For the last 55 years since I left the Dutton I always remember the great times. Met my wife in Belfast and we married in May of 69 after I got off. Have been back to Ireland many times. Our kids have more family there than here in Vermont. Picked up the Dutton in Belfast and left in Bremerhaven. Best 2 years in the Navy. Would love to catch up with some of my old ship mates and I can't believe that that photo of the 4 of us is still around. I will have to look for mine but it is probably on a slide since that was the big thing then, One of my best in ports was Christianson Norway and the train ride up to Oslo. It was beautiful along the river with the logs in one town getting ready to float down. Swansi was nice because of the train to London. I had never seen a city as clean as Bremerhaven. Spent my 21st in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Was the youngest when I checked aboard at 19 and can't remember where the Salty came from but I think it was some remark I made in NIC and Joe Sabo gave it to me my first week aboard. I spent my first 3 days out of Belfast sicker than a dog and decided this wouldn't do for another 30 days so carried a bucket the next day and was never sick again on the Dutton. Can't say the same for the salvage tug the Hoist. Was sick ever time it got rough. Any way I thank my son Justin, who is headed home to Omagh to visit his aunts and uncle next month for findiing this site. I would love to connect with any one who was aboard during my time. Salty Dave
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Comment:
Admin: Thanks for signing the guest log, Justin!! Ask your Dad to visit the site and sign the log book too!! He may find some ship mates in the guest log, I'll be glad to forward contact info.