Houston City (1)
Comments from the forum - 1
We try whenever possible, to provide a list of Officers for a specific voyage, particularly when it relates to an item of interest that has been posted up. This is especially the case when it applies to a ship’s maiden voyage.
This posting, however, will probably be of more interest to some of our older members! Below, is a list of Officers who were aboard the Houston City (1), on her maiden voyage from Sunderland, having been handed over by the Furness Yard, at Haverton Hill in January 1934.
There is a Pathe Movie clip of her launch, in November 1933, where the Master, Captain Lionel Ford is clearly visible. However, what is not generally known, despite all the hype of launch day, is that she failed to come down the slipway, and it was another two weeks before they managed to launch her into the Tees.
Master:- Lionel Ford
Chief Officer:- John Maldwyn Hughes
Second Officer:- Sydney Wheaton
Third Officer:- Sydney Leebetter
Wireless Operator:- Merlin Barry
Chief Engineer:- Archibald Bryan
Second Engineer:- Joseph Steel Herring
Third Engineer:- Frank Rowell
Fourth Engineer:- Stephen Willis
Jnr.Engineer:- Edward Rawlings
Jnr.Engineer:- James Bedford
Jnr.Engineer:- Gerard McGowan
Electrician:- Edward Gowson
Steward:- George Turner
Apprentice:- Sydney Marks
Apprentice:- Dewi Parry
Apprentice:- Howard Leslie Pigg
Apprentice:- Herbert Carmichael
Supernumery/Purser:- Alan John Reardon-Smith
It is worth noting that Houston City (1) was originally laid down as Bradaire, continuing the interest, and considerable financial backing of Yorkshire business men, in particular the Mitchell brothers, Frederick and Priestley. Both were directors; the former died at about this time and the latter left the board upon the death of Sir William, in 1935. What story lies therein?? No doubt the young supernumery, Alan John Reardon-Smith, a future Chairman, would have been privy to it all.
One of our staunchest members, Colin Gateshill, might be interested to know that there was an AB aboard the ship named William Gateshill: born in 1913 in Sunderland, height 6-0 and weighed in at just under 11 stone!!!
Finally, I can’t resist commenting that the R/O must have been a Welsh Wizard at the key!!
Mike Jones. Posted on Forum 28 February 2013.
Again- your observation regarding a possible relative of C.Gateshill being only 11 stone- My memory of the formidable Colin was that he had difficulty getting into a regular boilersuit?!!
With regard to the crew list.
Lionel Ford became a Superintendent, (still talked about at various shipyards.)
Willis, Bryan & Rowell were all C/Es during my time. Syd Leebetter, a fine shipmaster. Assume Syd Wheeton was father of John who, again was a C/E and laterly, Supt. who tragically died very young.
All steadfast employees and a credit to RSL. John Cann. Posted on Forum 01 March 2013.
Although this list was made up nine months before I was born I sailed with four of these people. Syd Leebetter, Archie Bryan, Frank Rowell, and Steve Willis. The last three were very close to retirement and that was in the late 50's
I got on very well with Syd Leebetter and he was the Captain on the ship for my first trip to sea, my first trip as 2nd Engineer, and my first trip as Chief Enginner.
I sailed with him one further time before I went ashore in 1971. Eric Poingdestre. Posted on Forum 01 March 2013.
Most interesting to hear that both Eric and John had sailed with Officers who had been aboard the Houston City (1) on her maiden voyage. Such links are important in the chronology of a shipping company. Mike Jones. Posted on Forum 01 March 2013.
Disclaimer: The statements on this page are the views of the person who posted them on the forum. The events took place many years ago and in most cases rely on those people's memories, and so we cannot guarantee the accuracy although every effort is made to check it.
Houston City Page [1]Memories from RSL staff. Page No. [1]