Fleetwood 1969
A Memory of Fleetwood.
Hello,
I'm on a mission here, if anyone can help me.
Does anyone remember the Stella Marina that sailed out of Fleetwood in 1969? This was a cruise ship, leased from Norway by a local company, Norwest Hovercraft and sailed to the Isle of Man three times a week and then on the weekend did starlight cruises around Morecambe Bay.
If anyone has any photos of the crew and the hostesses at that time, please contact me, as I am seeking some pictures which I myself featured in as I was a hostess, but unfortunately I never received any photos of our crew during my time on board. I also believe there was a TV advert about the cruises which I was featured in but again, did not see it because at the time, photos weren't a priority like they are now. We were all busy trying to earn a living lol!!
This was a fantastic concept for the area and was such a success but sadly the Irish Sea proved to be too much for the vessel which had several engine problems and so the company folded after just a year.
For myself, being in the MN anyway, I managed to secure a post with British Rail (Sealink) and worked on their passenger ferries for two years before my employment was cut short by a car accident. I was born in Fleetwood and lived at Hesketh Place in my youth, between going to Malaysia and back with my mum and siblings where my dad worked for the Marine Department. My dad John, was born in Stalmine at the Seven Stars Pub but he and my grandparents moved over to Fleetwood in the 30's where he and my grandad, Dominic Corrigan worked on the trawlers. My grandad was a cook and my dad actually became one of the youngest skippers out of Fleetwood.
Dad then served in the RN during the war, and afterwards joined the Police Force and worked first in Liverpool and then back in Fleetwood. He jumped at an opportunity to go on an expedition to Malaya (organised by the British Government) along with two other men, to study the possibility of whether a fish canning operation would be viable out there. After two years of research he advised the Government that the operation would not be feasible and he was then offered a permanent post with the Marine Department, first in Brunei and then in Sarawak. My mum and us kids would travel back and forth to Malaya, retaining our home in Hesketh Place and our places at St Mary's School. Unfortunately and very sadly, my dad died at the age of 39 in 1961 in Sarawak, and my mum and us four kids returned to Fleetwood.
Our family name was Corrigan (no relation to Corrigan's Fair in Fleetwood) and over the years I have been trying to trace the history our family but without much success. I know the Corrigans had roots in Knott End in the 20's and 30's but no one seems to remember them at all. I was also told that the Corrigans owned a shop in Fleetwood in the late 1800's so I would love to find out more.
Sorry, I'm digressing here!! The ramblings of a 73 year old hahahah!
But If anyone remembers the Stella Marina or has any photos of the crew, please let me know and Thank You in advance.
Regards
Pat Checkley (Nee Corrigan)
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Comments & Feedback
My name is Robert Ball (Bob). I worked on the Stella Marina during the summer of 1969. I was a galley boy for three weeks. It was hard work but enjoyable. We sailed daily from Fleetwood to the IOM and also did disco cruises around Morcombe Bay. I was in Liverpool at the time and joinded the IOM Steam Packet Co. (The Lady of Mann) prior to the Stella. I was sacked off the Lady (not my fault) and walked straight on to the Stella. I saved £50 during my time on board and returned to Liverpool and bought a motor bike with the money. Unfortunately I don't have and photos but I can remember finding a queen cockroach in the food store and the cook throwing it on the hotplate where it exploded. Funny the things you remember. I seem to remember the Chief cook liked his booze. I was asked if I would have been interested in staying on as the ship was destined to cruise in the Med. I got a job in Liverpool sellinf motor bikes instead. Cheers, Bob
Thanks for your message.
I don't remember you but I was with the Stella Marina from start to finish, and remember the Chief Cook in the galley - Howard - or "H" to those who knew him. I also remember one morning, standing at the self-service counter, just prior to sailing, when a cockroach crawled out from a sandwich on display. Yuck! But I never ate on board, thankfully, although I did feel sorry for the customers. I know for a fact that "H" had a massive problem with trying to get rid of them, and said that it was really difficult, as they loved warm places. I also know he steamed-cleaned the galley regularly but didn't have much luck. He was a drinker too, but a nice guy with a good heart. Good memories really, Bob. Sadly, they don't answer my queries but nice talking to you. Best wishes - Pat