Built at Vickers-Armstrong (Shipbuilders) Ltd., Newcastle-upon Tyne in 1960 she was 495 feet long and 8,509gt.

Trapped in the Great Bitter lake in 1967 during the Israel Arab war. Abandoned to the London War Risks Insurance Association.

The events as told by Graham McMorine.

Melampus was a great boat, with a very well jelled crop of lads on board. We had to put into Aden, apparently under Government orders, to pick up ammo. This was much to the annoyance of our " oldman" as we had picked up bunkers in Columbo, so that we would not have to go to Aden. On leaving Aden we were all called together & informed of the growing situation in Suez, and he put it to the vote as to weather we chanced it running thro Suez, or doubling back & going round the Cape of S. Africa. No need to tell which way the vote went.

After running up the Red Sea uneventfully, we started up the "canal" for a homeward passage and after an hour or so, all hell broke loose. All ships upped speed for run into the Bitter Lakes as the Israelis where using the ships as a screen when attacking the military aerodrome on the west bank of the Lakes.

We dropped anchor to the realisation that there was a huge amount of ships clambering for space in The Great Bitter Lake. Fortunately, the Egyptians realised that the situation was really bad having so many ships within such a confined stretch of water. After what seemed an eternity, they began to move them out from both ends of the lakes. Passenger ships went first followed by Tankers. I would estimate some forty to fifty ships of all shapes and sizes made their exit away from immediate danger. The lads on board began to feel a little relieved as our turn came closer and closer. Imagine the feeling of shock, when informed that the canal had been blocked off at both ends, to the north by sinking a ship and to the south as I understand by pushing a concrete construction in. Would we ever see loved ones again sprang to mind, certainly mine, as I had not yet seen my first wedding anniversary. Would we all be removed from the ship and used as hostages, the thoughts were endless, however we were not on our own as we soon found that fourteen ships had been stranded.

As the time was only approx. midday, all hands watched as the Israeli Mirage fighters bombed an airfield on the Western bank of the Bitter Lake, the Egyptian Migs never got off the ground, it was like watching Indians encircling a wagon train in the old cowboy films. Stray bullets flue everywhere and rockets flue just over the top of the rigging. The fighting slowly eased off as the day went on and it was decided to "blackout" the ship for the night.

On the morning of the 10th, two A.B.s, from the ship Port Invercargill, swam over to Melampus, to tell us they were running out of eggs and tea and as a result of this, Agapenor was contacted and found to have limited supplies for approx. six weeks. And likewise the Scottish Star for approx. four and a half weeks. It was therefore decided that these four ships would pool together there food supplies.

At around teatime on the 10th, it was notice that groups of men were appearing from out of the sand hills on the East Bank of the Bitter Lake, some were in robes, others in whites, but the vast majority were in khaki uniform. By early evening, more and more had appeared, they seemed to be just falling out of the desert in droves and droves, many were swimming in the water, attempting the long swim across. We realised that these were Egyptian refugees fleeing from the battlefront, many staggered and fell over the last 100 yards to the waters edge. Most of the crew stayed up late into the night to see if any made it to the ships, but all went quite after a while, how ever, during the very early hours, further gunfire was heard over to the east.

As dawn broke on the 11th, we learned that Israeli and Syria had agreed on a cease-fire on hostilities, which gave a little relief to the termoiled mind until one bright spark came out with " we aint in bloody Syria, we re in a s... hole in Egypt". This delivery stayed in my head for quite some time I can assure you, and I do not think I was the only one as most of us were starting to wonder how people at HOME were making out with the situation We knew what was going on, as we were living it, but as for as we knew, the folks at home had little or no info. ( Click here to see Graham's wifes first letter! ) Little did we know that India Buildings by this time not only had contacted relatives every day on a regular basis, but were in the process of arranging contact with the two crews via the BBC World Service network, a master stroke that was regularly anticipated every broadcast. On the Canal bank by 09.00hrs a vast army of Egyptian military and civilians were gathered, all trying to make it across the water by what ever means they could think of, many had made it almost to the ship, at which point the "gangplank" was hastily raised, however, in our "mad dogs and Englishmen" mode, it was decided to make a rescue attempt for these men (as it seemed no official help was forthcoming) and we did not relish the thought of hostile soldiers swamping the ship, or the additional hazard of being shot at by patrolling Israeli aircraft. Melampus lowered her motor-boat and towed three mooring boats (better known as "bum-boats") towards the banks of the canal, flying the white flag and the "Red duster" on the stern, each boat had five gallons of water and several loaves of bread on board. Numerous men were picked up out of the water en route and it was now estimated that well over 1000 men were on the banks of the lake with possibly another 200 advancing towards the boats, with their guns held high out of the water.

We tried to make the officers and men to understand that if they did not drop the guns etc we would not assist them. The men kept advancing and very quickly swamped the first boat, its gunwales dipped under the water, loosing stability and quickly capsized. At this point we released the boats and headed back to Melampus and safety. Many of the other ships followed our lead and took out there mooring boats to the soldiers. Whilst we were out in this escapade, two Israeli Mirage fighters were sighted overhead and came back on a second pass, but we were fortunate in that no action was taken against us.

On the morning of the 12th, men were again seen on the beach, however, they seemed a little more organised as they where walking in a southerly direction. We did however send out the boats again and on arriving found that a lot were in really bad condition, many were thirsty with swollen tongues, many were naked, shoeless, or badly wounded. The German ship NORDWIND and the Polish ship DJAKARTA now followed the lead and took boats to the men on the beach, and at considerable risk all the boats were then towed over to a wharf ( later found out to be Fanara ) at the southern end of the lake, where we fully expected a hostile reception. We were, however, heered, thanked and patted on the back.
Many months later I was passed an article from some Egyptian paper, (translated) by India Buildings which read:

The Egyptian Government and Suez Canal Authority convey there many thanks for your co-operation towards repatriating our soliiers and for the food and medical assistance rendered to them.

Short and sweet , but made one feel proud with a sence of attcheivement.
During the evening the food ssituation was reviewed, and we found that in spite of extra demands by the Egyptian soldiers, the Scttish Star was adsquately provisioned for us all once clearance was given to break into the cargo of Lamb. It was also thought expediant to reposition the Melampus away from the East bank,which was done.
Troops were still arriving throughout the following couple of days, however the Egyptians at long last seemed to have got themselves into gear, as two tugs and two pilot boats ran a shuttle service back and forth.
At around this time life started to have an easier feel.Visits to ships were becoming comman place, bartering from ship to ship was comman practice, five gallons of vinigar, four bags of flour for four sheep and the like. Even film shows in makeshift cinamas were becoming quite popular, particularly with the two Egyptian soldiers that had been deposited on every ship, not that they were very good as Melampus`s oldman insisted that they handed over their rifles or they would not be fed, a situation they seemed perfectly happy with.
On the 16th the first telegrams arrived with the long lost Agent, many breathed easy again and were over joyed to hear from home. Along with the Agent also came much needed provisions and later in the day the waterboat arrived.

Round-about 20th June we heard from the agent, that the Egyptians had agreed to allow all British ships crews to be evacuated if they so wished, and that the canal would be closed for two to three months. India Buildings decided to reduce the crews on both Melampus & Agapenor by approx. half, and much speculation was rife as to who would be the lucky ones to go home, eventuallly, in true Bluey tradition we were asked / told who would go and who would stay.

Yes...........I stayed !

All lucky pilgrims who were to go home, having previously packed, were called @ 03.30 and given breakfast as they were due to leave @ 04.30. At 06.15 we gave them a fare well blast and God speed as they pulled away in the agents launch, this being the 22nd June 1967.

( Click here to see Graham's wifes second letter! )

On with the story:- Time pretty much went on in this fashion, the only frustration being that of the agent continually promising that we would be going home in couple of day`s time and the event never materializing. Finally, early one late August morning, the pilot cutter arrived, unannounced, with a relief crew. Mayhem broke out as we were given half an hour to be ready and pulling away from what had been our mother and home for almost twelve months.

Melampus really looked majestic as we pulled away and headed for home we all wondered if we would ever see her again and I dont think any of the lads who left her that day ever did. Much joy for heading home touched with a tinge of sadness, on my part, at leaving her stranded, as She was without doubt the happiest ship I ever sailed on.
Over night we stayed in a large hotel in Cairo, after what had been an awful journey on the most antiquated bus one could imagine. The wooden latted seats did wonders in dampening the joy of going home.
The following morning we were all taken to the airport to catch the " Air India" 707 flight to London via Zurich, Unfortunately the Egyptians had other ideas, as we had to wait a further six hours whilst a shipment of Mig 21`s where flown in and parked up just off the main runway. Quite an impressive sight, but really annoying when you want to be home.
We eventually left Egypt and flew to Zurich, then on to London. All the media was there to greet us and my parents apparently saw the arrival on television, the one and only time I`ve been a V.I.P.
The chartered flight fom Heathrow to Speake airport seemed to take for-ever, but Liverpool never looked so good.

Looking back gives me mixed memories, some good, some bad, but I would not have missed any of it.