British Tanker Company Apprenticeship Indentures

[Ivan Cloherty]

Hi Pete, we did it because we loved it, it was a "calling" not a "job", because we were young and poorly paid we made our own enjoyment, although I must say that sailing with PSNC down the WCSA it was surprising what you could get for a bar of "Yardleys". I think the only money we paid off with was our leave pay and also the travel warrant. Would do it all again if could replicate the ships, crews and girls!

Agree - a great life, so glad I did it

[j.sabourn]

Ivan, what was leave pay? We never got anything like that, dont think we were even paid Sundays at Sea( days leave at that time). I was lucky that I had 2 ships when serving my time, hence I got about 6 days leave during my 4 years apprenticeship. Apprenticeships in those days were a form of cheap labour as they conformed to the ships manning scale, roughly a 1st year app.was classed as a JOS, 2nd year SOS, 3rd. year EDH, and 4th. year with a lifeboat ticket as an AB. I didnt know how lucky I was as went on board the old Geneton (Chapmans) to see a friend in B.A. They had no ships carpenter this was the apps. job. Dont forget apart from soundings there was all the battening down with tarpaulins etc. She also had an open wheelhouse and was on the N.Atlantic run. Of course no automatic steering in those days or radar if I remember correct. At least we had a covered in wheelhouse, so I considered we were posh. However were happy, probably through ignorance. Cheers John Sabourn

[Ivan Cloherty]

Ivan, what was leave pay? . Cheers John Sabourn

Hi John

It wasn't leave pay as such, it was part of your 365 days annual pay, if they thought you would be 4 or 5 days between ships they gave you that in cash, plus a shilling per day for subsistence, no Sundays at Sea of course. We managed somehow !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Alastair Queen]

hi..I still have my BP indentures.....Oct.'68 to June '71, when I was made up to Uncert 3rd Mate...pay, as I recall, leapt skywards instantly....

[michaeleadon]

Indenture1.jpgIndenture2.jpg

I was a deck apprentice with BTC With Thanks
Pete

Here are the indentures (in two halves) Was Apprentice 1951 to 1954. Sailed on British Captain British Princess British Wisdom British Duke and Fort Stevens
Hope this helps
Michael Eadon

[Mike Weller]

I was a deck apprentice with BTC from 1952 for 4 years. My official Indenture document was returned to me at the completion of the term but most unfortunately it has been mislaid, presumed lost.

I am involved in some family research and would be most grateful if anyone has such a document which I could be permitted to view.

With Thanks
Pete

I have still got mine if you are interested. Dates from 1949 on heavy duty parchment.

[michaeleadon]

Indenture1.jpgIndenture2.jpgA deck Apprentice from 1951 for 4 years hopes you can read these

[Captain Kong]

After reading all that I am glad I served an `apprenticeship` at the Vindicatrix, for 12 weeks. then released to the Pool for a wide variety of ships.
Wouldn't have changed it.

Brian

[Evan Lewis]

After reading all that I am glad I served an `apprenticeship` at the Vindicatrix, for 12 weeks. then released to the Pool for a wide variety of ships.
Wouldn't have changed it.

Brian

Even there though Brian. There was discrimination. As in the old Vindi song."The Stwds. get the Bacon, the Seamen ,get the Rind"

after a week or so, got to enjoy the Rind too. Good training for the occasionly "Bad Feeder"

[j.sabourn]

#1... Peter know it is a bit late in the day, should have asked when you first posted. If your still around, I see now you are from Northumberland. Did you do any of the pre-sea stuff at South Shields Marine School, which was an old youth hostel at the time at Prince Edward Road near Cleadon Village, if so may have seen you in passing. Old Bill Moore used to be head of the pre-sea stuff. Cheers John S