Further to your earlier request for good memories of B & C:

EDINBURGH CASTLE – A Farewell to Remember

We were departing Cape Town northbound on the 24th of December, 1970. For reasons I can no longer quite recall, we had to transfer our very popular Nursing Sister to the Reina Del Mar. Naturally, we gave her a proper send-off — a memorable farewell party, which I believe took place in the 4th Radio Officer’s cabin and lasted well into the early hours of the morning.

Come sailing time, Edinburgh Castle departed as scheduled and passed the Reina Del Mar, which I believe was docked at "C" berth. This may have been due to the downcoast mail ship not vacating "A" berth until late the previous day, requiring the Reina to berth while the homeward mail was still alongside.

As we passed the Reina Del Mar, her Master — I think it may have been Reg Kelso, though I can’t be sure — cheekily called over the Walkie Talkie to our Master, P. St Q. Beadon, and asked whether he would mind returning his new Nursing Sister’s underwear!

Now, as many of you will remember, the First Class Passenger Deck was located directly behind the Bridge, with clear sight and sound of just about everything that went on. They heard it all. The moment that message came through, P. St Q. shot a glance at Staffie (Bill Pritchard), and both their eyes turned immediately to the mast.

Sure enough, there were two items of said underwear fluttering merrily from the port yardarm.

The X/2/O and I (3/O at the time) did our utmost to become invisible, but there was no hiding from the task at hand. In full view of the passengers, we had to retrieve the garments. Despite the embarrassment, we did manage to return them to their rightful owner a few weeks later.

Needless to say, P. St Q. was not amused — but somehow, it was all forgotten rather quickly. The passengers, of course, thought it was an absolute hoot.

I served many happy voyages aboard that fine ship during that era. It was a cheerful and well-run vessel, full of great personalities — many of whom I still count as friends today.

Later, I joined CalMac as 2/O, then C/O, and eventually served as Master. I retired in 2009 from the MV Coruisk — the first of CalMac’s fleet to be fitted with Azipod propulsion. I was fortunate to spend many years on the Skye route, serving aboard the Coruisk, MV Pioneer, and MV Claymore as Master.

Neil as Cadet on Kinpurnie Castle

Clansman - June 1973