Merchant seaman history

[cappy]

A trimmer was a sort of Stoker Marian. (a trimmer was, in effect, a sort of stoker in the Merchant Navy).
the job of the trimmers being to bring coal from the bunkers to the stoke holds, an activity which would obviously have had some effect on the trim of the ship
And an AB is just an Able Seaman
Cheers

###a guy i new in shields jock lindsay ...had a ABs ticket ...a BOT cooks ticket and had fired many coal burners .......he was second steward when i new him in one of runcimans ........years ago many pierhead jumps were given to deckhands to go as firemen firemen and vice versa......i have stood watches at sea and cooked .......12 to4 on a tramp and cooked on a coaster ......but my book was never marked as such .....was offered a trimming job ....but would not want it ...never fancied down below.......trimming donkey work .....regards cappy

[Hugh]

This may be his Medal Record Wendy but will have pay per View ! From "Find My Past"
Murphy First name Thomas Born 1866 Died — Event — Record set British Merchant Navy, First World War Medal Cards 1914-1925

Doc,
This medal file is for Thomas Murphy born in Wexford Ireland so is not our man.

The crew agreements for LUCANIA that you mention only cover the year 1902.

Due to the period that Thomas Murphy served it is likely the only way to find out which ships he served in would be to continue to search crew agreements from known ships.
The numbers 2736P and 1440Q indicate that he served at least two 5 year terms in the Royal Naval Reserve.

Regards
Hugh

[Wendy Wright]

Hi and thanks,

Yes his wife was Rhoda, eldest child Thomas Eward, Benjamin, James, Jhon, Annie and Edwin.
His last known address 72 Dalrymple street.
His father was called Benjamin.
We are sadly aware there are a lot of Thomas Murphys on the boats and sometimes more than one on a boat !! 👀
We are aware of a T Murphy who gained a medal serving on the Cressy, but we are sure it's not our one.
All his trips we are aware of were cross referenced via his address, but as I say other than knowing the couple of ships he sailed on, we have little other information, so any assistance will be great,
Again thanks
Wendy

- - - Updated - - -

Hi

Thanks for all your support, although we know he lived in Liverpool I am not sure where he was born ?
I know he married his wife in Penarth in 1891 , this is the earliest I have found him,

Thanks
Wendy

[Keith at Tregenna]

Regret I cannot be of to much assistance right now, looking in when possible. Would you know Rhoda's maiden name ? Coomer ?

K.

[Wendy Wright]

Hi Keith
Thanks again and yes it was Coomer ! I thought I had put it in,
Regards
Wendy

[Wendy Wright]

Hi
Sorry auto correct !
It should have read Campania
Thanks
Wendy

[Keith at Tregenna]

OK. I HAVE A LOT GOING ON. Will do what I can. Wedding seems to be registered in Cardiff, may help others helping. K

[Ivor Lloyd]

A trimmer was a sort of Stoker Marian. (a trimmer was, in effect, a sort of stoker in the Merchant Navy).
the job of the trimmers being to bring coal from the bunkers to the stoke holds, an activity which would obviously have had some effect on the trim of the ship
And an AB is just an Able Seaman
Cheers

I understood that the job of a Trimmer was to trim the coal into sizeable lumps for the fireman to feed the furnace.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Hi and thanks,

I am not sure where he was born ?

I know he married his wife in Penarth in 1891 , this is the earliest I have found him,

Thanks
Wendy

If any one can access the wedding records or if Wendy can obtain a copy of the wedding certificate, I would imagine more details will be available including date of births and possibly places ? This would help much.

My next step when time permits would be to check 7th August 1868 Co. Tipperary, it is a hunch. Once tomorrow has past hopefully, will have more time. K

[Wendy Wright]

Hi,
He was recorded as a lodger in Penarth at the time of his marriage, he was married in 1891 4th December, it said he was 25 years old. His father was deceased a butcher called Benjamin.
He said he was a mariner at the time he was recorded as living in 1 Hill street, Penarth which we believe is a lodging house.
We cannot find anything before this date for him.

Again many thanks for the Forums support, it really is appreciated

Thanks
Wendy