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Radio Caroline

Early pictures of the MV Fredericia & Mi-Amigo

Oil painting by Johnn Smith produced representing the Fredericia off the Isle-of-Man

Greenore in the Irish Republic

Pictured later in 1968 Project Atlanta's ship the Mi Amigo ahead of Planet Productions Fredericia renamed Caroline after USA President of Irish decent John F Kennedy's daughter

Port gates with the Greenore Hotel behind hardly changed since 1964

The UK Commercial Radio race to fit out the radio ships went on here in Ronan's father Aodhogan O'Rahilly's Greenore Port in early 1964

Hardly a surprise that Ronan's ship the Caroline was ready first!

"Flashback" The inspiration for Caroline Radio Mercur broadcasting off Denmark from the Cheeta 1 later to become the first Radio Syd ship

Local Irishman Dave meets friends John & Les

Greenore Port headland Dave recalling the Fredericia sailing for England

Press shot of the Mi Amigo then Caroline South beached at Essex in January 1966 having dragged her anchor in a easterly force 8

The Scandinavian Radio Syd vessel Cheeta 2 was used until April whilst the Mi Amigo was repaired

Britt Wadner owner of Radio Syd with Ronan O'Rahilly & Colin Nicole in the Cheeta 2 studio

The change from 199 to 259 as the Mi Amigo returns in April 1966 with a 50Kw transmitter

Audio: Caroline Request Show with Tony Prince broadcast from the Mi Amigo on 253 & simulcast from the Cheeta on 199

The 253 frequency was to be promoted as 259 to rhyme with the stations name

Meanwhile the Caroline having sailed around the south coast of Britain & into the Irish Sea broadcasts as Caroline North off the Isle of Man

Pictured above in 1967 with distinctive Caroline signage only along starboard side

Whilst port side only had Caroline painted below original Fredericia stamped hull plate pressing

The starboard side name was never repainted

Circa 1967 studio on the Fredericia with Gates Studioette desk one of a similar design still serviceable in 2004 onboard the Ross Revenge

Gates record transcription units, Ampex open reel tape machine, Spotmaster cartridge players & prominent AKG D12 microphone

The late Don Allen in action

"Daffy" Don cues turntable 2

The superb pictures above taken by John Aston in 1967 on his 1937 Rollicord 1A camera whilst he worked as a news reader on Caroline North

Calmer seas at least for a while as the Caroline ships operate virtually unscathed

Nice one, remember Caroline coming round the coast to the IOM. I used to run a 1kW pirate station in Brighton in the early 60's, all respectable & licensed now! - Andy

This feature will continue in Caroline in the 70's - Part 1

For a surname A-Z biograghy of the Radio Atlanta/Caroline & the 60's Offshore Jocks The Pirate Hall of Fame

Grateful thanks to Johnn Smith, Richard Palmer, Les Woollam, John Thomas, John Aston & Offshore 3 tender mate Harry Maddrell

For all the Radio Caroline & related features see the following pages:

Tony Allan : Mike Bass : Caroline 1 : Caroline 1983-4 : Caroline & Kevin : Dutch Connection 1 : Dutch Connection 2 : Eurosiege : MV Fredericia : Mi Amigo 1 : Mi Amigo 2 : Glyn's Richards : Stuart Vincent : Thames Air

For a full range of documentary CD's, the Sealsnd VCD, books & a video on the Army & Navy forts go to Offshore Shop