Blue Star Gangway No.15 Spring 1978 - BlueStarLine.org

B:I:Z 8SSM news
Much has happened on the personnel
front since the Christmas issue of
Gangway was published. Our payroll
computer hiccupped violently with the
refund of back tax in December and
almost went into convulsions sorting
out Phase2 and productivity payments.
But by the time sea staff read this all
should have been sorted out. If it hasn't
you will doubtless let us know!
Measures introduced in recent
months include improved benefits
linked to a new voucher system of
uniform allowance, the introduction of
assisted air travel for the wives of
Company contract officers, and the
confirmation of the standard tour of
duty with compensatory benefit for
those serving more than the four
months.
We have endeavoured to answer
satisfactorily numerous questions concerning
the application of these new
and improved benefits. All senior staff
in the Fleet Personnel Department are,
of course, fully conversant with them
and will be pleased to explain matters
if there are any members of sea staff
who are still not clear on these points.
Discipline at sea
During 1978 it is expected that there
will be certain changes of a quite
radical nature in the law affecting
discipline at sea. I do not propose to
go into detail here, but suffice it to
say that all of our Masters have no
attended a 1-k-day GCBS-organised
seminar to introduce them to the ne
system. In due course every UK seafarer,
officer, and rating will receive a
Code of Conduct. This Code will be
the cornerstone of the new system and
I therefore hope that all employees a
sea will 'read, learn, and inwardl
digest.'
Sad deaths
Appreciations will appear elsewhere in
this issue or in future issues for Chief
!EngineerE J Barnes, Mr WE Cox,
formerly BSL Marine Department,
Captain P Hunt, MBE, formerly
Marine Superintendent, Blue Star Line,
and Captain L Vernon, former BSL
Master.
Their deaths gave great sadness to
both shore and sea staff alike, and, on
behalf of the latter, I would like to offer
sympathy and condolences to their
relatives.
Death of Captain Leslie
Vernon
Captain Leslie Vernon, MBE, died
at the age of 68 on 5 January. He
joined Blue Star Line as a Cadet in
1926 and progressed steadily through
the ranks, reaching command in 1943.
Captain Vernon was awarded his
M BEfor outstanding seamanshipwhile
in charge of a lifeboat in bad weather in
mid-Atlantic, following the torpedoing
of Empire Star in October 1942.
In the postwar years he spent a long
period as Master of various passenger
M r F J Page celebrates
fifty years' service
On 12 December 1977 a small party
met at Albion House, Liverpool, to
celebrate with Mr F J Page, BEM,
his completion of fifty years' continuous
service with Lamport & Holt
Line and BSSM. Mr Page is now the
Ships' Stores Supervisor at Liverpool.
Mr D J Habgood welcomed
Captain F E Crebbin, Captain J E
Lenham, Captain A Braund, Mr R
Webb, Mr H Bennett, and Mr T D
Tozer chatted informally about Mr
Page's long service, recalling that he
had joined Lamports in July 1927,
remaining with the company until the
setting up of BSSM.
Fred Page set sail from Liverpool on
14 July 1927 as deck boy on board
Browning, with Captain Taylor and
Chief Officer W C Blake. He earned
£2.50 per month, although by the end
8
vessels trading from London to the
Plate. He commanded Brasil Star from
1958 to 1963 and Iberia Star from
1963 to 1965. transferring back to
Brasil Star until 1968. His final posting
before retirement in 1969 was as
Master of Paraguay Star.
All who knew, admired, and respected
Leslie Vernon will have been
greatly saddened to hear of his death.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to
his widowand family.
Death of Mr Edward
Barnes
It is with the deepest regret that we
announce the death of Mr Edward
George Barnes, Chief Engineer, at a
hospital in Liverpool on 7 November
1977.
'Ted', as he was known to all,
joined Blue Star Line as a Junior
Engineer and was appointed to
Imperial Star in June 1937. He was
later promoted to 4th Engineer on
Auckland Star and was torpedoed off
the Irish coast in July 1940. Whilst
serving as 4th Engineer aboard Sydney
Star he was again torpedoed, this time
of the voyage he had accumulated
three hours' overtime, amounting to
12-kp!
In those days Lamport & Holt Line
was very different from today. Lord
Kylsant was Chairman, Alfred Woods
General Manager, F H Lowe Assistant
General Manager, and George Melly
(ancestor of the renowned writer and
jazz singer of the same name) had that
year completed fifty years as partner
and director. The Head Office was still
in Liver Buildings, although in that
year it was transferred to Fenchurch
Street in London. There was a fleet of
45 vessels.
In 1944 Mr Pagewas honoured with
the British Empire Medal after his ship
Delius had fought a five-day battle
with fires below deck. A German longrange
bomber had attacked the ship
whilst in convoy, destroying her bridge
and killing the Master and Second
Officer. With the Chief Officer, G
off Malta in July 1941.
Service on various vesselsfollowed,
among them Columbia Star, New
Zealand Star, and Australia Star, before
being promoted Chief Engineer 0'
Melbourne Star in May 1954. His
career as a Blue Star Chief Enginee
continued on the vessels Imperial Star,
Paraguay Star, and Argentine Star; illhealth
then intervened and Ted was
appointed Chief Relieving Engineer on
Brasilia Star.
Many other relieving positions
followed on BSL vessels and later,
following the formation of BSSM, on
Lamport & Holt and Booth Line ships.
Although Ted was dogged with illhealth
over the years, he was never
heard to complain and was always a
most charming person to know. The
comment made by all who knew him-
'he was a gentleman'-perhaps describes
him best.
At this sad time our thoughts and
condolences go to Maisie, his wife,
and Julie, his daughter.
J SLow
Senior Supt Engineer
Marshall, Mr Page helped to bring
the vessel into port. (Full details of
this action can be found in Sea
Breezes, October 1977.)
Since those days he has sailed into
quieter waters, but still works very
hard to ensure that our vessels are
properly stored for their voyages across
the world. Those attending on 12
December were privileged and glad 0
the opportunity, on behalf of all his
ship and shore colleagues, to pa
tribute to his comradeship and wis
him well in his continuing service.
Congratulations
We offer our congratulations to 2nd
Engineers T G Forster, C J Ellis,
D J Darrah, and D A Paize on their
promotions to Chief Enqineer.
M W Hornby