Back to South Africa and the Oceanos

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Back to South Africa and the Oceanos

For my friends who are regular readers of my REDROWE blog, you will know that we have decided to settle in Ireland and are going back to SA in March to pack up all our things in storage, and bring them back.

All our belongings have been in storage for 6 years now and along with all of this are my collection of "Oceanos" paraphonalia, I have photographs that were taking the day she sank as well as form the cruise itself. I also have newspaper clippings, tickets and if I am not mistaken menus - no these are not for sale. I will scan them into the blog though, so everyone can see them.

I also have video footage from all the news broadcasts, MNET Channel 7 and other, which I will have transposed onto DVD when I get back.

Among my belongings, I also have souveniers from the Achille Lauro which I sailed on in 1992, just months after being rescued from the Oceanos. The Achille Lauro also met a disastorous end sailing up the coast of Africa.

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Welcome

Hi, My name is Rose, I am one of the Survivors of the Oceanos which sank off Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast of South Africa on August the 4th, 1991. As one of the largest rescues in maritime history I was rescued by helicopter 2 hours before she sank but you can read my story here. I have created this blog in memory of the Oceanos and all who sailed on her.

If you have a story to tell, please email it to me and I will put it up on this blog. Should you wish to use any material from this blog please email me for permission. Enjoy reading!

"The boy stood on the burning deck" - Felicia Hemans (1793 - 1835)

The boy stood on the burning deck Whence all but he had fled; The flame that lit the battle's wreck Shone round him o'er the dead.

Yet beautiful and bright he stood, As born to rule the storm;A creature of heroic blood, A proud, though child-like form.

The flames rolled on–he would not go Without his Father's word; That father, faint in death below, His voice no longer heard.

He called aloud–'say, Father, say If yet my task is done?'He knew not that the chieftain lay Unconscious of his son.

'Speak, father!' once again he cried, 'If I may yet be gone!'And but the booming shots replied, And fast the flames rolled on.

Upon his brow he felt their breath, And in his waving hair,And looked from that lone post of death In still yet brave despair.

And shouted but once more aloud, 'My father! must I stay?'While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud, The wreathing fires made way.

They wrapt the ship in splendour wild, They caught the flag on high,And streamed above the gallant child, Like banners in the sky.

There came a burst of thunder sound– The boy–oh! where was he?Ask of the winds that far around With fragments strewed the sea!–

With mast, and helm, and pennon fair, That well had borne their part–But the noblest thing which perished there Was that young faithful heart.