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having the total archive of comments on one page is now
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by year.
If this is your first visit to the site I
strongly recommend that you start from the beginning as there are some great stories and links.
Comments for the year 2022
Email / Date
Editors Note:
Due to concerns about spam and spam bots we now
replace the @ symbol with the actual word “at” so that spam bots don’t
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Deck plans for RMV Rangitata, Ken Blackman
29.01.22
Good evening. I am Tony Palmer and after some years on Hoorata general cargo ships (aka Tramps i joined NZSCO as 2/r/o on 19/11/1955. I have very fond memories of both my time with NZSco/ Federal I joined Nzsco in Nov 1955 signing on the Sussex then Hororata, Pipiriki, Tekoa again Papanui, Haparangi Again, Papamui and 2 trips on Haparangi. We had some wonderful times on the NZ coast and unlike today time in port was measured in weeks rather than days. I came ashore in 59 having married in 56. I am afraid at 69 my memory for names is not good I wish all former shipmates a healthy life.
31.1.22
Do you have a copy of the passenger areas for MV Rangitata AFTER her refit in 1949. So far, I've only been able to look at a 1936 deck plan but it is different from what I or a friend remember from 1957 when we travelled on the ship. Both my friend and my father kept diaries of the respective voyages so I'd like to relate these to the ship's layout before all information is lost. Auckland has the 1936 plan but that was before the refit. Please can you help in any way? Susan Firman
11.2.22
Hi, we are looking for anyone who knew a Ronnie Johnstone, he was the 4th engineer on the Rangitoto around 1964 or 65. He was Scottish and had a friend nic named Aussie Bob. My partner Andy is his son and never met him we cannot find him or any side of his Scottish family. Any clues about him would be so appreciated as we have been searching for years now. We live in Picton New Zealand. Andy was born in New Zealand in 1964. Thank you. My phone 021 2037878 Kindest regards Lisa Lee and Andy Fendall
16.2.22
Dear Jeffrey Shaw, I am researching a person. A Stanley Pellett. Mr Pellett may have worked for the New Zealand Shipping Company (NZSC). He may have worked as a merchant sailor or was hired to do the artwork for the fleet. Or a combination? He was known for his marine paintings and artwork for NZSC and also made the paintings commemorating Captain Bisset Smith who in WWI went down with his NZSC ship. Now with P&O heritage museum. I am reaching out to anyone who could get me any kind of biographical information about Stanley Pellett. I have nothing but his name and a few facts. See link below with my research. If you have any info, or have any tips, referrals or introductions that would be great. All the best, Kris von Habsburg https://habsburg-legal-services.com/goring-hall-painting-by-stanley-pellett/
20.2.22
Hello, I was a dining room Steward on the Rangitata in 1957 (not know which voyage ??) But I do know that Sir Anthony Eden, ex Prime Minister, was a passenger onboard. I remember assisting to serve at his table. During the voyage we stopped off at Pitcairn Island where the men & woman islanders came aboard to barter carvings, fruit etc. The women were rowing the whaling boats as well as the men, & barefooted, climbed the rope ladder with ease. Great Memories....Barry
02.03.22
Hi Mr Shaw, I have sailed on most of the H boats plus the Manapouri and Rakaia but I always remember the Cumberland, I did a coastal trip around UK then signed on deep sea (25th November 1971 to 20th May 1972). We were leaving Wellington one evening, most of the crowd was in the small bar we had on board, once we had dropped the pilot off we turned south, the ab on watch came running in shouting look at this! We all trooped out on deck, about a dozen or more of us, looked south and in the sky not far off there were about eight shining balls, like big stars, zig zagging around each other like they were playing. In the blink of an eye they went south at an incredible speed, but before we all went back to the bar they came back to give the same performance then went south again and disappeared. None of us were drunk!! Kind regards Robbie Lee.
Editor: Now thats is a story to tell: For the record I believe you, had many such experiences, so you're not alone. Robbie
19.03.22
I joined the Pipiriki in the royals in 1967. We left for Fiji/NZ via the Panama canal, we were a week out of the canal sailing towards NZ when we hit something in the middle of the night. all stop till daylight, the second mate went over that morning to find that we had lost one of the blades of the propeller. It was decided to continue but at a reduced speed 2-3 knots, plus all the derricks where raised and spare tars were attached to catch some of the wind. We arrived in Suva to a big welcome brass band and all. after discharging our cargo it was decided to sail to wellington as there was a drydock and that we had a spare blade on the after deck which coud be fitted. We arrived ten days later and with the assistance of the local tug drydocked. All repairs were done and we went to Bluff for a full cargo of lamb for the UK. The rest of the voyage was uneventful to say the least! Mark Gibson
19.03.22
Hi there. In about 1960/61 (i think) My parents dragged us from Portsmouth UK to Auckland NZ on board the 2nd Rangitane. (I read that the Germans sank the 1st one). Their names were John and Maria Chapman with 4 kids Howard, Yvonne, Andrew & Nigel. It would be great if you still have the records and if there is someone there who could let me know the proper dates. Many thanks Howard Chapman
10.05.22
1967/1969 Second Refrigeration engineer Mv Hurunui Standby engr Mv Rakia aid up in River Fal Cornwall. Rick Stacey
04.07.22
This email address doesn't work
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I wish a safe and prosperous journey for you and your loved ones.
If this is your first visit to the site I strongly recommend that you start from the beginning as there are some great stories and links.
Comments for the year 2022 |
Email / Date |
Editors Note:Due to concerns about spam and spam bots we now replace the @ symbol with the actual word “at” so that spam bots don’t steal peoples address.We still encourage you to contact each other just remember wherever you see the letters “at” together just replace it with @ when you send an email and it will work. |
|
| Deck plans for RMV Rangitata, Ken Blackman | 29.01.22 |
| Good evening. I am Tony Palmer and after some years on Hoorata general cargo ships (aka Tramps i joined NZSCO as 2/r/o on 19/11/1955. I have very fond memories of both my time with NZSco/ Federal I joined Nzsco in Nov 1955 signing on the Sussex then Hororata, Pipiriki, Tekoa again Papanui, Haparangi Again, Papamui and 2 trips on Haparangi. We had some wonderful times on the NZ coast and unlike today time in port was measured in weeks rather than days. I came ashore in 59 having married in 56. I am afraid at 69 my memory for names is not good I wish all former shipmates a healthy life. | 31.1.22 |
| Do you have a copy of the passenger areas for MV Rangitata AFTER her refit in 1949. So far, I've only been able to look at a 1936 deck plan but it is different from what I or a friend remember from 1957 when we travelled on the ship. Both my friend and my father kept diaries of the respective voyages so I'd like to relate these to the ship's layout before all information is lost. Auckland has the 1936 plan but that was before the refit. Please can you help in any way? Susan Firman | 11.2.22 |
| Hi, we are looking for anyone who knew a Ronnie Johnstone, he was the 4th engineer on the Rangitoto around 1964 or 65. He was Scottish and had a friend nic named Aussie Bob. My partner Andy is his son and never met him we cannot find him or any side of his Scottish family. Any clues about him would be so appreciated as we have been searching for years now. We live in Picton New Zealand. Andy was born in New Zealand in 1964. Thank you. My phone 021 2037878 Kindest regards Lisa Lee and Andy Fendall | 16.2.22 |
| Dear Jeffrey Shaw, I am researching a person. A Stanley Pellett. Mr Pellett may have worked for the New Zealand Shipping Company (NZSC). He may have worked as a merchant sailor or was hired to do the artwork for the fleet. Or a combination? He was known for his marine paintings and artwork for NZSC and also made the paintings commemorating Captain Bisset Smith who in WWI went down with his NZSC ship. Now with P&O heritage museum. I am reaching out to anyone who could get me any kind of biographical information about Stanley Pellett. I have nothing but his name and a few facts. See link below with my research. If you have any info, or have any tips, referrals or introductions that would be great. All the best, Kris von Habsburg https://habsburg-legal-services.com/goring-hall-painting-by-stanley-pellett/ | 20.2.22 |
| Hello, I was a dining room Steward on the Rangitata in 1957 (not know which voyage ??) But I do know that Sir Anthony Eden, ex Prime Minister, was a passenger onboard. I remember assisting to serve at his table. During the voyage we stopped off at Pitcairn Island where the men & woman islanders came aboard to barter carvings, fruit etc. The women were rowing the whaling boats as well as the men, & barefooted, climbed the rope ladder with ease. Great Memories....Barry | 02.03.22 |
| Hi Mr Shaw, I have sailed on most of the H boats plus the Manapouri and Rakaia but I always remember the Cumberland, I did a coastal trip around UK then signed on deep sea (25th November 1971 to 20th May 1972). We were leaving Wellington one evening, most of the crowd was in the small bar we had on board, once we had dropped the pilot off we turned south, the ab on watch came running in shouting look at this! We all trooped out on deck, about a dozen or more of us, looked south and in the sky not far off there were about eight shining balls, like big stars, zig zagging around each other like they were playing. In the blink of an eye they went south at an incredible speed, but before we all went back to the bar they came back to give the same performance then went south again and disappeared. None of us were drunk!! Kind regards Robbie Lee. Editor: Now thats is a story to tell: For the record I believe you, had many such experiences, so you're not alone. Robbie |
19.03.22 |
| I joined the Pipiriki in the royals in 1967. We left for Fiji/NZ via the Panama canal, we were a week out of the canal sailing towards NZ when we hit something in the middle of the night. all stop till daylight, the second mate went over that morning to find that we had lost one of the blades of the propeller. It was decided to continue but at a reduced speed 2-3 knots, plus all the derricks where raised and spare tars were attached to catch some of the wind. We arrived in Suva to a big welcome brass band and all. after discharging our cargo it was decided to sail to wellington as there was a drydock and that we had a spare blade on the after deck which coud be fitted. We arrived ten days later and with the assistance of the local tug drydocked. All repairs were done and we went to Bluff for a full cargo of lamb for the UK. The rest of the voyage was uneventful to say the least! Mark Gibson | 19.03.22 |
| Hi there. In about 1960/61 (i think) My parents dragged us from Portsmouth UK to Auckland NZ on board the 2nd Rangitane. (I read that the Germans sank the 1st one). Their names were John and Maria Chapman with 4 kids Howard, Yvonne, Andrew & Nigel. It would be great if you still have the records and if there is someone there who could let me know the proper dates. Many thanks Howard Chapman | 10.05.22 |
| 1967/1969 Second Refrigeration engineer Mv Hurunui Standby engr Mv Rakia aid up in River Fal Cornwall. Rick Stacey | 04.07.22 This email address doesn't work |
New Zealand Shipping Comments |
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Your History Submission: |
|
Your Address: |
|
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|
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|
Your Name:* |
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Email:* |
Required |
You are required to put in your name and email address, then click submit for your details to come back to us. | |
Please feel free to contact us at New Zealand Shipping. |
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I wish a safe and prosperous journey for you and your loved ones. |
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