MV Speybank
Formerly named 'Okha' and a former Soviet icebreaker (everything was still written in Russian), the latterly named 'Speybank' was part of the historic round-the-world Bank Line. Under the main deck, the vessel took break and bulk cargoes, while up top she carried containers. During these 4 months were did an entire lap of the planet from the Humber, visiting Belgium, France (to pick up flour and Renault cars for Tahiti), across the Atlantic, through the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, Tahiti, New Zealand, Noumea, Espiritu Santo (I've added a Google Maps link, as I had no idea where it was either until I found out we were going there and looked it up on the charts), Papua New Guinea (Kimbe, Lae, Madang and Rabaul for about a month), Borneo, Singapore, Malaysia, across the Indian Ocean, up the Red Sea, through the Suez Canal, through the Mediterranean, up Biscay and then back to Hull.
Aboard this vessel were 33 Russian crew and officers, and 5 British Captain, officers and cadets. Given the opportunity, I learned to read and write in Russian, while also learning to speak some.
On the Speybank we transported French flour, Renault cars, copra, palm oil, heavy machinery, yachts, cocoa and containers.
Route:
Powering up after clearing Suez
UK-European Mainland
I also did 3 short (6 weeks - 3 month) trips aboard the City of Barcelona and the City of Sunderland, sailing from the Tyne (UK) to Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Poland and Finland. At full capacity we transported $10m of vehicles at a time for Nissan, Volkswagen, BMW and Skoda.
City of Barcelona - not the most majestic.
Route:
