Blue Funnel and beyond.

[@Hannodb1961]

You must feel so lucky to have sailed on ships during the most beautiful era of ship design.

[@Arthur54321]

Great stuff. The Old Man was an AB on Patroclus in the 1950's and LS on Jason 1971- 72. He also sailed on Hector which was Ironic as he was RN in WW2 and was sunk by the Japs on HMS Hector (the 11th HMS Hector) which was an Armed Merchant Cruiser requisitioned from Alfred Holt. AKA The Welsh Navy.

[@jeanmitchell2011]

My late husband, Peter Mitchell, would have loved to have seen these videos. He joined Alfred Holt in 1962 as Second Electrician and sailed on Blue Funnel ships Glenroy, Menestheus and Demodocus. He later became a Senior Electrician and left in August 1965. We visited the Far East once on holiday which I am so glad we were able to do. He sadly passed away in 2013.

[@michaelharrison6681]

Sorry to hear of your loss, Jean. I dont recall the name but as you can imagine, the company had over a hundred ships around that time and therefore employed thousands of men. It was a great company to work for.

[@Duffmeister71]

Forcados was my first ship as a Deck Boy.Opened up a whole new world for me.Great video thanks.Wish you well.

[@allanj347]

What a lucky seamen.you had a wonderful sealife almost forty years.you sailed on magnificent vessels and visited many nations.i was a seamen myself.you were really blessed .thank you for posting.bygone years never to come again.

[@colinsimpson1712]

You nailed it Mike for a life at sea. I used to see all the Blue Flue boats in Liverpool while I was with Palm line late 60s. Great memories bought back by your mini biography. Loved it. Colin simpson. Zac.

[@MrJohn7090]

So we'll put together Mike. You must be very proud to have achieved what you did and no one can take those wonderful memories away from you. I just hope that those who come after us remember those beautiful old ships of the past.

[@meekhinglim4829]

You stirred up my memories of my past as a seaman . Thank You Captain and I hope you are healthy and robust . God bless you always for your dedication to sea

[@dozukime]

Thanks for the post. I have started looking up the ships I sailed on, all gone to scrap now. I was ships cook, & like a captain, the ship couldn't sail without a "cooks ticket"!. They were indeed happy days with loyal shipmate's . It took a time to adjusting to being a land lumber!

[@ismailshehzaad526]

Nice pics.brought back memories I m also sea farer sins1992 I'm sailor Im work worere company most of Greek.vessel

[@cranesailor]

I really enjoyed that Mike. I sailed in all those "A" boats except the Elpenor, plus Hector and Jason, but I left Blueys the same year that you joined them. I was AB, and those ships were the best I ever sailed in, but really heavy on deck.

[@velezdragon3574]

I miss the old passenger cargo ships before my time they looked so much better and had nice interiors

[@wayneoneal7952]

Awesome video!!! Amazing you've got pics of every ship ! I can only remember in my mind!

[@brandane69]

Wonderful nostalgic memories ~ of your life at sea ~ I can relate to the the late 60's and early 70's ~ not with Blue Funnel ~ as I was with Shaw Savill ~ but of course Blu Flu ships were everywhere ! Loved your presentation of your career at sea ~ thanks for posting this memorable video ~ Cheers Jamie

[@josejaviermurciano2451]

Very nice videos Michael, I met you meny times as pilot in Pasajes. Best regards José Murciano

[@michaelharrison6681]

Glad you like them! Often think of Pasajes, good weather and bad !

[@pauljessop5571]

Hi Mike Just watched your Blue Funnel videos which brought back many good memories - thanks for sharing them. We sailed together on the Anchises in 1983 and I am one of those pictured in your video 'Blue Funnel and beyond' during the shore trip to the pyramids. I have some more photos of that trip with us all inside the Pyramid of Cheops - let me know if you want a copy. You were in the relieving party joining the Ataman in Bangladesh as I was leaving for a trip from hell back home during which I caught suspected cholera finally diagnosed as dysentry (who can forget those Aeroflot flights !!). I'm pleased to hear that you got your well deserved command - all the best Mike

[@alanmilburn8443]

Picture of the mariners club at swettenham brings back memories also the port view restaurant. I was in the hong kong bar last year. It had a fire so they lost most of the photo albums. Was talking to the owner about the good old days. It doesn't get many customers now as the dock is now for cruise ships and there is a container dock on the mainland.

[@carlsimpson1815]

Enjoyed watching this, my uncle Jack Mcqueen sailed on the Maron he was the chipy i helped put the maron in drydock at canada dock in Liverpool in the 80s wish i kept a log of all the ships we docked the list would have been endless happy days when i use to be a Shipwright.

[@robertgirvan8920]

Thanks for some great memories I was R/O on the Donga. The only ship we had in common,but well composed video and a long seagoing career, hope you are enjoying your well deserved retirement.

[@blueocean2510]

Thank you, great ships, would be nice to see them being operated again. # HeroesAtSea.

[@Edward8855]

Thanks for that. I miss my time on the see but will not go back. Too much wasted time. I could not wait 30 years to become master of a ship if I can get my masters ticket in 7 years. Good on you to stick it out.

[@rogerie1]

Yep that's me! I do remember that you and I had aspirations of being pro footballers and went for trials with Hull City . Cliff Britton was the Manager if you recall. You were good and I was not so good😊 so many oceans passed under the bridge since then.

[@michaelharrison6681]

Yes, I can vaguely remember going training under the stands at Boothferry Park. Don't think H & S would have allowed it now! Are you still in Brigg? How long did you stay at sea?

[@alanbaines3314]

I sailed on Sonya M when it was Strathmuir. 1976, my first trip as a deck cadet.

[@r.a.s.3636]

Nice collection of photo's and a great life...nice one.

[@peterhamer6090]

I was on the Tantalus with you! joined in Rotterdam after touching bottom and brought her to Soton for th play up.. great pics! Also sailed on the Glenlyon, Daru , Shonga and Sokoto :)

[@charleeboytruth8195]

Nice pics, brought back memories. You can't beat the majestic lines of a "Bluey" . Served my apprenticeship as a Shipwright in Odyssey Works Birkenhead 1962 - '67. Then some trips as Carpenter's Mate on the "Peleus" via Panama Canal because the Suez was a no go area after the six day war. First Mate was Gwylliam Evans a real Welsh stickler for rules and discipline. Made us go f'orward to secure starboard anchor in a force 8 storm because he said he could hear it banging against the hull. Was nothing loose at all, just put my self and Wong Sui the " Tomalo" in danger for no reason. Carpenter was Norman Shimmins, used to put ships in bottles when off duty, good man - great times.

[@craigsmith9367]

Hi Mike, really enjoyed the video. Spent 12 great years with Ocean, BBS. My last job was standing by the construction of the last ship built in the Inchgreen Yard at Scott Lithgows in Glasgow, one of the M boats, before I emigrated to Canada right after that. I lived close to Capt Bill Rocket on Humberside, I still go visit his grave in Hook cemetery when I'm over in the UK, I have friends that live close by. The rest as they say is history. Certainly recognise some of the guys in the picture on the Centaur.

[@michaelharrison6681]

Glad you enjoyed it Craig. Did you see the other BF one, Blue Funnel and beyond? or the Uglands one? Of course when I first left Ocean and joined Uglands, we used to run up to your neck of the woods on the small car ships... to Goole! Quite an experience going up the Ouse for the first time after being deep-sea for so many years. The original Shore Supt. for that company, Don Bruce, actually lived in Hook. Didn't know Bill Rocket but have heard of him. A Happy New Year to you.

[@craigsmith9367]

Thanks for the reply Mike, it brings back lots of memories trolling through the various videos on KZbin, especially the Ocean, Blue Funnels ones, and yes, I did view you're other submissions, excellent. My sea going career ended after a spell on the Great lakes working for Gulf Oil, then 6 years up in the Beaufort Sea on Ice Breakers, quite different from Liverpool or London to the Far East. I have nothing but happy memories of my sea time, I made some great friends whom I still keep in touch with whenever I'm back in the UK. I've lived in Canada for about 40 years just north of Toronto, so I consider myself almost a local. Thanks again Mike, a little closer to New Year where you are, and all the best for 2017.

[@mattfielden511]

Great memories of being on board some of those ships as a kid. You may know my father Capt John Fielden who was also with Blue Funnel / Elder Demster and sailed on the Menelaus, Memnon, Myrmido etc.

[@michaelharrison6681]

I did know your Dad, Matt. I never sailed with him but I can remember one occasion when we were going to attend a course in Liverpool on a Monday morning. We met up on the Sunday night and the two of us decided to go town for a Chinese meal in Chinatown. Went into a bar for a drink first. After a while we were asked to leave as the locals thought we were detectives (because we had jackets and ties on!) and that we were making them feel uncomfortable. We left for our dinner. He was a great guy Matt.

[@mattfielden511]

@@michaelharrison6681 That’s great to hear Capt. He was certainly fond of a nice Chinese..

[@jonathanedwards983]

I see you sailed on "Jason". I have a model in a glass case, bought for an office in the Coal Exchange, Cardiff. Now have an office in Liverpool nr Queen's Dock. Glad to see she was a real ship

[@michaelharrison6681]

Is your model the same Jason as in my photo? She was one of the four so called "H" boats, the others being Hector, Helenus and Ixion. They spent most of their lives on liner service from the UK to Australia, then latterly UK to Far East.

[@jonathanedwards983]

@@michaelharrison6681 I'm at Queen's Dock now. Model is near Fishguard, so will check this weekend.

[@JohnWilliams-pq9gd]

Hi Mike. Thanks for the memories. I was on Dalla for my first trip as a middy in 1979 left Liverpool for Dakar in December after joining a few weeks earlier in Belfast. Must have missed you by 1 trip !

[@moongoogle]

Nice video Mike. I sailed on the Autoroute and Autostrada back in the day, brought back memories.

[@FlightMariner]

Mike it was an absolute pleasure sailing with you on the Autosun; fond memories on the portbury run with Yourself, Gareth and Johnny FP. Remember the time when Gareth accidentally shut down the wrong engine on the way into shearness when you called down for two after a slow overnight run on one prop, brilliant stuff LOL. I loved working with UECC on the S-Class, great times. These days I am captain of my own strange beast, a ship with legs. We earn our crust working in wind farms and maintaining oil and Gas platforms. I hope you are enjoying retirement. All the very best, Captain.

[@michaelharrison6681]

Hi, can’t recognise you from your photo, it’s so small on my tablet. You will have to give me a clue, I.e. name and where from. A lot of people passed through during my four years on the Autosun. Cheers, Mike H.

[@FlightMariner]

@@michaelharrison6681 rob Clarke Autosun about 2004 time

[@michaelharrison6681]

Ah, Rob, got you, 3rd mate from Norwich! Now you have told me I can make you out on your photo. Dont know if you saw my other two vids, one was Memories of Blue funnel and the other Memories of Uglands-UECC. Hope you don't mind but I used a couple of your photos, thank you. Hope all well with you, I presume with your title name, you have taken up flying?

[@FlightMariner]

@@michaelharrison6681 that’s no problems Mike, I have taken up flying and have the FlightMariner KZbin channel and Flightmarienr website now which is going well. Love flying for the hobby really still using the sea to pay for it. Where are you these days

[@michaelharrison6681]

I'm still in Hull, meet up with other UECC guys every two months though of course not in the last 16 months. Did you see the uecc slideshow? I'll check your site out on KZbin . You have your own plane or share in one? Expensive hobby.

[@johndowd5792]

Brilliant pure magic joy. To watch

[@princeysubasinghe5397]

My husband was on duty on cardigan shairetoo in the late sixties.

[@neilharness4158]

Superb Mike. Really enjoyed your videos. Bit of a culture shock from Peploe when you started I guess. Best wishes. Neil Harness

[@johnriding1390]

Served on many of those ships and left Ocean myself in 1986, to go to Liverpool Poly and Pile it Higher and Deeper (I was Engineer)! We must have crossed paths on the Memnon (Lloyd SanFrancisco) as I recognise a photo of "Big Harry" the deck cadet! Regards John

[@michaelholberton356]

This brings back memories like sailed on blue funnel for some years utility only an able seaman left in1966

[@dozukime]

Only ! Everyone onboard had a role to play.

[@alanmilburn8443]

I saw the centaur in singapore in 1969. I was sat on the beach at durban in1982 and saw leave. At that time it was running between bristol and south africa.

[@dazekipper]

Fascinating Mike, thanks for sharing with us

[@PMVasconcellos]

Another nice vídeo. Great English ships. I did sail in Benloyal (Ben) and Ludwigshafen (Hapag), afterwords Gonçalo (Paulista) and Docedelta (Docenave). Ashore I was the representative of the British Blue Star, H. Holt and of the US Delta Steamship Lines, Greek South American Lines (Niver) and Morflot in Rio de Janeiro. Congratulations Capt. Harris.

[@alanbaker7912]

Great video Michael.

[@johnbannister2393]

john bannister Yes I remember the Centaur & also yourself Great, times I went on to work on the oil rigs & supply vessel Got my C/eng certificate Now retired . thanks for the memoeries

[@michaelharrison6681]

Glad you enjoyed it Dave. It raked up a lot of memories for me too. Happy days (mostly !).

[@patkennedy4208]

Mike, I was made up when I left the Blue Funnel line and discovered ships with deck cranes and mooring ropes on reels! Have a look in at Ships Nostalgia. There are lots of ex China Boat men on that site, from Masters to pantry boys, and lots of diverse opinions about the ships, plus thousands of photos. Regards

[@tonesw6957]

Great pics, but I'll bet some good runs ashore and amazin stories !!

[@dondiago2242]

good job capt.hai from malaysian sailor

[@gordonbarnard8424]

Hi Mike, Thanks for the great video, it includes most of the ships I sailed on. The highlight of course was the Centaur and the picture of us in the Honk Kong bar would have been taken in April/May 1974. It certainly brought back some great memories! I was over in the UK in Dec/Jan and caught up with Tony & Belai Imaz. Wasn't able to get to a BFA meeting unfortunately. I am still living in WA with my Centaur Bride, enjoying a beautiful spell of summer weather at the moment! Keep in touch, All the Best, Barny Barnard.

[@michaelharrison6681]

Hi Barny, Didn't recognise the name George! Also didn't know you had ended up in WA. Met up with Phil Rylance and Sue about two weeks ago over on the Wirral. He lives in Attadale and is still working on the tugs in Pt. Hedland. Thought Jim and Tony were coming too but unfortunately didn't see them. I went over with Nick Goldsborough who lives near me in Hull. Did you look at my other project on here "Blue Funnel : Memories of the 1960s, 70s and 80s", mostly my own photos. Often wondered what my life would have been like if I had come back, as I was supposed to. Lucky you with that great weather, couldn't stand 40 deg. though nowadays. Didn't see you in the Rottnest swim photos on Saturday. (I don't like sharks either). Regards Mike H

[@gordonbarnard8424]

Michael Harrison Yeah Mike, Great pictures of a once great fleet of ships. My father started as an apprentice with Glen Line in 1923 and was a Master on Glens and Blueys until after the second World War. I guess we thought the company would last for ever and were amazed at it's swift demise. After Centaur I did a couple of trips as Second Engineer on the Dalla to the West Coast, then joined Container Fleets as 1st. Engineer on the box boats. After getting my Combined Chief's and with our daughter on the way, we headed back to Freo, where I worked as a shift engineer at Kwinana power station for 30 years, retiring about 3 yrs. ago. Don't see many of the old Centaur guys, but I did catch up with Julian Miles a couple of month's ago; Jo-anne Higgins still keeps in touch, Sweets is stil going apparently, although Margery Joyce died some time back. Do you keep in touch with Tony Herbert or anyone else? You did well to persue a seagoing career all your working life, but I suppose the job has changed beyond all recognition now! All the Best for now, Barny.

[@MrGurugamage]

I Joined MV Donga on the 8th of January 1979 at Tilbury as the 2nd Engineer. My first ship as 2/E and she was in dry docks in Liverpool.It was a Rust Bucket when I joined .extended time in dry dock due to Steel work.Had a Crack liner also on the way back in the Bay of Biscay.Thanks for the Photos .Ranjith Gurugamage from Sri Lanka

[@michaelharrison6681]

+Ranjith Gurugamage Hi Ranjith, According to my Discharge Book I was on the Donga in Jan. 79 too. It was my first ship as Ch. Off., with Capt. Hughie McCole as Master. Did a couple of trips there. It's all a bit of a blur, I have to admit! By the way, have you heard anything about Prince Saverimutto (from Colombo)? He joined the company about the same time as me. Rgds, Mike H.

[@MrGurugamage]

+Michael Harrison .I can remember Fuckall McCole very well.CE was Bob Baker from Shields.I think you were next to my cabin.Savarimuttu emigrated to Australia after been in Malaysian shipping.Nothing heard of Them..my e mail is [e-mail]. contact me. BR.Ranjith

[@shantiart576]

I was a choppy clans line how I miss them day thank y

[@spiritoveradversity1]

Surprised to see that as far on as the 1980s you mention that you "learn how to be really sea sick", after such a long career and having already sailed literally all over the world I found that curious, to me, the thing your photo's illustrate most is the considerable change to the appearance of the ship's when containerization came in, making the ship's look considerably less aesthetically appealing than their earlier counterpart's, interesting video of a career that you are clearly proud of, and quiet rightly so, good luck to you with your future.

[@michaelharrison6681]

Thanks Terry. I was there the same time as you but don't recall your name. It was a big company then so I guess it's no surprise. Good times.

[@johnadderley5768]

Amazing! There we are, Middies on the Demodocus. Voyage 27, 1965. Young .... and dangerous? Thanks for the pics, Mike. John Adderley Fremantle.

[@michaelharrison6681]

+John Adderley Hi John, a blast from the past! Was in Perth and Freo just a few weeks ago at the end of Feb. Did full Oz tour, loved it. Did you stay at sea for long? From the photo, I believe Tony Minns ended up as Master on the Cross Channel ferries, Mike Hart I think became a policeman on Merseyside. Never heard anymore of the other two Mikes. Hope you have had, and are still having, a good life. Rgds Mike H

[@johnadderley5768]

+Michael Harrison Life is good .... only one I've got. Would have been nice to have had a beer as you were passing through Freo. Tut! Ships that pass in the night. I left Blueys after getting ticket in Liverpool and went coasting for a while as 2nd mate on mv Chesterbrook. E Germany, Baltic and all stops to Ireland. Hard work. Watch and watch, but good fun. Plenty of ship handling. Bit of smuggling. Back to Oz by '69. Coasting. Finished up on mv Cape Don, the lighthouse tender, servicing all navigation infrastructure from Gulf of Carpentaria to Rechérche Archipelago. Again, good fun using small boats, amphibious vehicles and occasionally, helicopters to get to remote islands, reefs, nav buoys etc. Mostly as 2nd but finished with couple of trips as Mate. Married an IM Marsh chick with a big smile, who i met at the Aigy, while at Aulis. Went back to school in the early 70's. Became a town planner. Three kids and now a new generation of ankle-biters. My two sons live in London. Family seems to be spread around the world, so Joan and I travel from time to time to keep up. Thanks so much for recording your bit about the 60's. I have always treasured that time of adventure, 'exotic' travel and sea-going experience. A romantic moment in history swept away by the incredible transformation of our world by containerisation. But, hey! Isn't the internet wonderful? Do you have any other pics of people i might know? My email address is [e-mail] Cheers, John

[@michaelharrison6681]

Glad you enjoyed it. As you probably know, as middies, during our first couple of years, we spent a lot of time on deck, so I can well remember the "work-up" involved getting all those derricks topped and set ready for cargo ops. Think I could still put a chain stopper on a topping lift wire......just about ! Can remember saying to myself repeatedly COW hitch not CLOVE hitch ! Try "Blue Funnel : Memories of the 1960s, 70s & 80s" on KZbin to stir up more memories.

[@daveynewton93]

....seeing the patroclus and maron brought back the old memories.i was a midshipman back in 1980-82...on course for a second mates ticket but sadly left due to a shore job in the mod police.not many photos remain so great to see this video....can still remember riversdale tech and aulis as if it was yesterday!

[@charlotteandmee]

Just loved it, and whatmwmoeiws for you.....

[@charlotteandmee]

Sorry, that line was supposed to be "what memories for you". Stupid auto-correct.

[@TheFuturetraders]

I’ve been on a couple of those, my father John Benn was chief engineer with Ocean Fleets until his death in 1986

[@michaelharrison6681]

The name rings a bell, Alister. Was he also known as Jack? Also, was he on a ship or on leave when he passed away? Mike H.

[@TheFuturetraders]

Michael Harrison hi, yes he was Jack, he died on ship, but in dock in Liverpool.

[@michaelharrison6681]

Ok, Alister. I can vaguely remember something about him being hospitalised in Brazil. Would that be your father or am I getting mixed up with someone else? Its a long time ago and my memory plays tricks on me these days!

[@TheFuturetraders]

Michael Harrison that’s him. A long time ago now. Great memories of the blue funnel though

[@alanmilburn8443]

I was with ben line probably blue flues main competitor. I remember seeing my first container ship in hong kong, 1970. It was a united states lines. Trucks were lined up right down the dock to unload the containers. I was in hong kong a couple of years ago. Totally ruined now by commercialisation.

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

I have seen the UCCL boats in Drammen, Norway. You have to pass the narrowest ferry strech, of about 100m in Svelvik. Strong currents.

[@cherylburnley752]

love the old photos when you were second officer Mike :o)

[@michaelharrison6681]

cheryl burnley Hi, Cheryl, hope you keeping fit and well. See......, I was youthful once upon a time !...........hard to believe I know. The years are flying by so quickly now.

[@asphalion123]

Nice video. I too worked for the same UK companies.

[@johnbannister2393]

Hi Mike thanks for the memories .Reading the replies it brought back memories of the guys whole sailed in the Centaur. Barney , Jim Evans Bob his replacement who is in W.A. Tony Imaza it goes on . Last time I saw Nick was doing our 2nd /eng ticket. Brian Sutton lives in Perth with 3 adult children ,John Carder is also there with 3 adult children .Over the years I have come across several crew members . If you get chance pass my best wishes to Nick & maybe he could contact me . Many thanks again. Stan the Fridge man went to work in Juriean Bay ,at the fish processing plant . When he left there I lost touch .

[@michaelharrison6681]

Hi John, Good to hear from you. Glad you enjoyed the slideshows, doing them dragged up lots of memories for me too. Did you see both the Blue Flue ones? I see Nick and Tony Herbert (3/O) now and again (both living in the Hull area). Also Ian Drummond and Jim Evans when I go to the annual dinner in Liverpool, though missed last year. The numbers attending that event are dwindling rapidly. Myself and Nick met up with Phil Rylance and Sue a couple of years ago over on the Wirral when he was visiting the UK. I believe Bob Park (Elec) passed away several years ago btw. Where are you living now? Has Nick got a contact email address for you? If not, send it to me on here....I won't make it public. Hope this finds you in good fettle and enjoying your retirement. Mike H.

[@princeysubasinghe5397]

My husband was on duty on elphino attached to oceon fleet.he was sent for training by Sri Lanka n government.at the time lwas a student nurse at at Paul's eye hospital.old hall Street Liverpool . that s where I met him. I used to write to him at various ports. Remember one ship to be elpeno. He started as a first engineer.he did some studin at southsheild lthink.lt was o love ly time for both of us he got all h iss exams. Back to Sri Lanka or Ceylon was working as a chief engineer at ship s own by the state . Later he worked as deputy technical manager at shipping corporation .lost him in nineteen eight y nine.age for tyseven.wonder any one of you remember him.

[@michaelharrison6681]

Hi Princey, I never met any Sri Lankan engineer with your Subasinghe surname during my time with Ocean Fleets. Sorry to hear of your loss at such a relatively early age. Those I actually sailed with were Prince Saverimutto, Ranjith Gurugamage, and Rudi ....? Those I met in Liverpool, Shanti Goonewardene, Kushi ....?. There is a FB group page called Blue Funnel for Old Timers, maybe someone on there may have known your late husband. Sri Lanka been on tv news last few days, hope you are managing OK with all the problems at the moment.

[@princeysubasinghe5397]

Hi s name was dayananda manatunga . used to call him Daya.

[@princeysubasinghe5397]

My husband husband know Shanthi gunawardena .we are facing abad period . at the moment. All are staying in door for not able to get out not having gasoline and food shortage so sorry about the situation.thank for replying.

[@michaelharrison6681]

Sorry Princey, I still don't recognise the name. I believe Shanti passed away a couple of years ago. Prince Saverimutto lives in Perth, West Australia. Stay safe, the world has changed, not for the good unfortunately. 🙏

[@sianosborne3759]

Do you remember my father? Anthony victor Osborne chief engineer ss tantalus? We were lucky enough to make the voyage to Vitoria Brazil 1981 a trip of a lifetime!! Captain was Ian webster😀

[@johnadderley5768]

See my earlier reply, Mike. Middies I remember include Dave 'Gabby' Ramage, Dave Pocket, Tony Williams (I think he joined the police force, too), Dave Meikle, Neil Birchenough, Trevor Evans, Mike Brown and JPW Eng who rescued me from a tight spot in Manila one dark night. Cheers John

[@john.dagleas6848]

Very interesting. Best wishes. John Dagleas Was that a big thing for the boys that was the

[@michaelharrison6681]

Hi Pat, mooring ropes on reels ....... luxury !! Been on SN today and said "Hello". Try "Blue Funnel : Memories of the 1960s, 70s, & 80s" on KZbin for more memories.

[@bill3154]

My father was with blue funnel for many years,seemed to think i had let the side down sailing with blue star,maybe you sailed with him,his name was Bob Wardale.

[@michaelharrison6681]

+Bill ? Hi Bill, I don't recall the name, but as there were well over 100 ships ploughing the oceans at their peak with thousands of seafarers employed, it is not surprising, plus, of course, my memory of those days is not so good ! Hope you enjoyed the slideshow. BTW, Blue Star was a fine company in it's time too.

[@rogerie1]

Hi there Is this the MJ Harrison that attended Hull Nautical College in the 60's

[@michaelharrison6681]

Bloody hell !! Hawkeye from Brigg? How you doing? Wondered what had happened to you.

[@jonathansmith7400]

Where you on the Indianapolis when she had her fire?

[@michaelharrison6681]

Jonathan, I was on the Indi from January 1995 to February 1997, on and off, trading mainly in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. I don't recall any fire when I was there. When did that happen?

[@jonathansmith7400]

Did a trip as second mate in oct 1998, so must have been sometime between our trips. I normally worked on the EMC Nissan city boats.

[@asphalion123]

Ended up on their tankers. Made redundant in 1987 then worked for foreign flag ships.

[@asphalion123]

I worked there 1964 to 1987

[@velezdragon3574]

May I have permission to use of of these photos as a tribute to cargo liners?of eras long gone?

[@michaelharrison6681]

yes, of course, many are photos that I actually took, though not all.

[@billthornton8151]

Hi Mike , Just watched both videos and enjoyed them. I'm a mate of " Barney " see below and we met at Birkenhead Tech in the sixties doing our HNC Mech Eng .We both loved Motor bikes and struck up a lasting Friendship. I never went to sea myself but was always interested in the ships, especially the Welsh Navy. The River is not the same without a bluey being shepherded in and out of the docks by some Rea's or Alexander's .I now live in Pembrokeshire having spent 17 years in charge of BBC Wales Mechanical Workshops in Cardiff. My wife and I both paint and I have done a few of the fleet some of which you sailed on. I am quite proud of my Night Dockscene which shows the passage of time for the fleet in Jason versus Priam.pictured at night in Vittoria Dock..See Bill's Marine Paintings www.oldforgegallery.co.uk

[@michaelharrison6681]

Glad you enjoyed them Bill. As you say, the Mersey is not the same since those tall Blue funnels disappeared. You are right to be proud of your Night Dockscene with the two Blueys. It's excellent. I keep saying I am going to give painting a try but, even though retired, I just can't seem to find time ! Rgds Mike H

[@stephenhart5969]

Michael Harrison Hello Mike, I just wanted to tell you how much i enjoyed your video. The music complimented the fantastic photographs as well as the brief snapshot of your life at sea. It was made more poignant when i saw the MV Melampus. I used to stand and look at this ship when she docked in Liverpool in the eighties. My uncle worked on her as a docker. I vaguely remember her berthing in Canada or Huskinson docks, Probabley both at defferent times but i cant remember now. It must have been a fantastic career, one you would probabley do all over again if you had the chance i would image. The worlds a beautiful place and you got to see and enjoy most of it whilst doing your job. Thanks for sharing a small part of it. Take care and many thanks. Steve Hart.

[@michaelharrison6681]

Stephen Hart Glad you enjoyed it Stephen. Hope you managed to see both slideshows. Did several trips on the Melampus, inc. the maiden voyage in 1977 when we were on the "round the world service" and then my last two trips in the Company as Chief Officer on charter to NYK running between the Far East and West coast of South America. Hard working ships. Incredibly I never docked in Liverpool on her, although I believe she did go there when on the West African run.for a while. Looking back...........hard work, long hours, but happy days. Rgds Mike H

[@asphalion123]

Sailed with Peter Crouch a few times

[@peterhamer6090]

me too.. quite a character!

[@isaacuvidia1272]

Donde estan los like ship de new orlean please isaac isola ubidia thank you bye

[@martinmalone9181]

What's coasting?

[@michaelharrison6681]

Hi Martin, When the ships were on a regular liner service from the UK/Continent to the Far East , Australia or West Africa, the main part of the voyage was called "deep-sea", usually three to five months. When they returned to the UK/Continent, for discharge, and then went on to reload for the next voyage, this bit around the UK and North European coast was called "coasting", usually two to three weeks. Its a whole different story when not on a regular liner service. That's called "tramping", going wherever in the world there is a cargo to be transported, which is what most bulkers do.

[@rhyleysgranny]

Hi Mike, Wow what a blast from the past. I sailed with you on Centaur Voyages154-164 in 1973, as extra 3rd Engineer. So good to see all the ole Blue Flues and notice how they got so uncared for towards the end of the Company. I left as Second Engineer MV Ajax in 1976 and joined Sealink as 3rd Engineer rising to Senior Chief Engineer before taking early retirement in 2002. I still keep in touch with Phil Rylance and Sue, also and I am sure you might remember Flaps alias Maureen Reynolds. I was taking to her last month when she was over visiting her in laws in Wales, small world. Very good show and so interesting. Regards, Mike Palmer (I haven't got a You Tube account, too much bother so have used my good wife's)

[@michaelharrison6681]

rhyleysgranny Hi Mike, When I saw the name, I thought I know a few grannies but none from Rhyl ! Good to hear from you, I think you were on one of the photos on one of the slideshow. Have a couple more of you somewhere in my collection. Will send if you want but will need an email address. Which Sealink run were you mostly on? Saw Phil and Sue last year. Myself and Nick Goldsborough went from Hull and met up with them over on the Wirral. Of course I remember Maureen, please say hello from me if you speak to her again....or was it just a random meeting in Wales? Are you living there or in Ireland? Phil and Sue seemed to think Maureen lived in Hong Kong, I think it was. Will be going to the annual Blue Funnel dinner in Liverpool in October. Usually see Ian Drummond and Jim Evans there. OK, Mike, hope this finds you fit and well.Best rgds Mike H.

[@rhyleysgranny]

Hi. Mike, Mrs Mike here. If you go to my blog here is an email tab at the top. You can contact me there and I'll give you mike's email. Can't come between the ancient mariner's progress. ;-) teandwheatenbread.blogspot.co.uk/

[@ranjithgurugamage5499]

Mike Palmer, I joined M.V Ajax Bulk Carrier in Boston on the 10th of March 1976 as the 3rd Engineer and I think you were the 2/E, you were replaced by Hamish Ross , C/E was one Darbyshire, and the Capt.Joined with me was C.V.Windsor, I think I have few photos of you taken at the Barbecue we had on the deck .Regards Ranjith Gurugamage from Sri lanka.

[@Ilikepeoplewholikeme]

Salty sea dogs ;

[@Ilikepeoplewholikeme]

sea dog noun literary or humorous uk /ˈsiː ˌdɒɡ/ us /ˈsiː ˌdɑːɡ/ = an old sailor with many years of experience at sea: ex) With his white beard and blue cap he looked like an old sea dog.

[@issamohamedissa]

Uglands.nime safiri meli zake