Gsnc

[Jason Davis]

Stuart....

Nice to get a reply from you.
Another memory of Tonney Charent is the pretty and very flirtatious sixteen year old who's mother owned a little bar that we frequented on the dockside. I had many an erotic dream about her in those days.
Also have brilliant memories of the night club area of Oporto, I think it was called "Lexoies" or something like that. It was packed with very young and aggresive ladies of the night who were desperate to hook up with a British seaman and get to live in England....or Wales, or Scotland or Ireland I guess. Funny how a lot of my recollections involve sex.
I envy you living in such a beautiful part of France.
Happy days.......Jason.

[Stuart Henderson]

Hello again Jason,
Yes I remember that corner bar in Tonnay Charente, think it was the only one if Im rembering right, cant recall a daughter or mother come to think, the owner was a bit surley . There was one young lady from that era didnt speak English and in teens I suppose who wore mourning black so maybe one of her parents had recently passed away. Her boyfriend was shouting from the quay when I showed her round the ship,didnt take long on the Drake which was only a coaster.
The ships agent had a couple of bicycles he lent out to the crew if they wanted and it was a nice change, also tried for first ever time one of those motorised bikes. Nearly ended up in the river. Another memory was you deck guys and C/Off on foscle head when ships was turning on arrival/depature was up in mud on opposite river bank amongst the cows, Very narrow there.
Just checked my d/book and see I was on that run twice, 1955 and 1956 during summer

Stuart

[David Williams]

Hi Stuart.
Sorry for the delay in answering you,I was looking everwhere
under Stuart Henderson,not R396040,never mind Ive found
you now.I already have that photo that you sent me,but I have
five or six that might be of interest to you.Do you have a printer,then
I can send them on to you,or let me have your email address,then I
can send them through the computer,if not then I will copy them and
send them through the post.

Dave Williams(R583900)

[Roger Dyer]

Hi Jason,........My name is Roger Dyer (formerly R672888). First went to sea as a deck-boy on the Port Hobart in May, 1957. After two years with Port Line, in April, 1959, I joined the Ringdove in London Docks - my first trip as E.D.H. So began an on again, off again, love affair with G.S.N.C. that was to last for the next six years. Later that summer I was on the Alouette (G.T.276), on the Rhine run up to Cologne, stopping at all points in between. The following summer I spent three months on the Woodwren, but finally left when I realised that the 'mate' and I could never be friends. A month later found me on the Woodlark. running down to Oporto. Great 'crowd', very happy ship. In Oporto each lunchtime, we happy breed would forego the meal and head straight for the 'Widow's' bar, which was conveniently situated up a little street just off the quay. Perhaps this was your bar too Jason. It might have been more prudent to stick to the anise, but, invariably' I would join the rest rapidly downing 'Jugs of Joy' (wine,lemonade, sliced lemons and lots of ice). Whilst drinking, we would all fantasize about the 'Widow's' daughter who was quite beautiful. Back to the ship with a happy 'glow', by mid-afternoon our heads would be throbbing - it must have been the lemonade! It didn't seem to slow us down though. After eating our tea we would have a nap, then shower,shave,etc., get the 'go ashore' gear on and by about 7.30pm. we would be in a taxi, or two' on our way to Lexioes to sample the delights of the Texas Bar or similar fleshpot. Like most of the others, I didn't sleep on board too often, but was always back in time to "turn to'. In June, 1961, I was on the Mavis for a few weeks ( the Rhine run again). The following June I joined the Laverock, another "happy' ship, on the Italian run. In mid-July, whilst on a mooring in Catania, I received news from my girl that I was to be a Daddy. Ten days later, after frantic phone calls and a radio message , we were back in London. I paid-off on the 26th July, and was married the following day ( we're still together). It was August '62 when I first joined the Royal Sovereign, for the last few weeks of the season. I enjoyed the experience so much that I went back for the summers of ''63, '64' and '65. Yes, Jason, I remember the "Games Room" - you naughty boy. Though quite spartan it was the best cabin for two lucky deck-crew. When you opened the door there was a double-bunk on the right, up against the bulkhead with all the peepholes. Being recently married, my testosterone levels were in check and so I never 'starred, however, I confess that on many occasions I was one of the 'voyeurs' next door who whilst stifling their giggles would be jostling frantically for the best peephole. I can't imagine the horror some of those poor 'maidens' must have felt after the 'show' was over and the giggling and laughter next door was no longer suppressed. I'm still laughing as I type this. Wonderful times, we were so young and 'bulletproof' then weren't we? If only we could turn the clock back. !I've heard it said that those years after WW2 up until the mid-sixties was the 'golden age' of shipping. I feel lucky and proud to have been part of it.........Cheers for now, Roger.

[Jason Davis]

Roger....

Did you confirm some memories!
Thought I dreamed it all.
This is Jason Davis in Minneapolis/St Paul, where are you located these days?

We really did overlap. I was an AB on the Tern in 1960/1961 , the Woodlark ( Feb 20 1961 to April 12 1961), Ringdove and Whitewing in 1961 and the Sovereign in the summer of 1961. The giggling in the cooks room next to games room really reached a fever pitch one day when I had the gall to turn out the light. There was a lot of banging on the bulkhead until I had to turn it back on. Made the maiden very suspicious.
I'm sure it was the widows bar in Oporto that we frequented at lunchtime. We were anchored in midstream and had to get a row boat ferry back and forth. Not easy when yuu are legless.
Lexioes....that was wild. I made the mistake of picking up with a different girl one night and the one from the night before came in and the two women fought like cats.....I took off for a different bar while they were fighting and they never saw me leave.
I am still working as a TV producer and host at KSTP TV in Minneapolis because I have great job and the money is great. You can learn more if you are curious by going to www.kstp.com/otr. I am nearly seventy one....July 26, close to your wedding anniversary, congratulations on making it for so long. My wife and I have been together for forty years.

Great communicating with you all,

Jason

[Tony Wilding1]

hi i waqs donkeyman on mv corncrake , then donkey greaser on mv shelldrake , also on queen of the channel, my brother was a cook steward on many of there ships his name paul jarvis, STORES

[Roger Dyer]

Hi Jason, To answer your question, I now live about 30 miles due west of Sydney, Australia, (near Penrith). Took up your offer and visited your workplace website. Am very impressed and also intrigued as to how you got into that line of business. A latter-day Alan Whicker, not bad for an ex.AB from G.S.N.C. Would like to share a few more memories with you about life on the 'Sovereign' and Oporto, but wonder if this is the right forum, as it might be a bit risque. What do think? Hope to hear from you soon. Cheers, Roger

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Roger
Would just like to give you a warm Welcome to this very good site!
Here you will find lots of info,good Crew and with luck also find a few old Shipmates!
So sit back,relax and just enjoy the trip!
Hope we will have you here for a long time!
A site truly worthy of the British Merchant Navy!
Cheers

A very interesting account of some of your time Roger,and i am sure like you we all recall those funfree days of the past!
Like you too i know we are all so proud to have been part of that Exciting Era of the 50' and 60's great times!

I notice you say you are near Penrith ,i too am at present living in Penrith,but we have sold and are on the move to Blackheath,where the Weather is a lot cooler as you may well know!
We move on the 28th May,so will this Year be celebrating Xmas in July up in those lovely Mountains!
Once we have settled ,we should try and have a get together just for a chat!
Cheers


Also"

If you would like to join in and have your Full name R Number and First Ship
Included in the Flag project then please pass it on to Mike Hall who is doing a Main Flag for all
to be displayed some time in one of the UK Museums!
Thank you

Please go to following Link and follow instructions there
When page opens Click on Contact info on Right and on dropdown list select
Send a message via Email to Mike Hall


http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/member.php?u=8

Alternatively you can send your details to me as well and i will pass them on to Mike for you
Thanks

http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/member.php?u=18

If any new Members (or old) would like more info on the Flag Projects please click on the following Link!
Thank you

http://www.merchant-navy.net/gallery...ry.php?cat=558

[Roger Dyer]

Hello Vernon,.....Thanks for the kind welcome. That was a surprise, you living at Penrith, although not for much longer I see. As you know, the 'mountains' can get a bit cool round about July, but won't you appreciate it next summer, lucky you. Anyway, do wish you well in your new home and yes, when you've settled in, it would be nice to meet you and share a yarn or two about the old days. I sent a message to Mike Hall, but in case it doesn't reach him my details for the flag are as follows......Full name..Roger Edward Dyer ...D/B.No.R672888...joined my first ship the 'Port Hobart' in May,1957.(deck-boy)..........Cheers for now, Roger.

[Alistair Kerr]

After two trips in Shaw Savill's Fordsdale, (NZ/UK/Aus?NZ/UK), I joined the Seamew at her builder's yard, S.P. Austin, Sunderland (August 1947), and sailed on her maiden voyage as a Senior Ordinary Seaman. After living in a six berth cabin in the Fordsdale's foc's'le, Seamew's single berth cabin was luxury! I spent six happy months in her, mostly from Londo to Oporto or Leixoes. We moored in the river in Oporto and it was quite a picturesque berth with that huge bridge upstream, the old buildings crowding the city's hills and thoise ancient-looking barges piled with casks of wine, coming alongside , so experetly handled.\
But I found the 4 on,4 off a bit tiring aftera while sdo I left her with regret. She was a neat little ship and the food was the best I ever had in any Pommy ship!