years ago.

On October 4, 1953, he and his twin brother, Raymond, were officers on the Queen of Bermuda , carrying tourists between New York and the Island. And Royal Gazette readers were told how the pair had won an award for making miniature models of the ships on which they had sailed.

But it was surprising that the twins had time for such a hobby while enjoying a job that Capt. Biggs said was so good "I would have done it for nothing''.

The veteran sailor, who hails from Whitstable, a coastal town in south east England, had promised his wife, Brigitte, a trip to Bermuda ever since they were married 38 years ago.

And this week he finally kept that promise as they arrived for a two week holiday.

In 1954 Capt. Biggs was a 26-year-old Senior Second Officer and his brother a Junior Second Officer in the British Merchant Marines. They were believed to be the only twins serving on the same ship at that time.

Capt. Biggs was 15 minutes older, three inches smaller and had blonde hair while Raymond's was dark.

And Capt. Biggs managed to stay in the navy while his brother left soon after to join the Royal Air Force as a fighter pilot -- possibly the only one holding a Merchant Sea Master's Certificate. He died 10 years ago.

Capt. Biggs said: "I have always looked back on those trips to Bermuda as being one of the happiest periods of my life.

"My wife will not mind me telling you that at that time my brother and I had girlfriends in New York and Bermuda and one or two on the ships inbetween.'' He stayed on and was promoted to captain -- a job he served for a further 25 years on various ships including a 165,000 tonne bulk carrier carrying grain between the US and Japan.

"Bermuda has not changed. It is just as beautiful as ever,'' he said yesterday. "I cannot believe I am back here.'' One thing that has changed, however, is the cruise liners.

Capt. Biggs complained: "The new liners are horrible. They do not even look like cruise ships. The Queen of Bermuda was built in 1933 and was a real luxury liner for 750 first class passengers.'' CAPTAIN Basil Biggs pictured in the 1950s during his service in the Merchant Navy.

IN DAYS GONE BY -- The Queen of Bermuda , seen here steaming towards the Island, was "a real luxury liner'', according to Capt. Biggs, a former officer.

BERMUDA AT LAST -- After 39 years former Queen of Bermuda officer, Capt. Basil Biggs, finally keeps a promise to bring his wife Brigitte to the Island.