I am grateful to Michael McMullan, son of Lieutenant Robert McC McMullan RNVR, for sending me the following clipping from the front page of the Belfast Telegraph, dated 28 December 1961.
Reproduced with the kind permission of Belfast Telegraph Newspapers Ltd
I noted there was reference to a report on Page 6 of the newspaper and contacted the Belfast Telegraph, who put me in touch with Belfast Central Library who very kindly sent me a copy of the report. My thanks to the the Belfast Telegraph for giving me permission to transcribe and publish their report below.
CURRENTS DELAY WEATHER SHIP
Foyle berthing bids hindered by winds
THE CREW OF THE WEATHER SHIP, Weather Surveyor, on her maiden voyage from Greenock to take up position 450 miles out in the Atlantic, battled for more than two hours to-day with strong tides and winds in the Foyle when the ship called to refuel at Lisahally, near Londonderry.
The ship docked at the second attempt. She was forced to turn upriver after the tide had taken her from the jetty.
She took on 230 tons of oil before sailing for her meteorological position in the North Atlantic.
For Captain Tom Morgan, of South Shields, and his crew of 56 it was their last port of call for more than a month.
Captain Morgan said: "The current was really strong and it was as much as we could do to get in close to the jetty."
The crew, all of whom are Scottish except for two radio operators from Dublin, took the opportunity to send last minute letters to their relatives.
The ship, formerly the war-time frigate Rushen Castle, was converted last year and she is equipped with all the latest meteorological apparatus.
Regular reports will be transmitted from her post to the central forecasting office in Bracknell, Berkshire.
She is expected to reach her station on New Year's Eve, when she will relieve the Weather Reporter, whose crew last week received Christmas mail and supplies dropped by the R.A.F. Coastal Command Shackletons from Ballykelly.
