Mike holberton speak for yourself (tate & lyle) I loved it could not get enough trips in from there ( I insisted at the (federation/pool) albert dock That all my trips were to be with tate,s there reply was (no sullivan) your expertise has a (pwsts-boy) are required with all other shipping companys who ring this office perfectly asking for (you)!!!...god-damit sullivan your such a lucky chap to have these company,s chasing after you!!!!!! my reply I understand if you need me Ill be in the connaught pub uptil 4pm when I shall return to dagenham!!! if any of the companys need me you will have to send a (telegram) and so it went mike and your (bitching). all I can say mike you made a bad impression some were along the line ?????.My life at sea was (but a hobby to me)!!!!!!. admiral/creeper..........xxxx.
Mike Im kidding (mate) !!!!. tate & lyle (up yours )!!!! now you understand that!!!!! (now are you coming to ingham).!!!!!. love to see you really mean that !!!!. fly over stay at my place when Ill drive the both of us to (ingham).!!!! come on (mike you owe me ).!!!!! (pat).xxxxxx. love to all the family from me and (rosie)... please reply .!!!!!! even if,s a (no)............
From 2.1.67 - 28.8.70 sailed with good old Sugar Line as Second Mate and Mate onCrystal Gem,Crystal Saphire,Sugar Crystal and Sugar Exporter..Not the happiest ships at sea especially latterly when budgetsw became tight and time in port, especially the likes of Bundaberg was very short causing problems with shore leave. Eric Want
I was in the Crystal Bell in 1963 Eric. Joined her at Erith on the London River. Loaded phosphate fertiliser in Bremenhaven and took it to Jamaica for the cane fields. Nearly killed us sweeping the holds out after they had discharged it. Loaded sugar at Ocho Rios, Salt River and Savanah La Mar and thought we were going home...No! took it up the Great Lakes to Deluth and discharged it. We started loading grain for Russia!! The Ruskies had a bad harvest and did a deal for grain.
Half loaded when JFK was shot in Dallas. Work stopped for nearly a week. The mate and the old Man were going berserk.. I think we were about the third from last ship out before it all froze up, we followed a big Canadian
icebreaker out through to the Welland Canal. Took the grain to Rotterdam, the deal fell through with the Ruskies (perhaps the yanks thought they were behind the shooting at the time? just guessing)
Remember the trip well because of JFK and the cold!!! gets a bit chilly up the lakes that time of year,doesn't it?
I think we were about the third from last ship out before it all froze up, we followed a big Canadian
