The Merseyside Maritime Museum is searching for former seafarers who were part of an infamous incident on the Suez Canal during the Six-Day War.

The museum is holding a special 50^th anniversary reunion event this summer to honour local mariners who were stranded on the canal for eight years between June 1967 and June 1975.

14 merchant ships were marooned in the Great Bitter Lake, an area of the Suez Canal, at the start of the Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt in 1967.

The ships were trapped for eight years until Egypt reopened the canal in 1975. Four of the ships were British-flagged, including three from Liverpool shipping lines: MS Melampus and MS Agapenor from Blue Funnel Line, and MS Scottish Star from Blue Star Line.

Although the original crews were replaced every couple of months, over the years around 3,000 seafarers served on the ships, maintaining them and their precious cargos.

Ben Whittaker, curator of maritime history and technology at the museum, explains the unprecedented event: “The ships were going nowhere, and over time, camaraderie grew between the crews, irrespective of their country of origin. Inspired by the part of the Suez Canal they were stuck in, they established what was to become a unique community; the Great Bitter Lake Association.

“They shared supplies and equipment, as well as created a full programme of sports fixtures and other social activities. The seafarers even produced their own handmade stamps, which are now sought after collectors’ items.”

Crew members often played games to pass the time onboard

The move to appeal for former crew members was inspired by author Cath Senker, whose forthcoming book on the subject, Stranded in the Six-Day War, features objects from the Blue Funnel Line Archive which are held at the museum alongside a collection of objects related to the Great Bitter Lake Association.

These include a commemorative plate and home-made trophies that were awarded to the winners of the competitions held on board the ships during the eight year long saga.

Ben adds: “We want former crew members to get in touch and join us on 1 June to share their stories and reminisce. Many members remember their time on the Suez Canal as one of the most significant of their entire lives.

“Through the internet, many of them have now renewed contact with each other, and interest in this unusual story has been revived. With Liverpool ships and men part of the story, Merseyside Maritime Museum is the appropriate place to hold the reunion”.

The reunion is due to take place at the Merseyside Maritime Museum on 1 June.

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