From on board the BORDER FALCON at Smith's Dock, South Bank, Middlesbrough, River Tees - 10 July 1961
AUCKLAND STAR (5030361) Salient Sg. Co. (Bermuda) Ltd., (Blue Star Line subsidiary), (Bermuda) British, 11799gt,
completed Cammell, Laird & Co. (S.B. & Eng.) Ltd., Birkenhead, 10-1958. BU Gadani Beach 9.6.78 [Standard Rolling Mills]
and: BORDER CHIEFTAIN (5048344) The Lowland Tanker Co. Ltd., Newcastle, 13238gt,
completed Smith's Dock Co. Ltd., Middlesbrough, 1-1962.
1979 ACHILLET (Greece), 1987 SPIRO (Malta), BU Chittagong 27.9.88:
BORDER FALCON (5048356) The Lowland Tanker Co. Ltd., Newcastle, 13238gt, completed by Smith's Dock Co. Ltd., Middlesbrough, 10-1961, 1982 GARDENIA B (British), bu Kaohsiung 30.1.85.
On board the BORDER FALCON - 10 July 1961. I often wonder what the old chap on the right made of our "invasion" of his territory? (and he was probably way younger than I am now!!!):
Back then I was quite a shy, timid and quiet 15-year old schoolboy heading for the end of 4th year in Grammar School. That was the time at which we could seek career advice. Well, with my developing interest in ships I did ask about going to sea but that was soon scuppered when I found the wearing of spectacles precluded me from training as a deck officer. I seem to also recall taking some aptitude test and saying in answer to one question that I would become homesick if working away from home!! Anyway, it seems that occasionally I would speak up for myself and somehow my suggestion that a visit to a local shipyard might be of benefit was acted upon. Which is how I and others found ourselves on board the BORDER FALCON then in the process of fitting out at Smith's Dock.
Ron
