My name is Brian Anthony and I worked for the New Zealand Shipping Company between 1960 - 1965 I am looking for any fellow crew members on ships Rangitoto, Hertford, Haparangi and Sussex. I look forward to hearing from you.

20.01.08

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27.01.08

I worked in the offices of NZSCo, Water Street, Liverpool in 1970. It was the end of an era for Liverpool with the coming of containerisation the port was dying.

However, we had a wonderful time, we worked for the three Superintendents. Miss Pat Fairbairn was the lady in charge of us two office girls, and she was the Marine Superintendent's secretary. I was allowed into the Superintendent's office to set the baragraph each day, a very great honour! Another important job was to issue on board passes to the ships' personnel, in order that their girl friends could go on board when the ship's were in port. So some of you may remember coming up to the third floor of NZSCo. building in Liverpool to collect your passes?! Also remember going on board whichever of the company's ships were in port for a lovely meal, especially at Christmas time.

Some of the staff we worked with: Peter Guy Allen, purser's shoreside, Malcolm (Manny) Green and John ? for the Engineering Superintendent's office.

Anyone remember those days would be good to hear. Lyn Wakeling

31.01.08

My name is Michele White. My father was able seaman Patrick ('Chalky') White. He sailed with the NZSCo in the 1950s between roughly 1955-58. I know he sailed on the MV Sussex out of Liverpool as I have some of his records and photographs. Particularly I like the ones I have of him playing guitar on deck with his crew mates!

I work in shipping myself these days as a lawyer for Tanker operators so I find what he did fascinating. It was certainly a very different era to what we have today. I would be interested to hear from anyone who sailed in this period.

06.02.08

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11.03.08

I sailed on the Durham 2/3/63 till 16/10/65 as electrician and enjoyed keeping the old girl going experiencing fierce storms in the Indian Ocean and a crank case explosion. I did the last trip before the Greeks sailed her to Japan for scrap and on that trip I enjoyed all the free drinks at quite a few ports on the way home, the most memorable one was in Pireas.

For the past couple of years I have been visiting this wonderful site and came across Charles King (16/01/06)who sailed with me. If you are still looking up this page Charles I did sent an Email to you but got no reply.

I send this with the hope that anyone who sailed with me remembers me and drops me a line. Here are a few names if anyone knows their whereabouts I would be grateful to hear from them. Ray Dean, Nosh Thompson. Alphie Phillips and not forgetting Chief Engineer Mike Constable.
Jim Whiteford
 

11.03.08

Did anyone out there sail with Ron Duff on Rangitoto 1954? would like to hear from you cheers Harry
 

24.03.08

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01.04.08

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08.04.08

Dear Sirs My great grandfather George Henry Loveland was in the employ of the company as Chief Refrigeration Engineer during the war and was on Federal vessel mv Norfolk when she was lost in 1941  Could you help me as to where I could possibly obtain a picture of the said vessel. I have the telegram sent to his wife to say he was safe and his certificate of discharge but it would be nice to complete the set. He retired from your employ in 1959. his last ship was the "Hauraki Yours sincerely Justin Holden
 

15.04.08

Hello As time goes on I have got more and more interested with finding out about my Fathers war time exploits. Dad was with the NZ shipping co. during the second world war He was on the Dorset when attacked by German aircraft and the ship was abandoned and later sunk. He was on the Norfolk when she was torpedoed and sunk and spent some time in a lifeboat. I still have his torch which he scratched the time and date on, of the sinking, and I have his sextant as well. I would very much like some photos of the ships but are finding that very difficult on the net. Also where I would find the crew list. Thanking you, Regards Rob Townend
PS My grandfather was a midshipman on the sail ship Hesparus, I have his discharge papers, and no photos.
 

20.04.08

Hi my name is Mike Huggett. My father John was the Quartermaster on your vessel the Rangitane in the 1950's. It is his 74th birthday soon and I am trying to get a photograph of the Rangitane for him as a gift. I hope you can help as this would mean a great deal to him. Many thanks Mike Huggett.
 

20.04.08

My mother sailed to England on the Rangitoto in January 1954. After she died two years ago we found a lovely diary she had written of her trip. I am trying to get more of a picture of life aboard ship then and would love to hear from anyone who sailed on the Rangitoto in the 1950s.
Tess Redgrave.
 

11.06.08

First trip with NZSC was on the Haparangi, signing on 10th March 1969.

On that trip we left London bound for Wellington with a deck cargo of cows + a bull, also if memory serves me correctly one goat. During our way out a crew bar was built in the cross alleyway in the crew accommodation

Full cargo loaded in NZ went via cape horn to Las Palmas then down the Med to discharge at various ports, then back to the UK, paid off 23rd July.

Second trip to follow soon

Jim Mouatt (ginger)
 

16.06.08

I was 5 at the time and a passenger on MV Rangtane from London to Wellington via Panama Oct-Novemebr 1955.

My young brother died in transit and I am looking for at least a record or someone who may recall the death and consequent burial at sea . Despite my young age I can recall the burial at sea most vividly. Many thanks Anthony Peters
 

24.06.08

Reunion to celebrate the Maiden Voyage of the MV.V. Otaio 1958

Luncheon held at the restaurant of the Merseyside Marime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool

13th.June 2008, 50 years on. Account by Harry Simpson, cadet –maiden voyage.

How it all started was me by stumbling across a message on :

New Zealand Shipping On - Line Comments

"After training on H.M.S. Conway, joined my first ship as a navigation cadet, the Nottingham, and then was transferred to the Cornwall in Port Pirie before returning to UK to join the Otaio in Glasgow on her maiden voyage in 1958.Did four trips on the Otaio, before joining the Haparangi as 4th mate. Anyone around from those days ?" Dave Collick

ddotcollickatbtopenworlddotcom 01.04.06

I immediately contacted my cabin mate from Voyage 2 and we met after 50 years absence on 17th.January 2007. What joy. The culmination of 18 months correspondence and visits led to a most memorable occasion where ex cadets from voyages 1 – 30, as well as their partners, spent an unforgettable day in Liverpool. Old shipmates were found via the Durham Association, and by word of mouth. It is an almost impossible task to put on to paper all the emotion, the gaiety, the gusts of hilarious laughter, the happiness that invaded everyone that day. The subsequent emails received are proof enough indeed that words overheard, such as "I’ve never spent such a wonderful day in my life", or "This has been a day I’ll never forget" came from the heart.

Most of the attendees arrived on the 12th. June where 39 rooms had been reserved at the Holiday Inn, Albert Dock. From 1400h onwards people met in the lobby bar when checking in. Over pints of beer photographs and tales of days of yore were exchanged. The predominant phrase was, "Do you remember…..?" The scene quietened down towards 2130h when friends went to dine.

The following morning at 0800h a handful of excellent volunteers arrived at the restaurant to put everything into place. Set up the free bar, hang the bunting, place menus, table centres, table names and seating arrangements, red and rosé wine and champagne on the table, etc.. All was ready, including the Welcome Package and name tags, in time for the first guests who started arriving at 1030h.

Before lunch Jack Giles said Grace in such a manner that he could have been taken for a French Curé. This was followed by an excellent toast to the Otaio by Charles Hufflett who was cadet captain on the maiden voyage. His speech was spiced with humour and ‘bonhomie’. Then Malcolm Parrott gave a very special and poignant toast to our departed friends with whom we had shared magical moments at sea.

A nice self service buffet was then presented. During the clatter of knives & forks other toasts were made. The Queen by Rob Arlington, a moving and realistic toast to the ‘World’s Merchant Seafarers’ by Tony Lane. Norman Swaffield, with aplomb and humour, read 11 emails from those who apologised for their absence. Peter Tart read a comical experience that we’d received from Mike Cox, guffaws all round. John Martin, Rick & Rob White regaled us with a humourous sketch that they had concocted called ‘Defaulters’ Parade on the Boat Deck’. Kerrin Mills gave a lovely speech entitled ‘A few Words From Australia’ in his dulcet toned voice. He presented the organiser of the event, Harry Simpson, with a beautiful Waterford cut glass decanter with an inscribed metal plaque. This on behalf of all the attendees for the organisation. Harry Simpson recounted an anecdote from voyage 2 where he and his cabin mate were at loggerheads over the porthole not being cleaned for inspection. After a few minutes punch up, noinner or loser, on the quay at Fremantle where the wharfies formed a ring, hands were shaken.. Dave Collick was presented with a tin of Brasso wrapped in cartons and newspapers all roped together. Harry said that he’d had this in his locker for 50 years in the hope of meeting up again with the Rugby League loving Yorkshireman. Dave Colllick, as M.C,. gave a special welcome to the ladies with these unforgettable words, "Where would we be today without you, Ladies?".

As we were running 30 minutes late the last speaker, Mark Ricketts, didn’t have the opportunity to present the Otaio website on which he has been working so hard for many months. www.otaio1958.com There are already several photos on the site. Our thanks to the videographer, Tony Goodman, who filmed us all for 3 hours and will make out a DVD. A copy will be sent to all in July. Our thanks to Caroline Innes from the Liverpool Echo who wrote an endearing article for her paper which appeared on 16.06.08 Our thanks to Andrew Linington, editor of Nautilus UK, who wiill give us a full page spread in their July issue of ‘The Telegraph’.

The afternoon was spent at the Northern Club, Crosby, where we had the exclusive use of the lounge bar.. We were taken there and back by a 77 seater coach. Here a quiz was held –“Know your New Zealand Ports" and the 10 prize winners went home happily clutching a bottle of champagne, whisky & the like. The tickets for the raffle of the bell engraved ‘Otaio’ were drawn. The £640.00 collected will be donated to the research into the illnesses Alzeimer, Parkinson’s and MS. The winner was deservedly Pam Luxton who donated a large cheque in the memory of her husband John. Roz Ford handed out the 5th. CD entitled ‘For Ladies Only’, a cover showing sexy nude rugby men. All 5 CD’s were compiled by the organiser and have brought tears to the eyes.

Needless to say everyone spent a wonderful afternoon, in a wonderful setting, chatting and reminiscing before leaving for Liverpool at 6.30pm. The end of a perfect day. My special thanks to the barmen, Alastair Evitt for the DVD of the Otaio ( from Des Jone’s film), Mike Keat for the music and my daughter Stéphanie & cousin Gay who charmed all the old sea dogs and helped the day go with a swing. To all those present whose smiles and laughter made today’s troubled world take a back seat for a couple of days.

Those present: Rob & Barbara Arlington, Grant & Jason Barnes, Keith & Julia Belfield, Gay Bernstone, Stéphanie Blanchet, Malcolm and Rosemary Burwood, Jenny & Deepak Chakravarty ( widow of Alasdair McKinnon), Andrew & Tracy Cheetham, Dave & Liese Collick, Tony & Alicia Course, Mike & Dorothy Drake, David & Lynda Embery (Hong Kong), Alastair & Mandy Evitt, Bob & Roz Ford, Jack & Sue Giles, Peter & Tricia Goodwin, John & Joyce Hallgren, George & Kathy Hepworth, Bill Hirst, Charles & Elena Hufflett (NZ), Bob Hughes, Mike & Rowena Keat, Tony Lane, Peter Lloyd, Pam Luxton, John & Sheila Martin,Kerrin & Anne Mills (Aust.) Ian Murray (NZ), Richard Newnham, Steve O’Connell, Nanette Pappalardo, Malcolm & Joanna Parrott,Nick & Teresa Pearson, Peter & Daphne Rainford, Richard & Rosemary Rayfield, Mark & Denise Ricketts, Harry & Jeanine Simpson, Chris Stuchbury, Norman Swaffield, Peter & Jayne Tart, Bob & Anne Turrell, Mike & Dorothy Weston, Rick & Allison White ( Aust.), Rob & Margaret White.
 

24.06.08

Hi there, Just found your brill site, I was AEO with p&o gcd from 74 till 78. Ships I was on included Piako 75, Wild curlew 76, Wild Gannet 77. Had some great times on the gannet, sailing from Drammen shipyard on more or less a round world trip. I'm good on names & here's some I remember Officers, Trav Rowland, Ian Batley, the infamous Roger Leachman, Noddy Stapleton, fritz Frazer,Ticker tock, jeff tyler,sam leech,harry job,willie mcreery pete the feet legross, Oggie Kessell, andy wood,Lew lewis, taff hayward, mick hodgson, paul blackmore, john bright, kiwi phil goodman. Crew. jimmy smith, george shearer, wally jenkins, mick west, Wally smith, john hankock jeff peters, pete jackson, jeff grimmer, they might not remember me but if anyone wants a chat please email me. John Sutton. If I remember any more names i,ll email again,
 

Hello again Graham Peers l found biff hammond 2ns eng from the mv northuberland through your site after 10 yeras looking thanks. would now like to hear from david (chas) Taylor ex mv northumberland radio officer again l heard from (Betty auckland 1971) and any one else on that trip we have lost Keith Lingard c/o also phil webber 4eng

keep up the good work guy's Graham
 

31.07.08

I was an engineer on board RMS Rangitane in 1957 when she collided with a freighter in the Miraflores Lakes while traversing the Panama Canal,

The ship, the Hawaiian Trader, had her hull ripped open by the Rangitane's suspended anchor and sank onto a sand bank with just her superstructure out of the water while Rangitane spent a few days in Balboa having her buckled bow repaired.

I wonder if there are other crew members or passengers that are on this site that were on this voyage.
 

24.10.2008

24.10.2008

30.10.2008

I would like to obtain Vicky Spalding's email address, please.

Vicky kindly helped my parents, Jim and Penny Fowler, to recover their painting of Lake Manapouri, which used to hang in the NZ Manapouri launched by my mother in 1968. The painting is now hanging over the fireplace in their study. I took a photograph of it recently and my father asked whether I would email a copy to Vicky to let her know how nice it looks there and to thank her for her help.

Sarah Fowler
 

14.11.2008

24.11.2008

RUAHINE 1245822.

I was asst Steward on Ruahine from March 1947 until January 1949, when she paid off to go to be scrapped I think. Happy Days!
 

26.11.2008

Hoping to find anyone serving aboard the Rangitiki and Rangitata in the late 1950's onwards. We have a friend, Peter Selwood, originally from Kent, in the UK who was a cabin boy on one of these ships and then an able seaman. He is coming to see us next week for a visit and does not have a computer and we would love to surprise him with news from any former colleagues. Please contact us if you wish,

Regards, Simone and Bryn Davies.
 

28.11.2008

Thanks to a quick response from Richard Overall we have found the Rangitiki website and 3 photo's of Peter and his late brother Lief. Very interesting reading your comments on this site and we will continue to do so.

Last but not least, any old shipmates who remember Peter and Lief, please contact us.
 

01.12.2008

First ship I served on after training at Gravesend in 1957 was the old tekoa went on then to serve on the rangitoto then the Rangitiki at a later date served on the Otaio on its maiden voyage joined it with the rest of the crew at john brown shipyard in Glasgow went on the sea trial and then to tilbury to pick up the officer and engineer cadets who I might add gave us a hell of a time when we called into Malta but to their credit they did come 1st 2nd and 3rd in the boat race against the royal navy lads oh what memories

Eric Smith
 

02.12.2008

be in their cabin before 9 o'clock. There were no doors on the cabins, just green sheets.

Brian Heywood

04.12.2008

29.12.2008

29.12.2008

29.12.2008

29.12.2008