blur

Service Details

  • Ben H. Larsen Vessel Wiper period 1955 to 1956,

  • Percy Jordan Vessel Oiler period 1956 to 1957,

  • Universe Leader Vessel Oiler period 1957 to 1959,

  • Petroking Vessel 3rd Asst. Engineer period 1959 to 1963,

  • Edward L Steiniger Vessel Oiler period 1963 to 1965,

  • Ore Titan Vessel Oiler period 1965 to 1965,

  • Ore Prince Vessel Oiler period 1966 to 1966,

  • Petrokure/Gem Pet Vessel 3rd Asst. Engineer period 1966 to 1967,

  • Bulkpetrol Vessel 3rd Asst. Engineer period 1967 to 1968,

  • Corco Vessel Oiler period 1968 to 1969,

  • Universe Ireland Vessel 3rd Asst. Engineer period 1969 to 1970,

Bio

Introduction:

I nominate the above person for the above nominated category as per attached and The Southwell Years pg. #119.

Mr. Lewis Robert Berry is one of the few seamen that have his ship records recorded in the Southwell

Years (pg. 119). Below are a few of his accounts of being exposed to harrowing experiences while at sea

and still continued to work at sea for years later, hence I am nominating him for the Pioneer category.

 Leaving Venezuela on the Edward L. Steiniger headed to Marcus Hook, Philidelphia the ship was

out with 2 Hurricanes, one on the Port side and the other on the Starbout. Near Cape Hatteras

they caught in Hurricane Gladys (1964) and about 9p.m. a fire alarm went off and an A.B. came

down yelling ‘Man Overboard’ – Osmond McLaughlin (A.B.), (Lost at Sea). Mr. McLaughlin, was

sent to get the other A.B.’s to help batten down the gangway as it was being destroyed. The life

boat and gangway were all swept overboard. Nearest Port was Puerto Rico and due to

Hurricanes approaching they were closed with nothing they could do.

 Aboard the Petro King following the Petro Queen in a storm we could see their Mass Head Light,

we awaken the next morning to a message of Man Overboard – Mr. Norman Wood (Lost at

Sea).

 On our way from Holland to Northword, Virginia on the Ben H Larrison – Hopkin Watler (Lost at

Sea) was going down to clean the hatch and missed his step and fell to his death. Ashton Smith

was the Preacher for the onboard service. Only after his body had been buried at sea did they

receive a telegram asking to bring him home but it was too late.

 In Cape Town, South Africa while docked, 7 african men went up to sandblast and paint the ship

and the lock on the basket broke and all 7 lost their lives. He remembers the screams and cries

of all the other Africans on the dock.

 On the Kirkco El Tigre, in Puerto Rico, I saved Mr. Louis Marsden Ebanks life, during docking the

3rd Officer let the boilers catch fire and as Mr. Ebanks bedroom was above the engine room I

ran to wake him and get him out of there. (Hero)

 On the Universe Ireland, going from Bantry Bay, Persian Gulf to Ireland, we became stranded at

sea for 4 days with engine trouble before help could get to us.

Documents

Videos

image

Robert Lewis Berry

Personal details

National Heroes Distinction Award : Seafaring,
Ports Visited: Baltimore MD Amsterdam, Holland
Date of Birth : 6/Nov/1937
Deceased Date : 12/Jul/2023
Gender : Male
Country of Birth : Cayman Islands
District : Bodden Town
Area : Bodden Town, Grand Cayman