[IMG][/IMG]
This is around that time KK here she is in the old Gladstone graving dock
[IMG]
This is around that time KK here she is in the old Gladstone graving dock
THE BEST VITAMIN FOR MAKING FRIENDS ? B.1
My Flickr site: www.flickr.com/photos/exacta2a/
http://flickrhivemind.net/User/exacta2a
Hi Joe,
The Empress of Britain was the only ship I got sacked off. We were anchored in the river opposite the Pier Head awaiting to come alongside. I had just been diagnosed as having laryngitis and the doctor signed me off and sent me ashore in a launch,they were afraid of me infecting the passengers. Got good reports (2 VG's) but it was the only time in my life that I'd been given the bullet,
BrianD
Kenneth D. Shoesmith ,Maritime Artist
The poetry below .accompanies the picture of the ships passing in the night
This is from a Royal Mail Line calendar, the picture opposite the title page, entitled 'NOCHE TROPICAL'. Cruzando la linea ecuatorial de calma perpetua', prompted me to write the first line of the following poem and, after a little deliberation, the next three lines just seemed to follow. Pleased with my effort, I sent it off to maritime poet cousin, Barrie, who promptly responded with the second verse. In no time at all, alternate verses were exchanged until Barrie realised he was at his place of employment, so a halt was called. Just as well, really, as it was beginning to look like a collaboration between Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and John Maselfield disguised as two grumpy old men. Nevertheless, I have no doubt the sentiments expressed in the last two verses will be echoed by many readers.
Poetry lovers will know that H. W. Longfellow wrote:
'Ships that pass in the night, and speak one another in passing,
Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness;
So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another,
Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and silence.'
Ships that pass in the night
The stars at night give guidance to the deep-sea navigator,
Their constancy more trusty than a modern calculator.
Whilst radar gives the bridge a view of what may cause collision,
Old salts would rather put their trust in a constant look-out's vision.
Constant may the look-out be - though sometimes maybe not!
Awake and sober, wonderful- if following the plot.
Throughout the blackness of a night with stars in countless number,
Human nature and the warmth cry out for peaceful slumber.
The radar is not faultless, it's sometimes on the blink.
The mariner upon the bridge is then required to think.
The radar or the look-out man? Vigilance or sloth?
The proper thing in any ship is vigilance in both!
The economic climate is so often held to blame
For lack of proper manning, which really is a shame.
Now navigators, poorly trained on currents like the Swellies
Are in their cabins down below, with football on their tellies.
In days of yore the sailing ship (a frigate or a sloop)
Had look-outs posted day and night in crow's nest, bow and poop.
How times have changed (not for the best). Regard the modern freighter,
No look-out but, what's even worse, no wireless operator!
The question asked by old sea salts is 'What's become of funnels?'
As much a part of steam ships as rowing boats have gunwales.
Why arc they built so ugly now? Where dignity? Where style?
What is there in a diesel vent to capture or beguile?
Thank goodness, then, for Shoesmith, who captured all the grace
When ships were ships and men were men, and funnels had their place.
Recorded now in picture form, with thanks to Shoesmith's skill,
By such exquisite artistry may grace be with us still.
Glyn L. Evans
Here is the last photo of the USN Submarine TRIGGER,
This poem was written by a crew member who was lost with all hands on her next patrol,
I'M THE GALLOPING GHOST OF THE JAPANESE COAST
You don't hear of me and my crew.
But just ask any man off the coast of Japan
If he knows of the Trigger Maru.
I look sleek and slender alongside my tender
With others like me at my side,
But we'll tell you a story of battle and glory,
As enemy waters we ride.
I've been stuck on a rock, felt the depth charge's shock,
Been north to a place called Attu,
and I've sunk me two freighters atop the equator
Hot work, but the sea was cold blue.
I've cruised close inshore and carried the war
to the Empire Island Honshu,
While they wire Yokahama I could see Fujiyama,
So I stayed, to admire the view.
When we rigged to run silently, deeply I dived,
And within me the heat was terrific.
My men pouring sweat, silent and yet
Cursed me and the whole ****ed Pacific.
Then destroyers came sounding and depth charges pounding
My submarine crew took the test.
For in that far off land there are no friends on hand,
To answer a call of distress.
I was blasted and shaken (some damage I've taken),
my hull bleeds and pipe lines do, too
I've come in from out there for machinery repair,
And a rest for me and my crew.
I got by on cool nerve and in silence I served,
Though I took some hard knocks in return,
One propeller shaft sprung and my battery's done,
But the enemy ships I saw burn.
I'm the galloping ghost of the Japanese coast,
You don't hear of me and my crew.
But just ask any man off the coast of Japan,
If he knows of the Trigger Maru.
USS Trigger was lost with all hands during her twelfth patrol, on March 26, 1945.
(kind of) BTW.
I am still poking about looking for the art documentary on the Raft of the Medusa, so far no luck, but I have found this place...
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/
This is another poster from the Kenneth D. Shoesmith collection,Glyn Evans made the right choice to include this one.It shows the Royal Mail Steamer at anchor in Carlisle Bay, Barbados. The passengers have gone ashore and the bum boat men are trying to sell their souvenirs to those still on board.
As a seafarer ,I find it has all the ingredients for making me want to go back to sea,sun, exotic ports and that blue ,blue sea.I used to watch ships like this when I was a kid in the 40's and 50's. They would anchor mid river awaiting a berth on the landing stage and I would imagine where they had been and where they might go next. I can almost hear the sounds of a calypso wafting from the shore,
BrianD
[Brian, not that I have had any luck, but your inbox is full.]
Hi Tom,
I've just emptied it !
BrianD
The Wreck of the Medusa
I was clearing the cupboard on our bureau and came across a stack of comics from the 80's and early 90's;there was one,a first edition ,called Talking Turkey (was there ever a 2nd edition?) I sat and read it and came across this strip,see what you think,I thought it was way out!
BrianD
This is the barque Birkdale,she was built in 1892 and spent nearly all her working in the Chilean nitrate trade. In April 1920,the marine artist John Everett sailed on her as third mate. During the ships voyage Everett painted many innovative pictures,this being one of them,but sold very few. He died in 1949 and left over a 1000 paintings and more than 2000 prints,which he beqeathed to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. This study was painted from the bowsprit looking aft.
The Birkdale was wrecked on the Chilean coast after catching fire in 1927
BrianD
There are ships and there are ships. Just watched a programme on 'waves' and learned of this odd craft...
http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/flip-ship/
H.M.S. Manchester.
Braved the weather,and took some pic's on a deserted riverside! Seemed appropriate weather, for the last visit of H.M.S. Manchester,as it was "chuckin' it down"!!(The angle on these is a bit limited,as they wouldn't let me go any closer!)
This is the Glengyle ,built in Dundee for Glen Line in 1939. She had a very busy war being requisitioned by the Admiralty at the outbreak of war;she was converted to a fast supply ship and flew the White Ensign. In April 1940 she was converted to an LSI L ,a Landing Ship Infantry (Large). This made her capable of carrying 700 troop's and 22 landing craft, she was fitted with a Naval bridge and 4 six inch guns. The Glengyle served in the Mediterranean and Far East,and took part in the Malta Convoys, the Allied invasion of French North Africa,was present at the invasion of Sicily and served as Montgomery's head quarters. This painting was by Arthur Burgess ,an Australian artist, and the study is entitled The Brotherhood of Seamen,showing the rescue of some fishermen whose vessel was in danger of being swamped by the heavy seas,
BrianD
Just wondered if anyone knows when H.M.S. Liverpool is to visit,again? She's another type 42,due to be de-commisioned.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks