Does anyone have a copy of the crew list for this ship? A friend of mine who was with Port Line has just died. We know that he was on one of the Malta convoys; his family believe that it was Operation Pedestal, but he told me some years ago that he was on one of the others. I would not want to get the facts wrong when I talk at his funeral. Roy
You obviously need a quick answer. I would PM Hugh Maclean and draw his attention to this thread. Tim
Thanks Tim, I will do that. Different slant, anyone going to Kew before Friday 8 June? If so could they please copy BT 372/645/42 Gore D A for me, happy to pay. Roy
re Port Chalmers French colours deception very interesting https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38377/supplement/4493/data.pdf
Hi Roy I have answered your pm but for interest the 1942 crew agreements for PORT CHALMERS are held at TNA in piece BT 381/2069 under her official number 163429. Regards Hugh
I have a large bronze or brass ships bell deeply inscribed with the name "Port Chalmers". It looks 20th Century and is very heavy needing two people to lift it . It was in the attic of an outhouse on a former farm where it has been for many years, probably 50 or 60 . I wonder if it's from the Port Chalmers of Malta fame. I wonder if anyone has photos of the outside of the ships Bridge where the bell may have been located. It has no signs of being underwater and apart from missing the clapper and fixing inside it's in good condition.
See this article. It refers to an engine room bell but I've never heard of this type of bell being in an engine room. The engine room bell is normally part of the engine room telegraphs. Museum gets marine artefacts Tim
Now I'm confused as I've now come across this: See #16 on Port Chalmers, Malta convoy, August 1942 - Ships Nostalgia "Greetings: As an Apprentice, I attended Plymouth School of Maritime Studies. The School owned the bell of the "Port Chalmers". The Duty Officer used to ring the hours on the bell. I do not know if the bell is still in the marine training element of Plymouth University, but I would hope that it is still there." Tim
Thanks Tim. My late father in law bought the old farm in the early seventies and the bell was definitely there already gathering dust in an outhouse attic. Every big farm over here in Jersey had a bell to call in their family and other workers in for breaks and this one has the remains of a later swinging fitting for that purpose.There is no way it could have come over from Plymouth. Of course there were other ships called "Port Chalmers", which is in New Zealand and Jersey had a great maritime fleet in the nineteenth century. I just happened to do a search on WW2 Talk this evening and found reference to your thread!
