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Seadogs Index M
All the names are listed alphabetically by first name.
Mad Madders (Chilli Ho)
Malcolm ? (Engineer)
Malcolm ? (Steiner's)
Malcolm Dann (Book 'em Danno)
Malcolm Orr (aka Malc the Alc)
Mandy Bishop (now Montague)
Margaret ? (Chili Ho)
Margaret Collins-Williams (aka Maggie with 2 Dads)
Marina ? (SAP)
Mark Barnett (aka Barney)
Mark Davidson (aka Beaker)
Mark Sawyer (aka The Bean)
Martin ? (Sonny Souto Band)
Martin Egan (aka Slim)
Martin Harris (aka Chopper)
Martin Norris (aka Doris)
Martin Peek (aka Peeky)
Martin Pickles (aka Wilf)
Martin Reed (aka Martino)
Marty Elliot (aka Mad Marty)
Maurice ? (RO)
Maureen ? (Banker)
Maureen ? (Chili Ho)
Michael Blaskewicz (aka Blaster)
Michael Cavaghan (Deceased)
Mick Davies (Deceased)
Mick Dodd (aka Doddy)
Mick Everson (aka Slaver)
Mick ? (aka Lord Lucan)
Mick ? (Storekeeper)
Mick ? (aka ‘The Screaming Skull’) (Fireman)
Mike ? (Assistant Surgeon)
Mike ? (Cadet)
Mike ? (The Bean)
Mike Fitzgerald (aka Fritz)
Mike Goulding (aka Magic Mick)
Mike's Memories include Oriana, Pacific Princess.
Mike Jepson (aka Jumbo)
Mike Jones (Deceased)
Mike Lavery (aka Mick or Janner)
Mike Maskell (aka The Bear)
Mike's Memories of Oriana.
Mike Ramsay (aka The Ram)
Mike Robbins (Deceased)
Mike Thomas (aka Dad)
Mike Whicker (Deceased)
Mike's Memories include Chusan, Iberia, Oriana.
Miriam ? (Asmat)
Miskin (Mick) Rahman Samy (aka Sinbad)(Deceased)
Steve
Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Malcolm Gough
I have a very vague memory of Malcolm. I think he joined Nevasa just one cruise before I left to go to Canberra for a while. I certainly know the rest of the guys in the shot below.
L-R:
Dave Harbinson, Dennis Morris, Bob Scarrott, Derek Cook and Malcolm.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Malcolm Orr (aka Malc the Alc)
Malcolm was an Electrician on Oriana in 1977-78. John Elder tells me that Malcolm is a legend with some magnificent stories.
... and here's the first;
... and below is the second;
1977 The Queens Jubilee year. Oriana was cruising through the Med, the sea was like glass, the O was like a shark basking in her area. The sun was exactly where it said it would be in the brochure (the Americans love that bit) and, as usual, everything was tikkety-boo. The Engineers (best in the world) were alert, and not on the piss like everyone thinks they were. The Grocers 'n' Naffs were all having their wee snooze after Tiffin. Just a normal day in paradise when up popped the royal yacht Britannia, proud as you like.
Oriana sent a message to them:- "Have a good voyage, God bless the Queen."
The reply from Britannia:- "Have a good voyage, God Bless All Your Queens".
There's more photos of Malcolm in Gary Wood's Memories.
Malcolm's email address is malcyorr@hotmail.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Malcolm Rushan
Courtesy of Richard Reubin
Captain Malcolm Rushan, then aged 51, at the helm. He sailed as an apprentice with Port Line from 1947, eventually becoming Chief Officer. He joined Orient Line in December 1956 and was on Orontes, Orcades, Orion, Garonne and Oriana.
There's more of Malcolm here.
Malcolm's email address is Malcolm@shoreside.demon.co.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Malcolm Turner
Malcolm
was on Oriana from 1981 to 1985 & then Canberra from 1985 till 1989.
He tells me he's looking forward to meeting up with the ORIANA 80‘s guys at
Stu’s do!!! .... more information please!
Malcolm is now a Key Account Manager - Diplomatic Sector for Gunnebo Security Solutions in Salzkotten, Germany
The above photo was cut from a recent reunion photo with Jess Muir here.
Malcolm's email address is malcolm@malcolmturner0.wanadoo.co.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Mark Barnett (aka Barney)
Mark was with P&O from 77-88. He started as a Deck Cadet then saw the error of his ways and transferred to Engineering. He finished his Cadetship just as the company had sold off most of its GCD and BSD ships but was lucky enough to get an AEO’s job on Canberra’s Falklands refit then on to the Sun Princess for 2½ years where he got his 2nd’s ticket then back to the Pacific Princess for 2½ years where he got his Chief’s. He then had a short stint on the Sea Princess and then left when his eldest son was born. He then went back on the Pacific Princess as he knew it was the place for him.
This photo’s called ‘Me & Mrs Barker’ but I don’t know who Mrs Barker is.
This is a familiar scene … chilling in your cabin. That’s Phill Archer on the left.
Good old Bunkering. Not that I ever had to do it having being snatched away from the Sea in my prime as a Junior by the Wicked Witch of the West. Never mind. On the right is Kieran Goulding.
Narration by Mark
On the left is Paul Truman (aka Freddie Truman) in PP’s control room. He’s now a Shift Engineer at Fawley Power Station and a great bloke to boot, always laughing. Gerry Dyer is in the background. Good old Gerry always trying!
There’s more photos of Freddie Truman here,
L-R:
Paul Barratt (aka PB), Mark’s Ex (unnamed), Mark and Jim Bennett.
It was taken on the Pacific Princess. PB was working for Princess in LA and Jim was in the new build team.
The above shot is called ‘The Drifters’
L-R:
Gerry Dyer, Freddie Blackmore, Mark Barnett, Mick Sammy, Mark Rendle, John Ward and Brian Benzie.
There’s more photos of Mark Rendle here,
There’s more photos of Freddie Blackmore here,
There’s more photos of Gerry Dyer here,
There’s more photos of John Ward here, here,
Mark remembers this great story about Freddie Blackmore. In Mark’s words. ‘This has me cracked up every time I think about it, I was on watch as Freddie’s Junior. He went out to change over the lube oil filters for No1 and No2 Gennies. He didn't put the lid back on the clean one properly and as he changed over he got covered in oil. Fred was like Capt Mainwaring off Dad’s Army, he stepped back into the control room and the only part of him not covered with oil was where his glasses were. I cracked up then rushed out to get the job cleaned up. Funnier still was the shadow on the bulkhead straight out of Tom and Jerry, where Fred had been between the filter and the bulkhead and he appeared to be legs and arms akimbo as it hit him. You had to be there! I believe Freddie is in WA these days.’
The next few photos are of some pretty heavy partying. It’s good to see the boys playing hard after working even harder. As it should be and as it was before the sick era of lawyers and litigation.
We never failed to turn up for duty and do our jobs.
One of the many stupid things Mark remembers doing was to upset Bill McCandless. He’d shown some totty round the engine room and let her wear his earmuffs, which then stank of her perfume. When Bill came down in the morning he said "Who's been having women in my engine room? in only the way he could. Did he get a bollocking.
There’s more photos of Mark starting here.
Mark’s email address is marklbarnett@gmail.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Mark Gardiner
Courtesy of Greg Sinclair
This was taken on Arcadia around 1973. The lady is Greg Sinclair’s first wife's Aunt. There’s another photo of Mark in a cabin group photo in Steve Wedd's section. Mark was 4th Engineer on Oriana during 1970 & 1971. He later joined Arcadia as 3rd Engineer but we don't know any more.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Mark Proctor
I know this is a very poor photo and I've asked Mark to rescan it so hopefully we can do better later.
Mark
was an Electrician on the Bogey (Canberra), Oriana, Arcadia, Sun Princess
and Island Princess from 1977 to 1982. He was originally from Sutton,
Surrey and now lives in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
There's more of Mark here.
Mark's email address is mmproc@msn.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Mark Sawyer (aka The Bean)
Now Mark Sawyer is a definite one of a kind. They broke the mould after making Mark. He’s confident, cocky, intelligent, funny … he could have easily made a living as a stand up comedian. He’s also deep, sensitive and sincere and a better friend you could not wish for.
That’s Mark sitting in a lifeboat (with the other bloody slack Leckies while the real Engineers were down below on standby) as the Big O left Sydney. As it turns out it was actually my very last Sydney departure. That’s Bob Chambers on the right in the same boat.
Here’s Mark with Kevin Timms.
And here’s a motley crew, God knows where we were or what we were doing that day.
L-R:
Mark, Les Diffey, TT, Speedy and me. I wish I looked that slim now :)
Here’s a great shot that Mark sent me with him on the right doing something with Geordie John that only the two of them will ever know. The Barman, who I remember very well but can’t remember his name, also looks a little concerned :) You just had to be there!
Here’s another one of me in drag that Mark has so kindly dragged out. I’ve got no idea where the wig came from of what that was all about. I didn’t think “the finger” was invented then. Maybe I invented it!
Above is Mark as he looks today. He hasn’t changed one iota and not just physically but he’s still the same life and soul of the party. The photo was taken at our first official Reunion Dinner in Fremantle on the 5th April 2003. That’s Mark’s beautiful wife Veronica on the right and Garry Stewart almost making it into shot on the left. Mark’s actually talking to Geordie John Atkinson at that moment who was at home in Sydney at the time. We passed the phone around and all had a chat with him which was the first time I’d spoken with Geordie for 28 years.
Mark’s done very well for himself professionally and is currently the Business Development Manager for Ausclad Group of Companies here in Perth. Those Chilli Mussels look good Mark!
Photo courtesy of Steve Borrill
The above shot was taken 9th March 2006 down the Engine Room of the MV Oriana during it’s visit to Fremantle. Mark looks fitter and younger every time I see him. I’m sure he must have signed a pact with the Devil.
There’s more photos of Mark here, here, here, here,
Mark's just made the Perth newspapers so it's only fitting to share his continued success.
Mark’s email address is msawyer@ausclad.com.au
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Mark Underwood
No photo yet!
Mark was a crew member on the ss Oriana 1982-83
Mark's email address is mlu101@yahoo.co.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Martin Egan (aka Slim)
I don't know much about Martin yet other than this photo was taken on Oriana in the early 80's before an Island Night. You can see the whole photo here.
Martin's email address is meganqed@gmail.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Martin Harris (aka Chopper)
Martin was an Electrical Officer on Oriana in the 70's. You can see the group that the above photo was cut from here.
There's more of Chopper starting here.
Martin's email address is hudi@aapt.net.au
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Martin Mullen
Martin joined the Orcades on the 4th September 1971 and did the trip to Oz via the Cape followed by Ozzy cruising. They spent Christmas near Darwin and had to be quarantined for a couple of days in Brisbane because of suspected smallpox outbreak which fortunately turned out to be a false alarm. The Orcades was a very popular ship with expats and Ozzy cruising. She nearly sank in Fiji when a 3 ft section of cast iron pipe disintegrated and flooded the engine-room before they had chance to shut-off the side valves.
This photo above shows some of the Engineers at Captains cocktails. Dave Lund is on the extreme right and Martin is the 3rd from the right. Unfortunately he can’t remember the names of the other guys. Maybe someone can help there.
The shot above is a BBQ in Fiji and is basically the total of the engine and deck 8-12 with some day workers. The chap with the flower in his hair is the boiler-room 4th Garry Kerr.
The Tonga shot shows the engine room 8-12 watch with Garry's girl friend. Dave Lund (JE) is in the foreground and David Ferguson with a 3rd Engineer that Martin can't remember.
Martin left the Orcades in February 1972 and joined the Uganda in Naples on the 3rd March 1972 and left her in Greenock on the 20th June. Martin considers Uganda to be the best run, most efficient passenger ship of all the 3 he sailed on. He thinks the fact that she carried 700 school children as well as the 300 cabin class passengers helped to focus minds and as I was on her sister ship, Nevasa, I can concur with that.
Martin was called back to the Orcades in August for her last UK cruise because the Chief and Second wanted people who knew her to get her through her last days. Her tanks were rotten and the FW double-bottoms were contaminated with fuel oil. It was a struggle but she made it. He last saw her lying in the new docks in Southampton waiting for her trip to Kaohsiung.
Martin then joined the Spirit of London during her building on the 10th October 1972. She had been launched and was lying alongside the fitting out birth in La Spezia. He left the Spirit in July 1974 following a very happy time in his life and one he looks back on with fondness and mirth.
Above is the cast of a music hall show of which Martin is the one being sat on :)
Above is Martin picking up ice flows in Glacier Bay
Above is Martin on the left and Dave Harbinson tells me that’s Peter Pallas (Deceased) in the middle and I’m told it’s Paul Hill with the Carling Black Label in his hand. It’s a very long time since I tasted one of those. They were getting a lifeboat ready for a picnic. Great times.
Harbo tells me that’s Ian Brown (now Chief Eng) on the left but Peter Pallas says it’s Tony Dyson (2RO) ... any takers? Sorry Dave but Martin tells me it’s definitely Tony Dyson. They both agree the other is Peter Sara (AE) (lecturer at Soton College last Dave heard).
This one’s called ‘The three 3rds’. Dave thinks that the guy in the middle is a young Peter Chester and Peter Pallas agrees with that and adds it’s Mike Brogden on the left and John Hill on the right.
Martin remembers it was taken on San Tarenzo (approximate spelling) beach in Italy. Google suggests he may mean San Lorenzo beach. Anyway, Martin confirms that Pete Pallas is right, left to right its Mike Brogden, Pete Chester and John Hill. Broggy was an old Passenger-ship hand but Pete and John were drafted in from the Cargo ships because they had motor tickets. Quite how or why Pete (aka Bonz) is displaying such a magnificent colour one can only speculate. Too long in the bar perhaps?
There’s more photos of Martin here, here,
Martin’s email address is mulmech@msn.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Martin Peek (aka Peeky)
Courtesy of Paul Carney
Martin was J2EO in this shot.
There's more of Martin starting here.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Martin Pickles (aka Wilf)
Martin writes;
This is me; wish I still had as much hair as I did then, but glad I got rid of those 70’s glasses!!.
This is Geordie (Ian) Jennings and me doing a bit of boiler bashing.
One of the boys in full Island night attire.
L-R:
Ian Geordie Jennings, Brendo O'Donoghue, Wilf and Brian Big Ball Richardson.
There's more of Martin starting here.
Martin's email address is mpickles@chariot.net.au
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Marty Elliot (aka Mad Marty)
Marty emailed me for the first time yesterday (Monday 8th August 2005) and he’s still at sea. He’s Chief Technical Officer on the MV Arcadia and he’s going to be sending me some photos in October when Paul Clasby relieves him. I sailed with Marty and Paul on the Big O 30 years ago and I’m looking forward to getting something I can post about them both soon.
Here’s Marty standing on the left at the Oriana’s Port Engine controls with Bill Wilson in the middle and I don’t know the other guy.
All good things come to those who wait … I’ve finally got some great photos from Marty :)
Here’s Marty wearing the very famous Red Garter Club (San Francisco) hat that’s had a few bites out of it … as you do.
here’s Mike Jack doing what we all love.
I only recognize 2 of these 5 and that’s Speedy in the middle and Oakesy on the right. Maybe someone can name the other 3. Don Cole believes the guy with the hat on the left is Brian North. Any takers? Andy Ball has confirmed the guy on the left Steve (Slimey) Allen who was his mate and a Cadet at the same time as him.
Above is Steve Green and Mike Jack on the bed.
Now that’s Les Diffey with the OMO and Vodka bottle (don’t ask) and Mike Jack in the middle and Dai with Pooh but I don’t know the others. Don Cole has also named the guy in the front with the beard as Pat the Hat.
Well blow me down with a feather. Nick Williams (aka Taffy) wheeled in … two at once !!! Onya Taffy.
Above is Taffy on the left, Ginger John in the middle and Bunny on the right but I don’t know anything about Bunny so maybe someone could tell me about him.
Above is a very rare photo indeed … one with GOD in it (aka Toni Mazonowicz). It was taken in Mazo’s cabin in 1977 when he presented Marty with wedding gift after a whip round. They also got a beer out of him. Amazing !!
And finally this one really confused me. I’m thinking why have Marty and Paul Clasby being presented with gold medals? But then it dawned on me that the girl in the middle is Kelly Holmes (British Olympic Champion) and they’re holding her medals … durrrr.
Great shot Marty.
There's more photos of Marty here,
Marty’s email address is mart@chestnutgrove.co.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Michael Blaskewicz aka Blaster
Courtesy of Geoff Kimber
Blaster in the Uganda Flue!
Courtesy of Geoff Kimber
Blaster being trained in the art of the squeezebox in Roger Marshall’s cabin on Uganda.
There's more photos of Blaster here
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Michael Cavanagh
Michael writes;
After passing out from
Gravesend Sea Training School in Denton, Kent I joined ss Iberia in 1971.
I was the Tourist Bell Boy. My fist trip was a 6 month world cruise. On my 2nd trip
I got rerated to Waiter/ABRS. I think that was her last trip as she left
Sydney she flew her paying off pennant. I then joined Canberra as first class
Waiter/ABRS and was Commodore Waitchers Tiger in 1971-72.
I lost touch with all my sea mates and would be very grateful if you can help me with this task. I am seeking a Peter Thickbroom, he was a bedroom steward on Iberia 1st class. At that time I was a bell boy. He had a brother on the same ship, his name is Colin Thickbroom, he was the 2nd butcher. Colin left Iberia to work at the Ford factory in Dagenham.
Michael's wish has been granted and you can see the reunion here.
Other mates .....bell boys; Paul Spock, Gail Mark, John ?, Bill ? ...
there was ten of us in our berth next to the bear pit. Anybody that remembers me or my ship mates please contact
me as I have to thank them for many happy memories.
Michael's email address is jester40@hotmail.co.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Mick Everson (aka Slaver)
Mick was one of those quiet ones who are always the worst. I mean that in the nicest sense. He knew how to have a good time and always joined in the fun but then he’d quietly disappear and be off cracking onto the women. His tall handsome rugged good looks meant he was right up there with the best of the wheelers but never boasted about. Quiet but deadly.
L-R
Front:
??, Glyn Dodson, Dave George, Mick Everson.
Back:
Charles Oxley, Ginger John Milner, Peter Gillespie (aka Goldfish)
That’s Mick with a friend :) and that’s Gavin Ash putting up the trimmings.
There’s more photos of Mick here, here,
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Mick Lemm
Dave Oakes recalls this about Mick;
"Mick was a big mate of Mark Sawyer's and mine and another Pompey dockyard man. Mick and I did our apprenticeship together and we joined up with P&O together. He was as mad as me, if not worse. During our induction course we were told that we would never sail together because we caused so much mayhem and they were right, we were never put on the same ship. He got the Arcadia and I got the Oriana. We had many adventures during our times on leave though but he didn't last more than 2-3 years at sea. He was mates with Jady Stevens, Willie Henry and the rest of the Scottish contingent. We drove up there one year to see the lads and if I could only remember the things we did I could write a book about that trip. He was the Best Man at my wedding and I've never forgiven him. I managed to hook up with him and a few other mates for 1 night on my last business trip to the UK."
There's another photo of Mick here, here and Oakesy has just spotted him here
Mick's email address is LmmMic@aol.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Mike Champkin
Mike writes;
I joined P&O as an engineer cadet in 1984, sailed
on the Sun, Island, Sky and Sea Princess till 1993 - leaving as 3EO - loved every second and would go back tomorrow!! Left to emigrate to Oz, became Chief Engineer on FPSO's off WA. Spent the last six years training along with my gorgeous girlfriend Sharon Griffiths (Bars Royal and Sea
Princess) to become wildlife veterinarians!! Worked with plenty of animals in my time so shouldn't be too hard!!
Great to see names like Dave Jewkes, Ian Marks, The Bopper and Mike Ramsey - all stand out in my memory as great mentors and men you could admire and aspire to be like.
The only photo of Mike is where the above was cut from here.
Mike's email address is mike.champkin@uqconnect.edu.au
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Mike Fitzgerald (aka Fritz)
Fritz writes;
I stumbled across this site and spent hours trawling through some old and happy memories of my time at sea. I was known as Fritz, given the name by David Grant, who was 4th in the boiler room on my first trip on the O. I worked onboard ORIANA and UGANDA as Junior-3/E/O from 79 to 84. There are plenty of people I recognise in the photos and the stories. I appear in a few of them, in Garry Wood's collection and also in some of Dave Jewkes' memories and in a few of the gearbox photos.
I was a cadet with P&O from 75-79 at Riverside, Liverpool with Neil Lindfield. I've seen Neil Lindfield's name mentioned on the website. I never sailed with Neil but believe he may have gone to Canberra. My first recollection of the Oriana was reporting as what I thought was Junior Engineer onboard early in August 79 to the 2nd engineer John Englefield's office, only to be reminded that I was 20 minutes late and that I still had a few weeks to go as a cadet. The Bopper had a way with him but I found him hard but fair and someone I had a great deal of respect for during my time onboard. You were there to work hard and play hard as I recall.
Looking at Garry Wood's memories, we have copies of the same events held up in the wardroom - I have pictures of you Garry with your Dracula teeth in. It was a Transylvanian night, where me and Sid Vicious got confused and went as transvestites - nobody told us!!! Do you remember that dance we all did sat one behind each on the floor, swinging from side to side? I have photos of that - Peam is at the front. I was stunned to hear of his passing. A very dry and funny guy indeed.
A few years ago now, my daughters were at nursery in Newcastle. One of the ladies who worked there announced one day she was going to Australia to see her son. When she told me that he was on Oriana, I knew instantly who he was - a few of you will remember Steve Scott, one of the VO's. He and Scary Joe were good mates. Steve settled in Australia - Melbourne I think. We had a brief exchange of emails - in which he told me of Ken Willey's passing (again another shock). My first meeting with Ken Willey was when we were playing rugby on opposite sides as cadets during the inter college games. Joining the Oriana in '79, we then had a long stint on the 4-8 together with John Bates as J2 and David Grant in the boiler room. I have a photo of Ken Willey and Chris Lawton in the engine room of the O somewhere, one with a Fez on. I feel a trip to the loft coming on.
Then there was Graham Bond. Good to see you on this site Graham. Do you remember painting your cabin on the O with dolphins and other things you can paint out of various shades of blue and grey paint? Where did you get the paint? I have some photos of that too. Do you also remember pouring out in a sewage treatment tank Graham? The manholes covers fell closed as I recall and everyone retired to your cabin to drink your booze. I recall you doing a long stint in the sewage farm on hotel services, following me and the Aussie guy with the beard called Bruce (a very quiet fella was Bruce but a great observer of human nature).
Also in some of Garry's photos, I recognise one big lad. He was a VO onboard. He's not named but I think he was called Mark - a big lad with black hair from London somewhere. A real gentle giant. We called him Rocky. Onboard around late 79-80. There was another lad called Mark Steel from Manchester - a boxer as I recall.
Then there was Dougie Beveridge, who I'd heard a lot about but who flew into my cabin in Soton one day looking for someone in our first introduction. Had a cough and a laugh in the style of the William Tell Overture as I recall and astounded everybody by suddenly acquiring a smoking jacket for after watch beers one day. Do you remember the Krankies onboard Dougie? Does anyone else remember them? We had many parties down the cabins with them - I have a signed photo somewhere. We all had a great time. Still can't believe what I saw one night in the disco.
I remember the Bopper of course, and big Stewie Drew getting bashed by the huge plastic mallet he'd bought him as a Christmas present.
My first line voyage was in November-December 79. We had great time on day work with Steve Stroud and another lad with very dark hair, unnamed in one of the Garry Wood photos. I'll have a think if I can put a name to it - an electrician from the south coast I think (Pompey dockyard?). Another guy in those photos was a scouse(?) electrician called Tony Carolan. Steve - I still practice your moves in front of a mirror. I remember you nearly electrocuting yourself at the top of a hatch one day. Priceless.
When we got to Sydney, I was put on the 8-12 watch, Mr Jewkes as 3rd and Cliff Merwood in Boiler Room. not sure who else was 5/E/O - it may have been Ken again. I wasn't sure how this was going to work because the only words I'd exchanged with Jewksie before this was over a boxing up job on a small heater I'd done on the 4-8 - just the little matter of my leaving the valve out! Anyway, what followed was a truly memorable period of 8-12 with Mr Jewkes and the gang. I met up with a girl called Linda Brown - someone else from a previous era would also know her I believe (Cliff Merwood, can you remember who it was?). I went to Oz on leave to meet her but it didn't work out - had a great holiday up the coast though. I have a picture of Cliff Merwood in front of the waterfront restaurant somewhere. Julie, my wife and our girls were in Oz on a tour the summer before last and had a few days in Sydney - good to see the Orient still there but my, the Rocks have changed. We had an absolute hoot that Christmas cruise and there followed many watches with jewksie. Dave, do you remember 2 English lasses we couldn't get rid of on an 8-12? We locked our cabin doors eventually to keep them out after watch (the silly things you do when you are young!) Good to see your contribution to this site - you haven't changed.
Then there's Roddy McConnel. We did many an officer's revue together - one finger one thumb, ballet. I recall Paul Fletcher standing on a drawing pin one night during a performance of the latter. Again, Garry Wood's photos bring these back - "hand me down that pair of jeans" comes to mind Garry - Ian Stoker and his banjo. Fletch is the lad with the blacked out face in your photos of Transylvanian night. Another one who I think ended up in Oz. Do you remember shaving your beard off one day Roddy - you looked like Frank Cannon.
There followed a spell - no, a very long spell - on the 12-4 watch in the boiler room of the Oriana, blowing tubes and fixing gearboxes. Then there followed a long spell in refit - in the boiler room, fixing sootblower lances, then another long spell in the boiler room, on 12-4. Then I got off and onto daywork, went mad one night with drink and turned up poorly the following day. After being given my job by Dave Turner, I went to the loo and fell asleep for a few hours, just below the cross alleyway where they used to prepare the veg (anyone on hotel services will remember Greg's emporium where you could get a delicious burger). Do you recall an elderly midshipman (?) who set the clocks at midday - we always met him in the cake shop. Sadly died onboard and was buried at sea somewhere of San Fran.
Geoff Kimber - good to see your contribution here Geoff. I well remember the trip up to North Shields on the Uganda after the Falklands War, my first ever trip to the north east - I still pop down that way regularly on a Saturday morning to walk the dog on the beaches, for fish and chips from Kristians and to get some fresh fish for our tea. I recall the pub just outside the dock gates - the Woolsington - I now live in Woolsington, just below the airport north of Newcastle. Your comments - "few knew how the thing worked" - rings so true. I was on 12-4 with Malcolm Dann, who did. I'd come off leave after doing my second's ticket in Cardiff - end-tightened blading anyone - to join the ship in Soton. I also recall those leaking boiler header doors - they were in a right mess. I have some very funny memories of that time in South Shields - someone welding the Mate's bike to the deck and the "anti-government feeling" which may be present in the yard as a result. I recall the Merchant Navy Hotel across the river and asking the receptionist out one night, only to be refused. "Don't you like seafood?" I asked her. "I love seafood" she replied. Oh well, if you don't buy a ticket.... Do you remember the old shoreside guy they put in the engine room, tasked with unclogging the cyclone soot separator up in the funnel? I will always remember his screams "3rd, 3rd...", charging up through the soot fall to find him stood with a sack under the newly opened up flange, trying to catch 3 tonnes of shiiiite! I also remember a few of us sat on one of the large pink/orange sewage clack valves at the bottom of the engine room one night, all opened up and trying to clear it. What a night that was - and a great pourout followed.
A few trips on the Uganda - anyone remember Mr Mal's curries? I have the recipe somewhere. Laurie Bradley, and of course Dave Oakes - see later. I spent months on day work with Oaksie on the Uganda after the ship was re-requisitioned by MOD. I think also Ken Worsfold, who I'd also done hotel services with on Oriana. Fridges for the troops seemed to be the order of the day. I recall P&O very worried about how we might behave down there. so what did they do? A shoreside expenses tab? No. Dancing girls/boys? No. We got airfix models, wooden boat models, lots of darts, barbecues and of course the art appreciation course. It was all brilliant stuff - who'd have thought we would take to it? It was there that I learned to squint my eyes at the Impressionist paintings and learned about the brilliant reflection in the mirror of the Amalfi wedding (?). Who'd ever thought this would happen. Did anyone become a vicar after all that? The reverse osmosis plant shaking itself to bits and flooding out the doc's drug store, finding an expert stainless steel welder in the crew was a life saver. On my last trip on the Uganda, it was decided that we would have a purge of all leaks down below and save some feed water - and that this would be followed by a huge drinks session, courtesy of someone else. Unfortunately, we got it the wrong way round - but a good few hours down below in Ascension Island before paying off was no obstacle to us getting the job done. Happy happy times - and of course being dumped on the tarmac at the far end of the airport in Africa (Dakar?) - courtesy of the paras.
Mr Oakes - how wonderful to see your contribution to this site. I well remember your wedding, though sadly have forgotten the name of your wife. It was on the same day that Prince William was born as I recall. Mick Lemm was there, a very shy pensive man as I recall, as was Ginger John and numerous others who I cannot recall. I was also at your stag night - though don't remember much about it. Strangely - as the brain does - you had a mate who was a PE trainer in the prison service. Don't remember it? Well you did, it's in my brain so it must be true! Not a bloody clue how these things stick around in the old grey matter. Did we go to Pompey for the night - and a curry? I remember a pier somewhere - oh no, not Isle of Wight was it? You lived in Chandler's Ford didn't you? Don't remember? Well you did cos it's in my brain so must be true! The last time we spoke you were on your way abroad to work somewhere, not sure where now - southern Europe? That time down in the South Atlantic travelling between Ascension and Falklands could have been enough to send us all over the top but thanks to the steadying influence of people like your good self, we came through it unscathed. I remember helping you make an audio tape to your loved one one day. It involved a lot of screaming, banging and the crumpling up of chocolate box plastic. Did you ever send it to her? One other memory I have is of a silhouette of 2 soldiers doing some odd things to each other behind the funnel one moonlit night - by the time I called the wardroom out (TB et al), they'd scarpered. Strange, strange ship indeed. Someone mentioned the ghost of the Oriana - some odd things on the Uganda too.
Out of the engine room, I have memories of Caroline Brown, a WAP, Sue of course, another called Sue Thomas I think who was part Welsh but lived in London (black hair - anyone recall her?) There was a deck guy called Dick - I think we had some WAP man certificates made up - just for him (Dave Jewkes will recall this guy - he spent loads of time with us on 8-12 Dave). There was Hilke Hasenkampf and Sandy Elson, Barbara the deck officer I recall and also an RO called Jeneatte who married a fellow RO called Chris (blond hair). I met them on the Oriana around 1981-ish and we were on the Uganda together.
I went back to the Oriana for a trip or 2, though really my time to leave was long overdue. I loved my time at sea but felt for me, it was time to move on. Leaving was not without its problems as one or two of those on the site may recall but I dusted myself down and now have a wonderful life. No less though, I have some wonderful memories of that time and the people I met and will make contact with one or two in the coming months. A couple - Paul Mead and Ken Willey have sadly passed on. I knew Ken had died, no idea of the circumstances but was told heart failure. But Peam's demise was a great shock.
When I left the sea, I popped up to see Hilke Hasenkampf - who I'd met on the Oriana - up in Redcar. Also up there was Sandy Elson - I recall visiting Sandy too, somewhere up near Burton on Trent as I recall. After sea, I came up to Newcastle upon Tyne to do a degree in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding. The first year was a complete doss - 3 subjects a week, plenty of time to find my land legs again. I met my future wife, Julie - we were doing Physics together, her for her Dentistry degree. A year after I started my degree, a guy called Rob Murrison turned up to start a degree in Marine Engineering - he'd been a Junior on the Oriana during my last days. Some time after that, another lad called Mark (?) who'd spent a short time on the Oriana but then went on to the Princess ships started a degree. I think he was one who P&O had sponsored to do a degree around 1980-81. After graduating in 88, I went to work at VSEL in Barrow, initially getting co-opted into the SMITE turbine installation testing establishment there and then into the installation outfitting hall, where I met Don Cole again. I see Don you are still there and have moved upwards and onwards - all the very best. I note you are looking for Jim Angles. My recollection of Jim is waking him up one morning, he asleep on the bed in his uniform, the second call seeing him standing at his basin brushing his teeth in his boiler suit. Job boxed then - Jim was up. Jim turned up in the engine room 10 minutes later in his boiler suit - uniform still on underneath. I left VSEL after 6 months to join Shipboard Informatics / TMC (Marine Consultants).
I still work for TMC as a Naval Architect, based up here in Newcastle, where I develop software for shipboard use and shoreside simulations and look at modelling for various marine salvage cases we get involved in. I recall in my time at sea the Oriana hitting a sand bank coming out of Alexandria - I was in one of the shaft tunnels at the time and have never shifted so fast in my life. I know the Uganda ran aground there once didn't it? Coincidentally, we had a job come in last week involving a container ship which had run aground there. Some things never change! I've been married to Julie, a dentist, since 1986 and we have 2 beautiful daughters, Emily who's doing GCSE's this year and Megan who has just started at High School. We live just below Newcastle Airport, which is a bit handy at times, in Woolsington. It's been a long time of self imposed exile from all things P&O.
Mike's email address is mikefitzgerald1@btinternet.com
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Mike Fatchen
Commodore Fatchen is currently captain of the Pacific Princess and can be seen here with Darko Paluncic (Senior 1st Engineer Officer).
L-R
Commodore Fatchen, Igor Delpin VO, Margaret Louise Macdonald (Ship's Navigator 1 Off), William Davies (SETO), and Darko Paluncic Senior 1st Engineer Officer.
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Commodore Fatchen's birthday with all in the background.
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Mike Goulding (aka Magic Mick)
I can’t say I knew Magic Mick. The same goes for all the senior officers really. They kept themselves to themselves most of the time and if you weren’t actually on their watch (3rds) then you hardly got to know them and J2s and above were Gods and you were only too pleased to keep out of their way. There were a few exceptions.
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Mike Hayes
No photo yet!
Mike recalls;
Great to find this web site with so many names I associate with my times at sea with Sun Princess, Sea Princess, Canberra, Oriana and Arcadia. A lot of the guys may remember my outfit Mike Hayes quintet or my former band mates in Jack duff quintet, Mark Stevens Set 1975-1984 cruising with P&O and Princess Cruises. I would love to hear from ex ents staff, musos and soccer team members of the SUN.
Mike's email address is hayes520@suddenlink.net
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Mike Hawkesworth
The above photo was taken on the Island Princess around 1980 and shows Mike just to the left of Captain Philip Jackson (center talking on the mic), between Ian Tomkins and Steve Morton-Smith. Mike joined the Orient Line as a Cadet Purser in 1960 and served at sea until 1995, his last appointment being as Purser of Crown Princess. He then came ashore as Princess Cruises Hotel Operations Director, New Buildings until he retired in March 2004. Lucky man
There's a great shot of a very young Mike and a connecting trail of Mike's career starting here.
Mike’s email address is hawkesworthmichael@hotmail.com
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Mike Hitch
Mike
is in the middle at the back of this photo and he was a Deck Cadet and then 3/0 on the following ships;
1984 ss Uganda (troop carrying to/from the Falklands)
1985-1986 ss Oriana - did the last cruise into Sydney which was very sad.
1986-1988 tev Canberra
1988 mv Royal Princess
Mike left P&O in 1989 to seek other employment elsewhere but has very happy memories of the whole experience.
The above picture is from the Canberra around 1987.
L to R:
Terry Smullen Cox’n, Mike Hitch 3/0, Steve Young 1/0.
(Unknown Deck Crew)
There's more of Mike here and here.
Mike email address is MHitch@goldenfleet.com
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Mike Howard
No Photo Yet
Mike was one of the engineers who took Himalaya to Taiwan for her final resting place in 1974.
Mike's email address is howard@bigpond.net.au
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Mike Jack
Mike and I were good mates. We were on watch together quite often and got on well. I’ll never forget the time when he and I were singled out by Bruce Waller to crawl under the Starboard Turbine (while it was running and bloody hot) to scrape away all the burnt Asbestos lagging that was left after the fire. An oil pipe had burst and sprayed the lagging which soon came to flash point and wumpah, the whole Starboard Turbine was on fire. I’ve never been so scared in my life when we opened the Engine Room door leading down the stairs and plumes of black smoke billowed out and we had to go down there. We did what we had to do of course and Mike & I were left to clean up the mess. I don’t know how may lung fulls of Asbestos fibres I swallowed that day but I’m sure it’s not helping the Bronchial Pneumonia I’m suffering now which has given me the time to work on this website.
That’s Mike on the far right then me, Toby Tompkins and Dirty Harry. Look how much beer’s left in Dirt Harry’s glass compared to the rest of us and they were all bought together. That’s the first time I’ve noticed that.
Even though this may not look like it, we did actually work down below … sometimes. This was Christmas Day 1975 and that’s Mike on the far left, don’t know the next guy, me with the Red Garter Bowler Hat on, don’t know the next guy, Dirty Harry on the right with the lantern and Dave Oakes being carried. Dave was actually too pissed to stand up and a few minutes later he was asleep on the plates.
That’s Mike in the middle pouring beer in his ear. We drank so much it was hard sometimes to remember where to pour it. That’s me on the right and Don Cole reminds me the guy in the Uganda Tee Shirt is Andy Ball.
This is Mike now. He hasn’t changed one iota. I can’t believe how I look so different and most of my old Sea Dog Mates look just the same. I believe this shot was at the completion of the new deck that Mike made himself. Good job Mate, you can come to my place with your joinery kit anytime.
This is Mike in Antarctica. He went for some reason to do with his work. Unfortunately I lost the email explaining the reason in an earlier Computer crash. What a fabulous opportunity.
Mike lives in New Zealand, New Plymouth to be exact and has been threatening a trip to Perth in the near future which we’re really looking forward to.
Here’s a great, and very recent, shot of Mike with Celia Cowan (now Chester) on her recent visit to New Zealand.
Here’s a very recent shot of Mike’s wife Barb on the left and his gorgeous daughter Kymberley on the right and that’s John Englefield’s wife Pippa in the middle.
There’s more photos of Mike here, here, here, here,
And there's some great photos taken by Mike in his new section Mike's Memories.
Mike’s email address is mikejack@xtra.co.nz
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Mike Lavery (aka Mick or Janner)
Himalaya in 1967
Mike recalls;
I spent three happy years on the P&O
ss Himalaya between 1967 and 1970 immediately after leaving the army. I was a ship's writer in the
Pursers Bureau and made some good mates during my time at sea. I have already tracked down Brian Richards
(2nd Butcher) and fellow Cornishman, Mervyn Huckstepp also a writer, Bill Gaade
(Carpenter) and recently Violet Jardine (WAP) popped up out of the blue. I live in Germany but am originally from Falmouth, Cornwall. We had a few Janners on board who kept the flag flying for the Duchy of Cornwall. Would be pleased to hear from any of the old gang still out there.
Mike email address is
MrLavery1@aol.com
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Mike Maskell (aka The Bear)
Mike sailed with P&O from 1967 to 1971. He started as J/E/O and finally finished as 3/E/O. He sailed on the Cathay ,Chusan, Iberia and the Pando Strait.
The above two photos were taken in 1967 on the Cathay
and this is Mike now in 2007, 40 years on, much wiser and better looking. He lives in Sydney and works for himself as a Boiler Surveyor.
One for the motor men, mv Somali rounding the Ocean Terminal Hong Kong.
Cathay and a Strath boat (not sure which one) tied up at the Ocean Terminal in Hong Kong.
Mike thought this might be Orcades in Sydney which evoked this amazing information from Alan MacKenzie;
"The two rather nice pics of "Orcades" at Circular Quay courtesy of Mike Maskell, are in fact Oronsay (at least I'm 99% sure). In the second of the two you can just see Oronsay's single heavy mast (as opposed to Orcades' tripod structure), also Orcades had a row of square open ports forward of, and on a level with, the aft mooring deck, whereas Oronsay did not and finally, the aft end of Orcades' funnel casing had quite a sharp slope to it, whereas Oronsay's was flat and squared off. So yes, on second thoughts, I'm 100% sure this is Oronsay, not 99%!"
Thanks Alan.
Canberra arriving in Auckland
Mike's sent in some great photos of Chusan and various photos in Chusan Groups.
Mike's email address is michael@mrmaskell.com.au
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Mike Ramsay (aka The Ram)
Mike comes under the category I mentioned earlier … he was Jesus. He used to scare the pants off me but fortunately I managed to stay out of too much trouble and missed facing his wrath.
I believe he’s still with P&O and has attained the dizzy heights of Commodore of the Fleet. Congratulations Mike. Oh, that’s Mike seated 5th from the left sitting on the right of God (Toni Mazonowicz).
There’s more photos of Mike here, here, here,
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Mike Robbins (Deceased)
Courtesy of Celia Chester
Mike was Entertainments Director on Oriana.
And this is what he looks like now at the grand old age of 80. Seen here with Celia Cowan (now Chester) who used to be the Senior Officers' Secretary on the homeward bound in 1976 and had spent hours in his office taking dictation and laughing her socks off at his antics. In October 2008 Celia went to see a show featuring Mike's daughter Kate who is quite well known in the UK and Mike was in the audience.
This is Kate Robbins, being the 2nd cousin of Sir Paul McCartney (Kate's grandmother, Annie McCartney and Paul's Father, Jim McCartney were brother and sister) meant that Kate was born into a long musical tradition, references to her parents Bett and Mike Robbins are in the Beatles anthology - Mike being the first "show business person" that John Lennon and Paul McCartney knew when they were teenagers - booking them to perform in his pub and billing them as The Nurk twins. Paul McCartney employed Kate as a backing singer many years later on the album Press To Play.
Mike can be heard on a recording of Oriana's Sunset Sounds here.
Sadly Mike passed away on the 16th February 2009 and his tribute can be seen here.
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Mike Smith
Mike was an engineer on Cannanore from 1969-1970, Oronsay from April 1970 to December 1971 and Canberra from August 1972 to January 1979.
I was very pleased to meet Mike's son Ian when visiting Dave Jewkes on the new Oriana in Fremantle on 9th March 2006.
Ian is 2nd Engineer on the new O and a really nice guy.
Here's a great family shot of Mike with his lovely wife Christine who was a WAP on Oronsay in the early 70's and their very cute granddaughter. Wow, doesn't Ian look like his Mum.
The first picture of Mike above was cut from a great group shot that Mike sent in of the Oronsay Engineers of 1971 which can be seen here and there's another photo of Mike in the Canberra wardroom.
After leaving P&O in 1979
Mike joined Shell International, trained in Holland before postings to Oman (1980-86), Brunei (1986-89) and finally Aberdeen.
Mike writes;
My wife and I recently travelled on Oriana's Baltic Cruise in August, where we met up with our son Ian Smith 1/VO. We had a lovely cruise and attended David Jewkes' cocktail party.
I see here a Father very proud of his Son and a Son very proud of his Father ... brilliant stuff.
Mike's email address is michael@smithpoll.freeserve.co.uk
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Mike Thomas (aka Dad)
Courtesy of Geoff Kimber
Mike was 3rd Engineer on Uganda.
There's more photos of Mike here, here,
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Mike Williams
Mike Williams was a Junior Engineer/Refrigeration Engineer from 1967-71 and served on Chusan, Oriana and Iberia. The above photo was taken on ss Chusan in 1967.
Mike reflects:
"Wow I was so young, I can remember the photo being taken, but I can't remember being as slim as that, 22 years old ... WOW!! If only I could wish, and if only wishes really came TRUE!! Wouldn't there be a lot of happy people in this aggressive world."
Here's a great shot of Mike taken looking down onto ss Chusan berthed at Ocean Terminal, Hong Kong in 1967.
After leaving P&O Mike joined the Royal Marine Auxiliary Service commonly known as the RMAS. He was the 3rd Engineer on this rescue tug RMAS Cyclone. She was big..
Mike recalls;
I had some vary scary moments on her rescuing tankers and ships around the UK coastline and the English Channel. That was a completely different life, in fact the complete opposite to what I was used to on the passenger liners. 2 years service and a very worthwhile experience and another way of sailing the seas..
Here's Mike taken just yesterday (Sunday 5th August 2007) at his beautiful home in France.
Ditto
Again taken yesterday relaxing in the garden.
This is Mike's lovely French wife Jocelyne.
This is Mike's son Martial (pronounced Marcial) ... French name.
and I've already fallen in love with Mike's gorgeous daughter Victoria. WOW!
and here she is in Dubai in March 2007. Double WOW!
This is my best mate, he's a 9 years old French Poodle. His name is Fluffy and he's always with me 24/7, he even sleeps alongside me on the floor (he has a comfortable cushion) and he's a very important part of the family Williams. (ANTI STRESS) I call it...
Mike has recently visited Australia (Aug-Sep 2009) and couldn't keep away from the place we all know so well, Circular Quay...
... and Pyrmont. Great photos and gee you've lost some weight Mate. Doesn't that always happen under the circumstances, makes me want to do the same!
Mike's kindly sent in many more fantastic photos which I've added to his own new "Mike's Memories" section here.
Mike's email address is mikelewiswilliams@gmail.com
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Miskin (Mick) Rahman Samy (aka Sinbad)(Deceased)
Courtesy of Andy Ball
Sadly Stuart Drew has reported the tragic passing of Miskin. There's quite a few photos of him in the Oriana Groups 80's on section here.
A tribute to Miskin has been added the the Seadogs Departed section here.
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