Passing ships in the night

Passing ships in the night

 

In the 1960s- Isolation was felt by most of us on the long sea voyages of abt 35 days across Pacific (US Ports to -India at 12 kts speed)  via Spore-

In Winter it was rough seas being tossed about and in summer it was Fog!!Often no Radar working. The sea and sky -a keen Look out on the Bridge Wing undera Masters watchful eye; that was all--After watch Books alone, were my best companions and work---(or go to Sleep)

Abt 35 days sailing to Bombay with No radio, newspaper (TV Video unheard of then-) was an experience. A very brief stop for refueling of about 8 hrs at Singapore gave a little respite.

A few managed a shore leave -rest on duty on board . This was quite an experience anmf taught us to Learn to accept -Isolation without complaint--

 

 

ASa 2nd mate, Passing ships in the night esp 12 midnight-4 am (also called Graveyard watch by early Mariners  ) was something looked forward to by most.  

The chance passing of another Ship on an opposite route or crossing meant a very brief 2mts exchange of Morse Flash lamp  Signals

-later on VHF in 70s." What ship where bound"-and Reply---then Bye ----

 

Never knew the phrase of Passing ships was from a poem  --

From a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
quote"
 Ships that pass in the night, and speak to each other in passing,
only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness;
So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another,
only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.
Unquote
poem by H.W.Longfellow.
Thinking aloud today:
Applies even now when we meet briefly -and move on in Life.
TR

                                                           Above is a File photo

                             Photo below is of me during training on  Dufferin era-On Aldis Lamp

As Two Ships Passing in the Night

As two ships passing in the night,
So quietly neath the stars soft light;
Our paths cross but now and then.
Reaching out, seeking one another again.

We say hello and then we part,
Knowing we've shared a piece of our heart.
Some friendships stay and sadly some go.
My prayers remain steady hoping ours will grow.

Author: Unknown

Mazagaon Pier revisited, many years later..

Greetings All

Mazagaon Pier revisited, many years later..

The Road once travelled i.e.-- the boarding point at Mazagaon pier.

A few years ago, I had a  trip- to my Mumbai Head Office and the meeting completed early by 3 pm and my flight was at night -delayed too.So, I took the office car and toured some familiar spots viz.  Dufferin Pier, with the shed, railing all there at the boarding jetty ...yes the stone  steps are all chipped off ...Mazagaon Dockyard still very active and building a vessel - then to Hay Bunder playing  field now being developed as a proper Playing field. A real surprise at Hay Bunder was late PTI Yadav's cottage-which  still stands there ...undisturbed and time really stands still here- believe it or not  an old woman, who worked as their faithful  domestic  help still resides there- she even invited us in --wanted us to share her  Chai ... I had Capt.Anil Athale, our senior's- senior ( in our Head Office ) and a very close friend over the last 20 years along with me..so it was easier to navigate  in these parts.

I only had my mobile camera and and took about 15 snaps of old time sightings inc Mazagaon pier- the islands across etc.and believe me it was a good 2 hrs trip. 

Down Memory lane-

There is a time to recall- recollect and give thanks-
Some thoughts jotted-( not senti- mush)

As man grows he /she lives more in the city of the Spirit as Dr A.J. Cronin (doctor- writer of our 50s era said in his autobiography...titled " Adventure in two Worlds:-  a book of his life of experiences and anecdotes of great wisdom both in the fields of medicine and in writing -touring - meeting people etc . 

It is  possibly the book that made the greatest impact on my Life and I used to read & re-read it during  sailing days as cadet to 2nd mate.

Most people visit places of Youth....some time later in years - some day.... some time-but most DO.
It is a kind of silent Thanks Giving too- 

For me it was certainly that.It is  a fact that with age and growth---we all seek out places of  youth and carefree happy days to cheer us.

  

Even all the Western & Eastern  cultures see  War/ Veterans do this.

Finally said ---ok, let us add in LBS College too ...now a very dusty, unkempt &  uncared for place , unlike Late P. Alexander's time with it's  fresh flowers in bloom in the clean garden.The road to LBS  is totally a mess- with debris and hutments of migrant workers - and is a very sad sight.

The LBS college  has the Dufferin model and also m.v. Indian Resource, in addition to a few others from our time-Pity such ships are all in hstory only-

NOTE:

No heritage building, souvenirs,  museum concerns seen-  despite all the blab.

(some one asked me about this--) All prize boards and memorablia from our time and Dufferin have vanished --

Verified and was told  that these had been  taken off with renovations

and then......- Lost in the sands of Time---

1972 was a turning point for Ex Dufferin Memorabilia ?
FINALLY---

There is a time to recall- to recollect and give thanks-
It is all not just sentimental stuff, please-
These visits  flood   our memory banks and such trips can be most rejuvenating and esp when done with no expectation

as Change is always there- ( & degeneration) or a new building in place.

But that famous  Pier still stands out quietly, although  abandoned--still-
Silently,  saluting the Sea.

What a story it has to tell . 

Rgds all
TR