Deep Sea

Colin’s
HMS Worcester & Merchant Navy Site

Please Note :- Most images are linked to larger versions. None are © to the best of my knowledge. My thanks to all the OWs that have collected or supplied their own pictures at various times. OWs feel free to plunder. Other people please ask. Please tell me if you would like your picture removed from the site or credited.

Welcome HMS Worcester III Worcester History Off to Australia Deep Sea North Sea Guestbook

Well, a letter to the New Zealand Shipping Company (NZSCo) secured me a place as Junior Engineer once there was a ship available. I joined the Otaki on the 3rd April 1970 in Melbourne. Previously as a apprentice, I did a trip on a BHP ship The Iron Spencer - which should have convinced me not to go to sea, but didn't. NZSCo put me on full pay for 7 months waiting for a ship - a deal that did convince me to go to sea. The Otaki should definitely have put me off, but didn't.

After a very enjoyable train trip of some days across the Lullabor Desert I arrived in Melbourne and warily climbed the gangway. Found the bar and walked in. The Kiwi 2nd Engineer said “oh, you must be the new Junior Engineer, you’re on nights so you better turn in. But, before you do, have a beer.

I spent the next few nights wandering around the engine room without a clue, not alcohol induced I add. The third night a large light came on in my head and it occurred to me that the 3 story lump of metal with nuts and bolts and what looked like a load of large lumps of metal bolted on top was indeed an engine, not one but two side by side. Wow ! it got exciting for a while after that! It was massive and unbelievable as well. My enthusiasm was quenched slightly later when I found out what happened to the engineer that I filled the space of. I was told that there had been a bad scavenge fire and the 4th Engineer was standing between the Engines with a fire extinguisher in front of him when some of the scavenge “lights” blew out and the resulting ball of flame that shot down between the engines burnt the poor chap head to foot except for where the extinguisher was. He survived I believe what was an awful experience. As we sailed away from Melbourne and I tried to get my bearings down the engine room, I tried to imagine what it must have been like. I found out as time went on that scavenge fires on these terrible Sulzer 12 cylinder engines were common and it was a bit nerve wracking to observe the sparks through the scavenge lights. Never did have another blowout though. Broken tie rods was another fault but at least that wasn’t dangerous - relatively !

The Otaki and a later ship of mine, the Essex, had electro magnetic clutches. Two engines clutched to a gearbox and driving a single propeller. During manoeuvring one engine was run in reverse and engines clutched in and out depending on requirements. Speeds were also controlled at the manoeuvring station as well. Good fun to drive. Bridge control had not arrived yet and all engine movements were done down below and orders relayed by ships repeater telegraphs. Some of the pictures of engineers at work and ships I have been on are not mine but we (engineers and deck) have all been there and I do hope that whoever they belong to doesn’t mind me putting them on my site. I like them. Links to SN site where I have them.

Spreadsheet of the ships I sailed on in my Career

My first ship - the Otaki

My favourite engine room picture showing the lads from the NZSCo Cumberland and one of their wives who is doing a great impersonation of an Engineer on the controls.