mariners galaxy ?

[j.sabourn]

Into the Mariners Galaxy. John Sabourn

[j.sabourn]

John, ref. what is considered old type navigation nowadays, if you get a copy of Nichols Concise Guide Vol 1, and just take your time going through that may come a bit clearer. Most of us on the Bridge that is the only navigation book we had, at least it was for me. However forget all the spherical trigonometry stuff associated with star sights etc. and just concentrate on the basic plane sailing and mercator sailing problems. It is not rocket science. However it is necessary to have a grasp of the basics such as the shape of the earth and the movement of the earth round the sun etc etc. For Rob who now knows what a Sidereal Day is, and is an engineer, the only mounting on a scotch boiler I can remember was the salonometer cock, perhaps the other dozen or so stick in his memory banks. However re your interest in Nav. spend a couple of months going through the what we used to call the principles, before jumping into the spherical stuff. Best Regards John Sabourn.

[robpage]

I never mounted a Scotch Boiler , That was all lies , there is no proof ,

[John Cassels]

Still remember one of the questions I got in the engineering paper for Master ( FG).

Sketch and describe in detail the operation of the cascade system in a water tube boiler.
Have no idea what that is now.

[Keith Tindell]

I was offered a cadetship on the St Merriel in 1959, while on her as a SOS, so declined because of the wage drop ( one of my few regrets). But 20 years ago i went to evening classes for RYA yachmaster and really enjoyed the basic navigation, not in the same school as you lads in mates and masters tickets, i realise , but had i taken up the offer in Saint line, who knows!!, i may have graduated from hairy ar**ed AB, regards KT

[j.sabourn]

What about the ones with the superheated elements around the tubes, very sexy I am told. John Sabourn

[Ivan Cloherty]

I was offered a cadetship on the St Merriel in 1959........

I suppose nearly everyone on here has had that "if only" moment that would have changed our lives, we know not how! but thinking back would we really have changed what we experienced for something unknown. I know that at the end of my "slaveship" with PSNC in the 50's I thought I've had enough of this and applied to the river police but regretfully/fortunately ?? was half an inch too short was rejected on those grounds alone, for which now I cannot thank them enough.

Always remember Keith that a good AB in the 50/60's was worth his weight in gold as we lesser mortals on board a ship learnt from his skills, there isn't a Master or Mate that sailed that didn't learn some of his skills about his job and/or life from a good AB

[j.sabourn]

To add to Ivans post which I totally agree with, if it hadnt of been for the ABs life would have been very lacking as never had any money or very little, and was usually shouted drinks by the crowd ashore apart from being pulled out of several trouble spots we used to get ourselves involved in. The same as the Deck boys and JOSs all our learning on splicing and general seamanship came from same.
The apprentices on the two ships I served my time on were never accepted as they appear to be nowadays, we were the dogs bodies and got every dirty job going. You never missed anything Keith on accepting a so called cadetship at the years you mention. It was cheap labour for the shipowner. You didnt have to go through that to achieve anything, you were better off doing it from the Deck. The only so called advantage I gained was never to treat people like we were. Cheers John Sabourn

[Chris Allman]

Have just come off the phone from an old mate of mine who is a member of another maritime site. He was telling me about someone calling himself ' Marinersgalaxy '. I told him we had met him on here, he tells me that he has now changed his name to SINBAD. Ah well its a funny old world, if the cap fits etc etc, I hope it was not as a result of something we said

[robpage]

What did we say Chris , I need to know , in case I have to say it to Sinbad . I looked at his site , and the " Expert " opinions offered were in places dangerous , because of an imprecise use of English , Things like enclosed spaces , like a paint locker , are paint lockers enclosed spaces requiring a permit to enter they never used to be or Proper lighting arrangements need to be done as these spaces are always dark. But the lighting arrangements should be secured type and no spark should take place when this whole work is going on. Because the toxic gases inside may inflammable also. Who enters an enclosed space with toxic gases , This advice in so many places is flawed and as such should be banned . The English is so poorly written , and as such adds ambiguity . The guy is a first or second year Engineer Cadet , with ideas , like a lot of us at that age , that we knew better than the old hands ., We never had a blog to exercise our profound knowledge on , and I think that was probably a good idea .