voyage
of the Mercury.

Jack

G'day, Jack. I haven't looked at this web site for ages, too much else happening with my life, so only just saw your post.

I met a fellow called Jack, can't remember what cable ship, anyway the Jack I met wore glasses and people never knew when he was pissed as he could hold it quite well.
The trick was to look at his eyes. When he was full they used to get quite affectionate - no, not what you're thinking - they used to look at each other. Actually, if I recall correctly it was one eye that looked at the other one, which remained looking straight ahead.

Did you ever know an engineer called William (Bill) Billing? He was on the Mercury and lent (or gave) me a book called "Principles of Electricity in M.K.S. Units". His name and (then) address is on the inside cover. Dunno whether I was supposed to return it before he signed off and went on leave. Anyway, if he is still around I'd like to send it back to him. The address in the book is 24 Solly Avenue, Rock Ferry (in Liverpool I think), dunno where he might be now though.

If anyone knows his whereabouts I'd like to hear.

Cheers,
Dave.

[Richard Quartermaine]

Ni sa bula David,

You were with Cable and Wireless in Suva during my time there from 1959 to 1968. I ran Queensland Insurance from the office in Burns Philp (South Sea) Co Ltd directly opposite to Charlie Stinson's photographic shop. Only a stroll past the open market from where you were parked. Maybe you also had the pleasure of the tanoa in the Harbour Master's office on a Saturday morning.

There is quite a bit of memorabilia if you click on the Burns Philp house flag, the Scottish thistle (both Burns and Philp were from Scotland), on the top right hand corner of my website Queensland Insurance Company Oldies. Quite a blast from the past. Moce, Richard.

Hello Brian,

Your connection with Cable and Wireless and the name Goodsir, which is that of an old family in Fiji, begs the question - are you from this family. If so, the name Jenny (if my old memory serves me rightly) Goodsir will be your family. Jenny married Ivan Crooks, an old departed friend of mine. They left Fiji in the mid sixties when Ivan was transferred to Lismore NSW office of Liverpool London and Globe/Royal Insurance.

Kind regards,
Richard Quartermaine

[Neil Morton]

Thank you Richard for your interesting and entertaining web site.
It has helped me pass a pleasant few minutes on a gloomy Melbourne morning
Best wishes Neil.

[j.sabourn]

I applied to them in 1967. I was informed I was too old. I was 29 pushing 30. I replied I did not need sea time as I had all certificates. The reply I got was that 27 was the cut out age. Due however to my not requiring certificate time etc. they would waive this ruling in my case, and where did I prefer to be stationed. They then gave a list of the various areas. As was my idea that the cable ships were about the nearest you could get to a shore job, as your family were allowed to live in whatever port the ship was stationed at also believe school fees for children were paid. Is this correct. However the answer came too late as could not sit at home with no money coming in, so took a job with Saguenay Terminals of Montreal. Another job I missed out on, often wonder what difference to our lives it would have been if we had taken the other path. Regards John Sabourn