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Nick Messinger's Home Page

Contents:-

Recent Editorial Projects

 

Editor, Official Souvenir Programme

Editor, Official Souvenir Programme

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SS Islander ~ In 1993, I began researching the loss of the Canadian Pacific Steam Navigation Company's SS Islander~ a story that was to prove almost as fascinating as that of the RMS Titanic. The Islander sank off Juneau, Alaska, in August 1901, while reputedly carrying 12 tonnes of gold bullion from the Klondike. In 1996 I sailed with an expedition from Tacoma Seattle to Juneau and located the missing bow section of the ship, on the 95th anniversary of its sinking - almost to the hour! Breaking News:  As Associate Producer of a new US movie, documenting the ship's fateful final voyage and the attempts to salvage her precious cargo, I would be delighted to hear from anyone with archive material. For more information, please email me.
Autumn of the Grey Wolves  ~ A WW II German U-boat is discovered on the seabed south of Spitzbergen. Reported missing on her first patrol, the ghosts of her ill-fated top secret mission to Northern Norway, in March 1945, come back to haunt Germany's ambassador to the UN. To order a free pre-publication CD of the book, please email me.
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Current Projects

 Managing Director,

Freetrack Marine Limited

My Links.......

Link to Freetrack Marine Limited - innovation in marine technology

Link to WatchKeeper Boat Security, where you can find expert advice and security equipment

History and information on SS Islander ~ salvage attempts, etc

Loss of the Canadian Pacific's SS Princess Sophia, Lyn Canal, Alaska, 1918.

My father's 1946 rescue of Nazi Holocaust survivors.

 Link to TallShips Features Limited, Maritime Media Services

Link to U-Boat Enigma and extracts from 'Autumn of The Grey Wolves' - working title.

Link to InterSub - International Submarine Services old comrades web page.

     

HMS Worcester     The Incorporated Thames Nautical Training College Old Boy's Association Website

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Biographical Information:-

The eldest Son of a Royal Navy Officer and an Essex farmer's daughter, I trained for the sea aboard the Incorporated Thames Nautical Training College's Worcester, serving subsequently as a navigating officer with the P&O Steam Navigation Company. After passing my Foreign-Going Masters'Certificate in 1970, I served as First Officer SS Chusan until joining the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, for nuclear submarine training in 1972. Following sea time aboard HMS Valiant, I was awarded the Galbraith Wrightson Senior Research Fellowship at the University of Plymouth, where I wrote 'The History & Development of Deep Diving Manned Submersible Vehicles', before joining InterSub of Marseilles, a commercial submarine operator, as Operations Manager in 1975. In 1976, I set up the company's submarine operations in Dubai, in a joint-venture with Swires of Hong Kong. In 1977 I was appointed Managing Director of Kvaerner-InterSub, a joint-venture based in Norway.

Recalled to the Royal Navy in 1981, initially lecturing at the School of Maritime Operations and Maritime Tactical School, HMS Dryad,  I saw active service during the Falklands War and joined the Plessey Naval Systems Company in 1984, rising to General Manager International Sales & Marketing.

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Military Service:

Appointed Midshipman RNR in April 1961, I was commissioned Sub Lieutenant in May 1964. After General Service I volunteered for Submarines in 1969, qualifying in May 1970, prior to joining the Patrol Submarine, HMS Otus. In 1973, I qualified 'Nuclear' at the Royal Naval College Greenwich and served aboard HMS Valiant, a nuclear hunter-killer. As a Lieutenant Commander I served throughout the Falklands war on the Staff of the Task Force Commander, for which I received the Falklands Commendation. Transferring to Amphibious Warfare on promotion to Commander in September 1982, I served as Coastal Convoy Commodore and Senior Naval Officer (Afloat) on numerous AW exercises. I retired in 1990.

Maritime Editorial Services

A freelance writer and editor on maritime affairs I am able to undertake a variety of assignments, including: nautical research into ships of all types ~archive searches for ships with a story to tell ~production of articles on all nautical subjects from mini- submarines to ocean liners and the age of sail ~proof reading of nautical articles and books ~checks on authenticity and accuracy in the use of terminology ~film script-writing and narration ~technical consultancy in film and TV production

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Please Contact :                  nickmessinger@tiscali.co.uk

for additional information

 

©Copyright Nicholas R Messinger 2008
Last revised: January 2008