From the Cachalots’ Website, 2019

David Mansell Pope, who "went aloft" on 21st October, began his maritime career as a deck-boy with the Moss Hutchinson Line. In 1959, he was taken on as a cadet. After earning his Second Mate’s certificate in 1963, he joined Esso Petroleum, and in 1966, moved to Clan Line upon qualifying as a Mate.

Offered a position with Union-Castle Mail ships, he chose to wait until he had achieved his Master’s certificate in 1968. With that in hand, he transitioned into the passenger ship sector, serving aboard the Reina del Mar, Edinburgh Castle, and other mail ships.

Following the decline of that service and having developed a fondness for passenger vessels, David joined Cunard. He rose through the ranks from Junior First Officer, serving on various Cunard ships, including extended periods aboard the QE2 and smaller passenger liners. Notably, he served as Navigator alongside Captain Peter Jackson during the QE2’s 1982 Falklands deployment. (He is pictured above beside the sunken Argentine submarine Santa Fe in South Georgia.)

David also held the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR). He retired as Staff Captain of the QE2 in 1998. However, retirement proved too quiet, and within a few months he returned to sea, taking command of the Bali Sea Dancer, a charming 160-passenger ship cruising the Indonesian archipelago.

When political unrest in Indonesia brought an end to that venture, David spent the next few years captaining 60-metre luxury motor yachts before finally "swallowing the anchor" in 2002.

A member of the Cachalots since 1997, David was the driving force behind the "Cachalots & The QE2" special publication released last year.

We extend our sincere condolences to his wife Anne, his son David, and daughters Gillian and Judith.