Mr. Edward (Ted) Gibbs

[Fraser Darrah]

Edward (Ted) George Gibbs ~ 15/05/1940 - 15/08/2013


I am sorry to advise that Ted Gibbs died early on the 15th August 2013. He had been in hospital for a month while visiting his son in Grantham.

Ted Gibbs was ex. Royal Navy and sailed as Chief Electrician with Blue Star Line for some years before being appointed Electrical Inspector for new buildings. He was then appointed Assistant Electrical Superintendent before retirement. All those who sailed with him will remember him as a large affable man, who was not only a most capable Electrical Officer but a good shipmate. He was a regular attendee of V.S.G.A. lunches and will be sadly missed.

Sincere condolences are offered to his wife Elizabeth and family.

Ted's funeral was held on Fri 30 Aug at Lincoln Evangelical Church, Lincoln http://www.lincolnevangelicalchurch.org.uk where a large number of friends and acquaintances attended. Mr Pat Groom and Mr Fraser Darrah represented Blue Star Line.

[David Fox]

I was sorry to read the obituary about Ted.

First met Ted when I was sent out to stand by the Benedict (01/1979) at Emaq, Rio, during her final stages of commissioning and Ted was the Electrical Inspector. He lucked out as his colleagues were freezing their ........ off in Germany, whilst Ted got the balmy temperatures of Rio and other cuisine but sausages. Somebody had to do it.

Ted sailed with us on the maiden voyage home and I respected his counsel and professionalism as I was an inexperienced 2nd at the time.
Whilst on the return voyage on the Benedict up the Amazon, a compressor motor burnt out and had to be rewound. The Chief Alex Eddie sent Ted and I to this Brazilian 'Electrical Engineers' to check and accept the repair. I was glad of Ted's presence then. The establishment did nothing for one's confidence in repair shops, but Ted made the right call and we had no problems with the motor afterwards.

Met Ted again on the Avelona Star (5/81) after she loaded chicken from Tampa Florida for Alexandria, Egypt.
As we were in and out of the port at a few minutes notice during discharge because of wharfage space, we left Ted ashore for a couple of days when he slipped off to post a letter.
He found the agents and they put him up in a grimy hotel/dosshouse type room. He had a tale or two tell after that experience and a warning to all about making sure you tell somebody you are going ashore.
How he got missed by the 'All Aboard' book I don't know, we were all to blame for that.

Ted was a gentleman, a good shipmate and very good at his job as Electrical Engineer and Inspector. May I offer my sincere condolences to his wife and family.

David Fox

[Fraser Darrah]

To All,
I stood by the building of the Hoegh Duke with Ted, he was a good hand and always had a story about the old navy days.
A good worker and shipmate, saddened to hear he has passed on.
Best Regards,
Brian Thornborrow

[Fraser Darrah]

I am sorry to hear this news. I sailed with Ted on the Afric Star when we went up the Great Lakes in the autumn of 1976 after several weeks in Carrick Roads and alongside in Falmouth that summer. He was a great shipmate and his electrical knowledge was superb. His sense of humour and warmth to his mates was wonderful and we had great times up the road in Falmouth and Green Bay.
Fond memories
Phil Webster
ex R/O

[Fraser Darrah]

REMEMBERING TED GIBBS

I am very sorry to hear that Ted passed away, and express my condolences to his Widow and family.
Ted and I met on Savona Star in 1988 when the vessel was undergoing major generator repairs in Philadelphia. Also there were the late Mike Windass and the late George Mann.
Ted was a big affable man, whose company I enjoyed greatly. Our last encounter was at the 2013 Liverpool VGSA re-union, where we enjoyed our lunch and reminiscences together.

John Wilkinson

[peg]

With Ted's family friends from his home in Anglesey, and friends from his former home in Southport,
and the truly amazing support of Lincoln Evangelical Church (Ted was far from Anglesey), we were able to say goodbye last Friday.
There was a fine tribute from his Son who told of Ted's practical outlook as a Dad when on Leave.
Often there were presents brought home from far field all magically adapted , electrically of course.
The tribute, given later, so perfectly summed up Ted's life and echoed Ted 'himself'.
There is little possible to add to the tributes already given on the BSL website.
Just memories; from the first meeting on the 'Huge Duck' in Dubai; the electrical support later at BSSM. The calm presence at one early problem on the Savona Star, (must have been that he had a cabin on the side with AC!) , from the heat and humidity of Panama to the ice floes of Philadelphia.
Then the compressor blowout on the Argentina Star, or was it Churchill, name changes occurred every now and then.
Ted went to the ship with George Mann to help a very difficult recovery.
There is so much more that one would like to say, that is, if one can remember.
Farewell for the time being Ted . Will miss our phone chats.