ASPRELLA (1)

About

Completed 1959 as "ASPRELLA" for STUK. 29-1-1982 arrived Gadani Beach for scrap.

IMO number
5027235
Call sign
GCKE
Construction number
1077
Tonnage
18.225 ton
Beam
21m
Length overall
170m
Year of construction
1959
Year of renaming/broken up
1982
Service for Shell
1959 to 1982
Cargo
Class
Flag state
Home port
Manager
Shipyard
Status
Photo(s)

Comments

Sailors

Name Job Period Details
John Davis. 3rd mate 1959
Phil Hughes junior ordinary seaman 1959 to 1963
John Curzons 4th engineer 1959 to 1960
Richard William... catering boy/galley boy 1959 to 1960
Stan Riley 5th engineer 1959 to 1960
Geoff Lewis deck apprentice 1959
Bill Thomas catering boy 1960
Charles Stobbart 2nd steward 1960
Gordon Gill deck apprentice 1960 to 1961
John Curzons 2nd engineer 1961 to 1962
A. Karis sailor 1961 to 1962
Nick Tottie catering boy 1961 to 1962
Keith Brewster 2nd cook and baker 1962 to 1963
David Mcadam 4th engineer 1962
Ronnie White galley boy 1962 to 1963
Richard Tomlinson deck apprentice 1963 to 1964
James Edgar catering boy 1963
Charles Edward ... fireman 1963
Anonymous catering boy/galley boy 1963 to 1964
Doug Hart 4th engineer 1963 to 1964
Ian Olver catering boy 1963
Tony Murphy Navigation Officer Apprentice 1964 Sailed to Venezuela, Trinidad back to Rotterdam (Vlardingen) at that time went as Tony (Spud) Murphy, my co driver was Roger (Fuzz) Foster.
Colin Winter junior ordinary seaman 1964
Colin Wood steward 1964
Douglas Birnie ordinary seaman 1964
Harry Dowbiggin deck boy/junior ordinary seaman 1964
Alan O'neill d.b.s. 1964 to 1965
Richard Banford deck 1964
Brian Wilkie radio officer 1964 to 1965 May 1964 to January 1965
Pieter Koops 3rd mate 1965
Mike Muir 1 junior ordinary seaman 1965
Ian Burns 4th engineer 1965
Ian V. Olver catering boy 1965
Ken Heiser 2nd mate 1965
Graham Darling 2 assistant steward 1965 to 1966
Ken Heiser 3rd mate 1965
John Bernard catering boy 1966
Mike Gilmour 1 radio officer 1966 to 1967
Derek Jackson 3rd engineer 1966 to 1967
Gary Gray deck boy 1966
Neil Frederick ... 2nd cook 1966
Les Albrow extra 3rd mate 1966 to 1967 6th ship. Joined 04/12/1966 in Stanlow as Extra 3rd Mate. Whilst in Rotterdam, a barge caught fire on the next berth and we were all on emergency standby. Paid off 03/08/1967 in Stanlow - the 3rd Officer broke his arm on the towing spring at this point.
Paul Neil Webster efficient deckhand 1966 to 1967
Brian Beattie junior ordinary seaman 1966
Peter Raymond Crean catering boy/galley boy 1967
David Dwyer ordinary seaman 1967 to 1968
David Bunn 2nd cook and baker 1967
David C. Richmond 2nd engineer 1967
Geoff G Anderson junior ordinary seaman 1967
Douglas M.C. Renton chief mate 1967 to 1968
John Davies efficient deckhand 1967
Roger Parker 2 fireman 1967 to 1968
Mike Muir 1 grade 1 seaman 1968 to 1969
Alistair Montgomery chief engineer 1968 to 1969
Barry Moss 3rd engineer 1968 to 1969
Ronald Davies 5th engineer 1968 to 1969 Engineer apprentice, promoted to 5th engineer
John Pritchard catering boy/galley boy 1968 to 1969
Peter Walker 5th engineer 1968
Dennis Clarke catering boy/galley boy 1968 to 1969
Ken Hart 2nd engineer 1968
Mike Nicholls radio officer 1969 to 1970
Christopher Tho... 2nd steward 1969
Peter Rees 2nd cook 1969
Colin Perkins 3rd mate 1969
Mike Carter radio officer 1969
Anthony Powles gp 3 1969 to 1970
Colin Sandeman 3rd mate 1969 to 1970 3 round trips carrying Chemicals Caribbean - Rotterdam & Liverpool.
Brian Perry g.i.s. 1969 gis (1st ship on contract with Shell Tankers)
Christopher Lustig galley boy 1970
John Melville 3rd engineer 1970
David Wilson 2nd cook 1970 to 1971
Thomas Ogle able seaman (grade 1) 1970
Tony Mcnally d.b.s. 1970
William Wade navigation cadet 1970
Bill Billy Black engine room rating 1970 to 1971
Robert Ian Fletcher 2nd engineer 1970 to 1971
Jeffrey Myles Swann radio officer 1970 to 1971
Ronald E Tait Orkney 2nd steward 1971 to 1972
Derek Kennedy able seaman (grade 1) 1971 to 1973
Allan J. Mckay 5th engineer 1971
Hugh Smith 3rd mate 1971 to 1972
Paul Evans engineer cadet 1971 to 1972
Terry Jones assistant steward 1971 to 1972
Charles Stobbart catering offficer 1971
Alistair Mccausland radio officer 1971
Erling Root fireman/greaser 1971
Bobmead apprentice engineer/5th engineer 1971 to 1972
Mike Hancock 5th engineer 1972
Stephen Paine seaman 1972 to 1973 grade 2 / 3 seaman
Jeffrey Davies 3rd engineer 1972
Bill Parker Nav Cadet 1972 to 1973 My 1st trip
Geoffrey Forster 2 assistant steward 1972
Roger David Collins 5th engineer 1972
Tony Roskilly junior radio officer 1972 to 1971
Ian M. Bromley 2nd mate 1972 to 1973
Harvey Williams 2nd steward 1973 to 1974
Keith Ideson engineer cadet 1973
Paul Obrien catering boy/galley boy 1973
Charlie Moreland 5th engineer 1973 to 1974
Steven William Veal 5th engineer 1973
James D. Glover extra 4th engineer 1973
John Wilson 2 deck cadet 1974 to 1975
Ray Williams Taffy 5th engineer 1974 to 1975
David Heron 2nd cook and baker 1974
Murray Mcgregor deck cadet 1974
Chris Johnson 3rd mate 1974 to 1975
Steve Czerwionka 3rd engineer 1974 to 1975
Jon Welford deck cadet 1974
Alan Robinson 2nd engineer 1974 to 1975
Gordon Robertson 5th engineer 1975
David Nesom chief steward 1975
Brian Mcglinchey catering boy/galley boy 1975
Joseph Moore 4th engineer 1975
Pete Clementson radio officer 1975
Murray Mcgregor deck cadet 1975
Tony Ripper deck cadet 1976
Stuart Gallaway 2nd mate 1976
Graeme Lawrence deck apprentice 1976 to 1977
Steve Sherwood deck cadet 1976
Syd Lees mate 1977
Chris Pepper ordinary seaman 1977
Mike Ford radio officer 1978 to 1979
David Hitchmough deck cadet 1978
Paul Crouch engineer cadet 1978
Mike Ford radio officer 1979 to 1980
Mike Ryan deck cadet 1979
Danny Liddington deck boy 1979 to 1980
Steve Woodcock junior ordinary seaman, senior ordinary seaman 1979
Sean Pulford junior catering rating 1979
Graham Walden 2nd engineer 1980 to 1981
Rolo 2nd cook and baker 1980 My last trip with shell
Clive Bridge motorman 1980 to 1981
Alan Swinton 5th engineer 1980
Russ Rattan catering boy/galley boy 1980
Mike Bailey 3rd engineer 1980 to 1981
John P M Cusson chief officer 1980
Rolo 2nd cook and baker 1980 My last trip with shell
Steve Harding radio officer 1981
Michael O'keeffe steward 1981
Geoffrey Philip... deckhand 1981 to 1982
David Hopwood pumpman 1981
Robin Campbell-... 2nd engineer officer 1981 to 1982
Gary Timmins able seaman (grade 2) 1981 to 1982 to scrap Karachi 29.01.1982
Graham Meiklejohn catering boy 1981 My first trip
Keith Roberts senior radio officer 1981 to 1982
Stephen Osborne 3rd mate 1981 to 1982 last 3rd mate
John Murphy 5th engineer 1981 to 1982 last 5th engineer
Bernard Reynolds captain (commanding officer) 1981
Robert Diamond deckhand 1981
Peter B. Pamment chief officer 1981
Dave Olpin 2nd engineer 1982

Anecdotes

Date Visitor Anecdote
02/28/2017 - 12:54 Geoffrey Philip...

I remember when we ran her up the beach in kirachi the captain told the engine room to give it all and clear the pit... i helped sparkie crate up all the radio gear as ithas to go back to marconi...i asked him what about the clock all by itself now on the bulkhead..he said take it if you want..so i did and its here in front of me..lovly

07/12/2015 - 22:00 Ginger Thomson

joined her at grangemouth , handy as train from Aberdeen , all other trips London, or fly out to join . out to aruba , chemical carrier steady run back to europort , then uk .
I was galley boy , rember smell when she was empty , if memory , serves me there was a Norwegian simular tanker , that sometimes we would meet at aruba , well ime sure it was her that blew up when unloading , ? shore side member , when on board caused a spark from heel of shoe , pocket of gas , rest history
flew home from Rotterdam , my mother dying , shell looked after me to get me home , plus skipper and chief steward , so only on board 3 month .

01/31/2015 - 20:43 Alistai Montgomery

With regard to Mike Carter's anecdote: I was the Chief Engineer the only bachelor onboard running a G.P. Crew with two of the four engineers wives fighting over the washing machine. We had numerous problems with the two boilers which required repairs every time we went to Swansea. so no shore leave for the Engineers which was not welcomed by the wives.The Yugoslave Pumpman had a girl friend who was an Inspector in the Metropolitan Police and received his mail in Scotland Yard envelopes.

04/28/2014 - 20:48 Kevan Corcoran 2

I was a cadet on Asprella when Jimmy Brittain joined for his final trip. Like Robert, I too found him far easier to get on with than the old man he replaced. Despite all the stories prior to his arrival, I have a great deal of respect for him and a great deal to thank him for as he helped me tremendously at the start of my seagoing career.

12/05/2013 - 15:13 Robert Ian Fletcher

I served on the SS Asprella as 2nd Eng I am sure Jimmy Britain was skipper. Every one seem to be scared of him but I found him very easy to get on with.

08/11/2013 - 15:37 Richard Tomlinson

Further to my previous anecdote about this voyage I want to mention an incident that happened on Monday 20th January, 1964. We were approaching Port Philip Bay after sailing from Whangarei in New Zealand. At first the Gyro compass alarm sounded which meant we had to steer by Magnetic compass. Then the engines stopped and the lights went out. We were then informed by the engineroom that an Alternator was on fire. After 15 minutes we were told that the fire had been extinguished and the other Alternator started. Meanwhile the vessel had been drifting towards the coast in a high wind and swell. After nearly an hour the engines were restarted and we headed west to get as far from the coast as possible should there be a further break down. About four and a half hours later we arrived off Port Lonsdale where we took a pilot on board and headed towards our destination port of Geelong. Two days later the port Alternator was hoisted out in three parts by a large floating crane which came from Melbourne. After that we just continued with cargo operations and departed Geelong on the evening of the 25th bound for Brisbane.

09/29/2012 - 20:03 Richard Tomlinson

I joined Asprella in Rotterdam in May 1963 and sailed as a Deck Apprentice on this ship for the lengthy period of fifteen months, paying off again in Rotterdam in August 1964. We covered a large part of the world in this voyage from Europe (including Sweden) to Curacao, South Africa, Mocambique, Gulf ports, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Guinea and many ports in Australia and New Zealand. It was my final voyage as Deck Apprentice as on returning home I studied and sat for my Second Mates certificate.

07/07/2012 - 05:35 Richard Banford

I served on her in the 60's, don't have access to my discharge book unfortunately so date approx. Food was good as was accommodation & crew. Recall the blood tests we were subjected too???? Trip was Puerto Rico-Texas & back several times, then back to Leith where she paid off. Saw Sound of Music whilst awaiting night train Edinburgh to London, how was that for being in control? Man some stories there on that train trip, am sure no sleeping done (: I recall one of the engineers had his wife aboard & she had to come back aboard in Puerto Rico via the pilots ladder as we were anchored off, ship was light ship too. Anyway she was ahead of me & froze halfway up. Crikey was that a scary situation. She should not have been expected to climb a pilots ladder we all felt for her as she was beyond scared, thank God she did not fall due to the calm way the guy above & maybe I spoke to her to assure her all would be well. Reckon husband when have copped a mouth full over that & he also from the skipper.

Anyone out there on that trip & feels like getting in touch would enjoy hearing from you. We now live in Shanghai which is interesting.

Richard

02/02/2012 - 22:35 Mike Carter

The Asprella /GCKE was a cracking ship to be on, with a very friendly atmosphere.
We had nine, yes 9 wives on board at one stage and I had a junior R/O to train up.

Entering the Caribbean as we said then at the top right hand corner one evening, a
light was shining at us. I asked the junior R/O to get the aldis lamp out and reply to
the flashing light. The Captain retreated to the chart room holding his mouth. My junior was actually calling up Sombrero light house!! The Captain and a few more were
howling in the chart room, where appeared a red faced junior R/O. He was a bit more particular after that on who or what he had aldis practice with|
Happy days. Mike Carter R/O. All back in 1969.

11/08/2011 - 14:16 Pieter Koops

Whilst I was on the 'Asprella' she was a chemical tanker carrying benxene, toluene & xylene. Under the manifold connections were test plates for different paints.
Cleaning tanks was done with fresh water and every valve was drained at tank bottom and cleaned of any residues.
All crew were subject to blood tests and one or two crew only signed on for hours when their blood failed to meet any requirements

03/17/2011 - 20:20 Chris Johnson

Joined July 74 in Curacao.Left New York Jan 75.First trip as 3rd Mate.Captain Simon Darroch in charge.

06/19/2010 - 17:09 Patrick Johnston

I joined the Asprella in Cardiff dry dock in 1969 i think and we sailed to curacao in the carribean,when we arrived it was very hot and all the catering staff were summond to take the laundry ashore, however i stayed in the galley peeling spuds which did not amuse the second steward, heb told me exactly what he thought and i just gave him a load of cheek to which he bashed me with a soup ladle AH! happy days

05/27/2009 - 22:29 John Bernard

I joined the Asprella at Grangmouth on 11 10 66 singhed off 18 October 1966 at swansea singhed back on again 19 October 1966 at swansea we set sail for the carabean we went to a good few islands ie virgin islands trinadad venizwalla and a few athers the worst was when we were in the hurricans it was all dull and big swells it was bit fritning we got a load oil for Rotterdam the crossing was very rough we spent two days at Rotterdam, it was very cold we headed back two swansea with a load of oil where i singhed off 1 December 1966 that was my last shell tanker I wenton smaller tanker MV PASSOGLENCLUNIE,AND BRITISH HOLLY BP TANKER then after that a few cargo ships BOLTIC ARROW BOLTIC SWIFT AND THE FIRTH FISHER I did my training at leith, TS DOLPHINE