I was sad to hear that Bob had crossed the bar in 1999. He can only have been in his early sixties.

I remember docking in Greenwich and Bob kindly took me to visit his wife and family. We then went along, with his young son to watch Greenwich football club playing in a Scottish League game. I think this would have been in 1965.

I sailed with Bob on a number of occasions on the familiar West Indies run and one particular voyage stands out.

We were on the Venture and docked in San Pedro de Macaris in the Dominican Republic, to pick up a full cargo of bulk sugar. There were no gantries or cranes and the whole cargo was loaded by the local stevedores carrying the sacks of sugar up a gang plank, cutting open the sacks and dropping the contents in the holds.

For those of you who remember the Venture, you will understand that we were in the port for two weeks. I use the word "port" lightly as we were in fact tied up to a small wooden jetty with stern lines around palm trees.

What a two weeks they were.

We played football against the local team, and I still have the local newspaper report describing the match written in Spanish and saying "Morris was a dirty player" Who me? Bob played in the same team and was an enthusiastic, no holds barred centre half.

Bob and I were walking ashore one evening and met a gentleman who turned out to be the local bank manager who invited us back to his home for dinner.

We had a wonderful evening with his family and he presented both Bob and I with an engraved sugar machete complete with scabbard, which I still possess.

Captain Nick Carter was Master on that voyage and I recall that his wife as also aboard.

I think that Don McCrae was radio officer and I did sail with Don on a number of occasions. He lived in Islay in Scotland as I recall. If you read this Don, I would like you to know that as a member of the Laphroigh appreciation society, I own one square foot of Islay.

It is nice to see my good friend Geof Cowap has contributed to the site. I never sailed with Geof but he stood as best man at my wedding and by sheer coincidence we both live in the same small Lancashire village.

Kind Regards to all who sailed with Bookers and to any who remember me.

Chris Morris

I learned of Bobs passing from Jimmy Leishman when I called him a few months back, really very sad to learn of the news.

Last I sailed with Bob was on the Booker Venture in 1977, joining in Montreal, and sailing to Kotka (Finland). Afterwards onto Malta, then to Galati in Romania, back to Malta for some hatch repairs, then onto Melia in Spanish Morocco eventually paying off in Chicago some 5 months later.

Bob was a real gentleman, and had a good sense of humor. Bobs wife stayed onboard for a couple of weeks that trip, as I recall.

Anyone else got fond memories of Bob?

Jack would love to hear more from you. Where are you now. You didn't publish your email contact address although you mentioned that you use your daughter's address. That must be the one who sailed with us on the Vanguard when she was 11 years old. Those days in Bookers were amazing. Best years of my life.

I also see mention of Mossy. That must refer to my friend Alan Moss. He was my best man when I married in 1967. We stayed friends for the rest of his life and met regularly in Liverpool until his untimely death. Still exchange Christmas cards with his wife Ann. The Forum is a real bonus for keeping in touch. would love to hear from others particularly those who sailed with Bookers during the 1960s.

Please note my new email address geoffcowap@btinternet.com which can be freely published

Cheers to all

Just visited your web site for the 1st time. Enjoyed it very much. I was wondering if you could pass on my regards to Don Macrae ex R/O MV Booker Venture. I sailed R/O with Sugar Line on the "Sugar Producer" from July'63 until August '64. I used to chat with Don on a regular H/F schedule. I remember he came from one of the Scottish Islands off the West Coast but can't remember which one. I retired 2 years ago from NTL Cable, now Virgin Media.

Keep up the good work. Take care,

Joe,

I enjoyed looking at the pictures posted by Steve McAvoy. I was on the Vanguard that trip.

Great Times, and all the names came back so quickly.

Booker Vanguard 4 trips Nov 78 - Oct 79, and then the first trip on the Crusade Oct 79 - Jan 80.

Booker Challenge Dec 80 - Feb 81 (the strike when we were in Barbados for 7 weeks)

Just sent ken some photos courtesy of Bob Lavander in New Zealand. Please check out the photo gallery soon as there are 3 photos of Eric included. I sailed with Eric on at least one occasion, and probably stood by in Liverpool on other occasions.

I felt I had to write and tell you what an amazing website you have created - it has helped me to find out exactly what happened to my mother's fiancé.

What a great site, it certainly brought back a few memories looking at your site. I started my apprenticeship with Blue Flue Ocean Fleets and went to sea with them for 2 years. I sailed with Bookers between 1977 and 1979 and I reached the dizzy heights of 4th engineer. I sailed mainly on the Vanguard with 4 trips and Vulcan 1 trip. I had a great time, got married and decided enough was enough. Its great looking at the pictures of the DST, Trinidad and the St Kitts. I remember a few of the names mentioned Willy Gordon, I was always on time to take over from the 12-4 from him, Larry Grace, Jib Ablett I recall came into the saloon in a fully equipped scuba suit, the old man was not happy. Jimmy Leishman was the chief and the 2 nd was a guy called Steve (sweep) Mc ?????. Steve Asplet sailed with me on the Vanguard for one trip and I relieved him on the Vulcan on St Kitts one Christmas. he was in hospital with his appendix. I was even more astounded to see a few pictures of me in gallery 5. I am now in my 50th year both me and my Mrs were laughing at them. So I would like to say thanks to you and to Steve Asplet for sending them in. There are a few of me in Gallery 5 Top row on right is me with Peter Foal (electrician)

Row three on right emerging from the water is me and in row four on left next to the palm tree is me. Made up the pics are there, but can you just let people know its Terry White 4th Engineer Booker Vanguard.

It would be great to keep in touch and I will see if I can dig out a few more pics for you. Although I don't have any digital snaps.

All the best and keep up the good work.

Regards

Terry

My father sailed on a few of the Booker vessels in the 60s.

I remember going with my mum down to the docks to meet him when he was coming ashore. We'd have on our Sunday best! We used to love being shown around the ship and seeing where he had spent his time away. (I seem to remember my mum would be looking through the Liverpool Echo at the notices to see when his ship would be due for arrival and, of course, when we actually saw it in print that would be when the excitement begun!)

Hi Ian,

Started on the Viking as 5th Eng in 1979, I think!, Steve Aspletts name rings a bell.

Went onto the Crusade as 4th, remember that morning when the young cadet Chris came down the engine room and asked me to pump No 1 FWD hold bilge as he had a 1.2m sounding!!!!,OOP's we nearly sank on that one and went into Bermuda for seven weeks.

Remember most faces in the Gallery, Nigel Smirk, Tommy, Cheryl and in particular Arthur Brannon, a great Chief Eng, had to let him win at darts a few times. One more trip on the Challenge but decided it wasn't for me and left in 1980.