Hi Peter,
No need to worry - I hope that Geordies are not such sensitive souls as to take such offence, I am sorry to you if that was what my reply communicated. Being a simple soul I was just surprised if there was such inaccuracy in what could be used as an historical resource. It is possible that they were only intending to imply that certain machinery was built at the Barrow site. As I said the important thing is that such a wealth of material has been retained to everyones benefit.
The Orient Lines vessels in my earlier years were something which I only saw in the distance whilst making a very occasional trip across the Thames on the Gravesend to Tilbury car ferry, that is with the exception of the Orsova which I saw leaving the Tyne after being in the river for a refit. Towards the end of her career I did manage a rather good view of the Oriana at Southampton during a docks cruise.
P&O were more common wih fairly regular sightings of Arcadia, Iberia, Chusan & Himalaya, to say nothing of the Great White Whale which I had the good fortune of seeing at Gourock shortly after her completion at Belfast (as well as her final arrival at Southampton).. Fond memories indeed watching the luggage and passengers being loaded on to the DEPV Talisman from their special train at Gourock. Fate also smiled on me when I was able to see the great send off for the Canberra at Southampton on her first voyage after her return from the Falklands. I was also on board Waverley in 1994 when we accompanied the mini convoy of QE2, Vistafjord and Canberra to sea after the D Day 50th Anniversary Review - three fine liners reflecting the best of Clydebank, Tyneside and Belfast, just a shame Oriana was not still around to complete the hand as a representative of Barrow.
So certainly no offence taken, let us just rejoice in fine ships no matter where they were, or just possibly are, built.
Regards,
Robert.
