Blu Flu 1964-1967

[James A Stuart]

Hi Tony,
I don't believe you missed out at all Tony, what probably makes Blue Funnel so popular on the forum I believe, is the extraordinary number of 'Company Men" who were employed by them. Really unique in that aspect, and therefore, very nostalgic. As for myself, after a few voyages to the far east and one to Australia I wanted to experience an even wider world view. Some voyages were fantastic (South America) some were pretty tough (Leningrad in December) But when I look back on those days, 1964-1978 they were truly golden years for the British Merchant Navy. It's so sad that we have not conserved any of those magnificent vessels as a tribute to our maritime heritage, other than models and photographs that is.
What I'd do to witness a fully laden China Boat or Port Boat flattened out and sailing down the Mersey, God only knows. They were, in my eyes, works of art just as much as any Picasso painting or Michael Angelo sculpture.
Best Wishes James A Stuart (Tony)

[Tony Wilding]

blue flue ships were unique in appearance, very large funnels, they looked powerful, latter port line ships were almost liners in appearance. now we have gone full circle and looks are not of any importance. purely economics now.

[Capt Bill Davies]

The China boats were certainly unique in their looks (unmistakeable silhouette), and no doubt powerful. My abiding memory is that they were very 'heavy on deck' which provided excellent training in seamanship and thus, further employment elsewhere. A small digression. On joining and China boat you could be assured you had sailed with the majority of 'the crowd' on another China boat. In this respect there was no 'new boys', no 'familiarisation process', no 'learning curve'. Everyone knew where everything was from day one joining in Birkenhead / Liverpool.


Brgds

Bill

[Tony Wilding]

were you ever offered a blue flue job by the pool. ? or only directly from blue funnel office, was it possible to apply to them for a job, ? they must have been shorthanded at times.

[Capt Bill Davies]

Tony,

In my time in the China you never came across a 'pool man' on board. They were all company men. I heard things changed in the early 70s.

I am sure Alec and Peter Trodden can offer an opinion here.

Bill

[gwynfor]

i started on the pool ,varius comp and ships early fifties. never knew when id arrive home. 1954 started courting and eventually married. MRs wanted more stable life .so went blue funnel and being Welsh gott taken on .They were good ships, and me being an A.B. were heavy on deck so plenty osieaf overtime. AAulso ,the trips were reguler either far east or ausie .stayed with them until sixties.After four kids had to come ashore. Happy days though. Im now a great grandad and still mess with boats.

[Peter Trodden]

were you ever offered a blue flue job by the pool. ? or only directly from blue funnel office, was it possible to apply to them for a job, ? they must have been shorthanded at times.

Tony & Capt.,
I joined the ULYSSES as jos,10.1.56. We had 6 Pool Men on deck,3 of them Pals from Runcorn. Initially the voyage was to be a Double Header ie, Indonesia--E,Coast USA twice, usually a 12 month trip.We heard Mr Greenwood couldn't get a full crowd for this long trip so had to send to the Pool. In our final port of discharge,Surabaja,Java, our orders were changed and we became a "Feeder" We visited many ports in many islands,the Moluccas,Celebes,Borneo,Java and Sumatra picking up Bits and Pieces thento Singapore and discharge. This cargo would be pick up by the Blue Flu ships homeward to the UK and we returned to Island hopping. These Pool-Men were good lads and good Seamen,they stayed in the company for many years after this very memorable trip.
ttfn.Peter T.

[Jim Brady]

Ever offered a Blu Flu job from the pool.

Came back from a trip on the Crystal Sapphire arrived at the pool with the obligatory rolled up Daily Mirror in my hand and hitting my leg with it"whats Going through boys"?."We've just been offered Blu Flu but we knocked it back".I could'nt believe it,it was everyones dream to get in Blu Flu but as they had their own pool you never got a chance,they were obviously short of men.I could'nt wait to get in there,sent through the turnstyle and got in to see Mr Buwee (thats how it was pronounced).I was offered a Baron boat and another couple of other things that you would'nt go near.
I knocked them back and was promised a committee as I was Established.Dont Blu Flu want men I asked"Yes they do but they dont want COWBOYS".
What a kick in the Orchestra Stalls that was,I was always a good worker and the two guys that had knocked B.F. back could not even wring out my mop.I went away to enjoy myself and enjoy myself I did,I did a**e about a bit but I could not be faulted on my work.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Tony Wilding]

I hated going to the pool, they seemed to have there favourites, maybe backsheesh was involved, ? always seemed as if they were talking down to you, acting superior, got a lot of jobs by going direct to company offices and getting a chit for the pool, they did not like it. my book was clean, but was offered some crap jobs. worst was offered a firemans job on Queen Mary , i was donkeyman at the time, when i refused he said your picky, were they ex seaman who worked in the pool, i seem to remember seeing uniforms there. ?

[Trader]

Hi Alic,
I came across Barry Cav, a few weeks ago while surfing thru Friend Reunited. As you know,He's a transplanted Northener like you. originally from my neighbourhood in Birkenhead. Most of the Seamen in our N/hood (Dock area) were Blue Flu (China men) I never sailed with Barry or some of the younger guys.After a few years I went to the "Pool" (A row with Mr Greenwood) Barry said he works in security now and again,so if you bump into Him on your walkabout,give Him all the best from Me.
ttfn. Peter T.

Hi Peter,
I first met Barry when we all lived at the YMCA here in Dover in the early 70's. That was in the days of 12hours on 24hours off. You had to have a place in Dover as you couldn't live on board the ship, there were lots of Merseysiders (note I didn't say scousers as you might get offended) down here in those days. Now it is week on week off so you can live anywhere.

I have not seen him for a long time since they closed the Seamans Mission two years ago which had a nice bar which we used.

Did you come across any of the following shipmates that I sailed with from the Wirrall. Billy Franks, Harry Carr, Ronnie Keegan, Billy Coppell and Roy Gibson.?

All the best, Alec.