Captain Glynne Pritchard

Holyhead Memories

Sealink-Holyhead.com is delighted to share these superb photos by kind permission of Capt Pritchard ©

 
Capt Pritchard on the Rhodri Mawr.
 

On the bridge of the Avalon are Capt Idwal Pritchard, 2/O Neville Lester and QM Dafydd Evans

Capt Idwal Pritchard & C/O Walter Lloyd Williams, St Columba's aft bridge wing, August 1978

The St Columba in dry dock at Barry, South Wales, 1981.


The St Columba at Barry Dry Dock, 1981.



The St Columba at Barry Dry Dock, 1981.



Calm waters: The Rhodri Mawr approaches the South Stack on a summer evening sailing from Dublin.

Blowing a hooligan, the Rhodri Mawr battles a WNW Storm Ten on passage to Belfast.

South Stack on the starboard bow!



Landmarks of Holyhead; the St Columba takes her place, gone but not forgotten.
 

The RAF from Valley approach the Rhodri Mawr for winch practice.

Landing a man on the Rhodri Mawr at sea.


The Rhodri Mawr on her berth at Holyhead.


The St Columba leaves Holyhead during the 1989 summer season.




The St Cybi shifts berth in Holyhead, June 1989





Rolls of steel. These were often refused for shipment if the forecast was bad because they were only secured to the flats by a light rope lashing.

Flats of salt, with steel in the centre.




During 'The Troubles' the RN patrolled Belfast Lough, sometimes boarding inbound vessels with armed search parties.

Berthing at Belfast in the Rhodri Mawr, note bow thrust exhaust on foremast

 

Securing the motor lifeboat after a run in Pollock basin are Sandy Balfour, mate;  Dave Flanagan 2/E and able seaman Leonard.

A rough crossing draws to a close for the St Columba.




Holyhead breakwater; the St Columba's passengers will be glad their passage is nearly over.


The St Columba passes the North Stack.


Here we see just why Holyhead needs its breakwater.

Capt Owen Wyn-Jones brings the St Columba home, note the roll.

The sanctuary of Holyhead harbour is reached.








The St Columba enters the Inner harbour.








At Christmas the  Dublin Missions  to Seafarers' Chaplain would visit with gifts. Here trying on their Bobble hats are: C/O Tony Lavis-Jones, C/E Wyn Williams, 2/E David Thorne, R/O John Davies and 2/O Bob Ellsmoor

A tranquil scene of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, seen from the St Cybi.
 


Summer sunset on the Irish Sea with the St Columba Holyhead-bound on the 2045 ex Dun Laoghaire. Seen from the St Cybi.

The St Columba gains on the St Cybi as both ships plough their well worn track across the central corridor.


Illustrating the powerful forces the Irish Sea can hurl at Holyhead, the breakwater breached.

Unpopular relief, the French-flag Saint Eloi at Dun Laoghaire, April 1989.
 

The Rhodri Mawr loads at Dublin, August 1988.

 

An everyday Holyhead scene, with the St Columba arriving from Dun Laoghaire.

Resting under Morning Star, the St Columba at Dun Laoghaire.

The St Columba off the North Stack.


Away for Ireland once again, the St Columba.


Of Monuments and Container Cranes, the Horsa at Holyhead.

Following the rainbow to Ireland, the Rhodri Mawr on passage to Dublin.