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.

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

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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.

Thanks for the reply Mike, it brings back lots of memories trolling through the various videos on KZfaq, 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.

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.

@@michaelharrison6681 rob Clarke Autosun about 2004 time

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?

@@michaelharrison6681 that’s no problems Mike, I have taken up flying and have the FlightMariner KZfaq 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

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 KZfaq . You have your own plane or share in one? Expensive hobby.

Only ! Everyone onboard had a role to play.

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.

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

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.

+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.

+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 gurur@sltnet.lk. contact me. BR.Ranjith

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.

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

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.

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. 🙏

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

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.

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

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!

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

+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

+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 j.h.a.adderley@gmail.com Cheers, John

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.

+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.

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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

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

me too.. quite a character!

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.

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/

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.

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.