Ships laid up in Cardiff
In the late fifties and early sixties several of the wartime Reardon Smith ships were laid up in Cardiff
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This photo shows the Orient City and Madras City laid up in Cardiff docks in February 1958. The Orient City is no longer a Reardon Smith ship !! If you look very carefully you will be able to make out a chap on a stage on the funnel painting out the black “S” !! I can’t recall who bought her, but I do remember that the Madras City was sold to Pakistani interests, renamed “Chittagong City” and sailed away under the command of Captain Boucher. Tony Lightfoot.
The winter of 1962/3 was very cold with copious snow etc. In fact there was difficulty getting in and out of Cardiff Docks. The vessel was tied up stern to the quay with 2 anchors down, so access was by a ladder over the poop rail. At least the Company provided a television but the generator was shut down overnight, so it depended on whether the Engineer wanted to see a late night programme!
In February 1963,I was relieved to join the "Great City" for an epic 12 month voyage.
"Vancouver City" was disposed of shortly afterwards, to become the "Everbloom" . John Cann.
I was also on the "!Vancouver City" when she laid up in Cardiff, and I eventually left her on 11th November 1962. We had the "luxury" of a skeleton crew, with several Engineers on board and we were looked after by the two Chief Stewards Bob Beasey and Bob Finlay, and I must say they looked after us very well. I recall John Cann being "in the offing" along with Peter Radford and Alois Prasser, and occasional excursions to check out Yates Wine Lodge. Tony Lightfoot. Posted on forum 5 January 2012.
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