The venue for the World Ship Society's 2010 Annual General Meeting
A very successful 63rd AGM was hosted by Merseyside Branch over the weekend of the 14th -16th May, 2010, based at the Holiday Inn which is adjacent to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port on the Wirral.
Friday evening saw an opportunity for members to meet informally together with a slideshow illustrating the current Mersey scene.
On Saturday morning a guided tour of the Waterways Museum was being arranged. The AGM itself commenced at 2 p.m. with an alternative activity for non-members. The AGM dinner was held at 8 p.m. with the after-dinner speaker being the very entertaining Canon Bob Evans MBE, former Chaplain Superintendent of the Mersey Mission to Seamen whose work caring for the welfare of Merseyside seafarers has covered almost 50 years.
A Mersey Ferries cruise on Sunday morning concluded the weekend programme.
Throughout the weekend the preserved coal-fired steam tug "Kerne" was available for cruises either across the Mersey or along the Manchester Ship Canal. There were also several book and photo sellers present and an exhibition of maritime paintings. Click here to access the vessel's website.
Welcome to the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port
A detailed report by the Vice-Chairman of the Merseyside Branch can be found at AGM 2010. —— Along with a most interesting photo gallery of events surrounding the weekend ! [08.2010]
Members are reminded that membership dues are due annually on 1st January. The reverse of the address sheet with the October (& December) magazine will contain a renewal form which should be completed and sent with your cheque or credit card details to the relevant address shown thereon. If you have been paying your dues through a Branch or Representative, continue to do so as you have in the past. Prompt renewal is requested to save the Society costs and time.
As a result of further rises in postal charges it has been necessary to increase the subscription for 2011 to £38 for UK members and £43 for overseas members, with a further £1 for family members. The subscription to Warships and the cost of the WSS calendar and binder have also been increased .
As in previous years, Life Members are asked to consider making a donation to cover the postage for their magazine which costs more than £5 a year. Donations by any member to the Venture Fund, which helps fund society publications and other development activities, are also very much appreciated.
Members living in the United States are reminded that for 2011, any dues payment in US dollars MUST be made through the Vancouver Branch. There is no longer any Representative in the U.S. Glenn Smith will be sending ALL U.S.A. (and Canadian) members a detailed Renewal Form about the first week of November detailing the costs in local currencies. Please wait for this form to arrive before attempting to make your payment in pound sterling (£) to the Membership Secretaries in the U.K. For more information, contact Glenn at glenn.smith@worldshipsociety.org [09.2010]
Ever wanted copies of old Marine News, or fill a gap in your collection, or dispose of your paper copies? The Archive Digitisation Committee, with the help of a team of volunteers to scan back numbers of Marine News, now have made available the years 1966 to 1985 on CD. Each year consists of one CD with 12 monthly issues with around 400 to 700 page images, plus the index of ship names. It is hoped to add further years in due course.
Price for 1 CD to members £8. (Non members £12). 2-4 CDs £7 each (£10.50). 5 CDs or over £6 each (£9).
P&P First CD UK £1.00, EU £1.50, Rest of World £2.00. Each additional CD: UK 20p, EU 35p, ROW 70p.
Please send orders and payment (payable to World Ship Society) to: Peter Hobday, Woodville, 35 Hillside Road, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8EU, UK. If you want member’s price, please give your membership number."
The WSS 2011 Calendar features thirteen nostalgic high quality COLOUR photos of ships, large and small built over a period of four decades from 1943.
The ships portrayed with captions are:- British coaster ABILITY, German freighter ANITA, British cargo liner BENCLEUGH, German coaster ERNST KRIESECKE, Dutch tanker KOROVINA, Greek passenger ship MEDITERRANEAN SKY, United States liner PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, Saudi Arabian tug RADHWA 15, French depot ship RHONE, United States collier READING, German freighter SENATOR POSSEHL, British patrol jetfoil SPEEDY and British ferry VESTA.
Special Prices - A Great Gift!
MEMBER PRICE — £6.50 (UK), £7.00 (Overseas Surface Mail) Ten or more sent together to one Branch address only £5.50 (UK) or £6.00 (Overseas Surface Mail) NON-MEMBER PRICE — £8.00 (UK), £8.50 (Overseas Surface Mail)
Orders to — WSS, 101 The Everglades, Hempstead, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 3PZ, United Kingdom
Please make cheques payable, in GBP£, to the “World Ship Society” or pay by debit/credit card - please quote type of card (VISA or MasterCard), name shown on the card, card number, expiry date & 3 digit security number from the reverse of card.
Don't forget to enclose your address!, and your WSS membership number to take advantage of the members' discount. [09.2010]
The Society's 32nd Annual Naval Meeting will take place on 5th June 2010 at the Hawthorns, Bristol. The fourth D.K. Brown lecture will be given by Professor Eric Grove who has been researching into development of armoured warships and, in particular, the advent of true 'battleships' in name and capability about 1890. His lecture is entitled The Battleship Revolution of the late 19th Century — A Paradigm Shift in Naval Warfare? Other speakers include Mark Brady, who will be giving a talk entitled Royal Navy Destroyers and Anti-Aircraft Gunnery 1930 - 1970 while, in a talk entitled HMS MANCHESTERRevisited, Chris Simons will be looking at the history and wreck of this Liverpool class cruiser. Dr Malcolm Cooper, will be evaluating Japanese Submarines of World War 2. The programme, which will start at 10.30 and end at 17.00, will be completed by the usual illustrated quiz. Full details are available from Dr. Richard Osborne, 11 Beechwood Road, Nailsea, Bristol BS48 2AF, United Kingdom (e-mail: richard.osborne@worldshipsociety.org )
The response to the call for contributors to a Merchant Ship Meeting has been gratifying, and we have more than we can accommodate in the time. The meeting will feature talks on Welsh, Scottish and English ship owners, on ore carriers, on RFA tankers and Greek car ferries. There will also be a pre-quiz sent out to all attenders and proceedings will be rounded off with a further quiz. If you wish to be in the audience, now is the time for you to register your interest. Please send a cheque for £15 made out to the World Ship Society to Dr Roy Fenton, 18 Durrington Avenue, London SW20 8NT, United Kingdom. The £15 covers hire of the room and projector plus tea and coffee (lunch and other drinks are available to buy at the venue). The date is Saturday 27th March 2010 and the venue is the Civil Service Club, London (off Northumberland Avenue and close to Embankment station). The meeting will start at 10.30 and finish at about 17.00. Nearer the time a detailed programme will be sent out to those registering. [12.2009]
Very many WSS & branch members have been greatly saddened at the unexpected death of Bert Novelli, who passed away on 22 December 2009 aged 72. Bert was a good and generous friend to many shipping enthusiasts and was a prolific photographer who amassed an extensive collection recording the great post-war days of traditional shipping before it vanished with containerisation.
Bert started his working life as a van boy for a Liverpool confectionery wholesaler delivering produce throughout the North West. As a ship lover, his favourite deliveries were the ones along Liverpool Dock Road and around the Birkenhead Docks, where lunchtime breaks were taken in cafes overlooking docks filled with ships from many long-gone shipping companies.
Bert first went to sea in 1954 joining the Merchant Navy as a junior steward. Over the next ten years he served aboard several Cunard passenger vessels and on cargo-passenger liners of Furness Withy and Blue Funnel Line. In his early days he completed many voyages to the Mediterranean in the 1928-built coal-fired Bothnia moving to Ascania, and later to Franconia, finally serving on the Queens on the regular New York-Southampton run. Whilst on Franconia he met fellow steward John Prescott when they shared adjoining tables in the ship's Tourist Dining Room. They remained lifelong friends.
Returning to Liverpool wearing the latest American fashions, Albert and his fellow stewards were known as 'Cunard Yanks' by the young ladies in Merseyside dance halls of the 1950s. In the days of UK post-war austerity, many seafarers serving on the transatlantic liners lived the high life in New York during their six day stopovers, a stark contrast to the long working hours and hard living conditions they experienced on board ship.
In 1964, after a period working aboard Blue Funnel ships, and as the passenger liners were disappearing in the face of airline competition, Bert left the sea and took to the skies with B. E. A (later to become British Airways) initially as a cabin steward but being promoted to a Cabin Services Director on 747s, well respected and much liked by his crews. Never without his camera, Bert's first port of call was always to the nearest dock to photograph ships, and over the years he amassed a huge collection of thousands of slides and digital images which he was always willing to share and exchange with his world-wide network of friends. After retirement he continued his photography from the decks of many cruise ships.
Bert was a very enthusiastic member of the World Ship Society, where he was an active member of both Manchester and Merseyside Branches, and also of the Blue Funnel Association. Many audiences of both societies enjoyed his excellent slide, and latterly digital, presentations at meetings extending well beyond the north-west of England. As well as being a talented ship photographer he was an excellent raconteur and his shows were punctuated with many amusing anecdotes and comments. It was fitting that his last talk was to a group on a Ships Monthly cruise aboard Fred Olsen’s Balmoral just two weeks before his death.
Bert will be greatly missed by his very many friends but the memory of his presentations will be long treasured by those who had the pleasure and privilege of being present.
Our sincere condolences go to his wife Ruth, his children Alan and Carol and to the other members of his family. His funeral at the Unitarian Chapel in Macclesfield on 7 January 2010, attended by a large group of members, most appropriately included the songs ‘Sailing’ and ‘My Heart will go on’ (from the film Titanic).
Many messages have been received by from friends of Bert, and I hope Captain Tony Breach will not mind me copying his e-mail as I think it sums up perfectly what I am sure we all think and is expressed in such a charming way
“Dear Friends, I first met Bert at Manchester early this year & was completely taken with his friendliness, knowledge, photographic prowess, sense of humour and just plain being a great WSS ambassador. We met again at the AGM in Cartagena when he greeted me as a long lost friend amongst many senior members that I had never met. Just a few short weeks ago I was privileged to see him at a presentation that I gave at Liverpool and at which he again gave his enthusiastic and genuine support and kindly offered to introduce me to his many friends in Spain. I cannot compare my sadness to that of his nearest and dearest to whom I offer my deepest condolences. His passing is a great loss. Bert, sleep peacefully my friend. You have flown your way and I too shall fly with the albatross when I go: may we meet again.” Tony
Above. Appropriately this photograph of Bert with camera in hand was taken aboard a recent WSS visit to the cruise ship SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE. What better name could sum up Bert’s life than the name of this vessel, for as many of us know Bert had a life of adventure and was kind enough to share many of those adventures with us in the shows and talks he gave.
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our faithful member Roy Leach. Roy was our oldest member and at 86 had been an active and regular member of the branch for many years. Roy, through various sources, managed to supply the branch with copies of Lloyds List until they all but ceased hard copy publication. Roy also treated us to slide shows of his trips and cruises, his last being in January 2007, "Through the Kiel Canal" on Boudicca. He was also a regular competitor in the annual slide competition. Roy's last meeting at Ingatestone was November last year and we believed his non attendance over the winter months was due to the poor winter weather conditions. However, six weeks ago he was diagnosed with lung cancer and sadly died of a heart attack following surgery. Roy also devoted a lot of his spare time to the New Ships list at the back of Marine News. His expertise in this field will be hard to replace.
We at the Mid Essex Branch will miss his friendliness, his sharp wit and his extensive knowledge and send our deep sympathies to his wife Joyce and all the family.
KEITH BYASS - Society Photographer and Printer. We were very saddened to hear in early November of the death of Keith Byass who passed away peacefully at home in his sleep. Keith for over twenty years handled the printing side of the Society's print offers producing photographs from negatives held in the WSS/WSPL Archive and spent many hours in the dark room. Keith had a large collection of his own photographs and If on occassion he found a negative did not match up to his expectations and he had a better one himself , he would substitute it so that WSS members got a better photograph. If a mistake occurred with ordering, a word with Keith and he would go back to his dark room and within a day or so matters were put right, nothing was too much trouble. He also supplied photographs for the Society's and other publications and his work graces many books. Keith was a member of West Riding Branch WSS for many years and a judge at their annual slide competition. He took an increasing interest in the painting of ships at which he also excelled and a number of Society members are proud owners of his work. Despite reaching an age of 88 Keith continued to supply images for other ship enthusiasts to enjoy and will be greatly missed. Our condolences to his wife Cynthia and his son and two daughters.
Delays in the Delivery of WSPL Print Offers.
Due to the sad death of Keith Byass, our photo offer printer for many years and a key member of the WSPL team, we have had to re-assess the arrangements for the Society Merchant Ship Print Offers. There are likely to be some short-term delays in meeting the delivery dates for current offers. Can we ask those members that have recently requested photographs to please bear with us. No new print offers are being made in the January and February issues of Marine News but will recommence in March. In the meantime we expect the offer that was due for delivery in November will now be sent out at the end of February and by April will have caught up with the remaining outstanding offers. Thanks for your patience.
UPDATE by Ian Buxton: Since the last report in February's Marine News, steady progress has been made in archive digitisation. Our IT partners have developed a basic website with sample material on a free-for-all basis. This included some back numbers and pages and index of Marine News, some sample pages from Bonsor's North Atlantic liner movements, and an example of Colledge's naval notes.
The Committee met in September. Thanks to the generosity of many donors, it agreed to progress to the next stage of the website. This will have a greater range of material, some material free to WSS members, and some material on a pay-to-view/download basis (at a lower rate for WSS members). Thanks to the efforts of several volunteers, over 20 years of Marine News back numbers have been scanned in the 1960s/70s/80s. It is planned for these to be purchasable on CD. An announcement will be made in Marine News and on the website when they are available.
Steaming the Empire to War: British, Imperial & Dominion Troop Convoys, 1914-1915
Call for Contributors
The World Ship Society has commissioned Dr Malcolm Cooper to lead a project aimed at producing a book which will provide comprehensive coverage of the convoys, naval and merchant vessels, and military units involved in the mass movement of troops to the theatres of conflict in the first year of World War One. The book is scheduled for publication in early 2014 to take advantage of heightened reader interest stimulated by the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914. It will require extensive co-operation between naval and merchant shipping experts and input from members overseas.
As a first step, the Society would like interested potential contributors to contact Dr Cooper personally via email at coopermalcolm@hotmail.co.uk . Given the nature of the project, it is essential that volunteers have themselves got regular access to the internet, and at least a basic knowledge of the history of the early campaigns of the Great War. Beyond that, the Society would be particularly interested in hearing from members with any of the following specialisms:
Access to and knowledge of the main relevant record classses (Admiralty, Board of Trade, Cabinet Office, Colonial Office, Foreign Office, India Office and War Office) at the National Archives in Kew.
Access to relevant national, regional and company archival sources in Australia.
Access to relevant national, regional and company archival sources in Canada.
Access to relevant national, regional and company archival sources in India.
Access to relevant national, regional and company archival sources in New Zealand.
Access to relevant national, regional and company archival sources in Pakistan.
Access to relevant national, regional and company archival sources in South Africa.
Knowledge of the major liner shipping companies which provided most of the troop transports.
Knowledge of major Cross-Channel ferry operators which took the BEF and other troops initially landed in the UK to France & Belgium.
Knowledge of the broad organisation of the British Army and its Imperial/Dominion adjuncts.
Knowledge of the broad organisation of the Royal Navy, the RAN, the RCN, the RINS and the RNZN.
The exact parameters and organization of the project, and the responsibilities of individual contributors, will be defined over the next 6-9 months. For the moment, we very much want to get the project rolling, and thus encourage interested members to contact Malcolm direct. [12.2009]
Harry Spong and members of the Cobh Branch at the National Maritime College of Ireland, in Cork Harbour on 30th October, 2009, for the Irish Shipping Lecture and Exhibition. Photo by Eoghan Allen.
During 30th October to 1st November, the Cobh Branch of the World Ship Society, hosted a programme at the National Maritime College of Ireland, in Cork Harbour, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the demise of Irish Shipping Limited. The programme included a lecture by Harry Spong, author of "The History of Irish Shipping" and an exhibition of documents, photographs and artefacts tracing the company history. The lecture was delivered twice, once for college students and later for the general public. Some 500 people, including ex-Company staff, families, historians and enthusiasts attended the weekend event.
The programme was opened by Captain Mike Langran, the last Marine Superintendent of Irish Shipping and two of Ireland's renowned marine artists, Brian Cleare and Kenneth King, exhibited at the event. Harry got a very enthusiastic reception from an interested and committed audience and the last 21 copies of his book, which was published two years before the company was liquidated, were sold out after the lecture. Perhaps the final chapter of the story of Irish Shipping can now be written. The success of the programme was due to the dedicated work of the Cobh Branch Ireland, of the World Ship Society supported by a small band of enthusiastic friends from Wexford ion the South East of Ireland. [12.2009]
Capt. John Landels now has available Supplement Seven to a new 2007 Catalogue of yard lists. For a copy please send a large, stamped addressed envelope (or an international reply card coupon) to John at Belhelvie, Abbey Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian ED22 3AD, Scotland. [12.2009]
Read about the activities at our Library and Archives at the Chatham Historic Dockyard. Click on the Adobe link, then look for the story and photos "A world of maritime and naval expertise on offer".
For the calendar year 2010, all members who have previously paid their annual dues to Andy Kilk in Oakland, CA, are asked to mail their dues payments (by way of a US dollar check) to the Canadian Representative, Glenn Smith, 701-1011 Beach Ave., Vancouver, BC Canada (postage 75¢)
A full report of this event, which was held in Birmingham on 4th April 2009, can be viewed on the website. Contact the webmaster for a direct link to the appropriate page.
New publication now available from the World Ship Society - available in mid-December 2009
Kelly's Navy: A Group Fleet History of John Kelly Ltd of Belfast, by W.J. Harvey
WSS Members Only price of £18 plus packing/parcel post of £5 (to a UK address), or £7 (elsewhere - surface mail) — Non-member price of £27 plus packing/parcel post of £5 (to a UK address), or £7 (elsewhere - surface mail). Please contact booksales@worldshipsociety.org for more information.
This 128 page A4 hardback, which describes fleet of colliers-general cargo ships run by John Kelly Ltd, starts with a historical overview of the Company's development from Samuel Kelly's early ventures into ship owning from 1861 to the establishment of John Kelly Ltd in April 1911. Thereafter the author considers the effects of the 1914 - 18 war; the post-war depression and the General Strike of 1926 and the 1939-45 conflict on the Company. Post-war, the Company faced several major problems including an ageing fleet, a shortage of coal and the potential changeover from the use of coal to oil by Irish customers. On the 1st April 1948, control passed out of family hands after 108 years and shareholders received a substantial sum to invest elsewhere, instead of having to raise a considerably larger amount to update their fleet and depots, for what was a doubtful future. Thereafter, the collier fleet gradually declined as oil brought about the demise of this coal-based "empire". As the seaborne coal trade became evermore limited to supplying coal-fired power stations so the size of colliers increased which limited the number of ports that could be used. The rise of the road network also helped to kill-off coastal shipping and the Company responded by using road transport to distribute oil and coal. In 1987 they established, in association with Ken and Margaret McClelland, the Dragon Line in 1987, to ship containerised coal to Northern Ireland, initially smokeless fuel from the S. Wales coalfields. So it was that the new generation of Kelly 'collier' would henceforth travel by rail, sea and road 'door to door'. In 1990 the surviving four ships of the Kelly fleet were sold to Powell Duffryn Shipping Ltd., managed by Stephenson Clarke Shipping Ltd. Although the name Kelly is still seen around Ireland in the 21st Century, it is but a distant memory of the family business and 'Kelly's Navy' in the many ports around the country in the 19th and 20th Century. [12.2009]
The bulk of the book is devoted to providing a detailed three-part list of the ships that formed "Kelly's Navy". Part One contains a list of Family Fleets surrounding the main fleet. Part Two contains the fleet of John Kelly Ltd and ships managed by John Kelly Ltd and Part Three contains shipowning subsidiaries of John Kelly Ltd. This volume, which describes over 200 vessels, is completed by three appendices, a ship index and illustrated by 140 black and white photographs.
Please address orders, quoting your WSS membership number, to: WSS, 11 Beechwood Road, Nailsea, Bristol BS48 2AF, United Kingdom. Payments by £GBP cheque or credit/debit card - state Visa or MasterCard, quoting card number, exact name on the card, the card expiry date and the last 3 digits (card validation number) as shown on the signature line on the reverse of your card.
This full-colour album showcases photographs taken by the late George Garwood in July and September 1968. George's fine ship portraits make up the nucleus of the Society's slide collection, and this selection from forty years ago depicts a wide range of classic liners, tramps, bulkers, tankers and coasters built over the previous 30 years. All 64 pages are accompanied by lively, informative captions.
Regular price - £15, plus packing/parcel post of (UK) £2 or £4 elsewhere surface mail) / optional Air Mail rate outside Europe £7 Special Members Only Price of £10, plus packing/parcel post of (UK) £2 (or £4 elsewhere surface mail) / optional Air Mail rate outside Europe £7 ... Please address orders to WSS, Oakwood, 21 The Chantry, Rooksbridge, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2TR, United Kingdom
Payment by £GPB cheque or by credit/debit card – state Visa or Mastercard quoting card number, exact name on the card, the card expiry date and the last three digits (Card Validation Number) as shown on the signature slip.
OBDURATE to DARING: British Fleet Destroyers 1941 – 1945, By John English
The majority of the ships discussed in this volume were intermediate destroyers, based on the pre-war J-class hull and machinery, with a Tribal bow and an armament that could be supplied by the reduced number of ordnance works that had survived the depression. The Os and Ps had been designed pre-war and were ordered on the outbreak of war, as part of the War Emergency programme and provided the first reinforcements, other than the HUNT class destroyers, for the decimated destroyer flotillas during 1941-42. The Os were the basis of a series of 72 destroyers that were to be completed during 1942 - 1946. These ships were adequate, but their AA armament was weak and they were criticised for their short endurance when compared with USN vessels. The Z - C classes were nearly obsolete, when completed. Fortunately, their relatively late entry into service, and the complete air supremacy of the Allies, meant that their losses were limited. From 1942 these standard destroyers were replaced in the construction programme by the radically bigger Battles and later Darings while the smaller destroyer yards were to be kept busy building the Weapon class intermediate-size destroyers. Many of these vessels were cancelled at the end of the war, including the whole of the projected Gallant class, intermediate destroyer which was a development of the Weapon class. These destroyers provided the backbone of the Royal Navy's destroyer and frigate squadrons into the 1960’s when age and obsolescence finally caught up with them. Fortunately they were amenable to conversion and the Type 15 conversion programme was one of the most successful ever undertaken. T Created and built to wartime specifications, they gave sterling service for the Royal Navy and other navies for over 30 years.
This hardcover, 216 page A4 book, which describes the origins, specifications and development of each design, contains the service histories of 113 destroyers and is illustrated by 170 black and white photographs. The volume is completed by a ship index and seven appendices detailing building dates and the various conversions undertaken or proposed post-war.
Regular Price - £33, plus packing/parcel post of (UK) £4.20 (or £5 1st class) or £7.64 elsewhere
Special Members Only Price of £22, plus packing/parcel post of (UK) £4.20 (or £5 1st class) or £7.64 elsewhere
Optional Air mail Rates: outside of Europe - £14.21
Please address orders, quoting your membership number to: WSS, 141 Swansea Road, Pontlliw, Swansea, SA4 IEJ, United Kingdom
Payment by £GPB cheque or by credit/debit card – state Visa or Mastercard quoting card number, exact name on the card, the card expiry date and the last three digits (Card Validation Number) as shown on the signature slip.
Nineteenth Century British Steamships: Issue 2: Steamers built up to 1830, by F.W. Hawks
This CD makes available the most detailed research ever conducted into early British steam ships. The first release includes all 350 British-registered steam vessels built up to 1825, while the second issue adds the years 1926 to 1930, with details including name; dates of British ownership; Official Number; year of build and builders where known; tonnages and dimensions; engine details; registration ports, numbers and dates; dates of registration, sales, name changes; and references to sources. The disk also includes files in which the ships are listed by owner and by builder and - a new feature - by ownership in the major ports of London, Liverpool, Glasgow and Newcastle.
The primary source for the data is the official registration documents held in the British National Archives, the ultimate authority on British vessels. Additional information has been added where available from other sources. The result of many years of research by Fred Hawks, this is an invaluable source of data for anyone researching or otherwise interested in the earliest steam vessels.
The data on the CD is presented as read-only files in Word format, which can be read by the Adobe Reader installed on most up-to-date PCs. Using this software, the files are fully searchable.
As research continues, it is intended to issue new editions taking the data forward, probably by decade. Each new edition will provide cummulative data, and effectively will replace the previous edition. Details of price and availability will be announced on the website and from time to time in Marine News.
Issue 1 is available at £8 each including postage from:- WSS, 25 Cherry Tree Close, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 9NG, United Kingdom. Please make cheques payable in £GBP to the "World Ship Society". You may also pay by debit or credit card — Visa or MasterCard. Please include name as embossed on card, card number, validity dates and security number (last three digits on the signature line on the reverse).
CDs will be copied on demand, so please allow time for your order to be processed
WSS member Brian Franklin has once again volunteered to compile an index to Marine News for 2009.
The price for the 2009 index is as follows:-
mailed to a UK address — £3.50 + £1 (1st class) or 90p (2nd class)
mailed to a EU address — £3.50 + £1.40 Airmail postage or €5 or 8 IRCs
mailed to any other address — £3.50 + £2 (Airmail) or £1 (surface) for postage
Payment is to be made direct to the compiler -- not to the WSS. Payment methods include GBP pound sterling cheque, payable to "B. Franklin", or by way of International money order, IRCs or Euro notes. No credit cards accepted.
Send your order to: - Brian Franklin, 1 Sherwood Drive, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 7HE, United Kingdom.
Indices for Marine News for 2008 are also available from Brian, at the same rates as quoted above. NOTE: Only 2008 & 2009 Indices available from this volunteer — all others must be ordered separately as stated below.
^ ^ ^
Indices for "Marine News" 1949 to 2007. A central ordering system operates through the address below also covering the two earlier series produced by the late John Griffin (1971 to 1995) and Cliff Parsons (1949-1970).
Please order from - George Robinson, Southwood Cottage, 79 Southwood Road, Cottingham, East Yorkshire, HU16 5AJ, UK. £3.50 or 5 euros or 8xIRCs per copy, post free
Please make your remittance payable to "G Robinson" (not the World Ship Society). Overseas members may remit by Euro banknotes, Sterling GBP£ cheque, international money order or International Reply Coupons only. The indices convert your "Marine News" into a valuable work of reference.
The Society is credited with the net proceeds from the Parsons and Griffin series, after reproduction and postage costs. Some of the older indices may be supplied in A4 format, due to increasing problems in reproducing from the booklet masters.
All World Ship Society memberships are due and payable by no later than January 1st of each year. By now you should have received at least two renewal forms with your copy of Marine News, and if you have not paid your dues, a colourful reminder notice, but please do not procrastinate — it is never too late to send your payment into the Membership Secretary.
If you paid an Overseas Secretary or Representative in the past, continue to do so (except for those who previously paid Andy Kilk). If you have been paying a local branch secretary, continue as in the past. Otherwise send your £ sterling payment (or Visa/MasterCard authorisation) to one of the Society's Membership Secretaries — the sooner the better. Keep in mind that all Branch Secretaries and Representatives will cut off collections by the end of January, which means any dues payment outstanding can only be paid to a Membership Secretary in England (or the North American Representative, Glenn Smith).
Membership and Subscription Rates for 2010:
Annual ORDINARY membership to UK address = £37 Annual ORDINARY membership to any other address = £41 Extra for FAMILY membership (per member) = £1 Subscription to WARSHIPS magazine (3 issues) to UK address = £13 Subscription to WARSHIPS magazine (3 issues) to any other address = £14 WSS Colour Calendar for 2009 to UK address = £6 WSS Colour Calendar for 2009 to any other address = £6.50 Marine News binders = £9.50 (to any UK address)or £10.50 (to any address outside the UK) DONATION to the Venture Fund = whatever amount you care to donate LIFE MEMBER DONATION towards postage = any amount gratefully received
DONATIONS to the WSS Archive Digitisation Project must be sent separately to Dr. Ian Buxton (12 Grand Parade, Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear, NE30 4JS, U.K.) (£ sterling cheques payable to the "World Ship Society" or by Visa/MasterCard)
BRANCH dues or branch fees are payable direct to the branch concerned (these items cannot be paid through the Membership Secretaries, nor can they be charged to a charge card such as Visa or MasterCard).
WSS PUBLICATIONS including the new Kelly's, OBDURATE to DARING books or our newest FORTY YEARS ON book must be ordered separately through our Central Orders, and not sent to our Membership Secretaries.
Additional Sales, Transfers & Renamings Information via email each month — a proposal requiring your approval
It has been proposed that in view of the large number of the above transactions and to overcome the problem of the limited space in Marine News, that a separate, additional supplement be sent out as an e-mail attachment each month. This would overcome the delay in the reporting of some of the transactions and would also give a quicker method of updating the vessels which have been missed in previous years. It should be stressed that the information will eventually appear in Marine News at some point, but this could be at a much later date.
It has been suggested that a charge of £1 per month, with an initial sign up period of one year. i.e. a first payment of £12 for 2009 would be made by each participant and the method of supply as stated above, would be by means of a Word document attached to an email, thereby not incurring any postage costs. The subscriptions would be for the benefit of the WSS and not for the individuals concerned in the production and distribution of the supplement.
In order to gauge the likely numbers who would be interested in this proposal, and therefore its viability, in the first instance would you please send an email to Chris Perkins at chrisships@btinternet.com to register your interest.
Lloyds Register - Fairplay Publications offer to WSS members
This illustrates the 4-book set of the Lloyds Register for 2007-2008
Once again we are pleased to announce that unused copies of a number of Lloyds Register - Fairplay publications are to be made available to WSS members at highly competitive prices.
More than ever before, stocks are limited and members are urged to order promptly to avoid disappointment. As in previous years the publications will be dispatched direct from Lloyds Register - Fairplay, so please be patient when awaiting your order.
REGISTER OF SHIPS 2008 / 2009 Four volumes A-F, G-M, N-S, and T-Z are available together for only £225.00, including postage and packing.
LIST OF SHIPOWNERS 2008 / 2009 available for only £100.00, including postage and packing.
BOTH PUBLICATIONS available as a set for just £315.00, including postage and packing.
Please send orders to World Ship Society, 101 The Everglades, Hempstead, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3PZ, or e-mail jimmy.poole@worldshipsociety.org Payment with order by £GBP cheque payable to "World Ship Society" or by credit cards (VISA or MasterCard) detailing card number (please be accurate), name on card, expiry date and 3-digit security number on reverse of card.
Following a recent Branch Officers meeting, it was agreed that the Society would commission the production of additional slide shows for use by WSS Branches. The Society would like to produce six to eight new shows per annum using colour slides from our archives. Council invites members who would like to produce a slide show to contact the Chairman suggesting possible topics. A show will consist of between 125 and 150 35 mm colour slides supported by a paper script, or an appropriately sized digital presentation. Each show must have a specific theme rather than just being a miscellany of ship pictures. Themes could include specific ship types, shipping at particular ports, shipping companies, warship topics, etc. If you would like to author a WSS slide show please send your suggestion to the Chairman, Dr. Richard Osborne, 11 Beechwood Road, Nailsea, Bristol BS48 2AF; Tel: 01275 852183. E-mail: chairman@worldshipsociety.org. Once your suggestion has been approved, you will be given access to relevant slides in the Society's collections as well as detailed guidance as to achieve the successful completion of your project within an agreed timescale.
List of slide shows available as at January 2009
Australian Shipping — R.E.J. Varns, Victoria Br / 200 slides + script
Oceans Joined — John Gunning / 119 slides + tape + script (2004 - addl slides & new tape)
Ocean Ports of Tasmania — Bill Barber, Tasmania / 165 slides+tape+script
Ocean Voyages with Port Line — John Gunning / 119 slides + script
Place for a Village (Port of Melbourne)—Victoria Br /173 slides+tape+script
Port of Boston (USA) — Boston Br / 119 slides + tape + script (copy of 1985 show)
Port of Burnie — (1992) Burnie Br / 174 slides + Tape + script
Port of Devonport — Burnie Br / 100 slides + tape + script
Port of Hobart — (1985) Hobart Br / 162 slides + script
Port of Poole — (1993) Dorset Br / 200 slides + tape + script
Ports & Shipping of Japan — (1975) Yoshitatso Fukawa, former Rep for Japan / 174 slides + tape + script
Ports of Swansea & West Wales — Swansea Br / 206 slides+tape+script
Port of Vancouver — Vancouver Br / 192 slides + 54 min tape + script. NOTE: This show has been returned to the Branch for updating and is currently unavailable for booking
Port of Wellington — (1969) Wellington, NZ Br / 128 slides + script
River Highway (Paddle vessels of River Murray) — (1996) Robin Clark, Australia / 117 slides + 60 min tape + script
Royal Australian Navy Review -(1996) Victoria Br / 64 slides+tape+script
List of digital shows available as at February 2009
Spain, Portugal and the Atlantic Isles on ORIANA — (2004) Bert Novelli, Manchester Br / 316 images including title and interval pictures with script / running time approx 1 hour 20 minutes / description - Southampton - Vigo - Lisbon - Lanzarote - Tenerife - Recife - Funcahl - Southampton
The Port of Barbados — Bert Novelli, Manchester Br / 138 images, approx. running time 40 minutes, with script
The Port of Cartagena — 02/12/2009 - updated - Bert Novelli, Manchester Br / 162 images approx running time 1 hour 25 minutes, with updated script with built-in interval and exit images. NOTE: The 2009 AGM of the WSS is scheduled to be held at Cartagena, Spain. Members considering attending the meeting will find this presentation an excellent introduction to the Port, shipping interests and surrounding area.
For further information, or to book, contact Bryan Tedd, 276 Quinton Road, Harborne, Birmingham B17 0RF, or tedde@blueyonder.co.uk
The webmaster is seeking your help in adding content to the website.
Your webmaster hard at work.
We are hard at work re-constructing the WSS website. Many new additions are being made, such as the various Photo Albums (which can be accessed from the menu items to the left), a search feature which allows you to find any book that we have listed on our website, and an Enquiries Board. In addition, you can now search for any book catalogued in our Chatham Library, should you wish to visit. If you have any suggestions to improve the readability of the website, please contact the webmaster@worldshipsociety.org
A forum has been set up which allows you to make your views known to the Council. Check the page marked WSS Forum 1
WSS SOUTH COAST BRANCH - The Leslie Sargent Quiz 2008 Saturday 18th October at Southwick Sussex
The Annual Leslie Sargeant Memorial Quiz was held in Southwick on Saturday, 18th October, hosted by the South Coast Branch. Five branches contested for the trophy with an “All Stars” team making up a sixth. The first round saw the scores of All Stars 12, Haven Ports 13, and Thames Valley taking the round with 21. Round two ended with Southend 9, Southampton 10, and Mid Essex on top with 19. In the final, Haven Ports as highest runner-up scored 11, Mid Essex 16, and Thames Valley took the day with 20 having gone into the final set level with Mid Essex, with both on 15. There was also an impressive array of books, postcards and memorabilia on sale at the branch stalls. Thanks were made to the South Coast Branch for the smooth running of the day which was ably led by the Committee, including the provision of an ample and delicious tea. Thanks also went to Nick Hall and Andy Skarstein who set, read and adjudicated on the questions. All present heartily agreed it had been a most worthwhile and enjoyable event, and one which must now continue.
The 2008 Winning Team (Thames Valley) are: left to right — Chris Perkins, Bill Mayes, Douglas Crombie, and Krispen Atkinson. The Steward (standing) is Geoff Bedford. A great deal more information can be found at ANNOUNCEMENTS - Branch Events.
A look back at the 62nd Annual General Meeting, which was held on May 15th, 16th & 17th, 2009
2010 AGM will be held at Ellesmere Port - see notice above.
The Costa Blanca Branch hosted the 62nd. Annual General Meeting in 2009. The venue for the meeting was Cartagena which is just to the south of the Costa Blanca on the Costa Calida.
A report on this successful meeting, plus a collection of photos taken at the meeting has been posted to the page AGM 2009.
The 2010 London International Ship show, (sponsored in part by the Ocean Liner Society), will take place on Saturday 30th October 2010 at the Royal National Hotel, 38-51 Bedford Way, London. The World Ship Society will have a display on hand with volunteers to answer all your questions about the WSS.
The event includes an exhibition / sales area with exhibitors and trade stands, together with a special talks programme. The show is open from 10:00am until 16:00. The Ocean Liner Society committee members will be available throughout the day on the stall in the centre of the exhibition.
Entrance prices include a discount for OLS members so remember to bring your OLS membership card. If you join the OLS on the day, you will also be eligible for the discount.
It has been decided to compile a list of speakers willing to give talks to local WSS branches. Council Member and Zeeland Branch Secretary, Hans Mornout, has agreed to compile and keep an up to date Register of Speakers willing to give talks to Branches. The register will list as many speakers/lecturers as possible, their subject matter, what they can provide or need providing (e.g. slide projectors etc.), how far they are willing to travel and their cost (if greater than reimbursement of reasonable expenses). Information may only be added to the register with the express permission of each speaker. Similarly, procedures will be established to protect the information held on the database under the terms of the Data Protection Act. If you are willing to be a speaker or can provide information about potential speakers or if you wish to access the database please contact Hans Mornout, Boomstraat 17, NL5291 ND Gemonde, The Netherlands, e-mail: hans.mornout@worldshipsociety.org.
A wealth of history from the early days of the Society which was formed as the Ship News Club in 1946, 60+ years ago. A fitting tribute to the brainchild of the Society, Michael Crowdy.
These volumes include Michael's editorials and notes on the building of the Society along with the news of ships being refitted after war service, scrappings, transfers, new buildings and orders. These electronic copies of the 1965 reprint have had a certain amount of 'cleaning up' carried out on them. This reprint is 70 pages in A4 format and is soft bound in a folder.
Copies are available at £6.00 + p&p
Add £1.00 post and packing for UK addresses, Add £2.00 post and packing for addresses in the EU, Add £2.50 post and packing for addresses outside the EU
Please send cheques, payable to "World Ship Society", to: Mr. M. Flatman, 22, Yarrow Drive, Carlton Colville Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 8NG UNITED KINGDOM
NOTE: This offer is not available online through the website
Crash Boats - Part 1 (63' Aircraft Rescue Boat - the MIAMI)
A new publication from the WSS Small Craft Group
Crash Boats (Part 1) (63' Aircraft Rescue Boat - MIAMI) is a new compilation which covers all the WW2 built craft of the 63ft MIAMI types. In over 200 pages with over 200 photos, and with 40 profile drawings in around 80,000 words the types are described from their concept through to craft built by the end of WW2.
It contains full known histories of all RAF and other Commonwealth craft of the type with extensive lists, photos and service details of those built for or operated by other nations, including the U.S.A. Due to the large number of boats, and information now made available, the compilation has to be in two parts.
In Part 2 the major sections will cover construction details and full listing of survivors since WW2. A proposed contents for Part 2 will be included. In short, the main title is Crash Boats - Part 1. The printing is now underway and will be for orders only. The cost of each Crash Boats, Part 1 is £22 (incl p&p) for orders to be sent to a UK address, or £27 (incl. p&p) for orders to be sent to an address outside the U.K. Orders with payment to Tony Holtham, 5 Rogate Drive, Thornbury, Plymouth, Devon PL6 8SY, United Kingdom. Please make cheques (in GBP only, drawn on a British bank) payable to "Small Craft Group". E-mail enquiries to aholtham@smallcraftgroup.freeserve.co.uk
A Note to all Branch Treasurers, re: Branch Rebates
Just so that there is no confusion when fee collecting time comes around, here is an outline of how to take advantage of the Branch Rebate system. The following is an explanation of the Rebate System. However, some Branch Treasurers have been under the false impression that they can collect rebates calculated on the postage surcharges - which is not, and never has been, true.
If you are a registered branch Treasurer/Secretary, and you collect annual membership dues on behalf of an International WSS member, you were entitled to reduce your remittance to the WSS by 10% of the base cost of membership. This has now changed. For the calendar years 2009 & 2010, the base cost was £32. (All memberships are now calculated on the base cost, plus the added surcharge for postage.) This means that you are entitled to a rebate amount equal to £2.00 on each membership you collect and remit to the WSS. Rebates do not apply to Warship subscriptions or any other collection on behalf of the Society - just the membership base cost of £32.
Changes for 2010 and future years
For the calendar year 2010 and future years, the Branch Rebate has been reduced to £2.
So to put it another way, make sure your 2010 remittance to the WSS includes sufficient amount to cover the £32, plus £5 (or plus £9 as the case may be, postage surcharge), less £2.00 rebate for a grand total of £35.00 (or £39.00 for Overseas). Your remittance to the WSS should be in pound sterling by way of a GBP cheque (drawn on a British bank) or for Overseas by way of an International bank money order in GBP drawn on a British bank. Special arrangements have been made for US secretaries/treasurers to pay their collections through the Vancouver Branch in US$. Contact glenn.smith@worldshipsociety.org for details.
The purpose of the Branch Rebate was to help financially with the cost of collection, such as writing letters, bank conversion fees and bank money order costs. But how the branch secretary/treasurer apportions the £2.00 is up to the branch. Some branches choose to credit the member with the rebate amount, while other branches add the collected amount to their general revenue account.
All collections of WSS Membership dues should be done before the deadline of December 31st of each year. A list (using the forms provided by the UK Membership Secretary, for use by UK branch secretaries) of those renewing members is to be sent to the Membership Secretary at membershipsecretary@worldshipsociety.org (for UK memberships) or membership2@worldshipsociety.org (for Overseas memberships) by no later than December 31st. Remittance of sums collected (less rebates) should be made no later than the end of January (for UK Branches) or end of February (for Overseas Branches) — of the upcoming year. [03.2010]
The venue for the World Ship Society's 2010 Annual General Meeting
Welcome to the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port
Note: This photo is from the 2010 calendar.
Very many WSS & branch members have been greatly saddened at the unexpected death of Bert Novelli, who passed away on 22 December 2009 aged 72. Bert was a good and generous friend to many shipping enthusiasts and was a prolific photographer who amassed an extensive collection recording the great post-war days of traditional shipping before it vanished with containerisation.
Harry Spong and members of the Cobh Branch at the National Maritime College of Ireland, in Cork Harbour on 30th October, 2009, for the Irish Shipping Lecture and Exhibition. Photo by Eoghan Allen.
WSS Members Only price of £18 plus packing/parcel post of £5 (to a UK address), or £7 (elsewhere - surface mail) — Non-member price of £27 plus packing/parcel post of £5 (to a UK address), or £7 (elsewhere - surface mail). Please contact 
This illustrates the 4-book set of the Lloyds Register for 2007-2008 
The 2008 Winning Team (Thames Valley) are: left to right — Chris Perkins, Bill Mayes, Douglas Crombie, and Krispen Atkinson. The Steward (standing) is Geoff Bedford. A great deal more information can be found at ANNOUNCEMENTS - Branch Events.
