|
Post by WettCoast on Jun 1, 2013 19:07:12 GMT -8
And here's Mr. McDonald's description on the recently new entity that is BC Ferries, in 1966, with an allusion to the forum-legendary ship "Queen of Kelsey Bay" He refers to two additional ships, one being the QPR running mate that we have called the Queen of Kelsey Bay. The other may well have been the fabled eighth sister, the Queen of Richmond.
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Jun 1, 2013 20:57:05 GMT -8
In his book "British Columbia": "Challenge in Abundance", Mr. Herbert McDonald has made an error. While Captain Parkinson was the first Master of the Queen of Prince Rupert, the picture of him in the book standing beside the telegraph is definitely not on the bridge of the QPR. The QPR never had an upright telegraph and if one scans the shape of the deckhead in the picture, the shape is 'roundish'and the front windows appear to have a curve to them and angle outward. The QPR's wheelhouse was a square box with windows that tilted inward, nothing 'curvey' about that old girl. Her telegraph apparatus was a large round glass covered unit with a flat lever-type handle sticking out of the middle of it. This unit was located on the control console under the front bridge windows. The cap badge on Captain Parkinson's cap does indeed show the BC Coat of Arms which puts him on a BC Ferries vessel, but I think it may well have been a picture taken on one of his earlier commands, the Sechelt Queen, the Queen of Sidney or Tsawwassen. Flugel Horn's guess of the picture of the ship 'abuilding' at the VMD is definitely the Queen of Prince Rupert.
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Jun 1, 2013 21:12:46 GMT -8
Capt. Parkinson on the bridge of the QPRQPR Wheel House in the early days late 1960's - John L Barnard photo
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 1, 2013 21:40:54 GMT -8
In his book "British Columbia": "Challenge in Abundance", Mr. Herbert McDonald has made an error. While Captain Parkinson was the first Master of the Queen of Prince Rupert, the picture of him in the book standing beside the telegraph is definitely not on the bridge of the QPR. The author Mr. McDonald never actually says that the photo is taken of Capt. Parkinson on the QPR. - this was my inference, which you've explained is incorrect. thanks for explaining why. I suppose that Mr. McDonald took an earlier photo from another ship, but his point of emphasis in this section of his book is that the venerable old Capt. Parkinson was skipper on the fleet's QPR flagship, and used a photo of the Captain, but not of the ship.
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Jun 1, 2013 22:14:44 GMT -8
Thanks Mr. Flugel & Mr. Wett Coast for your clarifications, and great shot of Capt. `Parky`too. Wonder if there are any other officers on the bridge with him? "Venerable" is one of the dearer terms used to describe Capt. Parkinson, as many mates and seamen who served under him had many other terms to describe his larger than life personae. Some former CP Coast Steamship, CN and old Brit captains that came over to the fledgling BC Ferry fleet brought varied backgrounds, talents, foibles and experiences that unfortunately have not been written about in any 'collective literary work' as they were many of the most colourful 'Oldmen'of a bygone era.
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jun 19, 2013 20:26:13 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Nickfro on Jun 20, 2013 11:02:38 GMT -8
Yikes. . .just another element of competition, taken to a whole new level. . .
|
|
mrdot
Voyager
Mr. DOT
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by mrdot on Jun 20, 2013 12:03:37 GMT -8
it is like a time trip back to my ferry days when I sift thru this folder, as I go rite back to the first sailings out of Kelsey Bay in 1966, and which ones of these new offshore wonderboots will soldger on as long as this VMD built vessel? mrdot.
|
|
|
Post by princessofvanfan on Jun 20, 2013 18:30:14 GMT -8
:-SHuh?
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Jun 28, 2013 3:56:40 GMT -8
I share mrdot's musings as to the "solgering on" longevity of the off shore build new kids on the water as it were. Heaven only knows, and has recorded for posterity, all the minor and major brushes with possible terminal service-ending mishaps that the QPR avoided in her long and illustrious career on the West Coast. If, as the old saying goes, a cat has nine lives, I think somehow the good folks at the VMD loaded multiples of 9 on the old girl's service card. Scott, thanks for giving me a near fatal heart failure, lol, as I scanned the headlines of the recent fire onboard and literally 'sped-read' the article to thankfully get the full picture of the incident. Good on the crew for handling the situation as well as they did, ensuring that the passengers were safely cared for and the fire contained in fairly short order. As Nickfro points out, the "competition factor" may well have the current crew of the Lomaiviti Princess taking security and watch-keeping very very seriously in an effort to continue providing a much needed service to the good people of the region. We don't want the L.M.'s 'life card' to expire just yet. Wow!. Yet but another chapter in the super rich history of this great vessel. Godspeed Lomaiviti Princess!
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Aug 8, 2013 12:01:01 GMT -8
|
|
FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,952
|
Post by FNS on Aug 8, 2013 17:39:23 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Aug 9, 2013 15:14:07 GMT -8
Great news and good postings Scott & FerryNutSeattle! The bridge of the Lomaiviti Princess II looks quite similar to the QPR's with the exception of the wooden wheel. Does anyone have a functioning web address for Goundar Shipping? Try as I may, I can't seem to get into their website. It sounds as if Mr.Goundar is looking to Canada for the 3rd vessel. Wonder what he has in mind? I haven't found much on the West Coast that he might be interested in, but there are several in Eastern Canada that work for him. ( And we thought the QPR's trip from Deas to Fiji was a long haul??)
|
|
mrdot
Voyager
Mr. DOT
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by mrdot on Aug 9, 2013 16:50:37 GMT -8
:)with regard to the latest posted material on QPR, in her present role, she looks pritty good for her age, I'am thinking her present livery helps her profile as it raises her boot topping and the livery change is an improvement to her last slug costume, which tended to excentuate her short- somewhat dumpy profile! she was 'well built built at home BC tonnage! :)mrdot.
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Aug 9, 2013 17:50:25 GMT -8
Does anyone have a functioning web address for Goundar Shipping? www.gssfiji.com/
|
|
FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,952
|
Post by FNS on Aug 9, 2013 17:51:38 GMT -8
Great news and good postings Scott & FerryNutSeattle! The bridge of the Lomaiviti Princess II looks quite similar to the QPR's with the exception of the wooden wheel. Does anyone have a functioning web address for Goundar Shipping? Try as I may, I can't seem to get into their website. It sounds as if Mr.Goundar is looking to Canada for the 3rd vessel. Wonder what he has in mind? I haven't found much on the West Coast that he might be interested in, but there are several in Eastern Canada that work for him. ( And we thought the QPR's trip from Deas to Fiji was a long haul??) Here's the front page of the site: www.gssfiji.com/
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Aug 9, 2013 20:10:35 GMT -8
Many many thanks guys! Much appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Aug 9, 2013 20:18:57 GMT -8
If you have ever wondered if there is any rhyme or reason as to why events occur when they do and why they occur at at particular time? Tomorrow or Sunday I am going to share a 'New' Queen of Prince Rupert story that involves one of the best Masters that I ever had the priviledge to serve with. Time IS of the essence that I share this and will share the details when I've got myself together.
|
|
|
Post by minstrel on Oct 25, 2013 11:34:56 GMT -8
This is my first post so I apologize if I am doing it incorrect. I notice our Ex Queen of Prince Rupert, now "Lomaivitti Princess" out of Fiji has just limped across the Coal Sea for Dry docking in Port Morsby Papua New Guina Apparently she has a problem created by contacting ground somewhere in Fiji Closer Dry docking Facilities in New Zeland and Australia where fully booked. It is great to see this ship in active duty as working on Building this Ship at VMD Victoria was one of my first Jobs as a Welder I am retires from a successful career and the ship continues to faithfully serve
I really enjoy this forum having grown up in what we called the Jungles on the Coast, now commonly known as the Broughton Arcepeligo it brings back memories
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Oct 26, 2013 21:20:25 GMT -8
A video uploaded by someone calling himself 'TimeLapseCanada' on Shipspotting.com, & 'Cars show Island' on YouTube. This is entitled " Queen of the North BC Ferries From Prince Rupert British Columbia". Obviously, this is not the North, but her longtime northern running mate, the QPR.
|
|
SolDuc
Voyager
West Coast Cyclist
SolDuc and SOBC - Photo by Scott
Posts: 2,055
|
Post by SolDuc on Oct 26, 2013 21:29:11 GMT -8
A video uploaded by someone calling himself 'TimeLapseCanada' on Youtube. This is entitled " Queen of the North BC Ferries From Prince Rupert British Columbia". Obviously, this is not the North, but her longtime northern running mate, the QPR. I'm pretty sure the user meant to say that it was shot from the Queen of the North, which it was, not that it featured the QPR.
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Oct 26, 2013 21:35:11 GMT -8
I found that video interesting seeing the QPR pull right in front of the Alaska Ferry docked there in Prince Rupert. I wonder if the Queen of the North was late leaving that day cause you dont see that too often.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 26, 2013 21:57:49 GMT -8
This is my first post so I apologize if I am doing it incorrect. I notice our Ex Queen of Prince Rupert, now "Lomaivitti Princess" out of Fiji has just limped across the Coal Sea for Dry docking in Port Morsby Papua New Guina Apparently she has a problem created by contacting ground somewhere in Fiji Closer Dry docking Facilities in New Zeland and Australia where fully booked. It is great to see this ship in active duty as working on Building this Ship at VMD Victoria was one of my first Jobs as a Welder I am retires from a successful career and the ship continues to faithfully serve I really enjoy this forum having grown up in what we called the Jungles on the Coast, now commonly known as the Broughton Arcepeligo it brings back memories I did a bit of research to back up this post from minstrel. Thank you for the heads up by the way! Also, not to take away attention from the video of the QPR that was just posted. The old QPR, she sure is tough. She has indeed run aground for at least the third time in her life. This news article explains that she touched a reef, and which damaged a propeller shaft, and propeller. A propeller blade has actually been lost in the process. To add to the drama, Mr. Goundar has had trouble finding a drydock to repair her, and is calling upon the Fiji Government to fund a shipyard. A few months ago, a fire (believed to be arson) was set on the car deck with some cargo that was stowed away. The crew managed to knock it down before it got out of control. It's sort of hard to read these stories as they become available, since one must wonder how much longer until something really horrible happens. Each time I see an update on this thread, my automatic instinct is, "What has happened now?" Anyways, this makes for a bit of an interesting read www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=248391
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 11, 2013 12:19:08 GMT -8
A video of the Queen of Prince Rupert from the early 1990s era. - these are from "home videos" from my friend Ray, who worked on both the QPR and QoTN as an electrical engineer officer.
He sent me these video files a few years ago, and I did share them with a few forum members at that time, but now I've finally got the idea of putting them on YouTube (with Ray's permission, of course).
Included in this short QPR video is: - in berth at Prince Rupert - in berth at Skidegate - some footage of car deck and of the dining areas
|
|
FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,952
|
Post by FNS on Dec 12, 2013 11:43:34 GMT -8
|
|