From Chris Isaac

I had the fortune to sail very briefly with Capt Smythe during the 1966 seamen’s strike.

He had been appointed master of Clan MacGillivray for a short coastal passage. I was senior cadet on the ship.

It was early August and I am certain of this as we had all watched England win the World Cup on television on board and that was July 30th 1966.  We sailed from Hull bound for London and had just dropped the Humber pilot. I was on the telegraph waiting for orders.

“Full ahead two” orders JP.

“Just the one sir!” Says I.

A mailship master brought to his knees.              

Capt John P Smythe DSC RD RNR

“Goldfinger”

Service Record

From

To

Grantully Castle

4th Officer

11/1928


Promoted

2nd Officer

12/1934


Master’s

Certificate

1936


Royal Navy

1939

1946

Promoted

Chief Officer

1946


Samsteel

Master

1/1947

9/1947

Fort Carillon

Master

11/1947

1948

Rustenburg Castle

Master

9/1948

9/1951

Dunnottar Castle

Master

1/1952

9/1954

Kenya Castle

Master

7/1955

10/1955

Kenya Castle

Master

2/1956

5/1959

Warwick Castle

Master

10/1959

12/1959

Carnarvon Castle

Master

2/1960

8/1960

Windsor Castle

Staff Commander

8/1960

2/1961

Pendennis Castle

Master

4/1961

6/1961

Pretoria Castle

Master

9/1961

6/1995

Edinburgh Castle

Master

9/1965

12/1965

Pretoria Castle

Master

12/1965

1/1966

SA Oranje

Master

4/1966

5/1966

Clan MacGillivray

Master

7/1966


SA Oranje

Master

8/1966

3/1969

Pendennis Castle

Master

5/1969

9/1970

Retired

10/1970


Clansman - October 1970

SA Oranje Naming Ceremony -1966

Retired - 1970

Memories of Capt Smythe

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