AUDIO

The Merchant Navy story

Ask a librarian about this item

See original record

Date

1993-1995

By

Kirkpatrick, Stanley Buchanan, 1925-2010; Otago Maritime Society

Reference

OHColl-0321

Description

Interviews with past members of the Merchant Navy to record their memories of ships and shipping, before, during and after World War II.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Awards/funding - project received an Award in Oral History

Interviewer(s) - Stan Kirkpatrick

Quantity: 37 C60 cassette(s). 23 printed abstract(s). 23 interview(s).

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.

Search dates: 1993 - 1995

Use/Reproduction

Public use requires the written permission of the Chief Librarian Copyright: Copyright held by Alexander Turnbull Library

Access restrictions

Restricted - Content cannot be accessed without permission - Access to the collection requires written permission of the Chief Librarian

Format

37 C60 cassette(s), 23 printed abstract(s), 23 interview(s), Oral histories

There are 22 sub-groups.
There are 61 items in total.

See original record

Click to request to view this item, access digital version (if available), and see more information.

Copyright

There are 61 items in this group.

See all related items

Audio

Interview with Farquhar Stoddart

Date: 10 May 1994

From: The Merchant Navy story

By: Stoddart, Farquhar, 1925-2008

Reference: OHInt-0321-21

Description: Farquhar Stoddart as born in 1925, on the Isle of Skye. Backgrounds childhood in Torrin, near Broadfort and Elgol. Describes prevalence of crofters and seamen due to lack of other employment in the Hebrides. Outlines crop and poaching practices. Recounts leaving home, travel to Glasgow and joining the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1941. Mentions father's posting on the Athenia in 1939 and his own position on the Nea Hellas, captained by 'Cockie' Brown, later mistakenly reported torpedoed and sunk. Chronicles landing American invasion troops near Cape Bon, North Africa, and bombing of an Ack-Ack destroyer in Algiers. Discusses German and Italian aircraft attacks. Outlines transfer to the Sampsiel in 1943, on stanby in Oban, and joining the Fort MacMurray sailing to Russia in 1944. Discusses climate and cargoes of ammunition and tanks in Russia. Talks about the invasion of France on the Empire Strait shipping troops, tents, and ammunition beaching at Arromaches. Recalls time ashore at Caen and mentions Dieppe. Discusses deserting ship in Grimsby, jail time and fine before joining the Kimball Harlow. Outlines the London Seamen's Pool used to find work. Talks about post war work in Sydney and arriving in New Zealand, in 1948. Recounts work for the Union Company in Dunedin on the Waiana, the Korowai, the Onehunga and the Aotearoa. Mentions Bill Buckley. Talks about modern ships, crew dedication and splicing. Interviewer(s) - Stan Kirkpatrick Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4460. Search dates: 1994