Weaver - ICI Brunner Mond
*Keywords....   Northwich, River Weaver, Weaver Packet, Navigation, Waterways, British Waterways, W.J.Yarwood & Sons, shipping, Brunner Mond, Brunners, ICI, Mersey, shipbuilding, shipyards

Imperial Chemical Industries, the Brunner Mond fleet of Weaver Packet cargo ships in Northwich

The "Brunners"

Modern industry has to survive and make a profit in an unbelievably competitive world. There is no room for sentiment. That is left to people like me. Soda Ash is made from local salt and Buxton lime. Brunner was an industrialist and Mond a chemist, who partnered to open what became a huge industrial complex strategically sited on the banks of the Weaver. Initially chartering private vessels to get the finished product down to Liverpool Docks for world distribution, it was found that Yarwoods-built Estuarial Craft, more seaworthy than plain Barges, could be built using steam power and towing a "flat" behind, keeping transport "in-house". I have met many of the old River-men off the Weaver, but only a few are left now, like their boats.

So I offer you, not an exhaustive history, but a snapshot cameo of life in the ICI fleet. The ICI archive contains many of their photos too, but whether they will ever see the light of day.....  When I went to Runcorn Photographic Section, all the pictures I wanted had mysteriously disappeared. So somebody has had them away, and by now their families have probably binned their dear-departed's box of old junk.

We have published this Email as it came in because it is just so interesting. All those years we speculated upon what happened to the ships Marston and Marbury built at Pimblott's yard.... We found Marbury by going to Antigua, but worn out, she had been sunk as a diving wreck. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: LEE CHRISTIE <christie01christie@btinternet.com> Sent: Friday, 22 September, 2006 1:58:43 PM Subject: Marston   Hi Richard Thanks for the reply.  I eventually found one of my photo's and will send on the other should I eventually find it. The ship is pictured in Ellesmere port about a week prior to sailing. I can remember the location being just along from the Grosvenor Hotel, typical sailors! As I said in my previous e-mail I was part of a four man crew taking her to the US. I joined the ship in Frodsham a good few weeks prior to her sailing for as you can imagine there was alot of preparation work to be done. She did indeed sail under her own steam after of course certain modifications taking place.These included the installation into the hold of two petrol station fuel tanks secured amidships in the hold. I remember as I was the youngest member of the crew being lowered into one tank at a time with a rope around my waist and armed with a dust pan and brush to sweep out the debris from inside the two tanks. It was a case of taking a deep breath of fresh air before being lowered into a tank. A few mad sweeps with the brush before being hauled up for air. So much for health a safety! We took delivery of two green plastic containers of which were originally used in a factory to house orange juice. My job a gain was to clean the tanks, thankfully not such a daunting task as the previous.  Once well stocked with stores we sailed I believe down river to take on diesel. I remember standing on deck whilst approaching the fuel berth and being shouted at by one of the fuelling team "Put that bloody fag out!!" Would you believe I actually met that gentleman's daughter by chance in a pub in Argyll Scotland. It's a small world!  With Marston's Crossley main engine running as sweet as a nut we passed the Liver Buildings to starboard bound initially for the Azores. Crossing the Bay of Biscay I was on watch and was alarmed when the main engine stopped. I was quickly notified via the old voice pipe that the water cooling turret on the main engine had cracked at the flange. Not a very reassuring thing to happen when you haven't got any welding or brazing gear on-board. Our Chief engineer "Aussie Campbell" managed to carry out a running repair with Araldite and a Spanish windlass. Once reaching the Azores we again stopped the main engine this time for a scheduled oil change. Sailing through the Azores at night proved to be quite a challenge for me as a young lad on watch when he's been left with the instruction that at 22:00 hrs he should start to see a flashing navigation light. Never did see the light and having done the right thing and notifying the skipper was informed never to trust Portuguese lights. Weeks later we arrived at the Bahamas and anchored off one of the numerous islands. Couldn't sleep that night due to the lack of engine noise and what had been the relentless noise of the sea slapping into the stubby bow of the ship whilst underway. Next morning all crew bar the skipper went for a swim in the crystal clear water. Although not environmentally correct a baked bean can was thrown overboard and we subsequently had bets on who could retrieve it. Needless to say the can although clearly visible was too deep and also we found out later the skipper couldn't swim. Later that afternoon we were on our way to Miami. I was on watch again that night and eagerly staring into the darkness looking for a beacon to light our way but this time the Americans informed shipping via the vhf that the Nassau light was nonoperational. All the fun of being at sea I suppose! On arriving off the Miami river entrance early hours of the morning we were instructed to anchor off under quarantine. All of the remaining perishables were as instructed ditched overboard all that is bar the last few remaining onions that were duly added to our Pot Noodles.After the last week at sea I really began to hate Pot Noodles with a vengeance. Also I was the only one to have the presence of mind to make a the remaining teabag last ten cups or more. We were later towed up the river by a tug cleverly named the Anita Bacca! The crew of the tug very kindly gave us coffee and tea to keep us going whilst hoping we could exchange some British beer, a bit naive I thought. Sorry lads! We finally arrived at our destination and were informed of the Miami riots that were taking place and also told that we were only allowed to stay in the country for forty eight hours or risked being basically escorted out of the country. Next time take a visa! We did however managed to hire a car and get to Miami beach and down a few beers in Fort Lauderdale. I've fond memories of both the crew and the ship and thought I should let you know of her last known whereabouts.   Kindest regards Lee Christie

Winnington 1960's Winnington 1940's Wallerscote Island night loading   Wallerscote Island Britannia Madge Agnes Anderton Wallerscote island brand new in 1930's New floodlights 1960's Schooners plied Irish Sea till 1960's Shamrock steam flat Thistle in old river Oswald on old river Millicent Marston at Barnton Sheds Madge   Francis Poole off Wallerscote roof By the soda crystal plant Wincham launch Wincham under constructon Weaverham hull ready Marston launch at Pimblotts JJGrundy launch Pimblotts launch the Marbury       Polythene in Glasgow with Cacium liquor Returning on Weaver Northwich Town Quay 1886 Sailing flats below Barnton Hill Northwich flood or subsidence   Marsh Lock busy Manager watches Cuddington winding Frances Poole at Barnton stock yards Triumph was an old wooden flat Harry in old river       Crescent departs laden Barnton stock yards load Frances Poole Hibernia passes Barnton Anderton on MSC Barnton at Marsh Lock Gwalia on old river arm. Anglia by the Bicarb Wharf

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