Edinburgh Castle (First ever ship)

[Ian Walton]

Hello to all ex Edinburgh Castle crew, this is my introductory thread as I have just joined this organisation. My first Ship after leaving the Vindicatrix training school at 15 was the Edinburgh Castle in October 1964 for the usual round trip to the Cape. I signed on as galley boy to work in the fore'd galley which I hated as the cooking smells etc made me terribly sea sick and was thankfully replaced after a few days by another boy rating who volunteered for the job so he could grow his hair long like 'Mick Jagger' as at that time long hair wasn't permitted while working in the passenger areas, but unfortunalely I can't remember his name or any of the other boy ratings I worked with.
I did two successive trips on the Edinburgh Castle taking me into early 1965. I remember seeing and waving to the 'Cape Town Castle' at sea on her return from Capetown and the news breaking that when she arrived in Southampton, the gold bullion had been 'nicked' . I can recall seeing the brand new UCL fruit carrier the 'Southampton Castle' (I think) on her maiden voyage rushing to the Cape. I remember Field Marshall Lord Montgomary being on board for the 6 week round trip and the highlight of my career actually talking to him while operating the passenger lift which I occasionally operated to allow the (one armed) lift operator to take his meal breaks.
I can remember a xmas dinner dance provided by UC on the top floor of the tallest building at the time in Cape Town, the Flying Angel mission in Cape Town, taking a rickshaw ride and go-carting in Durban. Lots of very fond memories as a young lad (now 62). I left and joined the Reina Del Mar after that where I stayed until August '65, but went home for a break and worked for a short while in an Italian coffee bar, met my wife there and have been married now for 42 years and never returned to sea. Best regards to all.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Ian
Would just like to give you a warm Welcome to this very good site!
Here you will find lots of info,good Crew and with luck also find a few old Shipmates!
So sit back,relax and just enjoy the trip!
Hope we will have you here for a long time!
A site truly worthy of the British Merchant Navy!
Cheers







Nice introduction IAN and as i also was with the UCL can delight at your first trip!
Mine was on the old Dunnottar Castle 1958 doing her last trip under the UCL Colours!
Can also remember all those things that you did in Cape Town,and other SA Ports and more! Great days!
Cheers

[David Williams]

Hi Ian.

Did just the one trip on the Edinburgh Castle,
way back in 1955.Was in cabin No1 right up
in the bows.

Dave Williams(R583900)

[Ian Walton]

Hii Dave,Nice to hear from you, yes I was also in that area, but can't remember the cabin number. There was a clothes drying room just opposite and thePig & Whislte was on the deck below. I'm sure you will remember the small crew galley I started in, you would have got your meals there if you were 'Deck'.

Regards Ian

[Peter John Martin]

I was on the last voyage Southampton to Durban. The ship stopped at Capetown
then due to terrible weather it couldn't stop at East London or Port Elizabeth and
headed straight to Durban. There was a steward called Brian a scouser and I
often thought of him, great guy if anybody knows him contact me petermartin@live.com

[happy daze john in oz]

G'day Peter and welcome to the site. Do you still have a list of the ships you sailed on, maybe with some dates? If so and yuo careto list them on site you may well getr to hear from some who knew you as there are a number of ex ULC crew members on site. So sit back with a cold one and enjoy the voyage.

[Colin Hawken]

Ian,you say you left the Vindi at the age of 15.I was at theVindi March-June 1949. You had to be at least sixteen and a half in those days. Guess things changed after I had left her.

[Mike Hall]

colin
i was only 15 when i joined my first ship after the vindi.
i had my 16th on the way to canada.
mike

[alf corbyn]

i did either the maiden or its 2nd trip on the edinburgh castle, also my first trip as an assistant steward. happy days. alf

[Jimmy Scougall]

Hi Ian
I sailed on the Edi in 75 yes i remember the crew galley you worked in also the go carts in Durban,for a lad from Edinburgh it was a bit special to sail on her,Happy days indeed.
All the best Jimmy Scougall