I migrated on the Fairstar, too. England to Fremantle in late 1964 with my brothers and sisters, and Mum and Dad. I agree, best decision my parents made!

@@dratz50 As children we were on the same ship travelling to the other side of the world. Now here we are 60 years later on a youtube comment section.

Thanks for watching Heather......We enjoyed the voyage out....Now in our 80s....the world has certainly changed since then.....Gordon

Thanks for watching Sandy..You could certainly count yourself a `Possi' before we arrived in 1969....When we embarked in Southamton, they were still repairing the ship at the dock while we were on board.....Telephones had been rigged up at the top rail so we were able to say a final farewell to our folks in Devon....Although the Fairstar was strewn with streamers to the dock by people on- board, the repairs were not completed until very late at darkness by which time we were asleep in our bunks....it had been a long traveling day and so we missed saying farewell to the `Old Country'....Cheers ..Gordon

Hi David and thanks for watching, we also were four to a cabin...all married and the girls next door...Yep, they were good days when everything was done for you ......One of the girls got `sunstroke' while we were in the Indian Ocean and we had to take her to `sick-bay' ......The Hospital on the `Fairstar' was relatively large and well presented with about 6 beds (from memory) plus a doctor and nurse on duty......However, the ship stopped engines overnight for a sea burial for an old lady who was traveling out to join her folks in Australia...Alas, she did could not make it....Gordon

Hi Greg and thanks for watching....Yep, good memories and glad we stayed after leaving UK in 1969......She was a great looking ship with a good atmosphere about her.......

..Hi Wreck Buoy...She is moored at Port Adelaide (about 30 mins. drive from Adelaide city)....and still under South Australia Museum operation...Nothing on their website so I phoned them today...The Yelta has been taken off the run and no longer goes out on the Port River with passengers....A few volunteers intermittently carry out maintenance ....so the future looks grim at present .......Regards Gordon

@@odinzoltan I feel like these ships would do a lot better by volunteers if they had more of a social media presence.

@@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE ........Hi Wesley and thanks for watching......I enquired about `Yelta' this weekend and it seems that she has a problem with the propeller shaft, plus other issues ...She is now moored at the wharf in Port Adelaide and closed to the public....Lack of funds, repair facilities at The Port and volunteers means `Yelta' will not be moving in the foreseeable future ......Cheers Gordon

@@odinzoltan thank you for the update Gordon. Sad news about Yelta.

Hi Wesley....just an afterthought..although I have no conformation it could be that her hull-plates may be getting thin with age.....Another old ship here has been laid up for this reason..( the `Fairley') .....Another thought.....Nuclear Powered (Submarines etc)....are propelled by steam !...cheers Gordon

...Thanks for watching Matt..

That's a cool thought Skoda...Thanks for watching....

Thanks for watching David...The 100' Merryweather was fairly new when I started at Wallasey....While training at Heswall Fire College...they brought a standby TL from Chester (Cheshire County Fire Service)....a `Metz' 60' TL with chain elevating mechanism ....Years old but very solid machine with open cab......Regards Gordon...

Hi Wesley and thanks for watching.....Sorry for the delay in my reply....but my limited research tells us that the `Yelta' was not used for that series or indeed any other...It led a fairly mundane life being built in Sydney (1949) for a Port Adelaide company, she worked here at the port until the mid. 1970s ...Built to a standard pattern, she does look like others of that age but local knowledge confirms she was not used in any film....Plenty of info. on `the net'.....Thanks for your interest....Gordon

@@odinzoltan Hi Gordon, Thank s for the reply. She's a beautiful ship nonetheless and deserves the love and care of her volunteers.

Steam Tug LYTTELTON 2 was featured in the "Island Trader" series. Unfortunately she was sadly scrapped in 2006.

@@Jetchisel that's a tragedy

Hi Peter and thanks for your comment. I arranged by meeting in Adelaide here with a gent. to hand over a copy of my original unedited tape that I had filmed at the Humphrey Pump....He wanted it because at the time I filmed, the top cover of the pump was off and you could see the valve mechanism working.....a rare feature that can never be repeated publicly, because of health and safety regs......He wanted to make a film and incorporate a segment of mine in it....He would let me know when the pump could be operated again...I wanted to re-film with modern equipment.....He certainly knew the operation well but I have not heard an update yet......Following the `net info, The pump seems to be loaded against the odds....Since I filmed, the State Water Authority was privatised and they banned picnics etc. at all reservoirs including the area of the pump....This has recently been reversed.... the `Health and Safety' brigade were sent in and the volunteers have had to field out for parts related, and overcome the associated Red Tape......The last knowledge fed to me, was that it could be some time before the pump is publicly operational...... One Item I learnt at the time of filming is that when first initially installed, pressure cracked the top of the cylinder and they had to send for another from `Beard and Co." in the UK...It took over a year to arrive...... I am not connected to the project, but like yourself, anxious to see it working again, up at `Cobdogla'...(232 Kilometers north of Adelaide) ...My sincere thanks Peter for reading ...Regards Gordon

@@odinzoltan Hello Gordon, Many thanks for your reply, I beg your pardon, the quality of your filming made me think it was back up and running. Hopefully common sense will prevaile over the red tape and we can see it running again. Rgds, Peter.

@@peterlewis7292....Thanks again Peter....I must have filmed it about 18-20 years ago, I can't remember.....They have a main web-page at ..... cobdoglasteammuseum.com.au but if you Google in ...`Humphrey Pump working `Wikipedia' have a good run down.....(excuse me if you already know this) .........Regards again ...Gordon

Hi Stephen, and thanks for an interesting comment....As mentioned, we came out in 1969 ....The `Fairstar' (HMS Oxfordshire) still had the smell of newness about her.....I got up early one morning and noticed a group of young stewards under supervision of an officer....cleaning the stair tread of the companion ways with tooth brushes.....We had films every third night and `Clay Pigeon' shooting off the stern...but a fast passage coming around the `Cape' she only stopped at Las Palmas. and Capetown ..There was a private burial at sea and at 0100 hrs. each morning The stabilisers would be taken in and so extra skills had to be used on the dance floor to keep upright.... .Good memories ...Regards Gordon

@@odinzoltan You reminded me. Yes the clay pigeon shooting, we were too young to do it 9 years old. The cinema where we watched 'sound of music' in black and white and during the day we used to go an muck around the back of the screen and found all sorts of hiding places etc. We just booked a cruise on P&O Iona which is 8 times the size of Fairstar. Even earlier I emigrated to the UK from Australia as a baby on the Fair Sea, an even smaller ship.

@@stephanguitar9778 ....Hi Stephen...we were `29years old when we emigrated out....We arrived at Port Adelaide at 10.30pm. with the `Fairstar' playing itself in on the PA. and all lit up....Although the passage had only been a month, I felt sorry in leaving her ...she was a happy ship and remained so in later years, as the Australia/ Fiji/Vanuatu Fun ship....But toward the end...Plumbing etc. broke down and she was sold for scrap...... The `Iona' does look a little bigger !! (I have to admit).... but a nice new ship ...Have a great time aboard....Regards Gordon

Hi Stephen and thanks for watching.....I wanted to go via Panama, but we were routed around the Cape of Good Hope with only two calls at `Las Palmas' and `Cape Town' ......I thought we could at least go up `Table Mountain'.....But alas, it was shrouded in mist.....The `Fairstar. was fairly new then, so we enjoyed the ship instead....However, when they took the `Stabilisers' in each day at 0100hrs., the dance floor became tricky to navigate, but people became more familiar by bumping into each other....We did have a burial at sea however, at the traditional time at 0300 when the ship was stopped in the Indian Ocean while the ceremony took place of an old lady who passed away quite suddenly...Passengers were asleep then and we only knew from the lady who shared the cabin with her.......Best regards ...Gordon

Thanks again for watching Stephanie and sorry for the late reply.....I count my time in the WFB as the most valuable in my working life....Most of the older guys had been in wartime conflict and were worldly experienced .......One had been a POV in various German prison camps for 3 years....Wherever they came from, their sense of duty to the public and each other never waned.....I have not forgotten the Wallasey Brigade and the impression/experience they left with me all my life, even though I was a member for only a short time ........Regards...Gordon R.

@@odinzoltan hi thats ok , must of been wonderful to know and work with so many high calibur folk . "made of the "right stuff" .well done x

Hi Stephanie and many thanks for your comment...I Remember Jack well, although not on his watch, I came in contact with him when he was Station Officer and and I was `standing in' for someone on his watch....He was liked by them and they had confidence in him. We turned out to a kitchen fire one Sunday morning and I managed to get that one photo with a small camera carried in my tunic.....On another occasion, Jack was standing in for our Station Officer who did not seem to put trust in younger members of the watch and held me back from driving the `1st turn' (Fire engine)....."Whats this"...Jack was heard to say...."all this time and not passed out" ....and with that, he `put the bells down for a test emergency turn out and passed me on the spot....Officers who could stand by their own judgement were becoming increasingly scarce in the service from that time...I am in contact with Ted Corry who lives at Cromwell, in the South Island and may have been in contact with him more than myself...Regards Gordon

@@odinzoltan wow amazing memories glad Jack passed you eh ?, yes he was a good man. cheers Gordon funny how we now have contacts all over the world isn't it! lovely place Cromwell, been there a couple of times, Im in the North Island, in the Waikato a little place called Te Awamutu , all our fire brigade are volunteers, but very dedicated and do a sterling job as you would expect ...bless :)

Hi Stephanie and thanks again for your response...I have been in contact with Ted Corry who was on Jack Winstanley's watch and knew him well...Ted says Jack was in his region on the South Island but missed him before he moved up to the North.....Teds daughter lives near your area in the North and frequents the Swimming pool in your town...She will be about your age and Ted reckons it may be good if you want to make contact....He will need your e-mail address if you wish........We live in Adelaide...South Australia...If you wish to keep contact you are welcome...Regards Gordon

Hi Stephanie I have been spoken to my daughter so hope you contact her. Ted

Hi again Stephanie....I remember the Practice Tower well and the backs of the houses on Ashburton Road...I was there in the mid `60's and remember the engine house with the four `machines'...At that time they introduced Fire-women who staffed the `Watch Room' at the side of the `Engine House' .....You may have sat on the back seat of the fire engine (called Red Machines then) near the `Breathing Apparatus'...Alas, most of the girls have passed on and I can only hope that al least one survivor could be able to do what you have done in contacting me and viewing the video to re-kindle some old memories...My deepest thanks....Gordon

@@odinzoltan most welcome Gordon, yes I remember the girls working there, well some of them,... used to see them occasionally and chat on my way home from school, happy days.

I wish we could have done. Ended up in some awful bush town outside of Melbourne. You could almost hear Dueling banjo's in the background.

Thanks for watching Diego.....it's always pleasing to find people who sailed on the `Fairstar' ....in particular to hear from someone to voyage when she was a Cruise Ship....Your sister would have had `inside information' ...If you got up early, you would see crew cleaning the Stair-treads with tooth brushes .....I suppose it might have been prior to 1968-9 I...``All places I would have like to have seen....Thanks...Gordon

Thanks for the comment `madaxe79' ...I suspect you may have worked there at one point...Yep..taken.some years ago in our younger travel years.....Gordon

My thanks for watching, Fleur........it is very pleasing to find a fellow passenger, although you came out on the voyage ahead of us.....A great adventure, as I remember it and at 23,000 tons, our first and only `big' ship...Now living in Adelaide, it is one of the parts of life we could happily re-play.....Thanks again......Mo and Gordon

My greatest thanks Anthony, for watching....Sorry for the late return to you!.....I wish we had visited all the ports like your trip to the UK...We were four couples in self contained, two outer cabins of four bunks each...Yes, I think the `Fairstar' was a happy ship for the passengers over most of her life....I remember when we berthed at Outer Harbour (Port Adelaide) at 10pm, she played us in via a brass band on the PA.....Even then, I felt sorry to leave the home of a month!....When traversing the Indian Ocean, they held tours of the Bridge and Engine Room, right to where the prop shafts go through a stern bulkhead..You could hear the blades beating quite loudly against the ship. (`No worries about `elf and safety then!)......Now alas! she sails no more but thank you for sharing some memories...Regards...Gordon

...Hi `Getbent97' ....Thanks for watching and sorry for the late return to you......I know how you feel...Over here in SA, they are about to give our transport system over to `The Privates'...Starting with the trams, .after much public money has been used in modernisation and extending the system...Sad to see us going down the path of others......Regards

Many thanks Dennis for your comment...I remember the shop well and a well built fellow served me when we bought our National radio there...Every two days or so, the window would change to other displays...Our National was a large square radio with short wave and still works and looks as it did in your shop...The last two days on-board had a wide variety of bags to take the purchases ashore....The shop, I think was about midships on the pursers deck and next to it, another shop, sold Pearls and other gifts....Thanks again for your contact...Regards Gordon

Thanks very much for commenting Geoff, it's really pleasing to hear from a fellow passenger. ...As you probably know, the Fairstar continued down here until the end....Work mates who traveled on her said that, although things started to break down, it still remained a `happy ship' ......

We also came out on the Fairstar in 1968

Thanks for your comment Geoff....Yes, I remember the Jungle Bar in the front of the ship...We would look toward the Bow, at the rolling sea and wonder what we would find ahead in Australia.....Most folk were going on to Melbourne/Sydney and the `Fairstar' made on unusual stop `playing its way' into Outer Harbour at Port Adelaide at 10pm .....which left us sad to leave our friendly home of a month....(even though there was a burial at sea)........Gordon

Hi cobbadog and many thanks for your comment. I was just fortunate to be there when you could see the valves working on top of the pump. I hear that when it is operational, they have to be covered to prevent the possible escape of gas....I have to admit though, that I am not a volunteer, but I did meet up with Lynn Amos 9 months ago and handed him my unedited video as he wanted to make a training film of it with the valves uncovered. He is a volunteer and has great knowledge of the pump.....I agree with everything you say. It is unfortunate that the State see fit to sell off our resources to overseas interests which then restrict our ability to enjoy them......I dare suspect that the `elf and safety' issues, (rightly or wrong) were useful as blocking devices applied to the volunteers....Thanks again ...Gordon

Hi Phil Many thanks for your response.....It is good to catch up with a fellow traveller....We came to South Australia on the June 18th. 1969 (Southampton) voyage aboard `Fairstar'...and perhaps, like yourself have not regrated the move... We have stayed here ever since. In fact, it looks as if we were all on the ship on that trip out !...A pity the old ship has now gone but I am glad that the short movie triggered some happy memories of the past......Thanks once again ...Gordon

Many thanks for your comment Mr. Cactus.....I'm glad you found it a remarkable construction, for the year.....I guess the gold rush certainly encouraged the build....Gordon

Thanks for the comment Jimbo....`thats fantastic..not only to know someone who actually worked on the dredge but also worked it in it's steam days....I heard that the noise of the buckets could be heard miles away in the nearest town and the two guys that were working on it at the time of the video were both keen enthusiasts with all the info....But it is not as good as talking or knowing someone who actually worked the monster .....The water I would guess at about 3 -4 mts. at the time....Thanks again for the info ....Gordon

HI Lyn and thanks for the info and pump update...I did leave a contact e-mail but my security detected spam...so I amended my last message to you...As of July...utube have withdrawn the ability to send private messages so all is now public....I can send a dvd ...SD card..Flash (Dongle) to a post Box etc. .. or stream the video to your e-mail address ( you will have to keep the download page open for about 40mins or more.)....Pity we can't get up close to the pump anymore ....regards Gordon

Thanks for the comment Lyn .....It is appreciated...

Many thanks Lyn, for all that info. I have been wondering how the repairs were progressing ….now I can appreciate some of the final obstacles are being overcome....I am hoping to be up there with a better camera when you are up and running again......Regards Gordon ... Ps..Sorry for delay in reply (I did not receive notification from RU-vid...)

...Many thanks for your comment, Brett...I value it even more, that it comes from someone personally involved with the great machine and who would have hands-on experience in it's operation....I have often wondered about the strength of the `explosion' required to move the solid mass of water to the delivery....When it is operational again we will certainly have a visit up there ...Regards...Gordon

Methane burns and expands rather than explodes so the 300 tons of water gets accelerated away. The ignition stroke produces approx. 70psi and when the water bounces back into the combustion chamber 100psi can be generated. The old cast iron chamber blew apart early after installation in the 1920's. happy to answer questions from what I can remember. When did you see it ?

...Many thanks Brett for that information....300tons of water in one delivery stroke means something!.....The longevity and reliance on the monsters, I suppose was due to relatively few working components and over-engineering ( except for the defective chamber) I guess......It must have been a long, slow, hard journey from Port Adelaide and an even more difficult effort installing them in place....When did we see it? ...a good question...my guess between 1992-1995....regards...

The 300 tons is the pipe water volume approx. weight, I could work out how much is delivered each stroke, I think it was 1.2 million gallons per hour. I believe it just recently ran again for the first time in years due to safety issues.

…..That's great news Brett. Maybe sometime soon we will be able to visit the Monster again...The only thing I remember is that a foot head of water exerts 0.5 pound at it's base and when you look at 300 tons, that is an enormous amount of energy required...I believe the old pump could form a good Physics example when teaching hydraulics...thanks again Gordon

My thanks for your comment Beauregard....Sorry for the music...No doubt `Jupiter'....from the `Planet Suite' is not for everyone...Kind regards ...Gordon

@@odinzoltan The music was used for the hymn, " I Vow to Thee My Country," which was sung at Princess Diana's funeral.

Thanks for viewing Chris, we were lucky to be invited to inspect by the two gents restoring the monster for public viewing. From them, we learned much of the local history and the effect it had on the area.....I am grateful to them......At that time, the local lads used to swim out to it. I guess we v/taped the dredge about 18-20 years ago....regards Gordon.

Many thanks for your comment Barbara......it brings much appreciation from me when a relative responds to seeing a family member in these short clips.....I was on Teds watch for my 6 years in the Brigade and we would talk sometimes on nights....Both had German Shepherds and that, along with other subjects would pass the watch away.....I found him someone to look up to and trust.....At the time of my leaving, he was trying for his S.O. so I'm pleased to hear he made it.....I had confidence in him, for advice, both on and off the fire-ground and he seemed to have that quality that you could accept and look up to.....He was one of the people I missed when I left.....Thank you once again....Gordon

Many thanks for your comment Randall.....Sorry for the late reply but we have just returned from a short holiday.... I think the area was a lot different when the monster was working 24hrs. with only Sunday off.... The noise it made could be heared for many miles over the whole area including the nearest town.....Now, over the years, I think nature has claimed things back......Regards Gordon

Thanks for the info, Mark...If it is still there, I will look it up on Google and possibly recognise it from way-back ...`seems I am learning all the time'...Regards Gordon

My thanks Mark...I flew over it with `Google' and given the route from the Bruce Highway and the layout of the Plant..I would say that you have nailed it......It was indeed, the Farleigh Mill...... Thanks to you'r help, I have been able to identify the area travelled years ago and and learn more about it...........Regards Gordon

Farleigh mill

Hi , Ron Burrows is i belive still around though his wife has passed on ( so i am told ) I should mention another "name"-- Biffo ( Dave Liston ) he was our Sub till he retired. Birkenhead pole-- dont know about wider ( well one of them to the engine house ) was a lot longer !

Thanks again, David....very interesting about Ron Burrows, I hope he eventually sees the video clip, he's one of the stars!..Dave Liston was a good guy and a friend to Ted Corry (NZ) until he died a few years ago...We did a make up to your main station...and some said.."their pole is wider than ours"..When we got to your place I tried it..About twice the width of Wallasey which could whip back and forth....When cleaning it one joker would leave the Brasso on until late in the day....if there was a call-out we would attend the white lines down our trousers. Thanks for the info.....regards Gordon

Thanks for the comment.Craig...I think everything was over-engineered in those times, which made sure it did the job....Gordon.

Collin....your response lifts the spirits up quite a way......so thanks. I have a few odd pictures left but they will take some sorting....Really good to know you have contacted Dennis, he was a great artist as I remember...ask him about the blackboard in the DTS.... I do have a photo of Dennis, when we were at a fire in Leasowe with the 3rd Turn. ..I am not sure but the `Bat -Cave' Christmas was 1966 I think...It was a 100% effort and went down well with both parents and kids.......... .I was on Skype to Ted Corry in NZ two days back, he remembers you and seemed pleased to make contact. .. It would be great to have a `chin-wag' from time to time so if you approve .. but could you identify with a subject ....something from the past so I know it is not a spammer ...regards to yourself and Denny....Gordon

Hi Colin and thanks for the comment....it's always good to have a contact from past members...I left and returned to my trade in 1967, so you may well have been my replacement...I have just posted another clip (Wallasey Fire Brigade Remembered part 2b)...there may be others you recognise ....regards Gordon

HI Shaun ...thanks for those comments and very pleasing to know that you could show them to Don Kelly's widow. I remember fixing their TV when they lived in Chapelhill Road. Eric Jones (our Watch) knew Don in Palestine...He related to the time that Don had traveled on a Public train in full uniform...on his own ....to the far reaches of the country at a troubled time...to take a photo of a grave...He had promised the mother back in England he would get a photo of her sons grave.....That's really keeping a promise! I have another video of the WFB...with Ken and a few others in `off-duty' status. If you would like it, I can send it through as `Unlisted'...Just let me know..Maureen remembers when we all went out to the `Melody Inn' club with Ken and his wife.........Regards Gordon

odinzoltan Can you plz send that video to normakencharmley@hotmail.co.uk

Ken...I have sent an e-mail to you with a reference number....Because the second video is restricted Please reply via return mail and I will activate the number....Regards Gordon.. Ps....are you in touch with Don Kingdon?....

Thanks for coming on the site Ted.....I consider it a privalege to have worked with you in the Wallasey Fire Brigade back in those days and now...to keep in touch from home here in Australia.......It would be good if some of the old hands or new ones could join us on Skype....I guess it is just a case of `making the effort'....I have almost given waiting!

Looking back over our past Ted, I would willingly return to those years in the Wallasy Fire Brigade....In the days before `Peter Perfect'...you could say what was thought, which helped in understading the next person. and went a long way in moulding teams together...... WFB seemed to have that balance of dedication, experience and strong sense of humour to achieve this... I can remember them all in my Watch!.... I left when it seemed obvious that the Government in London were about to destroy a National Fire Service which had evolved by correcting the mistakes residing before WW2....All that effort and experience in dealing with national emergencies cast aside......under the banner of `austerity'.......The era of national emergencies seems to be returning and it beggars belief how they are to be dealt with ....given the present and projected support levels!

I'm a bit late in reply...but thanks for the comment Michael.....Gordon