Elders & fyffes

[Neville Roberts]

I seem to remember going to the pool and getting some cash ,I think it was 30 bob ,was it of the union or maybe the time I was on the gunnery course .but I do remember marching through the streets after the meeting in canning place ,had a hole in my shoes .slosh slosh .

[Captain Kong]

There was no money off the Pool, Neville, and there was certainly no money off the Union, We formed the NATIONAL SEAMENS REFORM MOVEMENT to reform the Union, We had no Union backing for that strike or the 1955 strike or the 1947 strike. All I got was abuse.
I marched around town a few times with the banner, a lot us started but as we passed certain alehouses the march got smaller and smaller.
At the end I was thrown off the Pool and it was only a Pier Head jump on the France that saved me. I happened to be on the Pier Head to see my young 16 year old brother off on the France when they were an AB short so I went completley Schooner Rigged. Just the gear I stood up in.
Got two discharges in my book then I was back on the Pool again.
I was starving on strike and sleeping in St James Church doorway, it had a wooden bench and being summer wasnt too bad. My Mate, Peter Barlow, who was on the strike committee, his mother had a canny house on Vauxhall Road not far from Tate and Lylles. and she fed me for free.
I was off from June to October.
Cheers
Brian.

[Peter Trodden]

Brian,
I can endorse everything you say,Re strike,money. We never got a carrot of anyone and as you say if we tried to get some help, we were told "Your a Seaman,go and get a Ship"
At the end of the 1960 strike,the Pool was chocker,100s of men looking for a job. Me and my mate ended up at Dingle Oil Jetty signing on an old T.2 Esso Tanker.
Skin Boats. I was on the Pacuare-Jan,1958. Chicanoa, twice- 1959--March.1964.
ttfn.Peter T.

[Captain Kong]

Hi Peter,
I was on the Pacuare from October to 23 November 1957, to TIKO, Easy enough on deck.
Cheers
Brian.

[Charlie Hannah]

The only time anyone received cash off the union was when the official strike was called in 1966 it was only the second time an official strike was ever called the first one being 1911,we received 3 pound,and it was only paid once as they had no more cash in the kitty.Below is a pic of us queuing up for Strike pay.I am up there near front Black jacket,white shirt.

[Captain Kong]

A very historic photo, Charlie.
Cheers
Brian.

[Peter Trodden]

A very historic photo, Charlie.
Cheers
Brian.

Yes indeed, and notice the rolled-up Daily Mirror for slapping your thigh,compulsory part of a Seamans kit while in that part of L-Pool.
ttfn.Peter.

[Captain Kong]

That s right, Peter everyone including me always bought the Daily Mirror, Never read it , just had it rolled up in the right hand tapping the thigh with it. all part of the dress code in those halcyon days.
Cheers
Brian.

[Neville Roberts]

after the 60 strike a lot of us Liverpool lads got the Oriana ,up in Barrow for the maiden voyage ,a great ship and a great trip .unbelieveable 2 berth cabins with a sink. and piped in radio channels ,tv in the pig and mess.why could,nt you get aship after the strike. Brian .

[Captain Kong]

First I had walked off a Blue Funnel ship, the `Melampus`, at the start of her maiden Voyage, and then when I went to see Mr Greenwood to get my book back Blue Funnel told me not to darken their door step again.
At the Pool after the strike I had to go in front of the Committee, Mr Deakin, Mr Slater and someone else, whether Blu Flu had put the boot in or not I will never know, So I was suspended. I went everyday and they threw me out. so I was on the Pier Head seeing my Deck Boy brother off on the `Empress of France` when the Bosun shouted he was an AB short , I walked up the gangway and signed on in my suit with a rolled up Daily Mirror in my right hand slapping my thigh. , no gear. then she sailed. Big sub in Montreal to buy some gear with.
Cheers
Brian