Albert "Bert" Smith - Chief Electrician

[Hayley Gorst]

Suddenly & unexpectedly on the 2nd February 2013, my wonderful Dad passed away peacefully.

I introduced Dad to the wonders of the iphone last summer where he discovered google and this site. He enjoyed looking through the site, at photos and reading the gangway crew lists, reminiscing to me & my children about his days on the ships. I too have enjoyed seeing the ships of my childhood on here and remember many of the names of people who sailed with Dad, and who Dad talked about fondly.

Dad is sorely missed by all his family, but especially by his two grandchildren x

Hayley

[frank fox]

Hayley
Sorry to hear about your Dad. Very fond memories of him on Benedict and when we were both continuity on Scottish Star. He was quite a character from times sadly gone and greatly missed. I've a photo of you manoeuvring the Benedict in to Manaus from the engine platform - lifted up by Frank Stinchcombe the third as I remember.

[Hayley Gorst]

Hi Frank,

Lovely to hear from you, i just wish it was under nicer circumstances.

I remember the Benedit & Scottish Star days well, and there's a fair few photos lurking around at Mum & Dads house too.
Sadly my Mum passed away 11 years ago, just after Dad retired. No-one ever thought he would cope so well without Mum but he was a stubborn old sod & proved everyone wrong! When my daughter was born 7.5yrs ago it gave Dad a new lease of life and he spoilt her rotten, even turning her into a right little Liverpool supporter (me being the black sheep Evertonian!).

Dad always spoke of you and Goughy so he would've been pleased you got in touch.

Hayley x

[Tony Gough]

Hi Haley,
I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing, just found out yesterday from the BS logbook.
Some of the best times I had at sea was when I was on the same ships as he was, and possibly the best time ever was the time we spent together on the Benedict. I have just retired from the sea, but those days spent on the Benedict, sadly, were never to return.
I remember sailing with Jill on a few occasions as well as yourself. I did hear of your Mom's passing and like you wondered how Bert would get on without her as I knew how attached he was to her. Good to hear that all went well especially when the Grandchildren came along.
I guess I would have heard about Bert's Passing earlier if Bill Halewood had been home, but alas he had been spending 3 months with me at my house in the US, not certain if has heard yet, but will inform him, I know he will be as upset as myself as the three of us spent quite some great times together on the Benedict.

Take care

Tony (Goughie)

[Hayley Gorst]

Hi Tony,

How lovely to hear from you too, I'm so glad you've seen this as Dad didn't have an address for you in his book.
So it was you Uncle Bill was visiting then, how fab! I tried to ring Uncle Bill after dad died but obviously got no answer so I wrote to him, as I did a few others who Dad kept in touch with. Its been lovely getting letters back saying how Dad will be missed and how he was such a good friend on board the ships, and off.

I have such great memories of my childhood on the ships & even ending up working for a shipping company for a few years when I left Uni; Liverpool Docks felt like a second home!

Dad certainly had a new lease of life when my two terrors came on the scene & was the doting Grandad absolutely spoiling them rotten & was always there for them, Mum would've been so shocked by how well he coped!

I hope you're enjoying your retirement, take care

Hayley x

[Jimbo]

Hi Hayley,
I'm sorry to hear the sad news about your Dad. As with many seafarers careers, your Dads and my paths crossed just the once, and that was on the SS Romney in 1976. I remember him fondly as a grafter, a shipmate, a gentleman and a man with a great sense of humour.

Take care,

Jim