What a Way to Go — 1950’s Style

[Singapore Owen]

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 – Owen’s 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 Botha’s 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.