5

RMS Rangitoto

Artist, Wallace W. Trickett

I joined the ship, as a bright eyed deck boy, in the Royal Albert Dock London in March 1965 and completed three voyages to New Zealand, two as deck boy and one as JOS. First trip as seaman’s peggy, second trip as quartermasters peggy and third on deck. On the first trip we also did a mini cruise to Fiji.

The Rangitoto only visited Auckland, Wellington and Lyttleton but none of the smaller ports in New Zealand. First port of call was Willemstad on the island of Curacao for ship’s bunkers. Two days later we arrived at the Panama Canal. Excited and naive as a first trip deck boy could be I was told to save all the old bread to feed the ‘mules’ in the Panama Canal. As we secured in the first lock I rushed on deck with my bread only to see the 70 ton ‘donkeys’ connected to the ship and guiding it into the locks.

We docked in Balboa at the Pacific end of the canal for the night to allow the passengers ashore. I followed some of the crew into a bar in Panama City, what an eye opener. Next day we departed for Tahiti where we also stayed overnight before making the final leg to Auckland.

Little did I know that I would soon be introduced to Kiwi Girls and all the good times and broken hearts ahead of me in the wonderful country of New Zealand. Really good runs ashore but the ‘old hands’ said you should have seen it in the 50s!

Panama Canal Mule

Account of Wages 1

First Trip Deck Boy

Account of Wages 2

First Trip Deck Boy

Account of Wages 3

Third Trip JOS

On the first trip pay-off day (25-06-65) the Number One record in the UK charts was: I’m Alive by The Hollies. On the second trip pay-off day (11-11-65) the Number One record in the UK charts was: Get Off Of My Cloud by The Rolling Stones. On the third trip pay-off day (15-03-66) the Number One record in the UK charts was: These Boots Are Made For Walking by Nancy Sinatra.

Ports Visited.
First Trip: London, Willemstad, Panama Canal, Balboa, Papeete (Tahiti), Auckland, Lautoka, Suva, Auckland, Lyttelton, Wellington, Papeete, Panama Canal, Kingston, Port Everglades, Bermuda, London.
Second Trip: London, Willemstad, Panama Canal, Balboa, Papeete, Wellington, Auckland, Papeete, Panama Canal, Port Everglades, Bermuda, London.
Third Trip: London, Willemstad, Panama Canal, Balboa, Papeete, Auckland, Lyttelton, Wellington, Papeete, Panama Canal, Kingston, Port Everglades, Bermuda, London.