Shipyards

[vic mcclymont]

I know a lot of you have sailed on ships, how many of you have actually worked in the yards as I have.

The yards were noisy, smelly and either extremely cold or hot depending on the time of year.

As a ship neared its launch date members of the finish trades would embark on the preliminary marking out of the various functions to be taken whilst fitting out.
A ship launched in the autumn meant that the final works would be undertaken in the winter, we would be wrapped up like Nanuck of the north with extra layer of clothing to keep you warm, no heating allowed.
Your hands would be blue from the cold your hearing assaulted by the noise from the caulkers hand guns.
The fumes from the welders torches would turn the inside of your nostrils black.
After a few months, the ship would hum to the noise of the generators being tested, gradually the tests would be extended from daylight to 24/7 testing.
Slowly the ships interior began to take shape, heating was tested (oh the joy, for warmth).
You knew the ship was nearing her trials when the French Polishers came onboard (they were a dangerous breed haunted in packs and woo betide any young apprentice caught by them) to touch up any damaged wood work.
Gradually temporary lighting was replaced by the ships lighting.
Cleaners would then board her for the final clean, you knew then your time was limited onboard as she was nearing her trials.
Gradually the staff transferred to the next build and the cycle would start all over again.
Wonderful days
Regards
Vic

[Doc Vernon]

Would have been interesting though Vic
I think I would have liked that sort of Job,as in my days I liked all that
sort of work,like when I worked at Halesowen Steel Mills as Tube Drawer
also got hot and the smell of oil all day! LOL
Nothing like the ship yards I suppose!
Also worked as a Die Caster which was Hot hot hot!
Cheers

[Ivan Cloherty]

Know where you are coming from being involved in new buildings, drydockings, Special Surveys, always satisfying to see the last rope cast off and the ship disappear into the distance

[Jim Brady]

Vic I thought they put industrial cleaners aboard todo the final clean up.I joined the Crystal Sapphire at Cammell Lairds,I think we signed on on the Friday joined her and sailed on the Saturday the skipper had an inspection on the Sunday.I was crew messman,besides all the pantry gear,hot press work tops etc being covered in sticky brown paper that was a job in itself to get off, the decks were in a bit of a mess as well.She bounced about and rolled, a bit of a job doing the scrub out but no excuses taken by this skipper.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[vic mcclymont]

Jim, Long time ago, I believe the lower Clyde yards employed their own cleaners
The holds etc were cleaned by male employees, accommodation by females.
Regards
Vic.

[happy daze john in oz]

Only did one maiden on the British Hawthorn. The galley was a mess when we took over and we spent days getting it fit to use before going on voyage.It looked as if some of the cooking gear had been used whilst she was being fitted out, even dirty cooking pots on her.To ad insult to injury I developed a hernia loading stores.

[cappy]

###just wondered jim was the old man on the saphire named arkley.....regards cappy

[Jim Brady]

Cappy from the book it looks like V Charles and I do believe that he came from your part of the country.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[cappy]

Cappy from the book it looks like V Charles and I do believe that he came from your part of the country.
Regards.
Jim.B.

###just asked jim cos a mate of mine lives in the village and was in a couple of them boats ....a really nice guy but i think would take no prisoners as master....regards cappy

[Jim Brady]

Cappy this guy was something else theres a lot I could say about the inspections but the last one was the final showdown with him and I.I was determined that he would not get me on anything,he couldn't find a thing,his last move was to lift the lid off the baine marie that's were I had put the pantry cloth out of the way.He dangled it and asked would your mother use this,thats when I lost it,how do you know my mother is still alive I said and what my mother would or wouldn't use has got F/all to do with you.I said for your information we get one pantry cloth a week for all these men,get it washed he shouted so to wind him up further I replied I didn't sign on laundryman.
Regards.
Jim.B.