Deck Boy M.V. Africa Palm First trip 8/8.57 to 16/11.57 then
Junior Ordinary Seaman - 2nd. Voyage 3/12/57 to 13/2/58
Both voyages to West Africa taking in Sierra Leone, the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, the Cameroons and Las Palmas
M.V. Amarna - Three Voyages from Liverpool all round the Mediterrenean Sea including ports in Sicily, Malta, Cyprus. Turkey, Syria, Egypt, The Lebanon, Israel, Tunisia and Libya Lasting from 12/3/58 to 27/8/58
M.V.Cape York - Served as Ordinary seaman from 11/9/58 to 23/12/58 on a voyage through the Panama Canal to Long Beach L.A. Portland Oregon, Vancouver and West coast ports of Canada up the creeks to load timber,
M.V.Sandalwood Joined on 10/2/59 in Heysham in a snowstorm at a very long jetty sailed out to Venezuela, Uruguay and Curacao returning to Liverpool, then out to Hong Kong, Borneo, the Persian Gulf and home on 19/5/59
M.V.Roscoe - Joined on 2/7/59 as Ordinary Seaman, Sailing for South America calling at Ricife, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Port Alegre, Buenos Aires, paying off in Hull 13/9/59
M.V.Tremayne E.D.H. From 2/10/59 until 13/3/60 A round the world voyage - Burmuda, Bahamas, Cuba, Florida,Panama, Mexico, Japan, Australia, South Africa. ( See my story.)
S.T.S. Athelchief - another tanker - Joined in Birenhead 9/4/60 out to New York then running between the Maracaibo Lakes and Aruba and Caracas. Paid off in Falmouth 29/7/60
S.S.Bidford Priory - Signed on this tanker for her maiden voyage in Liverpool on 13/10/60 a couple of trips to the Persian Gulf paying off in Tilbury 20/12/60 (Arrested for murder on this one - see my story).
M.V.Sussex Trader - 24/1/61 To Casablanca, South Africa, Japan, Australia, home via the Suez. (Saw St. Elmo`s fire for the first time on this voyage) Paid off in Rotterdam 8/7/61
M.V.Tasmania Star - 21/7/61 to 31/12/61 Able seaman to New Zealand. all round the coast (Bluff in the South Island - nearest pub there to the South Pole) Working ashore at times loading frozen lamb carcases onto ships.
M.V.Cato - I joined on the 7/1/62 as A.B. She was in built Goole in 1946. She came to an untimely end on 24/4/63 , when she was rammed and sunk by Ellerman Line`s M.V. City of Brooklyn whilst berthed in Avonmouth Docks. She was subsequently raised and towed to Newport, where she was broken up. Earlier, in 1957, whilst entering the River Avon under tow, the Cato ran down and sank her tug, the Sea Prince.
I Ieft her on 12/5/62 to study for My Mate H.T. Passenger Ship Certificate.
M.V.Milo - I Signed on her first on 2/8/62 as A.B. for a few weeks to make some cash before resuming my studies - I subsequently sailed on her as 2nd. Mate and then 1st.Mate for a few years during the 60`s. tramping all round the U.K. and Ireland, the Continent and Bay of Biscay ports.
I obtained my Mate`s `Ticket` then joined the M.V.Uskport in Dublin 10/12/62 as 3rd. Mate - sailing to Huelva and Casablanca paying off in Cork 15/1/63 During the severely cold winter of that year.
S.S. Leicesterbrook - Coasting U.K. and Continent - Signed on as 2nd. Mate on 24/1/63 later promoted to 1st.mate until I left her on 26/7/63
S.S. Rudry - another steamer, (originally the Lincolnbrook) joined as Chief Officer on 13/8/63 `till 19/12/63 - U.K., Ireland Continent and Spanish Biscay ports.
M.V. Apollo - 22/1/64 This was the start of my 16 years with Bristol Steam Navigation Company. I was 3rd. Mate then a few months later promoted to 2nd. Mate leaving only to sit for my Master`s Home Trade Passenger Ship certificate which I passed on the 16/8/65 - I also served on the M.V. Juno, M.V.Pluto, on the`Guiness` run - Dublin to Bristol as well as the `Dido` and the `Hero`
APOLLO
I reckon that I loved my work with energy and pride,
Aboard the old Apollo until our trade just died,
Redundant in my prime, my life could not redeem,
That’s the only reason I left the Bristol Steam.
It’s well I do remember that black and awful day,
When the Owners gave me orders to take my ship away,
They sold her to some foreigners so ending up my dream,
And flew a different house flag of unfamiliar green.
I sailed with other companies that answered to my call,
Losing touch with loyal crew - I missed them one and all,
I was the man that led the band with mighty high esteem,
But I remember now the good old days aboard the Bristol Steam.
M.V.Echo - I achieved my ambition of becoming Master with Bristol Steam before I was thirty years old.
I took over the M.V.Echo as Captain on 14/6/71
`Apollo` after being `jumboised`. Our berth at `N`shed Avonmouth.
`Apollo` at N Shed.
Drill Ship Pholas - Master from 30/6/80 to 1/10/80 when ship sold.
October 1980 Master M.V.Frederik M
15/11/80 - 24/11/80 Master M.V. Maythorn
18/6.80 - 30/6.80 Master M.V.Gorsethorn
10/12/80 to 2/2/81 Master M.V.Quickthorn
Grab Dredger `CLIFTON` on the `grid` at Bristol. Served as Master several times from `82 untill I took her round to London and delivered her to foreign buyers on 3/10/84
S.D.Severn - Master - Various times between 24/8/82 and 26/8/91 then the ship was laid up.
S.D.Severn
Avongarth
I joined CORY TOWAGE as Master - on !st. November 1991 - this was one of my favourites.
Avongarth
My Endeavour crew; Chris Winters, Jimmy Green,
Me and John Davidson
Sea Endeavour with a `bone in her mouth`
Towing a Warship - Note my tug (Avongarth) is connected bow -to- bow eg. stern first.
Shoving an air-craft carrier
Placing an Air-craft carrier in the locks at Royal Portbury.
Avonmouth docks in the background.
Joe Earl
Hi Peter - Yes and I remember the smuggling case-
Cheers Joe
Peter David
I was Bosun of the Dredger 'Clifton' Joe. That must have been when after you brought her round to London. Had a few years on her 'til owners got nicked for serious drug smuggling in '88..
Joe Earl
Hi Jeff - I did it the other way round - left Blue Star ( Tasmania Star ) then joined the Cato
Jeffery Richards
I sailed on the Cato as 3rd engineer. Lost my personal gear when she was sunk. Joined Blue Star Line after that.
Joe Earl
Hi Conner - I knew Gabriel very well I was Mate with him on several ships including the Apollo and Milo also the Juno - nice to hear from you.
Conor Murphy
Great to see the pictures of the Bristol ships. My dad was Captain Murphy on the Apollo amongst others.
Joe Earl
Yes - I knew Dougie very well along with so many other fine seamen who have now crossed the bar !
Steve Davidson
I imagine you knew my late Father, Dougie Davidson of Bristol MNA. We have lived in Falmouth the last 13 years, and I notice Falmouth turns up a number of times in dad's discharge books.
Callum C. Ives
Hi Julian, I was searching for a pic of MV Gorsethorn to put on my historic lifeboat website. Dad was Captain of her in 1979 & we put into Mousehole for urgent repairs to her main engine! Callum Ives
Tony b
Clifton
Hi,I also worked on the clifton, started in 84 just after it came from Bristol. The clifton worked in and around the Thames for a year or so, dredging berths mainly.
Terry
Very interesting, great photos.
Just stumbled across it whilst "googling" tramp steamers.
Terry
Brisbane
Australia
Joe EARL
Thank You Adrian - Me too - Cheers Joe
ADRIAN Tremlett
What a brilliant read joe
Thinking of dad all through
Doreen Lindegaard
Thank you, that's very kind of you. I will have to add another chapter! The project began when I found a list of Bristol seamen POWS stranded in Germany in WW1. It grew!
Joe EARL
Hi Doreen - I would be pleased and honoured for you to use any of my work - Cheers Joe
Doreen Lindegaard
This is fabulous! I've just written a short history of some of the BSNC ships and seamen. Would it be possible to include your memories? And maybe some of the others who have posted. Thanks
Stuart fairclough
My last message should have been (after training on the vindicatrix my first ship was the cape York in 1963 and the milo in 65).
Stuart fairclough
Hello , I have just come across your website and i sailed on two ships that you did, the cape York was the first after training on the in 65.
Mike France
I am getting on now 71 years old, but I remember fondly signing on the Apollo in 1964.I was 17 & she was my first ship,very exciting to, we did Antwerp, then Rotterdam then,Plymouth & back home.
Mike Waight
Hello Joe, You might not remember me, I did a relieving job as 2nd mate on Apollo with you in June 1976. Excellent site and great career history.
John Stokes
Hi Karl I will dig them out and attempt to send them to you.How is the chap these days?
Regards John
Karl
Dad is well thanks, he lives on a narrowboat near stone, staffs at the moment, if you can find any photos that would be great! Steve’s email is narrowboat2@gmail.com if that helps, cheers karl
John Stokes
Just remembered to say I am away until Friday coming so wont send them until then.
Regards John
Karl
Hi! That’s great you remember him, could you email me any pictures please ? (Bertie372007@yahoo.co.uk)
I did research yesterday and think I found the “Clifton” in Spain, have 2 pictures
K. Slater
Hi! My dad was on the dredger “Clifton” years ago, I’m trying to get any photos/information so he can reminisce!
John Stokes
Hi Karl , yes I do remember Dad and have several pics. Of he crew and ship in the eighties until she was laid up in the old lock entrance prior to being sold.
Joe Earl
Yes I remember Steve - perhaps you will find more photos if you poke around on this web site - cheers Joe
corrie clipperton
hi dont no if you can help theres a gentlemen coming in my club he was on the m,v, uskport and wants to no what happen to the ship its was owned by rw jones of newport
Joe Earl
Regret I don`t know what happened to her - Sorry - cheers Joe
Bob Young
Great page
Dad was on bidford priory
Thankyou
Ginger Bosley
Fantastic site. Those were great days. Brought back many fine memories. Was on the Milo! Capt Murphy was a really good master and Cliff the Chef simply spoilt us. Dave Bosley Napier, New Zealand
Neil Harrison
Great site. As a footnote CLIFTON 6721917 was my brother's first ship - he joined her in Grays in 1985.
andy
Joined the Pholas in 85 to Africa and the Gorsethorne ( washing machine on slow spin ) and a few other Coe Metcalfe ships.
richard Delong
I joined mv echo straight from gravesend, the skipper was captain Jenkins, chief steward was Tom Childs that was in 1960. spent a year or two with her. before getting a shore job
Ros knight
Interesting to look back at the old ships. The Apollo,Cato.milo etc of .my father skippered some of them including the hero which was his last ship before passing away in 1963. Thankyou to those posti
david
Enjoyed reading that a lot! Brought back childhood memories of BSNC Ltd, and a lot more old ships I used to spend all day watching with my telescope from Walton bay. Thank you!
Bill Cook
N/a
Bill Cook
Was on the Sandalwood at the same time 7/1/59 till 24/5/59 gulf Borneo honk Hong we buried the skipper I think somewhere on the Red Sea
Joe Earl
Yes - we buried him in Port Sudan.
Joe
Please E-mail me at jearl28107@aol.com for info on Ian - thank you
Peter Myers
Would you get in touch concerning my old friend the late Captain Ian Reed-Boulton?
Joe Earl
Re Ian Reed-Boulton
tony quinn
Hi. I was deckboy on maiden voyage on bidford priory me an a guy called hopkins .i went in lifeboat in wilhelmshaven when taffy jumped over the side never been so cold in my life i was just 16 .
Joe Earl
Yes I was in that lifeboat too - the engine broke down and we were adrift for hours - we never found Taffy - regards Joe
John Stokes
Hi Joe just trolling the net and recognised that young lad by the name of Earl. I was deckhand on the Clifton when she was laid up in Avonmouth old dock.Many happy memories and photos of the crew.
Karl slater
Hi john, My dad Steve slater worked on the Clifton, do you know/remember him ? I’m trying to get hold of some different photos of the Clifton for dad, thanks
John Curry
I remember both the Apollo and the Echo when they would berth in Dublin. As a child I lived across from the berth in Dublin They were lovely ships. Later went on to become a marine engineer myself.
Grace Gardiner (nee Barnes)
Hi Joe
You became captain of the Apollo after my dad Capt George Barnes retired.
I have read some of your beautiful poetry. I would love to get in touch
Joe Earl
Hi Grace - Yes I remember you well - my e-mail is jearl28107@aol.com
please dont hesitate to be in in touch - Joe
Andy Destiny
Hi Joe
Met a Phoenix when you gave me your card.
Site really interesting to me as a modest Motor Cruiser Captain!
Morris Robertson
Hi Joe,I joined the MV Roscoe in 1960 and three trips on her before being transferred to the MV Ronsard as 4th Engineer.
Les Stubbs
Hi Julian
I'm interested to see you were on the Leicesterbrook.
My father was 1st mate on the ship from around 1948 -51 carrying coal from Goole to London.
bill burke
Hi Joe We met at Bristol branch Temple Meads you gave me a lift back to Portishead .Apollo was my last ship July 57 crushed between steel hatches
in Plymouth ,
john flint vindi boy
very interesting sounds like a very eventful and good life
Richie bradshaw
enjoyed your story if we could only do it all over again. how many lads say that .
one of my downfalls was that we never took any photos to look back on.
Tom Kirby
Your 1st 8 ships is very much my own story. I enjoyed browsing through the photo's. I think you done well. I stayed as able seaman.
Judy
Really interesting.