Originally posted on Facebook, January 2019

Thanks for accepting me into the group. I was browsing the B&C website, specifically looking at the Phyllis Bowater, and noticed that no voyages are listed for 1971.

I sailed on her from Jarrow around June or July 1971, bound for Corner Brook. From there, we worked along Nova Scotia and the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, eventually returning to Ellesmere Port in December 1971. The captain at the time was Ken Morton — a great skipper to sail with. Bob Ward was the Chief Officer, and Chris (I can't recall the surname) was the Second Officer.

I served as Third Officer. Interestingly, the ship’s librarian was Jeni Middlehurst — who also happens to be my wife. She originally joined as a supernumerary, but we ran into trouble with a U.S. immigration officer who didn’t recognize that status as an official crew position.

When we returned to Corner Brook, Jeni was formally signed off, then re-signed on as Librarian.

From his wife Jeni

Niall died today just minutes before I could get to him. He had cancer and we thought he might get well enough to take chemo, but that was not to happen. I know he had a lot of lovely friends and family that he would like me to inform, but too many for me to contact individually. At the moment I feel too lost and devastated to talk to anyone. On May 12 this year, we would have been married 54 years. Please pass the message round to all those who knew him. He held you all in his heart.

From his daughter Laura

“In 1992 I entered Warsash to study Logistics and it made Niall Middlehurst , my Daddy (Captain Daddy when I was little) very proud to see his daughter following his footsteps at his alma mater. Dad was at Warsash in 1967 (i think).

Today Daddy died, suddenly, unexpectedly. He is so missed, but I know he'd be chuffed to be remember here in this group. I lived to make him proud. I hope I did.”