I joined Brocklebank and SS Maihar on 23 May 1957 and served on her two deep sea trips and three on Manipur and one on Matra plus the usual coasting voyages
Added by name withheld on 05 September 2007.
I sailed in Masirah as uncertified 3/O in 1969/70, we did that sort of thing in those days. It was the UK, Red Sea (via the Cape), Ceylon, India and return. I had joined Cunard as a cadet in 1967 and by 1969 Bocklebank and Cunard had become joint manning, also Moss Tankers. Later it included Port Line but I had moved on by then. I also sailed in Maskaylia, 1968, (must check the spelling)and Mahsud, 1969 as well as Scotia, 1967 - first ship and Sythia, 1968. I now work for the RFA, joined them in 1972.
I am in late 80s and a son of Capt. W.L Charlton who was master of SS Maihar for many years up to 1940. Trading mainly UK, India, USA. He loved the ship and was in command in 1929 when a hurricane mid-Atlantic took the stern frame away jamming the rudder. They managed a jury rig and got back to Brixham before calling for tow. He received salvage. He had a good retirement and died 1960
I sailed on the SS Masirah 1966/67 as 4th Engineer. In two trips over to the States; we sailed all down the Eastern Seaboard then into the Gulf of Mexico; Tampa; New Orleans; Houston; Galveston ; Brownsville. The over to South Africa; Capetown ; Port Elizabeth ; East London; Durban;Lorenco Marques. Up then to Gan Island ; The Seychelles; The Red Sea to Aquaba; Djibouti& Aden. Then on to Colombo ; Calcutta ; Trincomallee & Dacca where we loaded full cargo of Jute bound for Dundee. She was a beautiful ship to sail in, with some very good officers Unfortunately I can only remember by name 3rd Eng Bobby Collins and Chief Electrician Jacky Campbell. I have a photo of her and your painting is excellent.
Added by Peter Duncan on 08 January 2010.
This painting has been used by Sea Breezes in the Sept 2010 edition to illustrate an article about the Masirah 1 built in 1919 and scrapped in 1954! Someone didn't do their homework...
Like you, I spotted the error. Have just spent a couple of hours trying to find a picture of the old Masirah, but no luck so far. have to try the old way and trawl through back numbers of Sea Breezes dating back to '54 to see if I can find anything.
I can copy one for from a Clarkson book on Anchor Brocklebank
Added by Japottinger on 28 August 2010.
I did several trips on Masirah, 1st trip apprentice, on her 2nd Voyage (sept 57 UK/Calcutta/UK), Captain Stan Broughton and Owen Prichard as Mate. I rejoined in Oct 59 as Senior Apprentice for two trips (UK/Calcutta/USA/UK)also with Capt Broughton and then as 4th mate when Capt Simpson took over with Stan's retirement. She was a very happy ship and one with a lot of fond memories for me.
Very careless of Sea Breezes particularly with the number of photos of Masirah (1) out there. I have a print of her taken from a close encounter with presumably another Brocklebank ship in the Indian Ocean which must have been taken shortly before her demise.
I just noticed a posting by Peter Duncan, whom I remember well. I also sailed on Masirah in 1968 as an engineer cadet. One of the many memorable bits of that trip was being on Gan Island for a couple of days, coinciding with lots of the RAF guys partying the day before their annual leave home. If there are any other Brocks sailors out there from 1967-1970 it'd be good to hear from them if they remember me.
Sorry, I should also have asked for anyone (Brocks or others) who did their OND in Marine Engineering at Birkenhead Tech (1966 to 1968).
PS: Peter, if you are still following this thread, a couple of characters I remember who sailed on Masirah around our time: Sam Gilmour (jr 5th eng), Tony Shaw (eng apprentice), crazy 1st Radio Officer (no name), even crazier 3rd Officer (no name) ex-army 2nd Radio Officer (broke his arm in a fire extinguisher fight).
Great to see again. I was 2nd/Officer 30thOct 68 to 31st jan 68, Chalna to Tyne, after fire in Dundee.Ch/Off on Mahseer- coastal.2/o on Mawawa Au 68 to Columbo Oct 68..
Added by Les Cowle on 24 August 2007.