#9 Brian another senior moment how my addled brain came up with Singapore Green island is Hongkong, thanks for the memories from your stories. Rgds Den
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#9 Brian another senior moment how my addled brain came up with Singapore Green island is Hongkong, thanks for the memories from your stories. Rgds Den
Look at all the brass on that bridge!
So glad I was not an apprentice on that vessel
Would probably finish up drinking the brasso and painting the brass. JS
Your reputation must have got out Trevor!!.
Didn't seem to do you any harm,John dear!...or did it?;)
Here's one ex-steward who most definitely ,probably,maybe, was 'butch'-allegedly. The Rt.Hon John Leslie Prescott;Baron Prescott MP,' aka Two Jags' .
Attachment 32980Attachment 32982
Then and Now
'John Leslie Prescott signed on the “Saxonia” of the Cunard Steam-ship Co Ltd in Liverpool on the 21st August 1955 as a Boy Waiter after 6 months previous service on the "Franconia" ,his first ship. The ship arrived in New York on the 23rd December 1955 He was also signed on the “Saxonia” again on 3 occasions in 1956 February, March and December'
He also recalled meeting some of the old "Britannic" crew,as he recalled in a Liverpool newspaper item having an enjoyable meeting with the lads.It was probably at a reunion because she was scrapped in 1960,although it is just possible he sailed in her.'
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Please note lads and lasses I have put this post up just for information,and was posted in these forums a few years back.Then,as now,no derogatory comments please about Mr.Prescott,as that would be disrespectful to him and his family.
Thank You .Graham.
One trip on the Lizzie was certainly enough for me, I joined her on her first or second trip after the 1966 strike and she was short crewed, so a long time ago but I think that I was on watch in number four Boiler room which should have had two Firemen, but it was just me which was ok until stand by coming up the Hudson, I think the Pilot liked the sound of the ships telegraph because he seemed to make changes every couple of minuets, I just seemed to be racing about from one boiler to the next and as soon as I had knocked fires off I was putting them back on again, the Engineer who was on watch did exactly that just watched, I said to him don't you over do it you could end up with a sore throat shouting all those orders.
But as wee all know the hard times are soon forgotten and out weighed by the good times.
I can beat that! - I did one trip only and looking back it was the experience of a lifetime. I used to ship out of the Royal Group of Docks, London. Me and my
mate were queueing up at the Pool and they were offering the Queen Mary, probably because it had a bit of a reputation and couldn't get enough crew in
Southampton. Everyone was turning it down but as we hadn't been to New York we accepted and were given a Rail Warrant and told to report to Cunard
the following day only to find out we were only "Standing By" - We were given a voucher to stay in the Mission and reported next day. Just before sailing
we were told there no jobs on Deck but we were offered jobs as Trimmers in the Engine Room. Three days of painting the stabilising gear and we were at
Pier 90 New York. I had received much advice on the way out and we went to the Blood Bank and got $15 each for our blood and then on to the massive
Sam Goody's Record Store on Broadway. My job in port was 4 to 8 smoke watch. I was on the Boat Deck and had to keep an eye on the three funnels. If any smoke
came out I had to report it to the engine room. I think even in the early sixties New York was hot on smoke emissions. One memory of the ship was the Burma Road
working alleyway and the Pig and Whistle Crew Bar. It was like a gambling casino, Crown and Anchor, Blackjack, you name it. Once back in Southampton we decided
to get back on cargo boats where you had two in a cabin, sometimes single berth whereas on "The Mary" it was about 6 per cabin, inboard without any portholes.
Happy days
sailed on the Lizzie (Q E )from June 1967 to November 1968, started as a tourist waiter ended up in the first class Restaurant, it was a great ship, I thoroughly enjoyed my time on her, had some fantastic times.
Two Jags, very good mate of mine John Reagan, now in Fiddlers Green told me a story about him.
Apparently he had a very nasty cut on his face, according to John he had said something untoward to one guy and then fell against his fist.
Very unfortunate event as the guy he spoke to only wanted to shake his hand.