Tag: Institute of Seamanship

Final Fateful Voyage is Relived in GMI Public Seminar

A first-hand account of the sinking of the bulk-carrier RB Angus forms the subject of the latest seminar to be hosted by the Greenwich Maritime Institute.

The seminar by Robin Mallam, who was the ship’s Second Officer on its final voyage in 1967 took place on Wednesday 4 December 2013.

MV R B Angus was owned by Canadian Pacific Bermuda and operated on a run between British Columbia and Japan in the mid-1960s. She was carrying concentrates and lumber when she foundered in heavy weather in the North Pacific on 17 December 1967, without loss of life.

Robin Mallam gave his fascinating insider’s view of events leading up to the drama of the sinking and the final transfer of the crew to Japan. Robin started his career in the Merchant Navy, serving in cargo and passenger ships, before transferring to Canadian Pacific. He ended his career as Director of Operations of the company’s fleet of time-chartered bulk-carriers. Robin joined the Honourable Company of Master Mariners in 1991 and is a Liveryman.

The Loss of the RB Angus, was also the Institute of Seamanship Annual Lecture

For more details on the research seminar series, or to find out more about studying at the Greenwich Maritime Institute, see www.gre.ac.uk/gmi or call 020 8331 7688.

Keeping Traditional Seamanship Alive

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(Image from the Excelsior Trust website)

John Wylson of the Excelsior Trust will be presenting the third GMI Research Seminar of the 2011/12 academic year on Wednesday 30th November 2011 at 6pm. His paper is ‘Trying to Keep Traditional Seamanship Alive at Lowestoft : EXCELSIOR since 1989’. This particular seminar is being hosted in collaboration with the Institute of Seamanship.

EXCELSIOR is an authentically rebuilt Lowestoft smack.  She exists not only to provide an example of the type, but to maintain the knowledge of how to sail and how to look after such vessels.  In so doing, the skills of local seamen and shipwrights of three generations ago are being kept alive.   These crafts were constructed, fished and propelled sustainably and her continued existence is an important reminder of a very different age.

The seminar will take place in room 075, Queen Anne Court, Univeristy of Greenwich, SE10 9LS at 6pm. Tea & Coffee will be available from 5.30pm and a glass of wine afterwards. The seminar is free and there is no need to book, everyone is welcome.