Bendigo Swap find - Page 2

Jacques Reed · #31 04-02-13, 04:07

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for your suggestion. Another avenue to explore.

I see you are from Tauranga NZ. Nice spot. I ran there fairly regularly in the mid 90's on a self-discharging bulk carrier the MV Portland unloading barley and wheat.

Had my first, and almost last trip, in command there. The harbour pilot came in real hot and fast and it took full astern and maximum power on the thrusters for what seemed like an eternity to stop and berth her.
A real "Captain Ron" berthing if you ever saw the movie.

Lesson No1 for new skippers: Pilot is only an advisor and over-ride him if in doubt.

Cheers,

motto · #32 04-02-13, 10:04

I see you got the short handle version of the pick Jacques.

I would have thought that Roads Department would have been the most likely. The various states sent road builders up north during the war for the construction of the North South road etc but there was obviously an overseeing body. The first of them was DOMF, Darwin Overland Maintenance Force but it didn't operate very long under that name. Could be a link there somewhere.

David

Lynn Eades · #33 04-02-13, 11:04

I remember seeing your ship at the bridge end of the births.
Your pilot wasn't a short, stocky, bearded guy (Scotsman?) called Jim, who was into black powder shooting, by any chance?
At that time I was working in Owens workshop. We looked after most of the log handling machines (and forklifts) that the company operated in the port.
Owens had the contracts for handling the loading out of logs from all the N.Z. log export ports, exception being The Port of Tauranga, which we had to share with another company. The company is now (if I am up to date) Toll-Owens. The Toll bit being an Australian company.
A miss is a miss. Unlike the Rena.

Jacques Reed · #34 04-02-13, 21:40

Hi Lynn,

The pilot's name eludes me but he was a younger guy in his early forties.

I followed the "Rena" grounding and subsequent total loss with a lot of interest here in Australia in view of my connection to the port of Tauranga.

I am sure reams have been written about the incident and the salvage attempt but why it even occurred in the first place says a lot about the present standard of training of ship's officers. I won't get on my soapbox here about that! Would take too many hours to read.

It sure made a mess of a beautiful coastline for a while. Is all the mess gone or does the odd container still wash up on the shoreline?

Cheers,

Lynn Eades · #35 05-02-13, 04:27

The mess is pretty much gone. The hull has been cut to the waterline, so far. I dont think the are any rogue containers left floating around from the Rena, but I may be wrong on that.They did have a bit of a panic about a toxic substance in the water around her last week.
Sorry to hijack your thread. It seems very few stay on topic.
Bendigo is a fair way inland for a sea captain.

I see that Colin jones has exceeded all expectations, with his assistance to you, in helping to identify the pick

Jacques Reed · #36 06-02-13, 06:07

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for the info on Rena.

No worries about the thread, I am probably one of the the worst offenders for deviating from it.

That's what I like about MLU, from my short time here it's seems a bit more casual, friendly, and open with less points scoring, petty digs, mockery etc as you see on some forums. Have visited a few and after a quick look around decided they were not for me. There is still room for good natured humour here which is always welcome, even at my expense!

Will continue posting Swap finds for the thread here as they occur.

Next one is Pakenham Vic on the 17th Feb. Might even find a pick head with D/\D on it instead of R/\D there!

Cheers,

Jacques Reed · #37 24-02-13, 04:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacques Reed

Will continue posting Swap finds for the thread here as they occur.
Next one is Pakenham Vic on the 17th Feb. Might even find a pick head with D/\D on it instead of R/\D there!

Last Sunday's Pakenham Vic Swap was a pleasant walk around the racecourse.
It is a great venue for a swap, had beaut weather and easy parking.

Only downside was no Ford CMP truck parts and only one site with a fellow Early Ford Sidevalve V8 Club member with just a few car parts.

Weren't even too many sites with old tools so in all came away with just two brass brushes and a large magnifying glass from a Chinese tool site which I believe by law now every swap meet, and market must provide.

Just kidding!

Cheers,