the seven seas magazine the official organ of the seven...
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THE SEVEN SEAS MAGAZINE
The Official Organ of the Seven Seas Club
Volume 10, No 9
Spring 2010
EDITORIAL:
I wonder how many of our Members are Boat Race fans. I have loved the spectacle for
as long as I can remember, and the closeness of this year’s race guarantees that I shall be
there again next year – dv. My only problem with the presentation was in the statistics of
weights and heights of crew-members – which were given in kgs and metres – without an
English translation! Next year I shall prepare a conversion chart (anybody want a copy?)
which may rule out my concluding (erroneously!!) that the Oxford No 5 weighs 25 stone
and is 3’8” tall.
“Thank you” once again, to the Magazine’s contributors. I hope you enjoy the mix of
articles – informative, sad, humorous, and heart-warming. Please keep them coming –
the more often you contribute, the more often a magazine can be produced.
I hope that you all enjoyed your “zero-calorie” Easter eggs, and hope that a fair number
of you will be able to attend several of the interesting functions that lie ahead.
As always, I wish good health, good fortune, and much happiness, to you and yours.
Barry Holland
Honorary Magazine Editor
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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
As my term of office draws to a close, I would like to thank all those who helped me to
find speakers, and the committee for helping me to steer a true course. Without you we
would not have had such an interesting year.
I would also like to thank you, the members, for attending our functions and for helping
to make this a very enjoyable and privileged Presidency.
Yours aye
Dominique Watson
President
Dinners and events
Here are some pictures from the Dinners and other events that have occurred since the
last magazine.
October started with the Annual National Sea Service for Seafarers at St. Paul’s
Cathedral. The Seven Seas always have allocated seats. Sadly this year we did not fill our
complement, however those 28 of us who did attend enjoyed a magnificent service.
Afterwards a number of us
repaired to the Lord Raglan
for a drink and bite to eat.
Sadly it was one of the last
events Ken Jeffries was to
attend with us (he did attend
the October and November
Dinners).
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Trafalgar saw 98 people attend with
Lt Cdr Mike Cheshire MBE RN
giving us a rendition of the Battle of
Trafalgar in the persona of Captain
Hardy.A very refreshing, entertaining
and poignant viewpoint.
At the dinner we were also privileged to
be able to entertain members from
Seven Seas Australia, John Strang, Tony
Grant and Lance Jones. They were all
presented with our Club tie.
Len Barlow was presented with the Chip Leonard Anchor.
Time moves on and soon it was November and I had the honour of being invited by the
Honourable Company of Master Mariners to lay the wreath at the Remembrance Day
Service at the Merchant Navy War Memorial on Tower Hill. It was a cold but dry day.
The service is very moving and very poignant for me, as my English grandfather served
in both wars, and was a Commanding Officer
on minesweepers 1940-44 earning a DSC.
The November Dinner saw Rear Admiral Bruce Richardson RN (Rtd) CB, FNI give us a
very interesting insight into the workings of the Thames and his involvement with the
Cambria Trust. Charles Sharp had uncovered some old photographs of the Cambria and
had given them to Bruce before the Dinner.
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Bob
Jones (who joins Commander Mankerty piping the President in) was presented with the
Chip Leonard Anchor
This has certainly been a year for seeing members
from the other Seven Seas Clubs. In early December
Commander Mankerty, his wife Julie, Hazel and I
met up with Michael Smith-Chandler and his wife
Jean who had been tasked with presenting us with a
letter and pennant by the president of the Seven
Seas Club South Africa (Simon’s Town).
Commander Mankerty in turn presented him with
one of our shields.
We had a very enjoyable few hours together and
hope that Michael may be able to join us for Dinner
at the NLC.
5
Christmas resulted in a sell out,
120 booked. It was also the
start of the snow. One of my
guests came up from
Broadstairs by car. It took him
5 hours to
get home. Amazingly he has
since become a member. The
meal was a tremendous success
as we had venison. A change
from the normal Christmas
fare, which was greatly
appreciated by the carnivores,
although I believe that the
vegetarians also had a nice
meal.
The tables were all
decorated with presents for
all the diners, ladies had
chocolates the men had eau
de toilette and each
table was named. As
there were more tables than
Father Christmas had
reindeer a little lateral
thinking was brought to play
adding ‘Elf’ as Father
Christmas’s helper and wherever you have ‘elf there is Safety! The lifeboat crew were on
the latter table. Can you name all the reindeer? [Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher,
Donner, Prancer, Rudolph, Vixen] Sadly the singing was rather poor by comparison with
previous years, as people were leaving to catch early trains due to weather disruption,
which in turn disrupted the proceedings. Oliver Woodman battled valiantly on as his
voice began to fail, as we had no microphone. Nevertheless everyone seemed to enjoy
themselves. We will have new Carol booklets for next year and we may offer a prize for
the best singing table!!!
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As is often the case after Christmas the January attendance was down, however we still
had 52. Our speaker was Bruce Mauleverer who is now Chairman of the Jubilee Sailing
Trust. He sailed us through the Seven Seas, tacked hither and thither and entertained us
all. He was so impressed with the
Club that he signed his
membership form there and then
and is now following in the
footsteps of several of our
previous speakers by becoming a
member of The Seven Seas Club.
We are very pleased to have him
aboard.
Charles Stock was presented with the
Chip Leonard Anchor.
The role of President is not all parties and jollities however, as I had the sad task, along
with Commander Mankerty, Len Barlow, Bill Richards, and Tim Sanders-Hewitt, to
attend two funerals of our members who slipped their mortal coil. Those of Richard
Searle in December, a good friend and long-standing member, and Ken Jeffries in
January, an active supporter of our dinners and events, as well as being a keen golfer and
involved locally with golf clubs, schools, and other organisations. Both will be sadly
missed and our prayers go with them as they make their journey.
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Dates for your Diaries 2010/2011
2010
Friday 30 April Ladies’ Night (NLC)
Thursday 27 May AGM Dinner (NLC)
Friday 11 June Cocktail Party in the House of Commons
Concluding with a tour of the crypt chapel.
Friday 16 July Ceremony of the Keys-The Tower of London
Saturday 31 July ‘Pimm’s on the Poop deck’ Ramsgate
A coach from the National Liberal Club will take
Members to Ramsgate for a visit to moored boats
belonging to Members of the Seven Seas Club.
Thursday 30 Sept Club Dinner (NLC)
Wednesday 13 Oct Annual National Seafarers’ Service at St Paul’s
Thursday 21 Oct Trafalgar Night Dinner (NLC)
Sunday 14 Nov Remembrance Service (Merchant Navy Memorial)
Thursday 18 Nov Club Dinner (NLC)
Thursday 16 Dec Christmas Party (NLC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2011
Thursday 27 January Club Dinner (NLC)
Thursday 24 February Club Dinner (NLC)
Thursday 24 March Club Dinner (NLC)
Friday 29 April Ladies’ Night (NLC)
Thursday 26 May AGM Dinner (NLC)
Thursday 29 September Club Dinner (NLC)
Wednesday 12 October Annual National Seafarers’ Service at
(St Paul’s)
Thursday 20 October Trafalgar Night (NLC)
Sunday 13 November Remembrance Service (Merchant Navy
Memorial)
Thursday 17 November Club Dinner (NLC)
Thursday 22 December Christmas Party (NLC)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Secretary’s Corner
Since the Winter 09 Edition of the magazine we have the following new members have
joined our Club: -
a. CRS A (Ariel) Rodgers. 24 Lower Broadmoor Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire
RG45 7HD. His Wife’s/ Partner’s Name is Malin and his contact details are: -
(H) 01344 778241 (W) 01252 812055 (M) 07776 3002727 (e-mail)
He was proposed by MJ Holt and seconded by M B Pinner.
b. Mr J (John) Gouldsmith MVO Honeysuckle House, Main Road. Longfield Hill,
Kent DA3 7AG. His wife’s Name is Christine and his contact details are: - (H)
01474 707883 (W) 0207 587 1600 (M) 07929 140999 (e-mail)
[email protected]. He was proposed by Richard Shuttleworth
and seconded by Tony Quinlan.
c. Mr M (Matt) Leat. 27 Leysdown Road, Mottingham, London SE9 3LY. His
contact details are: - (M) 07814 004417. He was proposed by Ken Bryant and
seconded by Stephen Wheatley.
d. Mr C (Clive) Stevens. Apartment 10B, St James’s Palace, Friary Court, London
SW1A 1BJ. His wife’s/ Partner’s Name is Carole and his contact details are: -
(H) 0207 0245563 (M) 07771 703664 (e-mail) [email protected]
He was proposed by Richard Quirk and seconded by John Mankerty
e. Capt C (Christopher) Esplin-Jones R.N. 8 Abbey Water, Romsey, SO51 8EJ His
Wife’s/ Partner’s Name is Lindsay and his contact details are: - (H) 01794
500164 (e-mail) [email protected] He was proposed by Ray Kay and
seconded by Chris Hulbert.
f. Mr B (Bruce) Mauleverer. Eliot Vale House, 8 Eliot Vale, Blackheath, London
SE3 0VW. His wife’s/Partner’s Name is Sara and his contact details are: - (H)
0208 852 2070 (M) 07775 783505 (e-mail) [email protected] He was
proposed by Richard Shuttleworth and seconded by Dom Watson.
g. Mr T (Tim) Webb. 14 Duncan Drive, Birchington, Kent CT7 9LL. His
Wife’s/Partners Name is Evelyn and his contact details are: - (H) 01843 846399
(W) 07977 045495 (e-mail) [email protected] He was proposed by Dom Watson
and seconded by Richard Quirk.
As usual I will be producing the 2010 Membership List after the AGM and would
appreciate any changes to the current edition that you may want before we go into print.
An e-mail would be fine with a copy to Eddie Hunter.
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Your Committee was faced with a minor financial problem from some members who
were booking dinners and agreeing with the dinner Secretary to pay on the night. The
dinner Secretary has his ‘work cut out’ prior to the event not only having to check the
seating plan but also placing the name tags etc. Whilst also being involved with the tasks
related to being President another Committee member took responsibility for collecting
the outstanding dinner payments. On nights with a large attendance i.e. Trafalgar (120)
there was much to do! Unfortunately some members who were due to pay on the night
cancelled at the last moment which meant they had to be contacted after the function and
asked for the money; this resulted in an overall shortfall, and after discussion the
Committee agreed the following: -
At a meeting held on 5th January 2010, the Committee of the Seven Seas Club introduced
the following By-law in order to prevent loss of Club money should a member fail to
attend a Club’s Dinner/Function which has been booked with the intention of paying on
arrival at the event: -
BY-LAW NO. 1/2010 (CLUB RULE 26)
1. When booking Club Dinners/Functions, the payment must be in the Club’s bank
account or in the hands of the Club Honorary Dinner Secretary (as cash or cheque) forty
eight hours before the date of the event. Should this not happen the reservation cannot be
guaranteed.
2. The National Liberal Club works to this forty-eight hour deadline and will invoice the
Club Honorary Treasurer for the number of persons booked. The Club Honorary Dinner
Secretary must therefore be notified of a cancellation forty eight hours prior to the date if
a full refund is to be payable.
3. The Club Honorary Dinner Secretary has the discretion to accept late bookings or
cancellations in exceptional circumstances on the understanding that there may be a loss
of Club Funds.
4. Any dispute may be referred to the Club Committee whose decision will be final.
(Club Rule 31)
John Mankerty O.B.E.
Honorary Secretary
Seven Seas Club
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SEVEN SEAS CLUB DINNERS
PROTOCOL
This document is aimed at new members, and is the protocol for attendance at a Club
Dinner. Might I remind you that you are most welcome to bring guests, but you are
responsible for their conduct during the evening.
Social customs in this country have changed dramatically since the last world war, and
are still changing, and a way of life familiar to the older generations in the days of their
youth now seems to belong to another world.
Consequently, the style of dining, and the manners and customs of the Seven Seas Club
of 1922, which have evolved and are practised some 88 years later, may require some
explanation.
One may ask "What is the overriding rule of our mess, and method of dining together,
and what deference should be shown within the club?" I would sum this up as follows;
there should be no distinction of rank in the mess, except the natural deference which
youth owes to age.
Notwithstanding, the Club is run by the President, and the Committee - and both are
elected on an annual basis. The format of the dinner is one that we have inherited and
modified over the years. The format of a typical dinner is as follows, and should, without
variation, be implemented as far as possible on each and every occasion.
So, having booked your place, at least 48 hours before the event, with the long-suffering
Dinner Secretary, and paid by Cheque or BACS, we gather between 1800 and 1845 at the
National Liberal Club (NLC), using a corner of the main lounge as an ante room. The
NLC set up a bar for us but, unfortunately, are unable to supply draught beer at that
location. However, we are permitted to enter the NLC Members' Bar for that purpose,
but should return to the Lounge with our pints; remember we are NOT members of the
NLC. Use of this Members' Bar following our dinner is permissible and usual.
On the large polished table in the ante room you will find a table plan for the evening,
and one of the NLC staff will take your wine orders for the evening; this is paid for at the
time of ordering, and will be before you when you enter the dining room.
At 1845 the Secretary will bang on the table announcing… ‘Mr President, Gentlemen,
dinner is served’. Members and their guests will make their way to the dining room, find
their places and remain standing to greet the President and our ‘Distinguished
Guest’/Speaker for the evening.
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They are piped aboard, and, to the accompaniment of a steady handclap, make their way
to the top table.
The President will gavel once and the ovation will stop. He will then call out, ‘Is there a
Padre aboard?' The Padre will answer ‘Aye Aye Sir’ to which the President replies,
‘Grace please’. Should there be no Padre aboard, the President will call, 'Mr Vice -
Grace please’.
The Club grace is as follows:- ‘God Save the Queen, God bless our dinner, Prosper our
Club and all who sail the Seven Seas, and give us thankful hearts. Amen.’
The silence is now broken as we sit to dinner. During the course of the dinner the
President will make a number of formal announcements, each of which will be preceded
by a bang of the gavel, and the courtesy of silence from Members and guests present is
expected. These announcements will range from the presentation of the Chip Leonard
Anchor to a particular member dining that evening, to a few short words of welcome to
all our guests. He will also call upon the Club Hon Secretary for any relevant
announcements - ranging from club business, forthcoming events, news of members, and
apologies from members unable to attend that evening.
As the meal ends, coffee, mints and decanters of port are placed on the tables. The
President will order the port to be passed until all wishing to drink their toasts in port
have filled their glasses. As a point of etiquette, the port is passed immediately to the left
by the person it is in front of, and round the table and back to where it began - each
member filling ONLY his own glass; the person passing the port then fills his own glass.
When ladies are present, it is usual for a member/guest to pour the port for the Lady on
his left. The port should not be drunk until the first toast. The Hon Secretary and Mr
Vice will stand to inform the President that the port has been passed, in order that the
dinner may continue.
This is instituted by the President using his gavel, and, after the company has fallen
silent, calling out, ‘Mr Vice’. Mr Vice rises to his feet and invites the company to stand.
Then, raising his glass, he intones ‘THE QUEEN’; the company reply with ‘THE
QUEEN’.
The Company resume their seats. (No other toast may be drunk in conjunction with that
to the Sovereign). Should a Dignitary from another country be present, it is customary to
toast also the Sovereign/Head of that Country.
After a suitable pause, the President will again rise and gavel, and the Company will
follow him to their feet. He will propose ‘The Seven Seas Club Australia, The Seven
Seas Club South Africa, and absent friends’.
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This is repeated word for word, without additions, by the Company, after which we
resume our seats.
The President will then send the Laristan Fund collector round the members, and will
point out that a contribution from guests is NOT expected. Permission will then be given
to leave the table to ‘Pump Ship’ and a time given for all to resume their seats, for the
address of the evening by our Distinguished Guest. The Club has long had a flexible
attitude to leaving the table prior to the Loyal toast. (In a Service Mess or Wardroom no
one may leave the table before permission is given.) Due to the advanced years of some
of us, the privilege of leaving the table if required is permissible.
The Seven Seas Club has hard and fast rules in respect of our speakers…they will be
heard politely and quietly, members may ask questions but may NOT make statements,
and must avoid political issues. Members wishing to ask a question will attract the
President’s attention, and, being invited to speak, stand, give their name and ask their
question. Please bear in mind that we all wish to hear the question and acoustics can be
difficult in the dining room.
Following questions the President will again gavel and call out, ‘Mr Vice’. Mr Vice will
rise and propose a vote of thanks to the Speaker and the company will show their
appreciation in the usual way. The President then makes a small presentation to the
Guest on behalf of the Club.
The President again gavels and calls the company to their feet, asking the Hon Secretary
to propose the Last Toast, which is drunk in silence.
During this toast the lights are dimmed and the Secretary calls out ‘The Lights are
burning bright Sir.’
And, after a pause, the President replies ‘And all’s well.’
The lights go up, and the Secretary calls out ‘Please remain standing while our President
and Distinguished Guest leave the room’. They are piped ashore to the applause of those
present.
Members and guests may wish to remain at table and finish any port, or repair to the NLC
Members' Bar.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---
Editor's Note:- "Thank you, Mr Honorary Secretary."
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Some interesting facts about The Ceremonial Sword
(courtesy of John & Julie Mankerty)
Letter from an unknown person concerning the ceremonial Sword, dated 30 November
1945:
Ceremonial Admiral's Sword Period 1820
This sword was found in old John Burton's curiosity Shop Falmouth, where it had lain for
many years, and upon examination was found to show points of interest. It has on the
ivory grip two panels, one engraved with the arms of a Royal Duke, and the other the
arms of the Earl of Arran.
On searching through old editions of Burke's Peerage and Kelly's Titled Gentry, the
following information was gleaned:
Burke's Peerage 1897 - the Earl of Arran's name is given as Arthur Saunders-William-
Charles-Fox-Gore. There is a family of shippers in Falmouth by the name of Fox, who
are also large landowners in the district, and have been for some centuries, and may have
some connection with the Fox-Gore family.
The Earl of Arran's motto is 'In Hoc Signo Vinces' - the family of Wodehouse motto is 'In
Hoc Signo', which would imply a connection between the Earl of Arran's family and the
Wodehouse family, who are the Earls of Kimberley, and descended from the Killigrews
of Falmouth.
The Earl of Arran's address is given in Kelly's 1935 as 'Red House, St Mawes' ( a village
off the Falmouth roads), Cornwall. So much for the Arran Arms engraved on the sword.
Now for the Royal Duke's Arms, the 3rd Earl of Arran, by his third marriage in 1781, had
a son Edward RN, whose date of birth is not given. However, this son married in 1822,
and had a son christened Augustus Frederick - this, I think, would presume his friendship
with Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, 6th son of George III, and he probably named
his son after him. Therefore, there seems no doubt that the Royal Arms are the Arms of
the Duke of Sussex, and that he made a present of this sword to Edward, son of the Earl
of Arran.
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The whole of this circumstantial evidence points to the fact that the sword had definitely
to do with someone whose regular sailing duties were connected with Falmouth, and as
Falmouth at that period was the base for the Royal Packet Ships, I think there is no doubt
it was worn by an officer of the Royal Navy in command of ships sailing with mails and
merchandise - thereby definitely connecting the two Services.
---------------------------------------------------------
Extracts from the Plymouth Herald (1 December 1945)
Tale of Admiral’s Sword Discovered in Falmouth 25 years ago
Twenty-five years ago while strolling through the streets of Falmouth, Mr J Wilkinson
Latham, a director of the sword firm, noticed an admiral's sword lying dirty and
discoloured in an old curiosity shop.
He purchased the relic, which, when cleaned, was found to bear the arms of a royal duke
and the arms of the Earl of Arran engraved on its ivory grip.
"It lay in my factory for 25 years," Mr Latham told a reporter today, "but a few weeks
ago I cleaned it up."
Last night the admiral's sword, now glistening, was presented by Mr Latham on behalf of
the company, to the Seven Seas Club at its monthly dinner in The Merchant Navy Club in
London
A PLACE OF HONOUR
It was passed among the members, who included all types of seagoing officers, from
captains of great steamship companies to tug masters. The sword will occupy the place
of honour in front of the chairman at all future gatherings.
Mr Latham has come to the conclusion that the sword was made about 1820 and might
have been given by the Duke of Sussex to Edward, son of the Earl of Arran.
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Richard Bernard William Charles Searle BA (Honours)
25 December 1948 - 22 November 2009
Richard was born in Norwich, on Christmas Day in 1948; a second son for Victor and
Florence, and a younger brother for Ian. He decided to let the family have their Christmas
lunch and tea, so he arrived in the evening.
At five years of age, Richard followed Ian to Town Close House Prep School. At thirteen,
he went to Greshams Public School in Holt as a boarder (his own choice). This was
followed by a year at City College in Norwich, then off to London to join Ian in his
Knightsbridge flat. In London he successfully completed his two years’ course and
gained his Higher National Diploma in Business Studies.
It was now time for Richard to join the real world. He started work as a trainee manager
at C&As in Oxford Street, then, after about a year, moved to Debenhams in Harrow.
After about two years he became dissatisfied with his job. When he told his elder brother,
Ian pointed to the Evening Standard, where he had seen an advertisement for new recruits
to join the Immigration Service, and suggested Richard might like to apply. This started
Richard’s new career.
Richard started working at Heathrow, trained in Dover, then moved to Birmingham
International Airport. He sold his house in Camberley and bought one in Kenilworth. It
was while he was there that he became Best Man at Ian and Tricia’s wedding in London.
He already knew Tricia from the time Ian brought her back to the Knightsbridge flat in
the seventies. He and Tricia’s brother were the only people who were ever allowed to call
her Trish. It was also in the 70's that Richard started studying for his degree in
psychology.
During the eighties, Richard went out to Bangladesh where he worked for six months.
When he returned to the UK, he travelled back the long way. He visited Thailand, Hong
Kong, Japan, Honolulu and San Francisco. Richard always loved travelling.
It was Ian who introduced Richard to foreign travel when he was sixteen. He took
Richard to the South of France by train. Several years later they enjoyed a Villa Party
Holiday in Rhodes. One night they prepared a bowl of punch for a party at the villa using
the local spirits - but they wisely stuck to beer!
In 1990, Richard went to Istanbul where he worked for four years. In 1994 he returned to
the UK and settled to work in Dover.
16
Richard lived a full life with his career, his friends, sports and travel. However, he was
always very close to his family. They visited him each summer when he was in Turkey
and he always spent Christmas with them. Even after Florence and Victor had died, Ian
and Tricia continued to come to St Margaret’s Bay so that they could be together.
As many of you know, Richard was keen on sport. He continued to play squash right up
until he became ill. He was also a keen runner, and ran with the Hash House Harriers
while he was out in Turkey. He was an avid follower of Formula One motor racing, as
well as following cricket with great interest.
Another great interest and skill Richard had was with computers, and all the latest
gadgets; in fact anything mechanical, including the working of cars.
In the nineties Ian became a member of the ‘Seven Seas Club’ where their cousin,
Captain Bill Richards, was a member, and who is with us here today.
A few years later, Richard joined the Club, in time to see cousin Bill become President.
Also today we have with us both the present President, the Honorary Secretary and some
members of the Club.
Each person here today will have met Richard at a different point in his life and so each
will have different memories. However, the memories that each of us will have in
common are of Richard’s energy, his kindness, his generosity and sense of fun. He
showed great courage and determination in trying so hard to fight and beat his cancer, but
it was not to be. He was much loved by his family and friends and will be so very sorely
missed.
We have come to bid ‘farewell’ to Richard as he ends his earthly life. We mourn his
passing but we remember him with grateful hearts. May he rest in peace.
Editor's Note:- This is a copy of Tricia's lovely tribute, for which we are all most
grateful..
17
Seven Seas Club London’s Baxter and Grimshaw Trust
sponsor disadvantaged youngsters for annual camp in South Africa
The Sea Cadet camp motto “Blood Sweat & Tears” with a good dose of fun was how
several Sea Cadets described their year end camp at TS Woltemade in Lakeside, Cape
Town, South Africa.
Eighty-five Sea Cadets from TS Knysna and TS Woltemade spent five fun-filled days at
an annual camp at TS Woltemade, under the direction of Cdr (SASCC) Philip Miller,
Officer Commanding, his staff, and members of the SA Navy and SA Naval Reserve.
Sponsorship was raised, from several benefactors, to support those Sea Cadets whose
families were not in a position to fund their camp, or certificated training.
The Seven Seas Club London's Baxter and Grimshaw Trust approved the sponsorship for
10 deserving cadets in accordance with the Trust’s criteria. The Trust also provided T
Shirts to be used as prizes. In addition, two members of the Club, in their private
capacity, also sponsored four youngsters, as well as sending much-needed Bosun’s Calls
to the Unit. The T Shirts served as prizes to those Cadets who excelled as Cox’ns of
Saldanha sailing dinghies - built by Cadets themselves.
The sponsorship, therefore, gave 14 youngsters the opportunity to participate, because
many of the Cadets' parents did not have the means to cover part, or whole, of the camp
fee. The cost of the camp per Sea Cadet is R50,00 per day (R250 for the week) and this
covered the cost of three daily meals as well as 9 o’clockers.
Because of the favourable exchange rate the sum of £20 covered the cost of the entire
camp per cadet.
All in all:
22 Sea Cadets were fully sponsored.
8 Sea Cadets were partially sponsored.
15 Sea Cadets have received accreditation and certification in Fire Fighting.
Assistance towards consumables and training material.
18
The annual Year Camp focussed on the following:
Seamanship, especially rope work.
Boatwork, especially sailing and pulling.
Ship’s routine.
Maintaining mess decks.
Identifying and enhancing leadership qualities.
Chefs' training.
Qualifying and accreditation of Sea Cadets in Fire Fighting. This was the
second group of Sea Cadets to qualify in Station & Watch keeping Certification
1995, which is internationally recognised. To date, 37 Sea Cadets &
Instructors have accomplished this. The theory, practical, and accreditation
were provided by qualified instructors and accredited facilities.
TS Woltemade will continue to focus their funds raised in 2010 to assist Sea Cadets in
need,and to provide practical accreditation for those who wish to pursue a career at sea.
Left to right: Sea J Jacobs, AB H Johnson, AB D Mathee & LS I Mohamed. Smiling top
camp Cox’n of the Saldanah dinghies with their T Shirts kindly provided by the Seven
Seas Trust in London. (Don’t worry they will grow into them !)
19
PO Goban from SAS Simonberg, demonstrates a back splice to an
enthusiastic group of Sea Cadets.
Able Seaman Wyman (14 years old !), Camp Chef in Charge, who volunteered and
catered for 85 souls, 3 meals a day and 9 o’clockers ! She received a promotion to Able
Seaman and her Chef's badge as a result of her commitment and tenacity
20
Final Parade of the Year End Camp ! Capt (SASCC) Rupert Toms, Captain of the Sea
Cadet Corps, takes the salute whilst the Sea Cadet Ensign is smartly marched past.
……………………………………
Editor's Note:- This heart-warming article was provided by Commander William Barker,
to whom I give many thanks.
21
The lost barge that came home by itself
Barges are among the simplest of marine vessels. There are many types, but one of the
most common is the “300 by 90”, a flat top barge of 300ft by 90ft, usually with about 24
ballast tanks and a pump room. These vessels have been responsible for transporting
more offshore structures in the North Sea than any other. They have a lightship of about
1,334 tonnes and a deadweight of over 9,000t.
A Typical “300 by 90” barge.
One such vessel, along with many similar others, was moored in Norway, at a small yard
near Stavanger called Steinvik. She was required in Canada, at a yard north of St. John’s
in Newfoundland. I was asked to go and carry out a suitability survey for the operation
required.
She was in good condition, and barring a few recommendations, was acceptable. I
returned to London, completed my report and thought no more about her. This took
place in November, 1994.
In mid January, I received a call from our Client, stating that the barge had been towed to
Canada the week after I surveyed her. Unfortunately she had not arrived. I was asked to
survey a sister barge, as they still required a barge, and this time I was to also approve the
sailaway. This involved inspecting the tug, and approving the route and departure
conditions. On arriving at the Client’s offices in Stavanger, I discovered that the barge
had left Stavanger in November, and followed a Great Circle route to Canada.
She had lost her tow several times near Rockall, and West of Shetland. The weather, as
would be expected, was BF 8 to 12 nearly all the time. When just to the west of the tip of
Greenland, the tug radioed ahead to Halifax, and requested a replacement tug, as she was
running low on fuel.
22
The replacement tug arrived, and located the barge, but, as it was getting late, decided to
pick the tow up in the morning, releasing the original tug back to Halifax.
The following morning there was no sign of the barge. The replacement tug started a
search pattern, and, three weeks later, put into Glasgow without success. The crew were
exhausted, and were released on leave.
In the meantime, estimates were made of her location by dead reckoning. I spoke to one
salvor who thought she had probably gone north on the Labrador current, and been sunk
by ice damage. The Owners were more optimistic, and, when I arrived to survey the
replacement barge, it was estimated that the barge had drifted back across the Atlantic
and was due south of Reykjavik. Satellites were trying to locate the barge, and had come
up with a suspect object. Subsequently, a Lear jet had been chartered from Heathrow to
refuel at Shannon, and to carry out a search pattern. However, a Lear jet at 500ft does
not go very far, and it found nothing.
I inspected the replacement barge in Steinvik, and found a buckled bulkhead, which
required repair in Stavanger. On leaving Stavanger, we insisted, due to the time of the
year, that there was a good weather forecast to ensure the tow could go through the Dover
Straits, and then she was to go to 40 degrees north (near the Azores), and head across the
Atlantic at this latitude, before heading north to Canada.
End of story? Well, not quite. In February, the original barge turned up, in Sligo Bay,
Ireland having drifted almost across the entire Atlantic. The stories, as would be
imagined in this part of the world, abound.
The certainties about what happened in Sligo Bay are that she grounded and was salvaged
by a team from Harland and Wolff, a new tractor was bought, as a result of a claim to
underwriters, and numerous, hopeless, attempts were made to salvage the barge with
dinghies, a vessel similar to the Africa Queen, which sank before reaching the barge, and
that at one point the Irish Search and Rescue services had to rescue the salvors when the
weather became unfavourable.
Unverified stories are that, on discovering the barge in Sligo Bay, an enterprising farmer
secured his tractor to it, putting a first line aboard to claim salvage and, on returning after
making some phone calls (no doubt to his lawyer), discovered the barge had refloated
with the rope hanging vertically
23
from it, although, as stated, at some point a new tractor was bought. Apparently there
was also a record number of claims for a salvage from the locals.
After refloating, the barge was towed to Harland and Wolff’s repair yard, and docked
down in the Thompson drydock (built specifically for the Titanic), where about a third of
her bottom plating was replaced, and her pump room was completely refurbished - the
only non-water damaged equipment being the main ballasting manifold. The Deutz
diesel’s were returned to manufacturers for stripping down.
Our Client was still interested in using this barge, and I was asked to go to Belfast, to
inspect it following repair, and issue a sailaway Certificate for her to go, this time, to
Saint John in New Brunswick. She was, as would be expected, in very good condition,
and the tug, the “Stril Poseidon” was chartered for the tow.
Even though it was the end of March, I still insisted that the tow went down to 40
degrees north before going up the eastern seaboard of the United States. This time she
was also fitted with a transponder.
This story ends when a colleague attended in Saint John to meet the barge for loading out
cargo. They were tricky loadouts, at this location, because of the 13m tidal range, giving
a loadout window of only half an hour.
My colleague phoned me one night, and asked how I had surveyed the tanks in Belfast.
"Down the vertical ladders, as usual", I replied. He explained that all the vertical ladders
were now at the bottom of the tanks, due to the severe slamming the barge encountered
across the Atlantic. The experienced tug Master had not seen weather like it in 27 years
at sea, and had not sighted the barge for several weeks due to the swell, the towline being
between about 1,000m and 1,500m for such deepwater tows.
It was an interesting experience being involved in such voyages. The severity of the sea
on the way across the Atlantic, the good fortune of the barge to go aground in Ireland,
and the humour of the stories that emanate so naturally in Ireland were wonderful aspects
of this particular job.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Editor's note: "Thank you very much, David Watson"
24
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