MV Melrose Abbey
Ellerman Shipping Lines absorbed the Wilson Line but maintained the service as 'Ellerman's Wilson Line'. This was primarily a cargo service with several additional cabins for passengers, and ran between Riverside Quay, Hull, and Parkhaven, Rotterdam.
The three Abbey ships I remember where Melrose, Fountains and Bolton. Melrose and Bolton were twin sisters. One of which was lengthened at some point. Getting on board was a scary walk up a roped gangway either into a hatch in the hull or onto the deck depending on the tide level. Cabins were spacious and very few, dinner was sometimes with the officers and Captain, and my Mother usually retired early on the over-night crossing due to sea sickness, meanwhile I sat at the bar or explored the ship. Crossing could be very rough and lying in bed I was either standing on my feet or standing on my head as the ship swelled from side to side - loved it, and often with a huge crash of crockery from the Galley if the ship hit a particularly large wave. During breakfast the ship would be cruising down the Maas to Park haven, Rotterdam whilst the crew prepared the ship to unload cargo. The cargo doors would open in advance and her derricks lifted into position - they made the most fabulous clanking sound as the winches operated. I was less than ten years old. Sometimes my father would take his car, and this would be lifted onto the deck with a dockside crane and strapped down. In this photo you can see several cars lashed down to the deck top. The Chief steward on the Melrose Abbey became great friends and would sometimes visit our house and exchange giftst with my grandparents. I think he was called Mansfield. Great times and the last days of the glory and romance of travelling by sea, exclusive by virtue of so few passengers, and truly wonderful in every way, I can smell the wood of the cabin now.
MV Melrose Abbey
Ellerman Shipping Lines absorbed the Wilson Line but maintained the service as 'Ellerman's Wilson Line'. This was primarily a cargo service with several additional cabins for passengers, and ran between Riverside Quay, Hull, and Parkhaven, Rotterdam.
The three Abbey ships I remember where Melrose, Fountains and Bolton. Melrose and Bolton were twin sisters. One of which was lengthened at some point. Getting on board was a scary walk up a roped gangway either into a hatch in the hull or onto the deck depending on the tide level. Cabins were spacious and very few, dinner was sometimes with the officers and Captain, and my Mother usually retired early on the over-night crossing due to sea sickness, meanwhile I sat at the bar or explored the ship. Crossing could be very rough and lying in bed I was either standing on my feet or standing on my head as the ship swelled from side to side - loved it, and often with a huge crash of crockery from the Galley if the ship hit a particularly large wave. During breakfast the ship would be cruising down the Maas to Park haven, Rotterdam whilst the crew prepared the ship to unload cargo. The cargo doors would open in advance and her derricks lifted into position - they made the most fabulous clanking sound as the winches operated. I was less than ten years old. Sometimes my father would take his car, and this would be lifted onto the deck with a dockside crane and strapped down. In this photo you can see several cars lashed down to the deck top. The Chief steward on the Melrose Abbey became great friends and would sometimes visit our house and exchange giftst with my grandparents. I think he was called Mansfield. Great times and the last days of the glory and romance of travelling by sea, exclusive by virtue of so few passengers, and truly wonderful in every way, I can smell the wood of the cabin now.