I sailed on several ships during my time at sea: the Clan MacNair, Clan Menzies (as a cadet), Clan MacInnes, Clan MacIver, Clan Grant, Good Hope Castle, and Clan Graham.

Of them all, my happiest memories are from the Clan Grant, where I served from October 1973 to May 1974.

The standout moment of my career was undoubtedly being appointed—at very short notice—as a completely green and uncertificated Third Officer on the Good Hope Castle, just in time for her first voyage after the fire. We departed Southampton on 31st May 1974, and I stayed with her for four voyages (Nos. 60 to 63) until December that year.

I could hardly believe my luck. Unfortunately, the master, Peter Rose, was understandably mortified when he discovered I didn't hold a certificate. I've always hoped I didn’t contribute in any way to his untimely death at sea on the following voyage.

After just one trip as Third Officer, the oversight was corrected, and my discharge book reflects that I served the subsequent voyages as Fourth Officer.

Though my years at sea were all too brief, I look back on them fondly. Sadly, it was already clear that the era of the mailships I had loved since boyhood was coming to an end—and with it, the dreams I had carried for so long.