IRON HUNTER

My association with the SS IRON HUNTER began in Whyalla in the mid sixties. Employed by Permutit Water Company we installed the De-Min boiler feedwater plant on this mighty vessel. I had visited BHP on several occasions, (Steel Mills, Iron Ore Pelletising Plant, Ship Building). Was intrigued by the way that sections were built in various locations and then all brought together on the slipway and welded together. After sea trials and commissioning, IRON HUNTER plied the seas with her cargo of iron ore, that is until a tragic accident occurred resulting in the death of of a crew member due to a disastrous fire in the engine room. After a major refit we were called to re-install and place on line the water treatment plant. My offsider on the day was an ex-Royal Navy sailor who had completed 22 years service, 11 years as a Submariner. He was thoroughly impressed by the cavernous engine room, I will never forget his laconic words; "I know where we would have put "FISH" back in the war years". To conclude my ramblings we had been strapped for time to complete our mission, in fact the gangway was in the process of being raised, wish we had of gone to sea. Years later her 'sister ship' SS IRON MONARCH and my fishing boat had a near miss, (calculated) in 40 fathoms of Brunswick Heads, north coast NSW.