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The following are memories recalled by John E Atha, as recorded by Hanover Housing Association in their book 'Tale of the Century' published in 1999.
Journalist John E Atha worked for Cable & wireless Ltd for 20 years before retiring to his native Yorkshire. This is his account of a ship's maiden voyage:-
At the launching of C S Mercury it was stated that she would be the world's fastest cable layer with a speed of 16 knots. In October 1962, shipyard workers wished us bon voyage as we cleared the dock at Birkenhead and began our course down the Mersey and to the open sea to begin the shake down trials.
Early the next morning a full programme of cable trials began when, soon after first light a marker buoy was put overboard and we began to trail electrodes on the stump of the Porthcurno/Carcavelos 11 cable. The operation was chiefly for assessing the ship's manoeuvrability.
Ace photographer of the Sunday Times, Stanley Devon, was on the trip and at one point was lowered over the sheaves from a centre davit to record the operation on film.
During this voyage a speed of 17½ knots seemed easy to maintain and the ship was remarkably free of vibration and I was impressed by the high standards of comfort throughout.
'She is a really fine ship in every way,' Captain G H C Reynolds, commander of C S Mercury, told me as I left the ship at Falmouth. And what do the crew think of Mercury?
Chief Steward said: 'The storeroom and kitchens are perfect, and I have all the equipment I asked for.'
Chef Manual Viagras Moya said: 'The accommodation could not be improved on.'
Catering storekeeper and engine room store-keeper agreed with these sentiments. 'Mercury is justifiably a ship to be proud of.'
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