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History
This ship was built as the "Potsdam" for
the far east service of North German Lloyd. During the Second World War, she
was used as a troop and accommodation ship. She was seized by the British
occupying forces in May 1945 at Flensburg. Re-named the "Empire Fowey",
she was re-fitted by Harland & Wolff, Belfast and used as a troopship under
P & O management. In 1960, she was sold to the Pan-Islamic Shipping Co of
Karachi, Pakistan, for use on the pilgrim service to Jeddah and was renamed
"Safina-E-Hujjat". She was broken up at Gadani Beach in 1976.With thanks to Tony Catherall for searching this out.
Many of you would have sailed on this ship. If you did contact me with your name and details of dates etc. They will be added here.
MORE PHOTOS
%2BEmpire%2BFowey%2Bleaving%2BSingapore%2Bharbour%2BCirca%2B1960's%2B3.jpg)
1. Picture from John Brewell Malaya
(E) Empire Fowey leaving Singapore harbour Circa 1958 3
2. Picture from John Brewell. Malaya Empire Fowey Circa 1958 Singapore
3. Empire Fowey at Singapore Copyright Fowey
Tony Catherall
Ian Girvan
Hello! I have a brass disk from the Empire Fowey with the name on the top and I think the queens guard motto on top with a sun rising out of the water in the middle. Does anybody happen to know what part of ship it came from 6" round soild brass.
John ?
Leave any information in comments.
Interesting article on Fowey
https://www.flickr.com/photos/daviddb/369318684
peter t fullick
I sailed from Southampton on Empire Fowey 3/1/1957 and returned late
August 1958 from Singapore. That journey was to change my life forever,
thought I didn't know it at that time. I was in the RAMC and ended my time
as Chief Clerk at 16 Field Ambulance 28th INDEPENDENT COMMONWEALTH BRIGADE (later 8FDS) on Penang Island. Any ol
timers out there remember me?
contact Hank he has my contact details.
___________________________________
Message from Joe McCabe
I sailed on Empire Fowey last voyage Singapore to southamton 1960 4th-25th January.
Coming home from Malaya as it was then. Joe Mccabe.
Coming home from Malaya as it was then. Joe Mccabe.
__________________________________________
My late Father León Gordon Chard.
Was the Chief Carpenter on this ship in 1945. Shortly after
Was the Chief Carpenter on this ship in 1945. Shortly after
P and O renamed
her from the Potsdam.
her from the Potsdam.
I still have the
NORDDEUTSCHER LLOYD Zimmerman
journal.
journal.
DPotsdam part completed.
Angela
__________________________
R.Signals but attached to R.Military Police on round the clock patrols of
the ship for entire voyage plus shore patrols in Algiers and Colombo.
Returned from Korea on same ship July 1953 with ceasefire announced whilst
in Mediterranean
Regards,
Bernard Bowler
________________________________________
Hi Hank, I sailed from Malaya(Singapore) with my regiment The 11th Hussars(PAO), on the Empire Fowey in 1956, The voyage to Southampton was supposed to take four weeks. However it took six weeks as we were diverted round Africa, because Suez had just kicked off. We were made really welcome at Cape Town, as we were the first troop ship to dock there since WW2.
ReplyDeleteRoy Mansfield ex 11th Hussars.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi did you remember David seago
DeleteI sailed on the same sailing in 1956 age 2. I have a certificate signed by the captain on 17/4/56 on the day we crossed the equator.
ReplyDeleteI was onboard at the same time as you,Iwasheaded from HongKong to Southampton , as we crossed the equator we were diverted to Mombasa East Africa to pick up some troops from the Black Watch Regt and drop them off in Cyprus ,24 April 1956 was my 21st which was spent onboard off the coast of Zanzibar Happy Days .
DeleteMy wife and I sailed on here from Southampton to Hong Kong in 1959. Pete Johnson Royal Signals
ReplyDeleteI did same trip but in January 1953. I was the only Royal Signals Bod on board and I ran the Film show's ,serviced the projectors and in general had a good trip compared the rest of the troops. I bunked down in the back of the COMM's office. We got held up in Suez for a week due to a dust storm and a collision further up the Canal. When we were allowed ashore. A walk around the square a mug of tea and a couple of pigeon eggs on toast the highlight of the day.
DeleteI was on the Hythe ferry with my Dad when he pointed out this ship in Southamton water, this must have been around 1962, it is funny how such things stick in your mind.
ReplyDeleteBob Mills.
Ian Girvan writes: I sailed back from Hong Kong on the Empire Fowey in July, 1959, one of her last voyages under the British flag. Forgetting the periods of boredom, it had its memorable moments, including the gully gully men (magicians) at Port Said. One evening, as we squaddies were lying sweaty and uncouth on our bunks, enjoying a modest snack, a P&O officer, resplendent in his immaculate white uniform, came on a tour of inspection of the lower decks. "Ah," he said, with magnificent condescension, "I see they are eating their crisps." God bless him!
ReplyDeleteI have a lovely picture of the Fowey taken in 1958/1959 sailing thorough Hong Kong harbour, with the island to starboard and Kowloon to port.
ReplyDeleteIan can you use contact form top right and I will let you have my email to send the photo for inclusion Thanks
ReplyDelete/Users/ian/Pictures/Empire_Fowey_lo-res-1.jpg
ReplyDeleteHi Ian send me your email via the contact form above right you cant add photo yourself
DeleteI sailed as a 3 month old to Ceylon in 1958 aboard the Empire Fowey. My mun Mary and my 4 brothers accompanied me. My father Patrick H McKenna was in the RAF stationed in Ceylon.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Cormac Mc Kenna
Hi Hank, I sailed on the Empire Fowey with a group from 15 Medium Regt R A. Departing Hong Kong August 1957 and arriving Southampton September 1957. Less than a day out of Hong Kong we encountered a strong typhoon causing a lot of sea sickness, most unpleasant on the troop decks. The rest of the journey was plain sailing, calling at Singapore, Columbo, Aden, Port Said, and Cyprus, on the way home.
ReplyDeleteBe good to have your name for above comment thanks
DeleteFrom John Lee.
ReplyDeleteI sailed in the Fowey on her last troopship voyage to Singapore. It was said to be her fastest ever trip from Southampton to Singapore. We had the reference letters DQDMJ. We left on 2nd December 1959 and arrived on 24th December. Others from my unit were detached to Singapore. I had to say a quick goodbye to them and board a train on the one railway line up through Malaya to the Ghurkha camp at Seremban. I arrived at 3 a.m. on Christmas Day.
Regards,
John Lee
My family sailed to Gibraltar on the Fowey arriving on 24th December 1952. Anyone know if the ship's schedule or passenger lists are available . I am also interested in the same for the Empress of Australia.
ReplyDeleteHello! I have a brass disk from the Empire Fowey with the name on the top and I think the queens guard motto on top with a sun rising out of the water in the middle. Does anybody happen to know what part of ship it came from 6" round soild brass. I have pics.
ReplyDeleteJt
Hello ?
DeleteIf you would like me to add photo's please use contact form top right of the site. I will then send my eamial for you to forward photos.
Hello, I sailed on the Empire Fowey from Southhampton to Port Said in 1948 (at age 4) with mother & 2 sisters to join my father who was stationed in Ismalia on the Suez Canal. We all returned, including father, in 1951 on the same vessel and in the very same cabin! A fond childhood memory.
ReplyDeleteHi Nick So glad you found this. It would be great if you have any photos. Use the contact form top right so we have your email if you would like.
ReplyDeleteMy family travelled to Singapore in Dec 1952 on the Fowey in a record breaking 3 weeks. I was 13yrs old at that time and looking forward to living in Malaya having spent 2+ years in Egypt 2yrs previously. My dad was posted to RAF Butterworth, near Penang his name F/sgt C E Garnett.
ReplyDeleteJt was good to hear from someone who was able to remember the Empire Fowey.I must have sailed on her on what was probably her last trip, I arrived in Hong Kong on her on new years day 1960 and flew home almost three years later. My unit was 79 Company
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Hank for filling a gap in my career.
ReplyDeleteI travelled out to Colombo on the Devonshire departing Liverpool 21.11.55 at the age of 1 year and 1 month, with my mother and brothers for my fathers posting Negombo. Obviosly I remember little of this trip but have been told that the Biscay crossing was a bit rocky rolly. This voyages via Suez (the year prior to the Suez crisis kicking off!)
WE returned to UK on the Empire Fowey (arriving back in Southampton on the 27th June (working backwards would guess we would have embarked in Colombo about 11th May?). This was via the Cape. I do note that the vessel was a bit of an old dog although not that I can remember, I was only 3!
Thereafter, life followed usual RAF life, a posting here and and a posting there. Igetched up up in Germany (Rheindahlen) at 16 after which I again went to sea; this time as an apprentice.
Having spent 47 years career sailing the world I can now add Devonshire and Empire Fowey to my list of ships and extend that career to 65 years of seafaring! Sixty ive years as baby to Captain...........
Tony Drury
I sailed with my Mum and older sister on the Empire Fowey to Kowloon/Hong Kong..it must have been 1954/55..my only memory of the voyage was cutting my head in the cabin..blood everywhere..and getting a fire engine as a Christmas present on board ship..I did find a copy of the passenger list with my Mum Joan Allford, me Eric and my sister Rose...but can't seem to find it now..wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteEggs Wirral contact me via contact form top left site. I will send you copy of passenger list.
DeleteI travelled on the Fowey out to Malaya in 1953 (I think) with my mother. My father was in the RAF and was off fighting in the jungle most of the time. We also went back to the UK on the Fowey, my brother was with us, he had been born in Malaya.
ReplyDeleteBack in 1958 I was on 820 Fleet Air Arm sqd and half the crew did a change over coming back from Singapore to UK.Wish I could remember the date in 1958 but as a Safety Equipment and Survival officer I used to check some of the ships dinghies while on board.I seem to remember it took about 20 odd days to get home.
ReplyDeleteBack in 1958 if you contact me via contact form top right and give your name we may be able to find you on the ships manifest. Happy to try.
DeleteHank
Hi all, Im a gas engineer and was removing a cylinder in an empty property, I found a service book behind it, I have come here via searching the name of the vessel on a berthing card tucked in the back. He was on deck F section F2 berth 188c. Would there be a way to find more info into the voyage this would of been, i.e. passenger lists. its a long shot but be nice to get some details on the owner. Thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteAlex007 can you please use contact form top right giving your email please, so I can get details from you thanks
DeleteI sailed on the empire fowey when i was 7 yrs old in 1954 from southampton to aden with my mum and 3 siblings to join my father he was in the RAF and stationed there we lived there for 18 months and sailed back on the asturias
ReplyDeleteI sailed to Japan in oct time in 1955 and from Hong Kong IN 1957 RoyalSignals
ReplyDeleteHi Unknown thanks for sharing would be good if we had a name to go with story. Use the contact form top right and let us know your name.
DeleteThanks ?.
My grandfather asked me to research empire fowey passenger list, he sailed to singapore in 1957
ReplyDeleteHi Unknown if you use contact form top of the page and give me details of your names i will try and help. Thanks
DeleteI apologise, did not realise i was called unknown. I cannot seem to find the contact form.
DeleteHi Again The contact form is found top right of this main page. Or place another comment in reply with an email contact which i wont post so no one else will see it.
ReplyDeleteSorry Unknown but this is not working please reply to this again about your grandfathers trip on Fowey 1957 and include your email. This will not be published as i have control over items to be published. I have not published his full name as you see. This site is open to all so i am very careful. Look forward to an email address.
ReplyDeleteI HAD MY FIFTH BIRTHDAY ABOARD THIS WONDERFUL SHIP IN 1952 GOING TO HONG KONG,I GOT A BIRTHDAY CARD FROM THE CAPTAIN AND CREW,I WAS TRAVELLING WITH MY MOTHER,SISTER AND BROTHER TO JOIN OUR FATHER WHO WAS SERVING WITH 72 LAA REG'T ROYAL ARTILLERY..BRILLIANT MEMORIES OF THIS TIME ... 3 YEARS SPENT ON KOWLOON,WENT TO MY FIRST SCHOOL IN WHITFIELD BARRACKS.
ReplyDeleteI travelled out to Singapore accompanying my mum and dad who was posted out there. We left Southampton in the beginning of January 1957 I beleive. I am trying to locate the passenger lists to verify this. It was a pleasant voyage all in all.
ReplyDeleteHello Abbey75 if you use the contact form top right so that i have an email to reply to i will see if i can find passenger list.
DeleteI was on the Fowey in 1959. We disembarked in Cyprus. I was 3 and a half years old. I was with my parents [ my father was a a British Army Officer]. I had two Siblings younger than me.
DeleteMy father Terry Cox served his post war national service as a medic on the Empire Fowey
ReplyDeleteIn 1952 I was 20 years old and had been living in Singapore for 2 years. I had gone from there to to Hong Kong for a holiday. I left Hong Kong in the Empire Fowey to return to the UK, collecting my parents in Singapore on the way. My father's Naval appointment had ended. The Glorious Glosters were on board so we arrived in Southampton to a tumultuous welcome from boats and ships - even the Queen Mary hooted her horn. That was December 1952. Newish TV was on the dockside and the excitement may be seen at the following U-Tube: Southampton - First POW Ship Home (1953). She was a lovely ship - a bit bigger than the Empire Orwell which I had gone out to the Far East in. I have quite a few photos taken on board both ships.
ReplyDeleteHello thank you for your input. I would be more than happy to add any photos and articles you wish to send me. Please use the contact form top right which will give me your contact details for us to link up.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteDavid Young I have copied your message you sent because you gave your email in that message. The blog is open to the world and would hate for you to get loads of unwanted mail.
ReplyDeleteAs SAC Young D, I sailed from Southampton via the Cape to Singapore in Spring 1957 and returned via Suez autumn 1958. Great experience. I am now 88.
davidyoung
Brian Smart Dec 6,2023 at 12:46am
ReplyDeleteI sailed from Southhampton on Empire Fowey to Cyprus via Gibralta & Malta ( but not allowed off! ). It turned out to be the wurst crossing the Bay of Biscay ever. We disembarked about Sept 1957 at Limasol and I served at RAF Akrotiri as an Air Electrician with the Canberra Squadrons until my discharge ib Sept 1959.
Other than Kitchen staff trying to poisen Archbishop Makarious before he was exiled to the Seyschelles and an atempt to blow up one of our Canberas by a local employed Cypriot and a couple of 1 wheel landings due to the common hydraulic system failure from time to time, life was interesting. Being a construction guy and having spare time, I took on the task of building a Church hall for the OD Church under the eye of our Scot Pardre Bowie.
We of course were on a war footing when the Lebonan Chrisis erupted and we has he American Sixth Fleet off the coast.Their pilots were happy to use Akrotiri when they had engine failure on occassion!. We also hosted a Squadron of French Mystairs during this period. Great aircraft!
I returned to UK via civil airline to be demobed . I did consider sighing on as a career but the size of the beer bellys of the Tech NCO's made me decide not to.
By then I realised I had fallen in love with my Stafford Girl friend and decided that was a far better direction to persue option
The Empire Fowey finally gave up the struggle and died a natural death and sank in the Med off Malta in a calm sea with no loss of life.
I had 5 great years in the RAF and made many friends.