by JohnPS » Sun May 24, 2020 11:57 am
My favourite ship! Ex cadet and Deck Officer with WA Souter& Co, this was my fourth ship 1974 , and the first on which (with just 18months in) I was allowed to stand bridge watch alone. Promoted 3rd Mate immediately after this trip, one ore-carrier trip, then back to the "DBC" as she was affectionately known in the company. She had "hopper" upper ballast tanks, which could be either dumped over the side (which upset some ports!) or pumped out via the lower tanks. Automatic" ballast valves from a control panel, with yellow spinners to show correct operation-- all of which automation needed a manual check along the full length tunnel (I used to go down there just for the fun of it!)