British Tanker Company Apprenticeship Indentures

[Pete Graham]

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

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Pete
Not sure on all this as i nevr did an apprenticship for Sea,only was on the Catering side of things!
However i just came across this and thought it may just be of a wee bit of help! But then i may be way off the mark!
All the best and i hope you get what you want!
Cheers

You may have to click twice to improve the size!??

[Pete Graham]

Hello Castleman,
Many thanks for your reply and image. I am sure that the format and wording/ terminology for apprentices' indentures must have followed a standard line differing only in particulars of period, pay, holidays etc. The BTC indenture was, so far as I remember, very similar to the Harland and Wolfe one you sent, except for the bit about annual pay( miserable to say the least) and this is one of my queries.

Thanks again

Pete

[Peter Carr]

Peter-I served my time with BPTankers 1958-62. My original (framed) indentures are on the wall of my garage here in New Zealand. I will photo them and see if the shot is good enough to send to you. After BP (I went there because my uncle Eric Williams was Master in BP) I joined Shaw Savill. Master FG in 1967 and have been living in New Zealand since 1970.

[j.sabourn]

Still have mine from same period. Was on standard British Shipping federation Form. BTC may have had different indentures however. The pay scales were...75, 90, and 125 pounds per annum, and 25 pounds on satisfactory completion of 4 years service. We were also allowed 5 pounds a month washing (laundry) money if I remember correctly or maybe it was 5 pounds a year. Cheers John Sabourn.

[Pete Graham]

Responding to signals from John Sabourn and Peter Carr, many thanks to you both for responding to my
search for Indentures. I have, in fact, been successful. Someone very kindly sent an image which had been photographed in two halves and these married up perfectly.

Not having had sight of the document for near enough 60 years, I had assumed that we all signed a British Tanker Company indenture but I'm sure you are correct in your reference to the Shipping Federation.

My family have been very interested in the terms of the indenture and are astonished at the miserable pay structure.

Thank you again

Pete

[Ivan Cloherty]

Pete believe me they were not as astonished as those of us who signed indentures with other companies. BP apprentices were rich by comparison. Ivan

[David Williams]

Hi Peter.
What BP tankers did you sail on.
I sailed oiut from Swansea between
1952/59 and sailed on the British Pioneer,
Resource,Envoy,Hero and the Duke.

Dave Williams

[Pete Graham]

Hi Dave, I was with BTC / BP from June 1952 for 4 years, then moved over to Esso for another 4.

I sailed on British Renown, Warrior, Ardour, Union and Skill. Visited Swansea only once ( Br. Warrior)
to discharge and reload but cannot recall where bound....might have been Dunkirk. I seem to remember that just prior to our visit there was a very bad explosion on a Norwegian Tanker.

I may well have sailed with folks from Swansea but the only one I was acquainted with was the Warrior's third mate, Robert Screech. A great bloke.

Pete

[Pete Graham]

Hi Ivan, Its disturbing to know that there were indentured mortals who were paid even less than us BP lads.!! I have to say, though, that at the actual time ( 1952 to '56) I don't think I gave pay day too much thought..... I always seemed to pay off with a few bob at least ! Must have been a frugal so and so though : didn't smoke, wasn't allowed to drink and very appreciative of the odd worn out shirt cast out by one of the mates.
A great life.

Pete