What a Way to Go 1950s Style
It looks like there is a cable duct along to top of the DC-4's fuselage. Anyone know what that's for?
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Shared the same Voyage
Warm Toast, A fantastic story of a voyage I shared with you. On arrival in Singapore, I was posted to Air Headquarters Singapore at RAF Seletar. My last six months in 1958, was served with HQFEAF at RAF Changi.
My travel to Southampton for embarkation was different to you.
We - (Draft 1295A) - travelled on a special train from Cheltenham. This may have been because I did not arrive at RAF Innsworth until 2 October, while you had been waiting for embarkation since August. I imagine that is why you were transported by bus to Southampton.
During the voyage I kept a brief daily Log, which I will post below this note. It is written exactly as I recorded it in1956. (Forgive the poor grammar at times!) I think this Log will confirm your memory of events, particularly the storm in the South Atlantic.
I flew home in 1958 by a Dan Air Hermes. Leaving Paya Lebar Airport, Singapore, on Sunday morning at 10.30, arriving back at Blackbush Airport at 16.00 on the Tuesday.
Voyage to Singapore - HMT Nevasa 1956 Owens Daily Log
[ATTACH]Owen sunbathing on Nevasa October 1956.jpg[/A[ATTACH]4061[/AT
16 October 1956 Left Southampton at Five on a misty day. A lot of amusement was derived from the tears shed on the quayside as the boat pulled away. Past Isle of Wight, saw Bournemouth, Portland Bill, Berry Head, and before going to bed Start Point.
17 October 1956 Woke up and noticed the ship was rolling. Very windy and rouigh. Late morning only two of us on deck. Rest below being sick.-
Travelled 295 Miles In Middle of the Bay of Biscay.
18 October 1956 Much calmer but still a cold wind. The blue sky we saw on the horizon reached us at 12.00, but still not warm.
Travelled 412 Miles during last day. Position 80 Miles west of Oporto
19 October 1956 Beautiful day with clear blue sky, hot, with a cool breeze blowing over the ship. Managed to get a job in Orderly Room.
Travelled 434 miles during last day. - Position 378 Miles NNE of Canary Isles
Changed into shirt sleeves
20 October 1956 Another beautiful day with plenty of sun, just hot enough.
Passed Grand Island of the Canaries and saw Capital Las Palmas.
Travelled 443 miles and 36 miles South of Las Palmas
21 October 1956 Another scorching day, sunbathed for half an hour and got sunburnt. Attend Church Service in the morning conducted by the Captain.
Position 375 miles to Dakar, Travelled 446 miles
22 October 1956 Arrived at Dakar at nine, went ashore at 11.20, walked into town, and paid four & six for a guide to take us to a Post Office which was a tobacconist shop.
Bought a Daily Mail for one & six. Left Dakar ten to five. Had a mad taxi driver to take us to boat.
23 October 1956 Early morning saw rough seas with lightening and rain. Sky was cloudy and overcast and we were entering Rainy Season
Position 180 Miles W of Sierra Leone Travelled 357 Miles
24 October 1956 - The seas was still rough and the boat pitching, Saw large numbers of flying fish, and some porpoises. At night illuminated fish or jelly fish seen. Weather cloudy.
Position 170 miles S of Liberia Travelled 460 Miles
25 October 1956 Sea continuing rough and boat pitching badly. Food is getting poor. Crossed Equator at 01.00 hrs.
Travelled 437 miles, speed reduced because of sea.
26 October 1956 Sea Unchanged, cold wind blowing.
Travelled 434 miles. Position 1961 Miles from Cape of Good Hope
27 October 1956 Sea a bit rougher, food improved a bit. A few people sick.
Travelled 432 Miles - Position 1529 miles from Cape of Good Hope
28 October 1956 Sea extremely rough, and a gale blowing. Waves splashing on the deck. Boat lifting high in the bow.
Travelled 426 Miles - Position1103 Miles to Cape of Good Hope
29 October 1956 Sea much rougher got swamped on the deck, a lot sea sick. Speed very much reduced
Travelled 374 Miles. Position 731 Miles from Cape of Good Hope.
30 October 1956 Sea a bit calmer, very cloudy.
Position 343 Miles to Cape of Good Hope. Travelled 388 Miles
31 October 1956 Sea a bit choppy passed Cape Town at 05.00 but unable to get up and see Table Mountain. Saw Coastline clearly. Cloudy and Cold.
Travelled 404 Miles - Position 11 WSW OF Acullis Point
1 November 1956 - Sea much calmer about 5 miles from the coastline saw Cape Province and East London. Still cloudy but not quite so cold. Saw an Albatross.
Travelled 424 miles - Position 5 miles South of East London
2 November 1956 Arrived at Durban at 7.15 - greeted by the Lady in White.
Were allowed ashore until Ten at night. Left ship at 9.15 and went on Coach Trip to Zulu Reserve and Valley of a Thousand Hills. On the way we passed Bothas Hill, Sherwood, and Pinetown. Arrived at Cafι about 11.30 had a Coke, and visited a Kraal, saw natives dance and got pulled in myself. Went inside hut. After lunch went further into the Reserve, and returned to Durban at Four, did some shopping and everyone very friendly. Colour Bar was not very noticeable.
3 November 1956 Left Durban at six in morning, where there was a large crowd to see us off. An even larger crowd on the last jetty, including the Lady in White. Everyone sorry to leave. Position at midday 93 miles ENE of Durban Travelled 93 miles.
4 November 1956 A beautiful day with sun really hot, went to Church service in the morning. Midday sun hottest yet. In the afternoon about 60 whales were seen.
Position South Indian Ocean. Travelled 414 miles
5 November 1956 The Sea was as calm as a Lake, and quite a few sharks were seen. The sky a bit cloudy and sun not so strong.
Travelled 411 miles Position 50 miles SE of Madagascar
6 November 1956 The sea still calm, but sky cloudy. Passed Reunion Island and Mauritius. Slept on deck at night.
Travelled 433 miles Position 80 miles SW of Reunion Island
7 November 1956 A fine day with a breeze blowing over the ship. Sunbathed all afternoon, and am beginning to get a reasonable tan. Ship slowed down due to an operation.
Travelled 420 miles Position 210 miles NE of Mauritius
8 November 1956 - Another beautiful day sea almost smooth. Large number of flying fish seen flying in shoals, and large size jelly fish also seen.
Travelled 420 miles Position 2689 miles to Singapore
9 November 1956 Another fine and very hot day. Sea not quite so smooth,
Travelled 417 miles - Position 2271 miles to Singapore
10 November 1956 Cloudy with rain in showers. Warm breeze blowing. Crossing the Equator during the coming night.
Travelled 407 miles Position 1814 miles to Singapore
11 November 1956 Another wet day with tropical storms. Remembrance Service held during the morning.
Travelled 429 miles Position 1485 miles to Singapore
12 November 1956 Wet again. We have seen no ships or land since 6-11-56. Food getting poor.
Travelled 436 miles Position 1049 miles to Singapore
13 November 1956 A beautiful day, sea very calm. Saw our first land North Sumatra, passed many densely wooded islands and a few boats.
Travelled 345 miles Position 704 miles to Singapore
14 November 1956 Another fine day but no land in sight passed a few ships.
Travelled 345 miles Position 359 mil3es to Singapore
15 November 1956 Arrived in Singapore in sweltering heat at 07.00, went ashore at 09.30, and went to RAF Seletar.
My travel to Southampton for embarkation was different to you.
We - (Draft 1295A) - travelled on a special train from Cheltenham. This may have been because I did not arrive at RAF Innsworth until 2 October, while you had been waiting for embarkation since August. I imagine that is why you were transported by bus to Southampton.
During the voyage I kept a brief daily Log, which I will post below this note. It is written exactly as I recorded it in1956. (Forgive the poor grammar at times!) I think this Log will confirm your memory of events, particularly the storm in the South Atlantic.
I flew home in 1958 by a Dan Air Hermes. Leaving Paya Lebar Airport, Singapore, on Sunday morning at 10.30, arriving back at Blackbush Airport at 16.00 on the Tuesday.
Voyage to Singapore - HMT Nevasa 1956 Owens Daily Log
[ATTACH]Owen sunbathing on Nevasa October 1956.jpg[/A[ATTACH]4061[/AT
16 October 1956 Left Southampton at Five on a misty day. A lot of amusement was derived from the tears shed on the quayside as the boat pulled away. Past Isle of Wight, saw Bournemouth, Portland Bill, Berry Head, and before going to bed Start Point.
17 October 1956 Woke up and noticed the ship was rolling. Very windy and rouigh. Late morning only two of us on deck. Rest below being sick.-
Travelled 295 Miles In Middle of the Bay of Biscay.
18 October 1956 Much calmer but still a cold wind. The blue sky we saw on the horizon reached us at 12.00, but still not warm.
Travelled 412 Miles during last day. Position 80 Miles west of Oporto
19 October 1956 Beautiful day with clear blue sky, hot, with a cool breeze blowing over the ship. Managed to get a job in Orderly Room.
Travelled 434 miles during last day. - Position 378 Miles NNE of Canary Isles
Changed into shirt sleeves
20 October 1956 Another beautiful day with plenty of sun, just hot enough.
Passed Grand Island of the Canaries and saw Capital Las Palmas.
Travelled 443 miles and 36 miles South of Las Palmas
21 October 1956 Another scorching day, sunbathed for half an hour and got sunburnt. Attend Church Service in the morning conducted by the Captain.
Position 375 miles to Dakar, Travelled 446 miles
22 October 1956 Arrived at Dakar at nine, went ashore at 11.20, walked into town, and paid four & six for a guide to take us to a Post Office which was a tobacconist shop.
Bought a Daily Mail for one & six. Left Dakar ten to five. Had a mad taxi driver to take us to boat.
23 October 1956 Early morning saw rough seas with lightening and rain. Sky was cloudy and overcast and we were entering Rainy Season
Position 180 Miles W of Sierra Leone Travelled 357 Miles
24 October 1956 - The seas was still rough and the boat pitching, Saw large numbers of flying fish, and some porpoises. At night illuminated fish or jelly fish seen. Weather cloudy.
Position 170 miles S of Liberia Travelled 460 Miles
25 October 1956 Sea continuing rough and boat pitching badly. Food is getting poor. Crossed Equator at 01.00 hrs.
Travelled 437 miles, speed reduced because of sea.
26 October 1956 Sea Unchanged, cold wind blowing.
Travelled 434 miles. Position 1961 Miles from Cape of Good Hope
27 October 1956 Sea a bit rougher, food improved a bit. A few people sick.
Travelled 432 Miles - Position 1529 miles from Cape of Good Hope
28 October 1956 Sea extremely rough, and a gale blowing. Waves splashing on the deck. Boat lifting high in the bow.
Travelled 426 Miles - Position1103 Miles to Cape of Good Hope
29 October 1956 Sea much rougher got swamped on the deck, a lot sea sick. Speed very much reduced
Travelled 374 Miles. Position 731 Miles from Cape of Good Hope.
30 October 1956 Sea a bit calmer, very cloudy.
Position 343 Miles to Cape of Good Hope. Travelled 388 Miles
31 October 1956 Sea a bit choppy passed Cape Town at 05.00 but unable to get up and see Table Mountain. Saw Coastline clearly. Cloudy and Cold.
Travelled 404 Miles - Position 11 WSW OF Acullis Point
1 November 1956 - Sea much calmer about 5 miles from the coastline saw Cape Province and East London. Still cloudy but not quite so cold. Saw an Albatross.
Travelled 424 miles - Position 5 miles South of East London
2 November 1956 Arrived at Durban at 7.15 - greeted by the Lady in White.
Were allowed ashore until Ten at night. Left ship at 9.15 and went on Coach Trip to Zulu Reserve and Valley of a Thousand Hills. On the way we passed Bothas Hill, Sherwood, and Pinetown. Arrived at Cafι about 11.30 had a Coke, and visited a Kraal, saw natives dance and got pulled in myself. Went inside hut. After lunch went further into the Reserve, and returned to Durban at Four, did some shopping and everyone very friendly. Colour Bar was not very noticeable.
3 November 1956 Left Durban at six in morning, where there was a large crowd to see us off. An even larger crowd on the last jetty, including the Lady in White. Everyone sorry to leave. Position at midday 93 miles ENE of Durban Travelled 93 miles.
4 November 1956 A beautiful day with sun really hot, went to Church service in the morning. Midday sun hottest yet. In the afternoon about 60 whales were seen.
Position South Indian Ocean. Travelled 414 miles
5 November 1956 The Sea was as calm as a Lake, and quite a few sharks were seen. The sky a bit cloudy and sun not so strong.
Travelled 411 miles Position 50 miles SE of Madagascar
6 November 1956 The sea still calm, but sky cloudy. Passed Reunion Island and Mauritius. Slept on deck at night.
Travelled 433 miles Position 80 miles SW of Reunion Island
7 November 1956 A fine day with a breeze blowing over the ship. Sunbathed all afternoon, and am beginning to get a reasonable tan. Ship slowed down due to an operation.
Travelled 420 miles Position 210 miles NE of Mauritius
8 November 1956 - Another beautiful day sea almost smooth. Large number of flying fish seen flying in shoals, and large size jelly fish also seen.
Travelled 420 miles Position 2689 miles to Singapore
9 November 1956 Another fine and very hot day. Sea not quite so smooth,
Travelled 417 miles - Position 2271 miles to Singapore
10 November 1956 Cloudy with rain in showers. Warm breeze blowing. Crossing the Equator during the coming night.
Travelled 407 miles Position 1814 miles to Singapore
11 November 1956 Another wet day with tropical storms. Remembrance Service held during the morning.
Travelled 429 miles Position 1485 miles to Singapore
12 November 1956 Wet again. We have seen no ships or land since 6-11-56. Food getting poor.
Travelled 436 miles Position 1049 miles to Singapore
13 November 1956 A beautiful day, sea very calm. Saw our first land North Sumatra, passed many densely wooded islands and a few boats.
Travelled 345 miles Position 704 miles to Singapore
14 November 1956 Another fine day but no land in sight passed a few ships.
Travelled 345 miles Position 359 mil3es to Singapore
15 November 1956 Arrived in Singapore in sweltering heat at 07.00, went ashore at 09.30, and went to RAF Seletar.
Great post, Owen.
Did you meet Warmtoast during the voyage?
Did you meet Warmtoast during the voyage?
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Interesting post. The Nevasa was almost brand new, having been delivered to British India Line on July 12th, one of two new troopships, the other being Bibby's Oxfordshire delivered in February 1957. Both were redundant by 1962 as trooping went entirely over to air transport. The Nevasa had a second life as an educational cruise ship until being scrapped in 1975 while Oxfordshire became Sitmar's cruise ship Fairstar which had a long career ending under P & O ownership in Australia, finally being scrapped in 1997.
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It is possible that we may have met, even sat next to each other in the Bar, I do not know.
I believe there were about 150 to 200 RAF personnel on board, and we were all probably accommodated on D Deck.
It is always possible that he may recognise me from the photo at the top of my Log.
Thanks for your interest.
I believe there were about 150 to 200 RAF personnel on board, and we were all probably accommodated on D Deck.
It is always possible that he may recognise me from the photo at the top of my Log.
Thanks for your interest.
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I returned to Singapore in 1986 on a 747 with Singapore Airlines. I asked to visit the Flight Deck which was possible at that time. While there the First Officer, a Sinaporean, asked:'Have you been to Singapore before?' I replied; 'Yes I was there from 1956 to 1958''. He replied: 'Good God I was not even born then'
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Interesting post. The Nevasa was almost brand new, having been delivered to British India Line on July 12th, one of two new troopships, the other being Bibby's Oxfordshire delivered in February 1957. Both were redundant by 1962 as trooping went entirely over to air transport. The Nevasa had a second life as an educational cruise ship until being scrapped in 1975 while Oxfordshire became Sitmar's cruise ship Fairstar which had a long career ending under P & O ownership in Australia, finally being scrapped in 1997.
Thread Starter
Singapore Owen
Thanks for jogging my memory. I just recorded basic details and of course photographed the highlights seen earlier in this thread.
As to whether we met, after 62-years I have no idea at all, but who knows?
WT
Thanks for jogging my memory. I just recorded basic details and of course photographed the highlights seen earlier in this thread.
As to whether we met, after 62-years I have no idea at all, but who knows?
WT
Last edited by Warmtoast; 2nd Feb 2018 at 11:35.
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Warm Toast,
Thanks for your comments. It was as you say 62 years ago. Difficult to remember faces now. Even the airman I worked with in the Orderly Room I cannot recall.
I thought your photographs fantastic.
I was pleased to see the Troop Deck showing 3 bed configuration, when we had to sleep in a 4 bed configuration.
After a time I slept on my desk in the Orderly Room, and on deck when we were travelling over the Indian Ocean, that is until the rains came!
A great experience, and one I would not have wanted to miss. I wonder how may of us are around now!
Thanks for your comments. It was as you say 62 years ago. Difficult to remember faces now. Even the airman I worked with in the Orderly Room I cannot recall.
I thought your photographs fantastic.
I was pleased to see the Troop Deck showing 3 bed configuration, when we had to sleep in a 4 bed configuration.
After a time I slept on my desk in the Orderly Room, and on deck when we were travelling over the Indian Ocean, that is until the rains came!
A great experience, and one I would not have wanted to miss. I wonder how may of us are around now!
