Nautical Nostalgia (Web) Log
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Turmoil
Fascinating story behind David Bray’s painting of the tug “Turmoil” towing the heavily-damaged cargo ship “Flying Enterprise” in 1952
Good Hope Castle
Illuminating story behind David Bray’s painting of the mail ship, “Good Hope Castle”
Royston Grange
The tragic story of the “Royston Grange” – one of a class of refrigerated cargo-passenger vessels operated by Houlders on the South America service. May 2022 sees the 50th anniversary of her sinking.
Arlanza and Penang
Published in ‘Sea-Breezes’ magazine “ARLANZA” and “PENANG” by David Bray and Simon Adams We have a breakfast bar in our kitchen, but it has never …
Arlanza
From the brush of David Bray Arlanza “Arlanza” was one of three ships built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast, for the Royal Mail Line services …
Great Western
From the brush of David Bray The Great Western In the development of merchant and naval shipping, the ocean-going paddle steamer was ultimately a dead …
Big Ships Need Big Tugs
From the brush of David Bray Big Ships Need Big Tugs “Big ships need big tugs” said Sir William Hoy, Chairman of the South African …
Alondra
From the brush of David Bray Alondra ALONDRA in the Mersey When I was about 11 I started reading “Sea Breezes”. At that time the …
Royal Archer
From the brush of David Bray Royal Archer Almost forgotten nowadays is the fleet of small passenger-cargo vessels running regular services around the UK and …
Yellow Peril
From the brush of David Bray Yellow Peril As a kid in Great Yarmouth, the coasters of F T Everard were a familiar sight. There …
Saga Ruby
From the brush of David Bray Saga Ruby Delivered in 1973 for Norwegian American Line, and originally named “Vistafjord”, the “Saga Ruby” was the last …
Larpool
From the brush of David Bray Larpool The “Larpool” was a tramp steamer built in 1924 by Pickersgill’s in Sunderland for Headlam & Sons of …
Sirdhana on the Hooghly River
From the brush of David Bray Sirdhana on the Hooghly River The Apcar company was founded in 1819 by the Armenian Apcar brothers. Originally based …
Teapot
The Tale of “Teapot” First published in the NWT Journal, Spring 1989 by “Leveret” (David Bray) The wherry lay on the White Swan quay in …
Random Jottings of a Skipper
Random Jottings of a Skipper First published in the NWT Journal, Autumn 1986 Author: Admiral Elsan (David Bray) Quanting up to West Somerton I would like to …
Breydon Days
Breydon Days On 28th June 2019 “Albion” and “Maud” sailed in company across Breydon”. I would guess that this was the first time in eighty …
Footsteps of Arthur Ransome
Footsteps of Arthur Ransome First published in the Spring 1984 NWT Journal. Author: Leveret (David Bray) Arthur Ransome Some things are precious, and among our …
Wherrying with Nat
Wherrying with Nat I have often been asked the question – “How did you learn to sail Albion?” Well, it’s a long story, and it …
Otranto
From the brush of David Bray Sea Breezes – Otranto OTRANTO was built by Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness in 1926 for the Orient Line’s Australian service. One …
Dynamic Positioning – new 3rd Edition
DP Operator’s Handbook – 3rd Edition A major update of this definitive work is now available after a major update. Accepted as the standard textbook …
A visit to Sydney
A Visit to Sydney It was 1970. I was 2nd Mate in a cargo ship, the “City of Canberra”, sailing on the MANZ line route …
Nautical Heath and Safety
Nautical Health and Safety I had always wanted to join the Merchant Navy. And here I was, cadet with Ellerman Lines. Joined my first ship …
Ten and a Chinaman!
Ten and a Chinaman (Why nautical speed is measured in knots) Ship speed is measured in “knots”, a knot being a speed of one nautical …
Queen Mary’s Whistle
Queen Mary’s Whistle In November 2014 I had a speaking appointment aboard Queen Mary 2. Very pleased finally to get to lecture on board this magnificent …