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Home What's New! Ports Ships Crews A Life at Sea History Stena-Holyhead The Irish Boats Guest Contributors Memories & Yarns Visitors Book Links On the Bookshelf Sealink UK Group
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Guest Book 2005 - 2007 Date: 12 December, 2007 CommentsHi Justin Was doing a search for something quite different, but inadvertently found your site, and have spent such a fascinating couple of hours that I've completely forgotten what it was that I was searching for! Think it's a great outlet for some of your wealth of photos + stories. I particularly liked the account of being a merchant seaman during WW2. Hope all is well with all of you. My Mum moved to very near me in Bray a few years ago from her house overlooking Dun Laoghaire Harbour, + has come across Phil's stepmother in the Bray Choral Society. Take care, Julie Carvill juliecarvill@eircom.net Date: 26 November, 2007 CommentsI served on board the Caledonian Princess during her time in Fishguard and was the Chief Engineer that took her via Harwich to Middlesbourgh dry dock at the end of her time in Fishguard, prior to Channel Island service. She was always my favourite vessel and I saw many a bad storm in the Irish sea with her. It is very sad to see her now as she is, I hate to think what the Chief Engineer,s cabin now is. Maybe one day I,ll see.. Thanks Chief! I took a look inside the cabin just abaft the wheelhouse on the starboard side. It was a mess. Fixtures and fitting still there, but seemed to be in use as a workshop! It seems she is not much longer for Gateshead. Rgds, Justin Date: 25 November, 2007 CommentsRobert Owen Jones spent two summer seasons, 1966 and 1967 on Hibernia as a student. Wonderful memories. Any other students recall those days? Date: 18 November, 2007 CommentsWhat an excellent website, brought back some fond memories. Date: 07 November, 2007 CommentsWhat a find your website, Fond memories. I was born- bred in DUN-LAOGHAIRE MY first trip on the Mail-Boat as we called it was in 1963 ,I left to come to live in England . Over the years i gone back as often as i can My Father worked on the pier for many years, I believe the Ship i sailed on was the CAMBRIA, I often wondered what happened to the ships ,The Hibernia and Princess Maud where thy scrapped ? THANK YOU .7/11/07 micksor@dsl.pipex.com Date: 21 October, 2007 CommentsWhat a very good website. I enjoyed looking at some of the boats I worked on while they were at Harwich. Date: 19 October, 2007 CommentsDoes Anyone know which year the Marine Yard was opened, and when did it close? Thank You. It was opened in the early 1850s and closed in 1986. Well worth a read is Gareth Rowland's book 'No Problem's Too Small', an excellent history of the yard. Rgds, Justin Date: 18 October, 2007 CommentsVery interesting! Would you be able to help me trace my ancestor who worked on the "City of Dublin Steam Packet ships" possibly before 1819 he later worked on "SAlt Island" and was the boatswain there, and received a pension from the admiralty this would be about the 1850s his name was" Richard Maddern "and he lived in Holyhead in church lane. IF anyone can help me I can be reached on mivvyhooper@zaks.freeserve.co.uk OR perhaps you could point me in the right direction to follow this up! Thank you ,I hope I haven't intruded in your space but I am "stuck" on this one ! Perhaps someone from Holyhead's maritime museum might be able to help? Rgds, Justin Date: 17 October, 2007 CommentsI worked on the Holyhead ships in catering when I was a student between 1965 and 1971 -my first job was on Princess Maud. John Gwilym Owen, the chief cook cured my seasickness by forcing me to eat a plate of cold beef and tomatoes in the galley!! Spent two summer seasons on Cambria as a waiter in the first class saloon with student Dafydd Ross (Robert Street), Gerry Burnell (London Road) and Eric Roberts (Four Mile Bridge)and have great memories of all the regular crew. My last summer season was on the Dover -would not have missed the experience for the world- had a great time with great people. Great stuff - thanks for sharing your memories! Rgds, Justin Date: 16 October, 2007 CommentsCould anyone put me in touch with Stan Basnett photographer of the Antrim Princess as shown. Also would anyone who has photos of the berthside view of the railway station at Stranraer Harbour please make contact. Date: 15 October, 2007 Commentsmany thanks for your very interesting website . it brings back a lot of good memories for me . I joined the Holyhead boats from the Indefatigable in 1955 and sailed as deck boy on the Cambria , and a few of the cattle boats too. best regards Barrie J Parker Glad you enjoyed it Barrie! Rgds, Justin Date: 10 October, 2007 CommentsDoes anyone have the contact details for the current owners of Duke of Lancaster? I feel we should to save and preserve the noble ship. Carl Rose. carlrcoventry@hotmail.com Their web site was at http://solitaireliverpool.com/ but I see this now appears to be offline. Rgds, Justin Date: 08 October, 2007 Commentsgreat site, the photos are 1st class. my only other comment is the photo of Alfie wynn,Tecs Williams and Tom Williams. My father is shown in the photo and his name is Tecs Griffiths not Tecs Williams. I worked in the Port for a few years, working in the Warehouse gangs, driving a container cranes and then the finance department. Regards Jim Griffiths Hi Jim, many thanks for the correction - now updated! Rgds, Justin Date: 30 September, 2007 CommentsNAME PETER HUNT EX MEMBER OF SEALINK IN CONTINENTAL TRAVEL AT VICTORIA STATION LONDON . LOTS OF HAPPY MEMORIES AT VICTORIA AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYED YOUR WEBSITE . REMEMBER IN PARTICULAR THE MANOEUVRES AT THE STATION BERTH AND THE SHEER PROFESSIONALISM OF BOTH HOLYHEAD AND FISHGUARD CREWS . PETERHUNT189@BTINTERNET.COM Hi Peter, good to hear from the Victoria Station side of the business! I am sure your comments will be appreciated by all at Holyhead and Fishguard. Rgds, Justin. Date: 24 September, 2007 CommentsA wonderful site which I have enjoyed perusing - and which I will revisit again. My interest derives from childhood memories. I am fifty years old. My grandfather was Richard Salisbury Jones of Moreton Rd, Holyhead, who, having sailed since the age of sixteen, ended his sea-faring years as Quartermaster aboard the Hibernia during the early sixties. I boarded the ship with him countless times during school holidays as a small child. He retired from the sea and continued working for quite a while in what I can only describe as a wooden hut on the pier in Salt Island, from which he operated various lights etc on the approach into Holyhead Harbour. He was known to all as "Dick Salisbury" and he and his best pal "Wil John" (from "Bod Alaw" in Rhos y Gaer Avenue) kept me amused for hours with their tales of the high seas. I would be fascinated if you have any references, or paperwork or photographs involving my grandfather. Keep up the good work. Geraint Salisbury Jones September 2007. (email : mouldsworth@aol.com ) Hi Geraint, glad to know you enjoyed the 'work in progress'! I hope some of the site users will be able to share some memories of your grandfather! Kind rgds, Justin. Date: 23 September, 2007 CommentsThis is a great site. Loads of memories. Travelled quite a bit on Columba during her time in D'Laoghaire. However I used to work D'laoghire for a freight forwarder doing the customs clearance for drivers arrivng on the various sailings during the days before free borders movement. Many a winters morning I stood at the end of the Ramps waiting for the vehicles I was meeting to off-load. Loved those day's. With the HSS and all the new stuff the romance of it is well and truly gone... Saw the Columba a few year ago in Mykonos in her new life. Still looks great. Many thanks for your comments - pity I didn't have your name as a retired member of the freight team at Dun Laoghaire has just visited our home here in Tasmania and many a yarn was enjoyed! Kind rgds, Justin. Date: 22 September, 2007 CommentsGreat memories of both Sealink and B&I, used to travel over to Ireland every year since 1969, seems not so long ago. Not long ago at all! Rgds, Justin. Date: 20 September, 2007 CommentsA very nice site. I remember travelling as a boy regularly between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire particularly from the mid 1960s up to the late 1980s. This was initially on the old mail boats 'Hibernia' (I did my last trip in July 1976 a few months before she retired)and 'Cambria' and one return trip on the car ferry 'Duke of Lancaster' in August 1973. One journey was made from Heysham instead of Holyhead (over 7 hours overnight!)in 1971 due to the fact that the Britannia Bridge had burnt down. I remember the then ultra-modern 'St.Columba' with fondness making my first crossing in August 1977 when she was just a few months old. This was the ship that I travelled on most and in various livery changes starting with the removal of the BR insignia on the funnel through to the full blue/yellow 'British Ferries' scheme. It was also on the 'St.Columba' that I last stood on deck to get the magnificient open-air view approaching Dun Laoghaire harbour (sadly now no longer able to do since the ship was replaced by the HSS Catamaran). One of the most spectacular views though was more recent just after a storm at the end of February 2004 when the whole of Wales was covered in a white blanket of snow. After leaving Holyhead on the afternoon 'Ulysses' sailing to Dublin, the clouds cleared and from the deck looking back across Anglesey to Snowdonia the view was just stunning with late winter sunshine giving a beautiful glow to the mountains which were completely covered in snow. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me. Gerard McIver Hi Gerard, many thanks for sharing your memories with us. I know only too well the views you describe, and yes, they were spectacular! There was nothing like coming up on the kish on the afternoon sailing, perhaps a squall moving across the bay from the west - beautiful! Kind regards, Justin. Date: 14 September, 2007 CommentsVERY GOOD TRAVELLED ON THE ST COLUMBA 1 WEEK AFTER ENTERING SERVICE ON HOLYHEAD ROUTE, HAVE TRAVELLED ON ALL NAME CHANGES BEFORE THIS VESSEL LEFT HOLYHEAD ROUTE. MICHAEL TIGHE BEDFORD Thanks Michael! Rgds, Justin. Date: 10 September, 2007 CommentsSome good memories here - thanks. I was in the sales side of S&ISD from 1971 to 1979, based at Liverpool Street and then Eversholt Street. I stayed with BR until 1997. Loved it, but missed the ships in particular when I moved on. Regards, John Stedman Hi John, glad to hear it brought back some memories! Rgds, Justin. Date: 05 September, 2007 Commentsit's taken me a long time to reply, but yes it's a good site. Keith Thanks Keith! Rgds, Justin Date: 01 September, 2007 CommentsExcellent site gents. Well done. I used to sail from Swansea to Cork and then Dublin to Liverpool with B&I on family hols as a child. Date: 22 August, 2007 CommentsFantastic Stranraer photos from Kenny Kane, great to see Antrim Princess again. Joe C Date: 21 August, 2007 CommentsThis website is brilliant and provides some great pictures of a high quality. Congratulations! Date: 15 August, 2007 CommentsGreat website. We emigrated from Ireland to Canada in 1957. Our first memory was leaving Dun Laoghaire Sept. 14, 1957 on the mailboat. It was a rough journey and it was overnight - we didn't have berths and had to try and sleep in armchairs on a rolling ship. I don't know the name of the ship but it was likely the Maud - from everything I read. I thought we landed in Liverpool. Indeed it sounds like it very well have been the Princess Maud! Many thanks, Justin Date: 10 August, 2007 CommentsSuperb website. Thank you. In Memories & Yarns, Peter Scott Roberts mentions trips aboard 'Western Lady' in Dublin Bay. That would have been 'Western Lady III', former WWII Fairmile B Rescue Motor Launch RML497. She was owned by the Western Lady Ferry Service of Torbay, South Devon and was on a sabbatical to Dun Laoghaire in 1967. She indeed survives having only recently retired from their Brixham to Torquay ferry service along with her sister, 'Western Lady IV (RML526). As of this month (August 2007), she is running trips along the Jurassic Coast out of Swanage, Dorset whilst Western Lady IV has become a private vessel. More info at: www.savethewesternladies.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk Regards, Steve Powell, Stourbridge, England. Thanks for filling the gap Steve! Rgds, Justin Date: 30 July, 2007 CommentsThe web site is a gem, full of information, history, pictures, Etc. Brings back memories of when I worked on the ships in Holyhead. Ernie Barrow. Thanks for your kind comments Ernie - glad you enjoyed! Rgds, Justin Date: 14 July, 2007 CommentsMany thanks for sharing your site...It was great to see my old classmates Cledwyn Roberts and Gilbert Brown in the Engineers section......They haven't changed a bit. I hope to visit Holyhead in the near future now that my brother Stephen has all but completed his house near Soldiers Point. It would be nice to meet-up with the old crowd again. Best Wishes and Kind Regards Ken Hughes (Cardiff) Hi Ken, many thanks! Would quite like to get some more engineering content in!!! Rgds, Justin Date: 09 July, 2007 CommentsA great web site, many memories about growing up in Holyhead and seeing all the boats. Also reading about my dad Capt Hubert Hughes. I still miss the sea after living in Canada for the last 16 years. Thank you very much for your kind comments - delighted to know the site brought back some memories! Please feel free to add to the site by contacting me via the email link on the What's New page! Rgds, Justin Date: 07 July, 2007 CommentsGreat site, I have a passion for ferries. Live in Belfast. As a student worked on the ex Larne Stranraer ferries. Galloway, Caledonia and Antrim. Love seeing the Caledonia ploughing Belfast Lough still looking a fine sight!! I know times have to move on but miss travelling as a kid on the Ailsa and Antrim Princesses if only for a short time. Happy memories! Kind regards, Justin Date: 01 July, 2007 CommentsGreat site, brings back the memories of my childhood on that ship every summer! Great! Glad you enjoyed. Rgds, Justin Date: 25 June, 2007 Commentsgreat site. brought back some happy memories, particularly of Saint Columba which I was fortunate to sail on, on 4 occasions as a child/teenager. On sailing on Ulysses in 2001, the harbour had changed so much from my childhood memories that i had difficulty recalling but this site has refreshed them. particularly remember getting off the train at holyhead, boarding the saint columba, going straight up to the forward viewing area and staying there until we docked in dun laoghire then getting on that train!! happy days!! MART Hi Mart, yep, the harbour has certainly changed! Glad you like the site!! Rgds, Justin Date: 17 June, 2007 CommentsVery well done site. Would like to see more images of the Challenger. Callum Thanks Callum, it will be done! Rgds, Justin Date: 17 June, 2007 CommentsBeautiful Site. would like to see more pictures of Dún Laoghaire passenger terminal in present day. This is planned, when time permits. There is quite a backlog of material to upload! Rgds, Justin Date: 16 June, 2007 CommentsQuite a nice site. Chock full of the sort of things to bring a chuckle to mariners everywhere. Does any one have any information of Capt. John F. Pinchin, Master of Scotia during 1914-18, Commodore of the LNWR fleet? Would love to correspond if you do. Best Regards, Capt. G. D. Emmons USMM (Ret) How about it, does anyone out there have any information of Capt. Pinchin? Rgds, Justin Date: 15 June, 2007 CommentsI have a personal link with Holyhead now having brought away from her home port a 1960's British Rail/Sealink clinker motor launch used as a harbour boat. She was built at Holyhead, and more information about her would be welcome and reading this wonderful site has helped so much to put into context the sort of work she did and the conditions she worked in. Robin rbldunn@aol.com Where do you keep her Robin? Rgds, Justin Date: 07 June, 2007 CommentsHi Justin, great pictures! From your cousin David Merrigan from Manchester, England. My dad Michael says hello. David!!! Wow - great to hear from you! Date: 31 May, 2007 Commentsas a former seafarer on several of these vessels I was almost moved to tears...thanks I feel very humbled; just very pleased to know you enjoyed the collection. Rgds, Justin. Date: 27 May, 2007 CommentsHi, I found your site when searching for information on the wreck of the SS Marquis of Bute in 1910 which is mentioned as a snippet. My great-grandfather was second engineer on the ship and I would like to find out more about the incident. Claire Fraser Claire, afraid I can't help you with the Marquis of Bute, but perhaps someone reading the site can?? Rgds, Justin. Date: 18 May, 2007 CommentsGreat website celebrating the history of a once triumphant service between the UK and Ireland Date: 02 May, 2007 CommentsExcellent. My cousin =John Marsh, Our grandfather served on the Holyhead boats but died on one which was serving as a hospital ship in the Red Sea in 1916. Another distant relation was Capt Albert Marsh, known to our parents as Ucle Albert, but not to us. Rodney Williams, Highfield. Dyserth. 2/5/07 Hi Rodney, good to know you enjoyed the site - I wonder if that is your uncle pictured on the Masters & Officers of the Past page?. Rgds, Justin Date: 17 April, 2007 CommentsI was so delighted that we came across this web site, and a fascination look back to the past, I spent over 10 years working on the video machines on Sealink ships up to 1985 JC Happy Dayzz JC! Rgds, Justin Date: 09 April, 2007 CommentsDear Captian Bailey - Alan Barnes here! Remember me? Mv. Stena Holiday Camp, from the early 90's... I keep in touch with Chris Cowell from time to time.. I found an old reference from you the other day... my God, was I really that bad? Anyway, would like to catch up.. drop me a line.. info@alanbarnesfineart.com Best as ever, even if we do, from time to time, 'run out of water' Alan Barnes Seaman grade A1+ retired. Date: 07 April, 2007 CommentsI miss some information about some boats on the hook of holland harwich service . I would like some information about the arnhem, the amsterdam, st Edmund and st George. I traveled with all these boats. My favourite ship was the Avalon. Those old days will never return. Only photos can bring back the memories. Erik from Holland Hi Erik, this site specifically deals with the Holyhead ships, so Harwich - Hoek is outside our scope. Hope you still enjoyed our offerings though! Rgds, Justin Date: 16 March, 2007 CommentsCongrats on a brilliant website guys. Brings back many happy memories for me as our family spent most of my childhood summers in Holyhead between '68 and '74. My grandfather ( Joe Shephard ) was one of the senior managers at the port so the port and the ships figured large in our time there. When I have a bit more time I will share some memories and anecdotes with you. There is also a bunch of 35mm colour phots which my father took at the time. My brother has copyright but I am sure he will give permission to put them on your website if you are interested. They cover the harbour area, the breakwater quarry and about ten or so are of the ships. Keep up the good work. Mike McBrine Hi Mike, thank you very much for your encouragement! Looking forward to hearing more from you - you may email through the link on the What's new page. Cheers, Justin Date: 10 March, 2007 Commentsvery interesting site do you list all the relief vessels that served on the holyhead run as im trying to collect postcards of all vessels on the holyhead ireland route and this site is a very good reference by the way i remember you (justin) visiting tony lavis jones ect on the cambria i was an ab there in them days also glad to see you got permission to use that photo of us on the adveturer coming around the breakwater it was me who sent it to tony jones ive also sent him a few scans of postcards he might send them on regards alan Hi Alan, great to hear from you! Actually, all the vessels are listed on the Ships Index Page, so if you base your list on that one. If you contact me by email I'll see if I have any spares of those vessels you have yet to collect. Great shot of the Adventurer - your shot via Tony arrived shortly after the high res original from the photographer. Very impressive! Good to see the Adventurer back in service! Rgds, Justin Date: 03 March, 2007 CommentsHi Gents, I can not understand why you do not talk so much about the Princess Maud.... It is the most famous of your ships to the Irish Community in the UK. The Princess Maud is indeed covered on her dedicated page in the Ships section. As the ship left the port some four years before I was born I cannot obviously talk too much about her - this is where contributions from folk such as yourself are warmly welcomed! Rgds, Justin. Date: 25 February, 2007 CommentsThank you for a wonderful website on the Sealink vessel St Columba and history of Holyhead. Have heard that the St Columba has been sold to Kanoo group of Dubai and been re-named Masarrah. Hopefully she will sail for many more years to come. Thanks Dean Powell Thank you Dean! Keep an eye on the latest movements of the Massarah in the Galley Telegraphy section of the Holyhead Shipmates forum. Rgds, Justin. Date: 20 February, 2007 CommentsPlease can anyone confirm dates relating to when my late uncle, Neville Stirzaker from Fleetwood, was an officer of the Duke of Lancaster. Hi. I do know Capt Stirzaker was in command of the Brian Boroime in 1970. If you visit the container ship page you will see a photo of him there. Rgds, Justin. Date: 17 February, 2007 CommentsI WORKED ON THE ST COLUMBA FROM 1978 TILL 1989 ON B WATCH. IVE WORKED EVERY JOB THERE WAS TO HAVE. I ENJOYED MY 11 YEARS THERE, BECAUSE WE ALWAYS HAD A GOOD CRACK GETTING THERE, AND GOING HOME ON THE TRAIN. I TRIED TO REGISTER ON LINE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH PEOPLE BUT HAD NO LUCK. MY NAME IS PAUL SPENCER A.K.A THE MANTIS. MY EMAIL IS SPENO@COX.NET Date: 15 February, 2007 CommentsIt brought back memories of travelling Sealink in the 1970's and 80's. Sailing tickets and rushing to get a seat on the train at Holyhead. Date: 16 January, 2007 CommentsHello, just visiting your site looking for information. This is a genuine request in a missing persons case. I am trying to get in touch with someone who worked on the connacht in may 1979.I read where this service from swansea to cork ended on the 20th may 1979. This person may have been a passenger on this ship on the last day. Please if anyone can help wil you get in touch with me. kind regards, mary.e-mail mnibhrian@o2.ie . Date: 07 January, 2007 CommentsMy Grandfather David Pritchard and Great Grandfather John Pritchard were both Master Sea Pilots. John was born in Holyhead and later moved to Liverpool where he married and raised his family. With both father and son being sea pilots I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on how to find out which company they worked for. John was born in 1818 and David in 1858. Please contact me at kcnw33715@blueyonder.co.uk if you cab be of any help. With Thanks to a fabulous website. Many thanks! If anyone can assist please make direct contact at the email address provided. Rgds, Justin Date: 07 January, 2007 CommentsHi all! Please tell me if the Big C is still in service and what route it's takes and the nearest airport to that Port as I want to take some up to date pictures for the site. Let me know if anyone else has any other requests. Many thanks Robbie Nottingham Hi Robbie, you'll find the latest photos of the ship in the Greek section in the St Columba Gallery. Also the latest news on the ship is Galley Telegraph section on the Fourm. Rgds, Justin Date: 06 January, 2007 CommentsHello, I am searching for information on the MANX VIKING Ro Ro Ferry. If you have any info on her or her past crews, please let me know. I am researching for a paper about her, her captian, crew sailing, and refit history... Hi, Unfortunately you left no way of contacting you so I can't respond directly. Please feel free to sign up to our Forum and I shall address any questions you may have on there. You can also contact me via the email link on the What's New page. Rgds, Justin Date: 01 January, 2007 CommentsGreetings and best wishes. My name is John Brennan and I live in Cobh just up the road from the old Verolme Yards. I am researching the history of the yard and I would live to talk to someone there on the contents of your web site and perhaps permission to use references to the web and some material. Give us a mail or call please. Happy new year and fair sailing John John, Unfortunately you left no way of contacting you so I can't respond directly. Please feel free to sign up to our Forum and I shall address any questions you may have on there. You can also contact me via the email link on the What's New page. Rgds, Justin Date: 29 December, 2006 CommentsI think your web site is great. I am only 14 and am particularly interested in the ships of the Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead route during the early 1990's until 96 especially the Stena Hibernia shame you don't have any on board pictures of her. I am wondering where you would be able to find any Sealink brochures or leaflets from the Stena Sealink Line period i have tried asking Stena Line but they have nothing. I collect things like that i have a booklet that was given out i think during the press conferences in 1993 when Stena were first promoting the HSS and two Stena line mini facts booklets from 1994 & 1996. Also it would be great if you had any deck plans of the Stena Hibernia that you could put up on the site. I think its a shame that all Dun Laoghaire is left with is the HSS im not sure if Stena Line would keep the route going for much longer which is an awful shame. How many passengers would Stena carry on the route every year and do you happen to know where the Lorry Drivers Restaurant on the Stena Hibernia was located? From Simon, Ireland I have your book "Car Ferries of the Irish Sea" i think its great keep up the good work Hi Simon, thanks for your encouraging comments! I do have some material on the Stena Hibernia which I will add at some stage this coming year. I have a house move looming in February, so I think it unlikely it will happen before then, but watch this space. A GA plan of the Stena Hibernia will be included in that. In relation to the driver's restaurant, this was eventually located along the starboard side of the Hibernia Restaurant. Today, I think Stena carries in the region of 890,000 passengers a year into D/L. During the duty free heyday it would have been around 1.3 million. Rgds, Justin Date: 14 December, 2006 Comments Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire : Runaway .It was 1985 when I first ran away from A children’s home in Stafford shire from abuse. One day I found my way to hollyhead I was only 8 years old at the time and did not know what a ship was , I got the train from Birmingham and stayed on until the end (hollyhead) I did not know it was a port just the exit of the train station , to cut a long story short , I was on the ferry going to Dun Laoghaire I arrived there at around 6am and then everyone vanished so I wanted and got back on the ferry to England . It began a love afer with ferrys and every time I ran away from the abuce I ended up in hollyhead , now one ever beleved me when I handed myself in , so one time I ran away and handed my self in when I got to Dun Laoghaire . May I say thank you for all the kindness I was given on bourd and thank you all for saving my life (sounds odd I know) but you did . Thank you and sorry from a boy age 8 in 1984-87 . PS the travil bug never left me I now live in Cape Town and am a radio producer . God Bless Steve Guest steveiconmedia@yahoo.co.uk Date: 24 November, 2006 Commentsmy father worked on the hengist from 1972 on wards.he worked on the ferries from1948/1982.many atime he used to tell me stories of his time on the ferries.he was a q.m whenhe last served.sadly he passed away in 2005.your web page brought back memories. my dad's name is ron weatherhead. he sailed from Folkestone, Kent. Pleased to hear the site brought back happy memories - a new page on the Hengist was added on 2 December. Rgds, Justin. Date: 17 November, 2006 CommentsReally wonderful site and brought back lots of memories, as I regularly traveled as a child in the sixties, 2 or 3 times a year. visiting family in Ireland. My father used to tell me a story about him and his sister aged 14 & 15 being evacuated to Ireland the day world war 2 was declared. they traveled on the mailboat and halfway across to Dún Laoghaire they were transferred from one ship to another , mid sea by means of gangways straddled across the 2 ships. Why, he never knew. At first when he told me this, i didn't believe him, but his sister verified it to me a few year later. I would love to find out more about this, as I presume it did happen. to date I have had no luck, but maybe someone visiting this site my know something about the event. Again really great site.. thanks a lt. Nicky McGrath How about it folks? Perhaps someone in the Holyhead Maritime Museum would know? Rgds, Justin. Date: 15 November, 2006 CommentsJustin many thanks, as my husband had 2 brothers and 2 sisters this would have been quite a lot of money given the economic situation in Ireland at that time. Thanks again. Date: 09 November, 2006 CommentsJustin, many thanks. We can stop that part of our research. My husband went to England in 1959 (aged 4) and he thought that he went on the Cambria but is now not so sure. Do you know if in those days you bought a combined ticket from Dun Laoghaire - London Euston? As he had 2 brothers and 2 sisters at that time, the total fare must have been quite expensive. Thanks Carol. Hi Carol, yes indeed in all probability it would have been a ship and rail through ticket. A port to port fare on the Holyhead service in winter 1960 was 39s/- one way first class, or 19s/6d second class. Double those prices for a return. A ticket one way from Dun Laoghaire to Euston would have been 70s/2d second class all the way. Hope this helps. Rgds, Justin. Date: 07 November, 2006 CommentsWe are trying to find any passenger records from the MV Cambria mail boat from Dun Laoghire to Holyhead around 1959-1964. Our home email is owaindy@eircom.net As far as I can ascertain, passengers lists were not maintained back then, so I think your search has hit the buffers. In fact passengers lists on UK ferries is a recent development. Rgds, Justin. Date: 05 November, 2006 CommentsBrilliant read excellent! just bought the book "Car ferries of the Irish sea" keep it up please. Thank you very much indeed!!! Rgds, Justin. Date: 29 October, 2006 CommentsHi Justin, et al, me again! Reading some of the comments for 2006 I notice that there are a few references to the Princess Maud and her lack of stabilisers. I remember my grandmother, who only had to smell the sea to start being sick, always preferred to travel on the Maud rather than the mailboats for some reason, and among many of the Irish in my neck of the woods (Birmingham) the Maud is renouned for "having had a flat bottom", to explain her tendency to roll. I've never really understood this and no-one has ever told me where this belief comes from. Is this a common thinking and, if so, do you know where it originates? Keep up the excellent work! Regards, Gerry Hi Gerry, I don't know about the 'flat bottom', but her tendency to roll would when compared with the Hibernia and Cambria would certainly be due to the lack of stabilisers. Indeed, the two 1949-built ships did not receive fins until 1951 and until that time they too had a rather poor reputation for rolling on a wild Irish Sea night! Rgds, Justin. Date: 28 October, 2006 CommentsLove the siren! I presume it's St Columba? Frightened the life out of me the first time I heard it 'though! Gerry Thanks Gerry - he he, glad it had the desired effect! Not the St Columba, but I believe it to be the fog horn on the Baily Light. Rgds, Justin Date: 28 October, 2006 CommentsAn extremely interesting website -many fond memories ~ Mr Leslie BRAMHILL son of the late Captain William F BRAMHILL Senior master of the AVALON when she was in Harwich Hook of Holland service. Hello Leslie, delighted to know you found the web site interesting. Your Dad's name is familiar to me from back issues of Sealink News. Shortly I'll have some pre-conversion photos of the Avalon at the Hoek in 1969. Rgds, Justin Date: 22 October, 2006 CommentsHello all, I am trying to establish a Sealink restoration society to purchase and restore an old vessel - Earl Godwin which I am told operates in Italy with Moby lines renamed as Moby Baby. When this is sold on / scrapped I would very much like to put a bid together to acquire the vessel. Would anyone like to become involved in any way? carlrcoventry@hotmail.com Date: 22 October, 2006 CommentsThanks for tour info Justin. Carl Date: 20 October, 2006 CommentsHi Justin I wondered if the model ship ever arrived with you? Regards Mike Francis (ex Hoverspeed) www.brenzett.net Hi Mike, have sent you an email. Rgds, Justin. Date: 15 October, 2006 CommentsExcellent website. Read about the Antrim Princess just as I was putting a 1988 A4 brochure featuring Tynwald into my ebay auctions as Antrim Princess as Tynwald. Robert ForsytheDate: 14 October, 2006 Commentslooked at the up dated pictures ,excellent work ,hope u will keep it up regards .stenaline employee. Many thanks, Rgds, Justin. Date: 11 October, 2006 CommentsHi all this is my second comment I have to say it is an excellent site with so many great pictures. I was out in dun laoghaire last week for a walk as the HSS came in. this is a great ship but it just cant beat the Hibernia & Cambria, it is a shame when you see the derelict harbour where she berthed, pity they got rid of them. Is there any plans on Stena ferries coming back to dun laoghaire? Keep up the great work it is a credit to you!! Clinton I don't think you'll see conventional ferries in Dun Laoghaire again Clinton - they've outgrown the port. Rgds, Justin. Date: 09 October, 2006 CommentsHi I have been looking at your web site I must say it is very good and I have enjoyed very much looking at it. Thanks. Many thanks for your kind comments; pleased to know you enjoy it! Rgds, Justin Date: 30 September, 2006 CommentsJust found this site while looking for info on the Rhodri and Brian. Nice to see they remained together for so long. Great site Justin. Tony Mitchell ex R/O. Tony! Great to hear from you! You can drop me an email by clicking the link on the map page - would love to hear what you're up to these days. You might also like to take a look at The Telegraph page! Cheers, Justin. Date: 23 September, 2006 CommentsHi Guys, Great web site, Do you have any updated info on Earl Godwin / Moby Baby? Is she still in-service in Italy? Thanks, Best Wishes, Carl Rose carlrcoventry@hotmail.com Hi Carl, the Moby Baby is still alive and well running to Elba. Take a look at http://www.mobylines.it/mds/web/show.xpd?page=navi Rgds, Justin. Date: 30 August, 2006 Comments Dear Justin, Thank you very much for your contribution to our reunion weekend. The Saturday night was well attended and everyone had a good time. I trust that your subsequent journey was less eventful and that you and the family are well. Let me know if you are this way at any time, it would be good to get together. Best wishes Ann Kennedy Thanks Ann, it was my pleasure to be involved! Great to see so many old friends again - you must make it an annual event! Rgds, Justin. Date: 27 August, 2006 CommentsI started traveling on these ships back in 1964 when the ships were showing the BR markings on the funnels. I recall the very basic catering facilities and of course the rare time when a car was loaded onto the decks by crane - how times have changed. Whatever happened to the man who used to board at Dun Laoghaire selling holy medals and rosary beads? Some people used to think that by buying something off him it would avoid a rough crossing. No duty free shops then and certainly no comfortable seats in second class but then it was a lot cheaper. Thanks for that! Times have indeed changed. I think back then the trip was seen as a 'big' thing; today it seems as natural as taking a bus or train journey. Rgds, Justin. Date: 25 August, 2006 CommentsNot enough updates! More frequent please. Love the pictures and updates. They come as often as family life allows! Rgds, Justin Date: 08 August, 2006 CommentsFabulous website! My great uncle, John Sherwood, was chief engineer for the fleet running the Holyhead/ireland route back in the 1950s as far as I understand - and my father frequently travelled on the Hibernia & Cambria with him - so the pictures on your site were quite a nice surprise for Dad! He remembers standing on a box by the ship's wheel, being allowed to momentarily 'steer' as a kid - on one of the two above ships - (they tended to avoid the Maud due to her lack of stabilisers!) Keep up the great work! Thanks for your email - I wonder if anyone has any pictures or info concerning John Sherwood (Chief Engineer in the fleet in the 50's) or his brother Captain Sherwood - later Admiral of the fleet of Goole (must be the world's smallest fleet!!), Rgds, Justin Date: 08 August, 2006 CommentsGreat site by the way, keep it goin'..B.Patterson Date: 07 August, 2006 CommentsWell Done Ann on becoming Mayor of Holyhead..or should I have said(knowing you)..Lady Mayoress!!..Good Luck..B.Patterson. Date: 02 August, 2006 CommentsWhat a splendid website covering a previously neglected subject. Well done, well done indeed. Anyone else remember on a mail boat hiring a pillow and rug to use in the 'First Class Gentleman's Dormitory', a wonderfully archaic place by the 1960s? I also remember seemingly being the only one with a strong enough stomach one rough morning to try a full fry up on Holyhead Ferry 1 (which one chap called the flagship of the Welsh Navy!) on the way over to see Wales play at Lansdowne Road. Even in the 70s with BR at Crewe, it was not unusual to have to lay on an ad hoc boat train to clear the large numbers of passengers. Happy days The Flagship of the Welsh Navy eh! Pity she didn't have a name to befit that rank!! Thanks for your kind comments - and the memory! Rgds, Justin. Date: 29 July, 2006 CommentsA very good sight with some fascinating reminders of all the interesting charters and reliefs over the years. I shall certainly be returning to this site!! Well done all concerned. Bryan Kennedy. Many thanks Bryan! As I am on my way to Holyhead via Japan there won't be any further updates until 2 September. Rgds, Justin. Date: 22 July, 2006 CommentsBrilliant site. Lots of interesting pictures, some help me in connection with some of the stories told to me by my late grandfather 'John Owen' - who was a Chief Purser and head of catering on the St Columba. Nice to see her still going. My Grandfather would have been made up. Thank you, Keep up the brilliant work that has been done on this site. Holyhead has so much history, Its a shame that not all of us know much about it. Its thanks to sites like this one and the Maritime Museum (Richard and John), that we get to know just where the port and town has come from. Thanks and all the best. Gavin Malone Hi Gavin, so pleased that you have had much enjoyment from the site. You have hit the nail on the head with our objectives, that is to record the heritage upon which today's operations are built. That you recognise this makes all the effort most worthwhile! Thanks gavin! Rgds, Justin Date: 20 July, 2006 Comments What a great site. My family and i have travelled on the St Columba numerous times throughout the years visiting relatives in Eire, i always had a fascination about that ship and have great memories of it, especially one really rough crossing where it seemed the whole ship was throwing up. Hope it comes back to UK waters soon. All the best Rob, Powys, Mid Wales Thanks for your entry Rob. Doubt we'll ever see the former St Columba in UK waters again, but at least some good news from Greece - she is returning to service in lieu of a failed Express Santorini. Rgds, Justin. Date: 15 July, 2006 Commentsgreat site a lot of history passed through dun laoghaire keep up the good work. Date: 14 July, 2006 CommentsWhat a great web site, all the best for a great weekend in August 2006. I worked as one of 7 Terminal Controllers at the FLT from 1971 to 1974. Derrick Codling Thanks Derrick - glad you enjoyed it! I have just updated the Containers Ships page with news of the old Rhodri and Brian. Rgds, Justin Date: 10 July, 2006 CommentsAbsolutely brilliant site....so many memories....thanks! Our pleasure! Rgds, Justin & Tony. Date: 08 July, 2006 Comments Great site...brings back memories. Brought up in Holyhead and went 'deep sea' as a Radio Officer for 10 years. Did a couple of crossings on the Rhodri Mawr as a relief R/O - happened to be on leave and available when the rugulars went sick! What happended to Slieve Donard and the two box boats? Regards Pete E. Cheers Pete. I need to a little research on the Rhodri and the Brian. They were sailing in the Med operating for Sarlis Container Services as the Peliner and the Peltainer, but I suspect the vessels have been sold onwards. Will post more details on the next update. The Donard ended in days sailing in the Red Sea during the mid-80s. Rgds, Justin Date: 06 July, 2006 CommentsVery well put together and brought back happy memories ! Little Justin has not changed very much. Paul Weldon. 2/o St.Cybi (and a few other ship relieving jobs) 1987-1993 Thanks Paul - talk to you on email! Rgds, Justin. Date: 06 July, 2006 CommentsWonderful site and still trawling through it. I am an avid fan of another mode of transport and its history. My memories of Dun Laoghaire is watching the Maud, Hibernia or Cambria arrive at about 730 am from Holyhead. I was a school holiday milkboy with my uncle and we covered most of the Dun Laoghaire and I made it my business to be delivering to Ross's Hotel as the boat arrived with the 'lads' returning from the sites in the U,K and heading off to the various parts of the State for the holliers. only to return two weeks later to go back, I always remember the sadness in their eyes. Little did I know I would be an emigrant too, at least reasonably successful and still in the UK THIRTY NINE YEARS later. Wonderful site and more ships please, prewar if possible. D.OConnor Hi Dave, thanks for sharing your memories with us! Pre-war ships are really outside the scope of this site, which is really the Sealink era and, as a scene-setter, the British Rail years. However, if and when we exhaust our subject (no sign of that yet!) we might then take a look back at those pre-ward steamers. Kind regards, Justin Date: 03 July, 2006 Comments What happened to the forum? The forum has been discontinued due to inactivity; but please feel free to post your comments or questions here. Rgds, Justin. Date: 02 July, 2006 CommentsHi I have a brass ships plate from the MAID OF KENT DOVER can you help date it thanks The Maid of Kent was built in 1959 by Denny's at Dumbarton - so most likely it dates from then. Rgds, Justin. Date: 01 July, 2006 CommentsI HEARD ABOUT THE PRINCESS MAUD ON THE RADIO AND WAS VERY INTERESTED IN IT. MY DAD CAME TO LIVE IN ENGLAND IN 1949 WAS THERE A PASSENGER LIST KEPT. MANY THANKS JULIE HANLEY Thanks for your note Julie; it really is quite amazing that one ship should remain in the memories of so many people. She was of course always associated with the sadness of having to leave ireland in the search of work in England. Rgds, Justin. Date: 18 June, 2006 CommentsJune 16, 2006. Re: Crews of an era past, bottom photo, Hank Sr. on the left. Which ship? Who are the other two? The ship is Hibernia, on the Heysham - Dunlaoghaire run. Hank - I played best of 21 games of Chess with him on that long run losing 11 - 10. Charley Coombs was also aboard, as were George Simpson and Walter Owen Williams (WOW). Many others, but 36 years taxes the memory. The man on the right in the photo is Albert Kavanagh (sp?), a native of Dun Laoghaire, who did not sail with the ship, but came ashore on the Irish side and acted, as I recall, a watchman of the passenger/ crew area while we went ashore, then went home when we sailed. The young fellow in the middle (and now I'm really stretching the memory) was named Ken (I think Williams, but not certain). He ended his time with BR during the Heysham run. Very many thanks for that. The Dun Laoghaire man would be Mick Kavanagh! I didn't recognise him as when I knew him in later years he wore a beard. But yes, looking at the pic it would indeed be him - well spotted! I think he died around 1985/86 - I recall Capt Len Evans lowered the St Columba's Red Ensign to half mast in respect. Rgds, Justin. Date: 14 June, 2006 CommentsHi spudseamus here loved every part of this site, take a bow he he , but tell me where are the pics of the old mail boats I remember BIG black multi funnled ships early fifties or am I wrong. G'day mate, email will have explained all I hope! Rgds, Justin. Date: 23 May, 2006 CommentsOn Shipfriends tonight I read that (St Columba) Express Aphrodite is now laid up in Piraeus and is 'up for grabs'. Date: 13 May, 2006 CommentsThis is an update on the Sealink weekend in August to coincide with the Maritime Festival. Friday evening there will be a presentation by George Walker's son. George was Catering Superintendant in Heysham. His son has some old photos of Holyhead crew members. Saturday there will be an opportunity to visit the marquee on Newry Beach with your memorabilia to have it scanned and recorded. Saturday night there will be a 'bit of a do' in the Conservative Club where all the information will be displayed, there will be a buffet with some light background music, so that there will be plenty of opportunites to meet old friends and take a trip down memory lane. Sunday back to the marquee and more memories. you can contact me on agwelfor@aol.com with suggestions and questions. We are looking for a name for the weekend such as Sealink Stories or something more imaginative with the word Sealink in it. Regards Ann Kennedy Many thanks Ann, a dedicated page is now online - please access through the web site map. Rgds Justin & Tony. Date: 07 May, 2006 Commentssince me and my twin brother have been born we travel from holyhead to dunlagohaire on board the hss stena eexplorer i am 11 years old and it is a fantastic ship it has had minor changes such as mc donalds to burger king but they dont make a major differnce to the ship. i think the ship is the best of the fleet one reason is because it is sleek and fast.a second is because the staff our nice. i have been on one of the slow boats on this fleet. but it was overcrowded and compact. also the staff was horible and did not care what you thought. i think the service is outragous because we asked for a cabin but the person did not come back.my final point is that it is a 5 hour journey and it has 6 decks.that was my comment thank you for looking at my points yours dearly :joseph glenny 11 and jack glenny 11 from cheshunt hertfordshire england Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us Joseph and Jack! Date: 30 April, 2006 CommentsExcellent site that charts a major part of the port's history through it's (flag)ships and characters. Thanks for providing this valuable insight through pictures and testimonials, so that the younger generation will understand and appreciate the rich seagoing heritage of Holyhead, and it's rightful standing as one of the key ports of Great Britain. Very many thanks - that is exactly what we want to do. Today's operation is very impressive but we have to record the heritage upon which it is built. Rgds, Justin & Tony. Date: 28 April, 2006 Commentsanne kennedy, wow mayor. i was there when you were there. always amazed me how you never forgot a name. Date: 26 April, 2006 CommentsHello, I am Ann kennedy, currently Mayor of Holyhead. I worked in the port of Holyhead from 1968 to 1990, I finished as the Personnel Manager for the ships' crews. It was a wonderful time and I have many stories and memories to tell. I have a hope that some day I can put these memories down on paper and publish them! My husband was at sea for almost 40 years. I am in the process of arranging a reunion weekend for Sealink colleagues to coincide with the Maritime Festival. Please contact me on agwelfor@aol.com and I will keep you all informed. Kind regards Ann Kennedy You simply must record those stories Ann! I have sent you am email regarding the reunion. Rgds, Justin Date: 26 April, 2006 CommentsAn excellent read, brought back memories of trips to Ireland in the late sixties, early seventies. I remember once returning to UK on the afternoon mail, this would have been Aug. `72 (but could have been a year or two earlier). We were approaching Holyhead, my sister and myself reclining on the sacks of mail stowed on the forward deck, when a submarine surfaced bearing down on us from the North. My Dad reckoned it was a`T` class, and who was I to argue, anyway it submerged and it did`nt bother us again. Happy days! Brendan Walsh Thanks Brendan, there are quite a few tales about encounters with submarines! Rgds Justin & Tony Date: 21 April, 2006 CommentsG'day Justin, Just spent a pleasant hour or two on sealink-holyhead.com. I've only been in Holyhead since 1990 but I found your material most interesting. More nostalgia - eh! Best wishes, Gulpers Glad you enjoyed it mate, talk soon on email! Rgds, Justin. Date: 18 April, 2006 CommentsHey Really like your website, very interesting. I am a trainee navigating officer with Stena, and will qualify with my OOW in november this year. I have worked on both the Stena Caledonia and the HSS Stena Voyager during my training, and I also remember travelling on the Caledonia when she was the St David, going to see my gran in Northern Ireland. Keep up the good work :) E McNicoll Trainee Navigating Officer Many thanks for your kind comments and good luck with your OOW! I haven't been on the former St David since she left Holyhead, I would imagine she has changed somewhat. Which ship are you on now? Rgds, Justin. Date: 09 April, 2006 CommentsA lazy Sunday afternoon searching for pictures of old Holyhead led me to your site and what a little gem it is!!! I was catering assistant/house keeper on the Cambria 92/94 and it was lovely to see the photos of her again. I've bookmarked your site and will be a regular visitor from now on. Many thanks for the nostalgia guys!! Tracey J Thanks Tracey, glad to know we've stirred some memories! Rgds, Justin & Tony. Date: 05 April, 2006 CommentsReally enjoyable and informative, just the thing for a frustrated sea dog. many congratulations. Glad to know we're quenching that thirst! Rgds, Justin & Tony Date: 05 April, 2006 CommentsYou might be interested to know that there's a link to this website off www.answers.com when you type in Sealink. Paul Thanks Paul Date: 05 April, 2006 CommentsNice site Justin. I particularly liked the photographs especially as I noticed my late father Mick Merrigan, Supervisor, in the staff photograph from the mid-late 1970s. You might consider including a short biography section on your website so the stories of those involved in the operation of the Holyhead Dún Laoghaire route will be fully recorded for future generations of researchers or indeed, just for the descendants of these men and women. Again, best of luck. Regards, Michael Merrigan - www.familyhistory.ie Hi Michael, good to hear from you. Thanks for your comments and suggestion - I have emailed you on this. Rgds, Justin Date: 02 April, 2006 Commentsi started in 1987 and estayed til 99 on al holyhead ships and fishguard.and i agree the a deck lounges were a kiler to hoover.lol the site is coming on in leaps and bounds with more sections every time i visit i only wish i had taken pictures. i have got some somewere from the fire on board the columba which i was on. the car decks and general state of below decks. i was working in the duty free shop at the time and wasnt one of the best experiences i ever had but was handled well by the crew. it really brought it home to me watching the 10 o clock news in our cabin. and there we were.. scary. How about sharing those photos with us?! Rgds, Justin & Tony. Date: 01 April, 2006 CommentsThank you for the pictures of the Princess Maud! I was taken on a day trip to Holyhead in 1962 by my father (I was 6 years old) and we passed the Princess Maud in mid crossing - we were heading east, she west. On our return (one way on Cambria the other on Hibernia) Princess Maud was alongside in Dun laoghaire. I recall my father expressing relief at not sailing on her owing to her fearsome reputation for rolling! I had no idea of her heroic history at Dunkirk and Normandy. She certainly had beautiful "classical" lines. How quaint that she was kept in reseve alongside "in case she was needed" - how delightfully unmodern! Thanks for this Justin. Paul Bennett Our pleasure Paul. In fact, no sooner had your message arrived when another photo of the ship arrived - a cracker from John Lewis's collection. See the update! Rgds, Justin. Date: 30 March, 2006 CommentsWhat a great site. Love the photos of the St Columba. I recently travelled with Irish Ferries on the Ulysses and about a week later on the Swift...what a miserable experience. They just don't have the same touch that Sealink had. Paul Smith Interesting Comment Paul, sorry to hear about your travelling experience. Rgds, Justin & Tony. Date: 29 March, 2006 CommentsGood to see today's operations at the port included in the new Stena section Date: 29 March, 2006 CommentsLike the new updates! Date: 29-Mar-2006 CommentsGuest Book modified, latest entries to top. Validation field added to prevent spam messages.
CommentsJust realised I've never left a comment. Definitely one of the finest ferry websites on the net - superbly researched and personal. Keep up the good work guys. Regards Gary Andrews High praise indeed Gary, many thanks! Rgds, Justin & Tony
CommentsThis is a great site and full of nostalgia for me. I joined the Hibernia for the summer season of '69 April through to September after 5 years deepsea with Blue Funnel. Had an awesome 6 months aboard her and met some fantastic people.I recognise some of the faces in the crew photo section who were in the Hibernia at the time. I have some very fond memories of Holyhead and the local watering holes. I ended up jumping ship out of the Westmorland, Federal line, in New Zealand in '72 and now live in Auckland. Directed to this site through shipsnostalgia website, another great site for ex-seamen. Keep up the good work. Regards Phil Saul Hi Phil, many thanks for your kind comments!! The Edinburgh eh!!! Rgds, Justin Date:
CommentsHave you any photos of the "Princess Maud" which I recall in the autumn of her years as an extra summer vessel on the route in the early to mid sixties? I seem to remember she was coal fired? She always belched black smoke even when alongside the Carlisle Pier in Dun Laoghaire. Paul Bennett - once of Dalkey - now living in the UK and sadly miles from the sea! Hi Paul, we hope to have some photos of the Princess Maud online in the not too distant future. The ship was indeed coal fired as built, but was converted to burn oil just before the war. Rgds, Justin
CommentsA magnificent historical documentation of some great characters in pursuit of their love of the sea and their ships.....PS I just met Justin in Tassie tonight ( it's 2248hrs (Eastern Australian Summer Time), Thursday 23 February 2006!! Big Aussie Cheers to you blokes!! Macka in Tassie. Thanks Macka!! Great to meet with you last night, see you for a BBQ and a Beer real soon mate! Rgds, Justin
CommentsThis website brings back good memories,best of luck with it.I will be visiting often. Meirion Williams.retired engineer. Thank you for your comments Chief, very much appreciated! We're crying out for contributions from the Engineering side!! Rgds, Justin & Tony.
CommentsHi Justin & Tony Congratulations on an excellent site- brought to my attention by Capt John Bakewell, whom I recently lent a photo of my dad (Capt John R Rowlands), which he sent to you & you then promptly added to the list of Holyhead Masters- many thanks. I have a detailed profile of my father for you to include with the photo, but not sure where to send it- a different E.Mail address ? Ray Rowlands Hi Ray, very many thanks! You can email me direct by using the 'Message in a Bottle' button on the Web Site Map page. Rgds, Justin
CommentsI enjoyed this site and looking forward for updates. did the Stena Londoner take place of the cambria over the easter period around 1995 or 1996? Hi, the Stena Londoner was used to provide extra Easter capacity on the route for one week from 2 March 1996 due to the delayed arrival of the new HSS Stena Explorer. Rgds, Justin
CommentsHave just found this website and it's really great to see old pictures and Names that i well remember from my days at Eversholt House, Marine Department. It was always a pleasure to speak to Holyhead and it's Master's, and an even greater pleasure to sample the hospitalilty, when we were allowed out!!!!.. Great to see.
CommentsI love your site. As a spotty youth I worked for BR as a steward in the Normannia from July to September 1964 on the Dover - Calais run between leaving school and going up to UCL. It was a very fast ship for its size, making the crossing in just under 90 mins. In fact our C crew captain not infrequently gave the bow a serious nudge on his high speed arrivals in Calais. I loved my 2 months in the merchant marine and your site brought back some very pleasant memories. Baz jandb@optusnet.com.au Delighted that we have stirred some memories! Many thanks for your comment. Rgds, Justin & Tony.
Commentsdoing a great job lads great website especially now that the old cattle boats are in on the act, keep up the good work all the best lads More to come! Rgds, Justin & Tony.
CommentsGreat website! The detailed history and pics of St Columba are especially good. Well Done Justin and Tony!
CommentsThe site is still coming on well keep it up. Jason
CommentsFab web site just want to say a big sorry if anyone Remembers a boy in the 80s around 1985 who was in care in Birmingham, he keep running away from the home and ending up on ship from hollyhead. thank you to all the crew for being so kind. I still have the travel bug and am now head of production for a christen radio station in Cape town. I remember the first time pulling up on the train at hollyhead station from 4 in the morning not knowing it was a port just wanted some place to be safe, so I followed people thinking it was the way out, I was only 10 y then so no one questioned me, before I know it I was in a fab train station. I did take me some time to realize I was on a ship when we set off I thought we where of to the USA and someone will find me and keep me safe, but 3h later we arrived in Ireland if anyone remembers me you can email me at production@ccfm.org.za or steveiconmedia@yahoo.co.uk thank you and God bless Steve Guest (no longer a stow away ) What a brilliant story, I was working on the ferry at that time (St Columba) but I can't remember you, but there again there were three crews on her during that time (24 hours on 48 off) so I was probably at home when you made your epic journey!!! All the best to you Steve, and many thanks for sharing your story with us, Regards Tony.
CommentsExcellent site as an ex worker for Sealink 1988-1994 and started on the St Columba (A) Deck lounge was a killer to clean with the hoover...LOL..... The old photo's are great. my mam Ann blondie also worked at sea for over 25 years brill site all the best .............Paul................... Thanks for your comments Paul, rgds Justin & Tony. ************************ Many thanks to you all for your comments in 2006 Date: 27 Jun 2005 Many thanks Hugh! Justin & Tony Date: 29 Jun 2005 Just found your excellent new website by accident! As a regular traveller
to Ireland for nearly 1/2 a century, (for whom the crossing is always the best
part of the holiday - Holyhead always was so welcome and exciting for me as a
boy on the outward journey but sooooooo dismal and forlorn to sail into on the
return - looking through the photo's is like meeting up with old friends again.
Thanks. Would love to see interior pictures of the old Cambria & Hibernia
(1949) and Princess Maud. Also, whatever happened to Rhodri Mawr and Brian
Borimme? Are they still around somewhere today? Looking forward to seeing future
treasures on this website - keep up the good work!. Gerry, Birmingham, UK Thanks for your kind comments Gerry.
I think you may have emailed me at an old address a while back but owing to a
move I have been unable to respond. Keep watching for updates over the
coming weeks, the site is very young! Regards, Justin Date: 29 Jun 2005 First Class website. Just what was needed. Keep up the good work. Frank Broughton Thanks Frank! Regards, Justin & Tony. Date: 29 Jun 2005 Best wishes for the new web site Justin. Certainly looks like it will be
a good one. Adrian Many thanks, Justin & Tony.
Date: 30 Jun 2005 Good luck and best wishes to Justin and Tony. Their new venture is sure
to be a great success and a welcome addition to the world of maritime websites. Aiden McCabe irishships.com Cheers Aiden! Not as detailed as your
excellent Irish Ships site, but we hope to grow over the coming months! Regards,
Justin & Tony. Date: 30 Jun 2005 Justin & Tony Good luck in developing the new site - you've taken on
some task - the Holyhead / Dun Laoghaire route is certainly a noteworthy example
of maritime heritage well worth recording. I'm very proud of the role I played
there afloat and ashore - a unique ferry route with some unique & wonderful
people! Colin Hetherington Thanks Colin! Our thoughts exactly
and we hope, in some small way, the site will serve as a fitting tribute to all
those who have participated in its history. Hope all is well down south!
Regards, Justin & Tony. Date: 01 Jul 2005 A very interesting website, I myself live in Kingsland not far away and I
serve in the current Merchant Navy (What's left) onboard Norfolkline ferries as
an officer. My father-in-law use to work the container cranes for the little box
boat on the photos and now he drives the tugs. I look forward to the updates. Thank you for your kind comments. Perhaps
with the latest news from Norfolk Line you might end up on the Irish Sea!
Regards, Justin & Tony. Date: 01 Jul 2005 Tony, Congratulations on the new site, heard about it from Justin this
morning. Glad to hear an old shipmate is doing well. Regards, John Mc Kenna, Ex:
Chief Officer "Stena Cambria", now Dublin Port Pilot. John, Tony is at sea at the moment but I
know he will be delighted to hear from you when he returns. Rgds, Justin Date: 02 Jul 2005 Well, Guys brings back memories I can tell you, pics of all the old ships
and I'm sure a few more pics to add. It is wonderful looking at the photos of
the masters, especially Walter Lloyd who took me under his wing a long time ago.
Thank you for keeping the Flag and memories alive for as you know they are sadly
slipping away, their stories and lives were Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire, and the
crews from the engine rooms to the catering to the bridge all made life at sea a
family affair. Thank you again. Ian. Ian, our pleasure. Tony and I are only
too aware that memories are slipping away and, as far as possible, we want to
preserve these before they vanish forever. I have some shots you have already
sent, but if you have a good one of your dad we would like to include it also.
Regards, Justin & Tony. Date: 03 Jul 2005 Tony and Justin, best wishes for the new site, if it turns out to be 1%
of Rhiw.com it will be an amazing success. Peter Hall Thanks Peter! Date: 05 Jul 2005 Good start chaps I'm looking forward to the yarns page ,there should be
many, some you're able to publish, others you dare not !!!! Maybe a Stena page
one day , some of us are still here for our sins. Wyn Parry Hi Wyn, much more to come over the coming
weeks and thank you for your own photo contributions! Since you asked nicely I
think we might be able to do something on present day operations!!
Regards, Justin & Tony. Date: 08 Jul 2005 Hey, sites coming along well. I have some photo's of the Stena
Adventurer, if you wish to include them. I unfortunately work on it. Jason Date: 11 Jul 2005 Best of luck to your interesting new site. Anyone remember Ivor Griffiths,
Master Holyhead Ferry I, late 60's/early 70's ? regards Dave MacVicker Hi
Dave, before my time I'm afraid, but I do recall the name mentioned in various
conversations. I think some relatives of his went on to become masters at
Holyhead in more recent years. Regards, Justin. Date: 12 Jul 2005 Justin, congratulations. I
am proud of you. Remember the trip home form Liverpool on the Earl William? That can only be "Shaker"!
I remember it well Jim - not least of all because you won't let me forget!
Cheers, Justin. Date: 12 Jul 2005 Nice site, do not forget to put photos of chief engineers, sites always
show captains but never CE An unfortunate trend yes, so all you
engineers out there, how about it? Regards, Justin & Tony. Date: 15 Jul 2005 I am a health and safety officer and also work on the H.S.C Jonathan
Swift, (ex competition). It is an interesting website, one which I will follow
with interest. Good luck to you both. Regards, Andrew Doyle Hi Andrew, many thanks for your kind
comments - nice to hear from the competition! Regards, Justin & Tony. Date: 15 Jul 2005 well done you guys great site. loved all the old pictures Robbie Irwin,
Nottingham. Thanks Robbie, regards, Justin & Tony Date: 24 Jul 2005 Surprised to see that none of the old cargo boats were mentioned on this
website i.e slieve bloom-league-more etc, no photos or a mention. is there no
photos of these about , up to the sixties Rome was not built in a day! As time
permits we are updating the site and we will have these ships featured in the
future. Rgds, Justin Date: 26 Jul 2005 Justin, Congratulations on the site - great to see the old photos and, in
particular, the history of the St. Columba. I would love to see old photos of
the shore staff at Dun Laoghaire. Best wishes. Terry Doyle, Dun Laoghaire Port Thanks Terry, keep checking back for some
D/L material - coming soon! Rgds, Justin Date: 26 Jul 2005 Very good site and good luck with it Date: 28 Jul 2005 Brilliant website; my dad used to work on the St.Columba just before/just
after Stena took over and it's brought back lots of good memories of day trips
across. It's such a shame St. Columba was ever moved from Holyhead but glad to
see that she's still carrying happy passengers. LJE HI JUSTIN & TONY, Love your new website and contents. Brings back
very fond memories of my time in the Personnel Dept, and of the Masters,
Officers & Crews I worked with. Makes me a little homesick too when I see so
many familiar faces of colleagues & friends. Keep up the good work. Chris
and I will become avid fans. All Good Wishes, Carol Clowes PAPHOS, CYPRUS Great to hear from you Carol, I'll never
forget your smiling face at the office, whatever the pressure was, Fondest
regards Tony. Date: 30 Jul 2005 An excellent site well done keep up the good work. Philip Coombs. Date: 30 Jul 2005 The bigger it gets the better it gets - thanks for the memories Justin
and Tony. Great. Date: 13 Aug 2005 A great website; thanks! I love to keep tabs on the old St Columba and
what she's doing these days. Hopefully I'll manage a few trips on her to
wherever she's sailing later in the year. Any chance of some interior photos of
the Cambria & Hibernia (1949), especially of the 2nd Class accommodation (we
were always too poor to afford 1st Class) to re-ignite my boyhood memories?
Also, interior photos of the Princess Maud (1934) - I sailed on her but was too
young to remember. Thanks - keep up the good work! Gerry Thanks Gerry, regarding accommodation
shots we have a surprise under our hats! Rgds, Justin Date: 16 Aug 2005 Good luck with your new website. Its great to see all the old Sealink
Ferries again. Its also good that our favourite ferries Earl William and Earl
Godwin still survive today. The Godwin (Moby Baby) will be 40 years old next
year. Barry Watts Good to hear from you Barry! I was
thinking of you when I drove through Weymouth to visit Incat 045 at Portland in
September 2003. Hope you are well. Rgds, Justin Date: 20 Aug 2005 |
