My starting to be a sailor

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Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

Another of my tales about the time I spent with Palm Line.
It was on board Ashanti Palm that this occurred.
We had loaded in Liverpool for the "coast" and during that time carpenters had built magazines in #4 tween deck and #1 ween deck.
We proceeded round to Milford Haven and anchored.
ICI had a small ship that carried only explosives and other stuff that went bang.
In #4 hatch we loaded in one of the magazines, black powder (gun powder) which was in small plywood boxes about 1 foot square. In these boxes were four cotton bags of gunpowder. In #1 hatch there were detonators etc. We also had munitions for the Ghanaian army.
During discharge in Takoradi these small boxes were being thrown about with no regard to there careful handling resulting in a few being broken and the contents split. To make matters worse some to the gang were sneaking a smoke.
I just about went ballistic and stopped all the unloading. Called all the gang to come with me and took a handful of the powder up to the forecastle and put it on the mooring bits.
I was to demonstrate what happens when cigarettes and gunpowder come in contact.
Puffed my own cigarette and touched it to the powder. Nothing happened. I then lent closer and took a few deep puffs to get a good glow on the cigarette. Touched it to the powder and a big flash.
When I recovered my vision I looked round and the gang were in stitches with laughter. I had become the same colour as they and had no eyebrows or eye lashes. I was not amazed and went to my cabin to shower and change telling the gang to get back to unloading and no more cigarettes.
When I went back on deck a short while later I was approached by a very polite young man. He told me he had been delegated buy the other gangs to ask me if I could show them the trick with the gunpowder as they had heard that it was an amazing trick and they wished to see it for themselves. My response is not printable!!
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

I have written a couple of stories about my time with Gem line so I thought that I should relate a story about my Palm Line days.
Hopeful;ly I won't offend anyone as these happened a long time ago.
I was second mate and as such I was supposed to be in charge of the wellbeing of the labour we embarked at Freetown. Kru (or Kroo) boys as they were known by.
Each morning we had a sick parade and the minor ailments I could treat with the help of that famous tome "Ship masters Medical Guide" . If it was serious they were sent to a doctor ashore.
There was an occasion that one very large gentleman approached and told me that "massa I no go kaka for three days" I didn't need to consult the reference book and issued four cascara tablets. "You no go kaka come see me tomorrow"
Next day he presented himself." Massa I no go kaka for four days"
Black draft will solve that I thought so a liberal quantaty was dispensed.
"You no go kaka come see me tomorrow"
I was very surprised when next day he was there. "Massa I no go kaka for five days"
I was getting desperate and mixed up some black draft, Epsom's salts and cascara tablets and gave them to him.
Was I flabbergasted when next day he was there but with a different story. "Massa I no go kaka but piss through assh*le"
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

We at least got a night in port as discharge usually finished about ten P.M. and only sailed during daylight. The town had been an American base too and when the pulled out lt the instructive. There were plenty of bars to enjoy but I was usually too tired to test their hospitality.
Sailed back to Goose Bay and repeated he whole operation ad nausea
When it started to get really cold and the ice started to form we were told that the whole operation was closing and in late October we loaded the last of the pulpwood and them all he major equipment and Trailers of supplies to take to Stephenville. I must admit that Goose Bay and Stephenville along with Nauru are places I did not care to visit again completion we went to Bathurst and load zinc concentrate for Antwerp and it was a miserable crossing as the vessel was very stiff and we rolled like crazy till we got t the English Channel.’
Discharge in Antwerp was speedy and then round to Rotterdam to load steel and change crew. It was vacation time for me and I was pleased that I was able to celebrate it with my Family.
Immigration Canada was requesting a pile of information. Financial position, certified copies of my qualifications and who were my parents and grandparents etc
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

All these fun things had to come to an end and I had to join the ship in Goose Bay Labrador and what a change in things..
When I left home I flew into Montreal and at that white elephant airport in the middle of nowhere and had to wait for a couple of days before catching the flight too Goose Bay. Thought I might spend that time with a quick visit to my family in Toronto but there were no flights. It was pleasantly warm in Montreal and when I did get to Goose bay it was to say the least cool (August.) For those who don’t know Goose Bay used to host a large contingent of USA forces to service the DEW line radar but they had gone at this time. They left all the houses, school, hospital and many other facilities as well as a mountain of equipment. A large hole was dug out and surplus that could not be shipped out were bulldozer in and covered up. ( how tax dollars are squandered) The locals occupied the house of their choice and stayed until it was delapilated and moved to the next one.
The ship was charted to carry pulp wood from there to Stephenville in Newfoundland. It was stacked on the dock and lifted on board with the ships cranes using a slip sling. They just had to be landed and they opened up released the load. The crew were all new from when I was on before and had been signed on from the International pool so there were many nationalities. They were very Bolishi as they had sailed on the sister ship the previous season and had made big money being employed as crane drivers and it was not until they arrive and found out that this season they were using shore labour. To say they were rather upset was only a mild way of saying they were nearly ballistic. Course this affected their work and their reluctance to cooperate. When we were fully loaded with pulp wood heaped above the hatch coamings we sailed for Stephenville but the pilot would only take the ship in during daylight hours so we adjusted our speed for proper arrival. It was not a difficult pilotage as later I went into tighter places. We tied up to dolphins in the middle of the harbour and using spider type clam grabs discharged into the water. The first few grabfulls were carefully placed on deck to avoid damage to the fittings. The shore labour driving the cranes were rough on the equipment as when it went down they sat back until was repaired. This was the time when the crew dragged their feet. For example to change a cable on the grab was a fairly simple task that could be done in about thirty minutes but the made it last for up to an hour.
More later
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

I called the office just before my leave was up and was told they wanted me to join the same ship but it was well away at this time and would I like to attend some courses. I thought this was better than sailing and readily agreed.
The first one I went to was in Dunblane Hydro hotel and about managing personnel. This was the town that will forever be remembered when a deranged man went into the local school and shot the teacher and all the students in that class before taking his own life. May he rot in hell for doing his horrendous act? It is remembered in song by a popular singer Eric Boggle. “One small star” The course was before this time. I remember phoning my wife and telling her that I was beginning to see the other persons point of view. Come home she said you have just justified the course. Another one was the Fire fighting course run in Edinburgh by the McDonald road fire department. They had a part of a ship as an exercise area. It had a wheelhouse, engineroom, galley and a cargo hold. There were lessons in the morning and practical stuff in the afternoon. You were required to wear a self contained breathing apparatus all this time and the heat and smoke generated in the mock up when you had to crawl about on your hands and knees. You were never in danger as instructers were present overseeing the whole thing. If you came out and they checked your air supply remaining you had to climb the fire station tower. At the end of the day when you removed it it felt as though s elephant had been lifted from your back. Most of the other participants were from out of town or even overseas but as I did not live too far away I went home each night. My wife would run a bath for me to get rid of the smoke smell and grime and on a couple of occasions fell asleep in the bath so strenuous was the course.
The next one was a welding and burning course but as a deckie I wondered at the purpose but went to a training course for ship yard works in Greenock. That was good as the guy I had sailed with and was supposed to be my best man lived there and was home on leave so we had plenty of time to catch up on old times etc. The captain that I thought a nut case (the time we ran out of fuel and were towed to port) was in fact removed by large men in white suits. One occasion when was burning out a shape in a piece of steel plate the instructor tapped me on the back and told me not to move and next I knew was a bucket of water was thrown over me as a spark had made my coverall catch fire.
All these fun things had to come to an end and I had to join the ship in Goose Bay Labrador and what a change in things..
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

Arriving in Savona, a port I visited regularly, I let him know the procedure about “Noting Protest" and having the two cartons of cigarettes for the judge. The pilot and I had a long chat about the time the “Tourmaline” run up o the beach and the problems getting her off. The place had not changed much with the main street crowded with people doing the evening promenade and as if a horn sounded the place was deserted.

There were many good restaurants and I had several delicious seafood meals but it was time to move on and we were directed to go to the mouth of the Mississippi to wait for orders. It was a pleasant passage and we now had a new captain as the other had gone on leave. He had his wife with him and now there were about twelve of them so they arranged many social evenings in the officers bar. I did not mention previously but at the start of the trip I decided to let my hair grow until I was going on vacation. One of the social evenings was a fancy dress evening and only homemade attire was allowed. I decided I was to be a Viking so went to town and made a wooden axe and sword and cloths of burlap. All dressed up and with my long hair won first prize!! There were quite an assortment of gear and it was a fun evening.

When we arrived we anchored for a couple of days then up the Mississippi to a place called Reserve to load a full cargo of maize (corn) for Lisbon. We had a few days to wait so I decided to tackle a job that had been causing problems since I boarded. Pumping out ballast from some tanks. Got them pumped out and had the fresh air hose blow fresh air for several hours before entering. If you have the slightest hint of claustrophobia this is not the job for you. Climbing though double bottom and side tanks is not for the faint of heart. We found the cause as in the previous docking, rags, plastic and planks of wood had been left inside and had found their way down to the ballast suction and stripping pump strum boxes. Took a while but a sense of achievement and a mystery solved.

We were coated in mud and slime from various worldly ports so got hosed down when we arrived on deck. When we were in the tanks we took the manhole tank cover in with us and stationed a person at the entrance as a safety precaution.

The loading did not take long and on the way to Lisbon found out that I was to go o vacation which was welcome news. We anchored in the river and used the ships cranes and grabs to discharge into barges. First chance I got was getting a haircut and that caused a laugh at the local barbers!! I wished that I had some photographs of before and after but I can only find one with my long hair.

On “pay off” we stayed overnight in a hotel till we got the plane to the UK. Prior to arriving at Heathrow the steward came round and asked if I had a “English” passport and when I replied no he handed me a form to fill out. I asked him if this was a new requirement as I had never had to do this before as I had a British passport. Was it issued in London? I replied no it was not. Well in that case foreign issued passport holders had to complete this form. As I have always been very proud of my heritage I told him it had been issued in Glasgow and as far as I was aware that was still part of the UK though I hoped that one day we would be and independent country again. What an arrogant ignorant person he was.
When I arrived home I was delighted to find out that through friends of friends I now had a person in the shipping industry that was prepared to sponsor my immigration to Canada but a long haul ahead was still to come.
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

Well our visitors have gone home after some flight delays caused by computer failure at Heathrow. He we out on our local golf course (an expansive one) and were wearing a thing the size of a wrist watch and this gadget told them their distance to the pin and their lie. It was a small GPS and I would have loved to have one like that when I think of the endless hours trying to get fix crossing the oceans when they were overcast for days on end and we were running on DR’s.
After completion of discharge it was on to Savona sailing through the Greek islands. I convinced the captain to go via the Mesina Straits rather than go all the way round Siciily as it was much shorter and as I had been through several times it was no problem. I believe you now require a pilot .I also convinced him to stay close to shore as strong Ely wind was blowing and making the ship roll heavily as I mentioned before a deep sea man who got anxious when you were close to shore.
Arriving in Savona, a port I visited regularly, I let him know the procedure about “Noting Protest” a having the two cartons of cigarettes for the judge. The pilot and I had a long chat about the time the “Tourmaline” run up o the beach and the problems getting her off. The place had not changed much with the main street crowded with people doing the evening promenade and as if a horn sounded the place was deserted.
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

From Kobe we went round to Yokohama to finish loading. The weather had taken a turn for the worse and when trying to board the pilot, the captain, a real deep sea maser, was not allowing enough of a lee and I suggested he allow me to maneuver the ship to let him board. I slowed right down and turned the ship till it was beam to the sea and the plot boarded in quick fashion and on to port. When I said a real deep sea master I did to mean it in derogatory manner but one who tends to panic when they get close to land.

Completing loading did not take long and away we went on the long passage via the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean sea and through the islands to the Dardanelles A pilot was boarded there and through the Sea of Marmra and to Istanbul where we anchored in the river to discharge into barges.

The view from the river was spectacular with the famous mosques dominating the landscape and the hustle and bustle of the ships and boats sailing up and down to the Black Sea.
The engineers had a major problem keeping the cooling water for the generators as the filters would be constantly clogging up with debris, mainly plastic in one form or other. Just get one strainer filter cleaned when the other one needed to be opened up. The foolishness of mankind polluting the oceans with waste than never broke down never fails to annoy me.

I managed a few shore leave trips and saw inside the Mosques where you took off your footwear and washed your feet before entering. Once inside you could not be more impressed at the decorations and the priceless carpets that were on the floor. I was not converted to Islam but awed by the devoutness of the people inside, males at on part and females at another section.
Another great sight was the Grand Bazaar which was worth two visits and I spent hours wandering round. There were all sorts of goods sold and each had their own area, like the street of the goldsmiths, street of the spice merchants, street of the carpet seller and a street selling any commodity. It was fascinating and again I had to remember that a new laundry machine was more important than the bargains the merchants had to offer so with great regrets to these merchants I had to decline those very special prices just for me!!.

The whole city is alive and it really is where East meets West as both cultures are plainly visible. It was unfortunate that I never visited this amazing place again. Still as in a sailors life it was on to the next port and adventure!!
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

Have visitors over from Scotland so will continue with the tales shorty
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

I noted that the grabs they were using to discharge were rather small and offered them the loan of our grabs which had a larger capacity and if they fitted they could use them. Tried it first on one crane. It worked well and speeded up the discharge significantly. Then the other cranes were attached. This was greatly appreciated by then and by us too as we wanted away as quick as possible. The only place that was open to us apart from the escorted and official tours was The International Friendship Seaman’s Club.
There were many items on sale for hard currency and I was saddened that the mortgage had to come first. The cash we were given as a draw was special seaman’s money and could only be used at the club. If you wanted to tip the waiter you would buy four beers and have only three delivered. During the brewery visit we had more than a few tastes so I asked the steward to order a few dozen cases for the bond. When they arrived there were two large wooden crates specially marked for me for assisting the PRC during discharge by allowing them use of the garbs!!
On completion of discharge it was the reverse of the entry with us all assembled and a thorough search of the ship. I don’t know why as who would want to escape from the worker’s paradise????? (HA HA HA).
Off we sailed to Kobe and what a great relief to see all the lights and not have to listen to that constant blaring of the propaganda speakers. I did get a little RED BOOK which I kept until a few months ago when I was speaking to a Chinese lady about my visit to China during the time of Chairman Mo and presented it to her as that part of history she did not know.
The Japanese charterers were polite and when I was introduced to them I was presented to them and handed an envelope with a large amount of Yen, for cooperation. Thank you very much bowing to show respect and adding domo arigato which surprised them.
We loaded a variety of steel products for Istanbul a place I had ever visited and Savona in Italy.
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

The trip via Suez Canal and on to Tsingtao (?) in China was uneventful and the crew were a good one with every one getting along. Approaching Chinese waters were told what courses to follow and a naval craft followed us all the way. We were told to anchor at a specific place and were boarded by dozens of unsmiling officials. All the crew were mustered in the officer’s saloon except one engineer and ne mate. The ship was searched for hi to lo and it took several hours when we were not allowed to leave. Eventually they left and we were allowed to berth. This was during the time when the “Red Guard” were in full control and loud speakers were blasting out political saying now stop except for martial music. There were armed guards all over the ship and nary a smile could be found. It was requested that some students that were studying English visit he ship to practice their language skills though it was beyond me as we had a crew whose accents ranged from broad Glasgow, Geordie, Scouse and London and any mix in between. I got myself involved with a group that has been brainwashed into thnking the Peoples Republic of China were the only true democracy. I asked them who owned the rail roads, the people was the reply. Same in the UK (British Rail) who owned the coal mines the people was the response. So too in the UK (British Coal), who owned the steel works? The people, my reply in the U K so do the people (British Steel). These answers threw them off so discussion changed.
They had organised tours but in all honestly at that time there was too much to see though a popular tour was to the Tsingtao brewery. This original brewery as designed and built to German specification as it had been in the German section when the foreigners were allowed sections of land to trade.
More to follow
I noted that the grabs they were using to discharge were rather small and offered them the loan of our grabs which had a larger capacity and if they fitted they could use them. Tried it first on one crane. It worked well and speeded up the discharge significantly. Then the other cranes were attached. This was greatly appreciated by then and by us too as we wanted away as quick as possible. The only place that was open to us apart from the escorted and official tours was The International Friendship Seaman’s Club.
There were many items on sale for hard currency and I was saddened that the mortgage had to come first. The cash we were given as a draw was special seaman’s money and could only be used at the club. If you wanted to tip the waiter you would buy four beers and have only three delivered. During the brewery visit we had more than a few tastes so I asked the steward to order a few dozen cases for the bond. When they arrived there were two large wooden crates specially marked for me for assisting the PRC during discharge by allowing them use of the garbs!!
On completion of discharge it was the reverse of the entry with us all assembled and a thorough search of the ship. I don’t know why as who would want to escape from the worker’s paradise????? (HA HA HA).
Off we sailed to Kobe and what a great relief to see all the lights and not have to listen to that constant blaring of the propaganda speakers. I did get a little RED BOOK which I kept until a few months ago when I was speaking to a Chinese lady about my visit to China during the time of Chairman Mo and presented it to her as that part of history she did not know.
The Japanese charterers were polite and when I was introduced to them I was presented to them and handed an envelope with a large amount of Yen, for cooperation. Thank you very much bowing to show respect and adding domo arigato which surprised them.
We loaded a variety of steel products for Istanbul a place I had ever visited and Savona in Italy.
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

Things were changing in Robbies as the company was sold to a conglomerate and the Roberston family who took pride in their boats and knew the crews where they were etc. no longer were on the scene. I received a little silver chalice to commemorate the end of an era. I was getting very disillusioned as it was the same people that managed to have the summer holidays (school) and Christmas and New Years off every year and it was not received well when I suggested that a rota system be in place were everyone got a chance. Requested vacation one summer and was told point blank there was no chance so said in that case better send another captain as I am going home. Just prior to that a new ships safe had been welded to the forward bulkhead and when I showed the new captain the combination it must have slipped as no way could we open it. All the ships papers, cash, my air line ticket, passport etc were inside. Called the engineers but could not use the gas axe (oxycetaline) to open it so started drilling holes until we could bend a section and get my stuff out. It was my legacy as I received my final pay cheque and not letter of sad farewell. Ah well such is the corporate world.

I was out of work for a week and I was called for an interview by a Norwegian company that had a few ships under the UK flag. It was without doubt the best British company I worked for and I was hired and put on pay right away. I was explained that I would have to do a probationary period as first mate to see it I was suitable. A couple of days later I received a parcel with my uniform as their working gear was a grey one. Was home bout three weeks on pay when I was asked to join a ship that was loading in Casablanca for China and then going on charter to a Japanese company. Would not be away a long trip I was assured.

The trip via Suez canal and on to Tsingtao (?) in China was uneventful and the crew were a good one with every one getting along. Approaching Chinese waters were told what courses to follow and a naval craft followed us all the way. We were told to anchor at a specific place and were boarded by dozens of unsmiling officials. All the crew were mustered in the officers saloon except one engineer and one mate. The ship was searched for high to low and it took several hours when we were not allowed to leave. Eventually they left and we were allowed to berth. This was during the time when the “Red Guard” were in full control and loud speakers were blasting out political sayings now stop except for martial music. There were armed guards all over the ship and nary a smile could be found. It was requested that some students that were studying English visit he ship to practice their language skills though it was beyond me as we had a crew whose accents ranged from broad Glasgow, Geordie, Scouse and London and any mix in between. I got myself involved with a group that has been brainwashed into thinking the the Peoples Republic of China were the only true democracy. I asked them who owned the rail roads, the people was the reply. Same in the UK (British Rail) who owned the coal mines the people was the response. So too in the UK (British Coal), who owned the steel works? The people, My reply in the U K so do the people (British Steel). These answers threw them off so discussion changed.

They had organised tours but in all honestly at that time there was too much to see though a popular tour was to the Tsingtao brewery. This original brewery as designed and built to German specification as it had been in the German section when the foreigners were allowed sections of land to trade.
More to follow
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

Another short story before I move on with my efforts to immigrate to Canada:
As a frequent visitor to Casablanca on departing and signing the multitude of documents I was handed an envelope containing several Moroccan Dhiram. When I took them to the bank to change into negotiable cash they laughed so consequently during the course of time Ii had accumulated a far account of useless currency. There was nothing I wished to buy there. When i heard that Spain and the U K were again having a dispute and closed the borders so no Spanish workers who did a multitude of jobs over there not were not allowed to enter. The Moroccans were used as replacements and now Morrocan Dhiram were accepted everywhere.
We arrived with a load of rocks for Gibraltar which was unusual but if it pays the freight who cares. I now had a chance to use the useless money. Invited the C/E ad mate to join me for dinner at the casino so we had a slap up feed and then went to the tables. Lady luck must have been looking after us as we won more chips. When we cashed in we had more money than when we stated so were pleased with the evening as now we had money we could spend anywhere. Another night there was not so fortunate but after all it was found cash!!
I was having no luck with my immigration inquires so decided to take a trip to visit shipping companies and see for myself if I might get the ball rolling. All were very pleasant and were interested in employing me if I got to Canada but were not prepared to sponsor me!!
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

Yes but he was away doing the preparation for docking. They were not required to be on the bridge all the time.
The company did not raise a big fuss as they wanted further crew reductions and having the mates doing watch and watch for 14 days would have brought forward too many awkward question, I used to do a spell between 8 pm till midnight to give them a chance for a longer sleep but other captains did nt.
Darryl

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Darryl »

Was there not an Able Seaman or wheelsman?
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

This boat was always considered as a party boat as every port the crew had a good time. One trip they sailed from Sfax in Tunisia and after about four hours there is a large course alteration to miss the sand shoal. As the bond had been sealed and had been opened on sailing, party time started. Alas no one thought to alter course and the result that the boat ran aground on the sand shoal. Nobody informed the office of this.It was not until they received a bill from the Tunisian navy for the services of a frigate towing her clear.

I was home on vacation when the office called me and asked if there were any problems with the equipment on board. No was my response everything was working OK. I asked why and was told the ship had ran aground at Savona in Italy.
What had happened was the mate on watch had fallen asleep, on autopilot, the ship had sailed through the VLCC tanker anchorage, the general anchorage without hitting another vessel. The third engineer had noticed that the exhaust temperatures ware getting too high and as it was now well passed the ETA he called the C/E. He got up and looked out of his port and was surprised to see cars driving just off the bow. He rushed up and woke the captain who rushed to the bridge and found the mate still asleep A sharp kick to knock over the chair woke him and he was aghast at the sight.
They were fortunate if you can use that term in that they had run up on the only sandy beach for miles. It took tugs a couple of days o get her off with only a little damage!!
Another story:
A couple of months later, in Sligo, we were just finished discharge and ready to sail when the receiver of the coal came rushing down and telling me that according to their scales (each truck was weighed before dumping the coal in the yard) they were short by about 300 tonnes. He wanted us to open each hatch to see there was no cargo on board which was the case. Found out on a subsequent visit that one enterprising fellow had just got into line with the other trucks and after being loaded went out into the country and sold it to local farmers etc. It took the Guardia a while to solve this as he coal was buried under hay stacks and in barns etc. They did not recover it all!!
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

There was a time when we were chartered to carry a load of general cargo, machinery, steel products and a deck cargo of railroad rails.
When we sailed the pilot was very upset as we only had a magnetic compass and the rails were causing massive deviations in the compass to make it more or less useless. Was he glad to get off safely but now we had to get to Lisbon!!
Thank goodness for Decca navigator as that is how we managed if we could not get an azimuth. At times the deviation was about 40 degrees but we did manage and was I glad when that cargo was finished.
We only had a short trip to Lisnave where we loaded paper pulp for Kirkcaldy which was only a half hours drive from the house we had moved o a couple of months earlier
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

There was always something going on that a thousand tales would not cover but I will add a few more before moving on. Our sister ship, “Topaz” had a contract each summer to go round various ports in the UK and Europe collecting radioactive waste to be disposed of by dumping it in Mid Atlantic. The captain got sick when it was due to go out and do the disposal and the company asked me if I would take the ship out. I told them that there was no way I would do it even though there was a very healthy bonus on completion. That went down like a lead balloon ad to say they were displeased would be an understatement and I believe that was the beginning of the end.
What the crew did when they reached the location would set up special ramps and lift the cargo out of the holds o to this ramp ad tip it up and the cargo rolled off and went into the sea. Most of the containers were well made and specially designed for this acion. There were however many containers like 44 gallon oil drums that had been in storage to log and burst open. The crew then had to shovel this waste over the side. Much of it was contaminated medical waste and instruments. All crew members plus an observer wore a badge type of button that that showed exposure to radio activity and if they became too “hot” were removed from the ship until this nefarious voyage was completed. At the conclusion of the contract the ship was tested for hot spots and these were replaced.
It may not be a surprise that every member of that crew did not reach a ripe old age but died early h some form of cancer
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

On one occasion the 1st Mate who was or front man was pleased to tell us that he had a buyer for all of our goods and we were to take it down the fiord a little bit and land it there. Second mate loaded the jolly boat and put in our fishing gear and of we rowed down the fiord to the allotted place and unloaded it. Then to our horror out appeared the customs man. It was not a set up but he wanted me to sign paper for the next port and purely coincidental. Next day we were in court and the judge and the police did not like the customs man told us to say we were going to a party ad gave us a token fine! He was one our customers!! Had to get more money for next trip and as were loading pulp for the UK I visited the local grocery store. Asked the assistant for three cases of a certain brand of vodka and when she returned with three bottles . No I want 36 bottles I told her and duly surprised asked the manager for help .When I told him what I wanted and if there was a discount fort bulk buying? Did get a discount and in those days they used to give “Green Stamps” Do you want them and I said yes and when the machine spewed out reams of them. I turned and handed them to an old lady who had been patiently waited behind me. Thought she was going to have a heart attack. Certainly a dry mouth sticking them into her book!!
Lakercapt
Posts: 554
Joined: July 19, 2010, 4:51 pm

Re: My starting to be a sailor

Unread post by Lakercapt »

One summer my wife and young daughter decided they would like to spend some time with me. My mother almost had a heart attack when I told her. Hey joined in Liverpool and to the Quarries to load for Trollhatten and my daughter was spoiled rotten by the crew who were mainly family men. Built a swing on the boatdeck and every morning she managed to open the cabin door and grab the had f the first crew member and say ”walks Man’and off they would go. The cook had a small tale made for her in the galley and she was fed there so Mom and I could have our meals in peace. In Sweden she was entertained by friends I had there and to hear her babble away you might have thought she was speaking Swedish. Next we went to Poland to load coal for Cork. When there one of the officials requested to use my washroom. After we had sailed I noticed that everything was gone, soap, toothpaste, aftershave, toilet rolls, razors and anything else that was not bolted down.
One good thing about our visit was a trip to the Baltona store. It was a place where you could get many great deals. I still have some hand carved crystal glasses, carafes and bowls. My wife bought a great suede jacket which she still has. What most of the crew bought was vodka and pure spirit for selling in Norway or Sweden. Alll had to be paid for in” hard” currency.
The trip to cork was uneventful and I was amused to see my daughter standing and swaying with the movement of the ship. She was never seasick at any me she was on board with me and they were many until she went to university.
Back to the Quarries and a load for Odda in Norway. When you get your outward clearance it has what bonded stores we had on board (we loaded bonded stores at the quarries as we were bound foreign),and that was required by the customs in Norway to see what was still on board after our short trip. It was to try and combat smuggling of alcohol which is very expensive there. Now the stuff we had purchased in Poland would not show on this list and there were many willing customers so a lively trade was going on. The pure spirit was a premium seller and vey profitable.
More later
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