BP ENDEAVOUR

Credits for this photo go to (c) Chris Howell (Torrens on SN)

BP Endeavour as the Oriental Unity

As the British Cygnet at Cape Town

As the BP Endeavour at Port Adelaide

The "BP Endeavour" was one of the British "Birdy Boats", namely the "British Cygnet" built in the UK approx. 1962. She was renamed the "BP Endeavour" when she began trading out of Australian Ports till a suitable vessel was built for the Australian Trade.

When the new "BP Endeavour" was finally completed at the Newcastle ship yards her name was changed once again to the BP Explorer. Eventually her time was up in Aust. waters and she was delivered by an Australian crew to Singapore where she was returned to the home country auspices and took on her original name once again, the "British Cygnet".

The last I have heard of her was she was taken over by another shipping co and called the "Oriental Unity"and continued as such till she finally went to the breakers

BARWON

Barwon as when she was sold, renamed "Ability"

Alongside no 2 berth Port Adelaide

The Barwon at sea after her conversion from derricks to cranes

MACEDON

Photo Credits: Don Ross Collection

Macedon departing Port Adelaide

At no. 9 Glebe Island Sydney

This is another smaller vessel I sailed on, much like the Kooliga, sister ships I think built on the same plan at least. The Macedon was built in Germany but the Kooliga was built in the UK.

Nice little simple style conventional ships but boy could they roll, especially when light ship.

I spent 2 years on this ship with my father, he stayed there as Bridgeman/Mudpilot (quartermaster) for 17 years and it was his last ship at sea.

KOOLIGA

Photo Credits: Unknown Source

Note the Cranes....after conversion!

Photo Credits: Don Ross Collection

With her original gear!

Here she is shown with both gear and also when she had cranes. I was on her when she had Cranes. She belonged to Associated Steamship at that time and was doing a lot of trips to Port Kembla carrying rolls of steel for the car plants and Gypsum from Stenhouse Bay back east.

I did seven trips straight on the Kooliga from Melbourne to Stenhouse Bay, it got a little monotonous in the end but, the fishing was great...Paddy the Pig was Bosun!

GERRINGONG

Gerringong

Photo Credits: Don Ross Collection

Entering Port Adelaide Outer Harbor

At Bell Bay Tasmania

The Gerringong, another of good comfortable vessel I crewed upon...nice, sea kindly and pleasantly comfortable.

She was operated by Bulkships LTD and managed by Associated Steamship Co.

A good ship to work on, relatively new at the time I was on it so everything was spic and shiny.

MINKARA

The Minkara as the Rickie Miller

Photo Credits: Don Ross Collection

Minkara in Adelaide Steamship Colors

LAKE MACQUARIE

The Lake Macquarie on her way in

Photo Credits: Duncan Montgomery

Entering Port Kembla...I think!

Photo Credits: Don Ross Collection

Entering the Port River, Adelaide Outer Harbor

This vessel is the Lake Macquarie, an ANL vessel that I was on for a while, very easy ship to work on. If I remember rightly, I was never a watch keeper on her...I was a day man come wheelman.

I turned to in the morn and my job was to look after all the running gear like hatch wheels, wire pennants, shackles etc, a real cushy little number with lots of peaceful moments...very enjoyable job.