I joined Union Castle in 1957 as a Junior Engineer, serving on the Dunnottar, Capetown and Winchester Castle’s, leaving the Company in 1961 to continue my career ashore.

Before the Capetown Castle’s fateful engine room explosion in 1960 I was serving as it’s Snr 4th engineer. The ship had been experiencing many engine room issues, so it was decided to take her out of service for repairs, carried out by Harland & Wolff, Southampton.

I transferred to the Winchester Castle, but many of my colleagues remained with the Capetown.

The news of the tragedy came through to me whilst at sea on the ‘Winchester Castle’ en route to Japan for its final voyage to the breaker’s yard.

Eventually learning of those who died brought me great sadness, and to this day I often think of them.