Comments for Blog of Batman

Comment on End of Wolraad Woltemade by Jimmy Hey

Jimmy Hey — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:10:55 +0000

I sailed for several years (late ’70′s early ’80′s as Chief Eng on both the tugs. I remember Nigel Hudson and Co carrying out mods on the JR. They had the Stbd Engine in 50 million pieces when we got a called out to do a LOF on the tanker Alcazar which had lost its rudder off Cape Point in the middle of the night in a force 8 (of course). I asked Nigel if he would mind sailing with us in case we had to put Stbd engine back together again as they (Mirrlees) had taken it to pieces. Luckly he agreed as in the end we needed to put that engine back together in a hurry and run it for a short period. It was a sucessfull LOF and Nigel survived (he changed complexion several times during the operation). We awarded him Honoury Marine Engineer status. There are many stories to tell about the two tugs.

Comment on Sailing Stones, Death Valley, California by Petr Král

Petr Král — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:21:22 +0000

Just heard a new explanation, in which the main role play ice floes, which can grasp the stones and while are (in the morning) upraised and moved by the flowing water, they draw tracks behind them by the down standing stones. meteor The mystery was solved by Gunter Kletecka - Czech geologist.

Comment on End of Wolraad Woltemade by dave murray

dave murray — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:53:01 +0000

i sailed on both tugs in the mid-80′s and am now the business unit manager in charge of them. i was the one who negotiated the sale of the ‘ww” to the indian breakers in 2010,and although it was a commercial decision (and isn’t it all about money these days), it was one of the toughest periods of my life. being pushed by the shareholders and being vilified by local interested persons who did not understand the dynamics of completely financial shareholder demands was not pleasant. however i did make a pact at the time, the “john ross” (“smit amandla”) will not be permitted to go the same way. she was built in south africa and should be retained in south africa as a museum ship to show what we were able to achieve as a country. however finances are required for this and i plan to get a interest group going where we can involve big business to sponsor the continuation of this fine ladies life. she was built in durban (and although i am a capetonian) what a great place for her to retire to, as durban do have a maritime museum with floating exhibits. anyone who has ideas or possible benefactors, please revert. i am reachable at d.murray@smit.com

Comment on End of Wolraad Woltemade by NIGEL HUDSON

NIGEL HUDSON — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:31:56 +0000

I ALONG WITH GARY ROWBOTHAM AND RONNIE BICKERTON WORKED ON BOTH SHIPS IN 1979 REPRESENTING MIRRLEES BLACKSTONE. I REMEMBER SOME OF THE CREW MEMBERS AT THAT TIME JIMMY HAY, ALEX SMALL, BRUCE, THE GROWLER, DENNIS THE ELECTRICIAN , MIKE SMALLBURGER. HAD A WONDERFUL TIME.

Comment on End of Wolraad Woltemade by batman

batman — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:51:41 +0000

thank you so much for your comment Huw, and everybody else. it has been warming to see the responses i’ve received. from all accounts she was much loved by all who sailed in her, and it really saddens me that no solution could be found to keep her afloat.

and I heartily agree – long live JR (or at least SA)

Comment on End of Wolraad Woltemade by Huw Jones

Huw Jones — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:01:44 +0000

I am posting this on behalf of my father. We only found out today that the Wolraad has been scrapped and the very sad photo of her beached at Alang has had my father in tears. Here is his message…

It is with great sadness that I read about the end of the beautiful tug, Wolraad Woltemade. My Father, Captain Robert Jones was captain aboard both the W.W. and the John Ross during the eighties and early nineties and travelled all around the world on them. It is very ironic that my father passed away the same year that the W.W. was finally scrapped and I know that he would have broken his heart if he had known of her scrapping. I hope the John Ross still has a few years to go yet and I know that my father would wish all their crews a long and happy future.

Comment on End of Wolraad Woltemade by Henry Edwards

Henry Edwards — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 21:15:23 +0000

I was draughtsman / systems engineer @ Mirrlees on the WW/JR,& with Ken Hunter (see 5) & co at Robbs Leith , we were the first to turn the engines / propshaft of the Wolraad ( for Capt Grapow)

Comment on End of Wolraad Woltemade by The Loftsman

The Loftsman — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:18:11 +0000

She was one of my fav ships and i remember good times working on her as an apprentice Loftsman, to keep the memory of WW and all the ships built in the Leith Shipyards i now have a website listing them and would welcome stories and photographs, have to add that i have still to get to this incredible ship as the list is pretty long.

Comment on End of Wolraad Woltemade by David Grober

David Grober — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:08:24 +0000

Wilbur Smith wrote “Hungary As The Sea” based upon the John Ross and I presume WW. I’m a writer and do maritime film production in the United States, and in the early 1980′s was writing the screenplay for Hungary As The Sea, and had a chance to go aboard the JR in Cape Town. Incredible ship and fantastic crew. Very sad to read about WW. If you do have a reunion, let me know. If I can make it, I’ll be there. You might also advise Mr. Wilbur Smith as I believe he still lives in Cape Town.
Cheers. David Grober. davidgrober1@gmail.com

Comment on Hurricane Isabel by ~Z~

~Z~ — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 12:50:53 +0000

I’ve lived in Florida for the full 23 years of my life, and this it definitely a hurricane! You can even see the clouds being twisted into the edge of the spire. Quite a beautiful photo. …. I miss Charlie… He came and went too fast… … Did you really drive into that thing!?