...Yet another party - could be John Palmer's farewell. Photo shows John, Mike Paige,
Brian Griffiths, some Builder Bloke From Bromley (Pete Allcorn), and I think the
horseless-head at the bottom is George Faure.
Mr. Confait, the ever-alert Office Messenger.
No TV in Seychelles - only alternative is to join the Amateur Dramatics outfit. Somewhere
in this great cast of "Pygmalion" is yours truly, John Yeo and Brian Griffiths.
In 1969, 46,000 tons worth of RFA fuel tanker terminally suffered the dreaded "tin-opener"
effect off Port Victoria, on an uncharted pinnacle of rock approximately one mile
offshore, shortly after leaving harbour. Whilst there were no casualties, most of
the officers and crew abandoned ship with nothing more than the clothes they were
wearing at the time. The accident was all the more strange since not only was the
Ennerdale a regular visitor to the island to provide R & R for its mainly Seychellois
crew, but it used the same deepwater channel each time... (so much for charts!!).
Even more odd was the fact that you could see the ship from the Main Office and hear
the distress call on 2182 at the same time!!
Picture of three of the ship's officers shortly after their arrival on shore. Hotels
on the island were few and far between , and staff were therefore requested to provide
temporary housing for many of the crew in the meantime. (...another excuse for a
party!!)
The arrival of Royal Navy divers to "dispose" of the wreck. This Hercules is arguably
the first ever plane to actually "land" in the Seychelles. The one before did a touch-and-go....then
went!!!
Not ALL work for the Navy!!
To be a Navy Diver, you really do need eyes in the back of your *** !!
