Pay

[Robert George Young]

How much and how were seaman paid in the 1950’s ?

Thank you

[j.sabourn]

In 1953 I think an AB was paid about 30 pounds a month, but there are plenty on here will have a more accurate figure. If they left an allotment to wife or family had to be collected either at the owners office or some venue agreed on. It was stated somewhere at that time that an allotment could only be at 50% of salary , unless the shipowner decided in his wisdom to allow more. 50 % of 30 quid was 15 quid a month , so you can judge for yourself if that was a good wage for a woman to bring up a family in 1953. JS

In 1962 I was married, and as a contract 2 mate was on 70 + quid a month , the wife had to stand in a queue and get her house keeping money at the shipowners office every month. When seaman not too long after got into the upper classes and had a bankbook all salaries then were put direct to your account. JS

[cappy]

gallley boy about 10 quid per month assistant steward about 28 quid ....assistant cook 28 .....ist trip boy1957 8 month foriegn going came home with 12 white fivers .....was a millionaire....complete with king size boomerang from oz ....zulu spear shield and knife fro south africa ....and various nameplates from canada usa oz africa ....and very luckily no presents from girlfriends.....loved it....plus three good meals per day put about a stone on well filled out.....1961 second steward 48 to 50 per month with overtime on ore carriers .....and own accom......5 star food .....happy days cappy

[j.sabourn]

With those 12 white fivers bet you bought sweeties Cappie as they were not long off the ration. If you bought the Zulu spear in S.A. In the valley of a Thousand Hills just outside Durban at a native Kraal for the tourists hope you checked it, the ones I looked at had Made in Sheffield stamped on the steelwork. I only had 5 white fivers after first trip and had to put my name and address on the back before the waitress would give me a 2d. Cup of coffee. Even then I must have looked untrustworthy . Cheers JS.

[cappy]

used to send my allotment to my gran in the 50s and sixties .....it was alloted to her .....she then paid in in the local post office .....when i arrived home in shields ....she used to run up broughton road to get my money ......she was a fine person very sadly missed

[Graham Payne]

In 1963 a deck boys wages were £16 per month. plus overtime.

[cappy]

do recall a case of anthrax believed came from the animal skins on the shields and spears in SA ....CAPPY

[j.sabourn]

Are they any relation to crabs ? JS

[cappy]

Are they any relation to crabs ? JS

worser even

[Doc Vernon]

32 Quid a Month as Asst Stwd in 1958 with the UCL. Mind you i used to get a lot of OT , so made a bit more, and then their were the Tips from the Bloods at the end of each Sector of their respective Voyages, which was always more than what my wages were! Thats a fact!
Cheers