Didn't you do well?

[Lin Treadgold]

After only being a member here for a couple of weeks I have to say what a huge impression everyone has made. After reading your posts and when I look at the bigger picture of life in those days of hard work, bravery, and rolling seas, I realised the men in the merchant navy were the forgotten few.

Shoreside people don't think for a moment about the way in which the imports of life are carried on ships and the men who live in (often cramped) cabins for months on end. The heat of the engine room especially when the ship breaks down and is drifting onto the Great Barrier Reef as happened on my ship. I helped with the glasses of water. The anxiety of the cargo stowage, the responsibility of taking a huge cargo ship around the world and the safety of those on board.

I just want this to be my last post before I go on holiday and say a huge thanks to absolutely everyone on this forum and the way they look back in fondness of their days at sea. You have left me feeling very humble but proud to have been a part of the way of life on board ship.

If you are holding a glass of wine or a beer at this moment, please take a few seconds to hold it up to the Merchant Seamen around the world. If we don't do it no-one else will.

I think looking back you were all very brave, but it was a job and it had to be done. I was once in a very bad storm between Durban and Jakarta, unrelenting for days on end. If ever there was a day I thought I wasn't going to come home, that was the day. It only happened once but you guys showed me how to cope with the bad times and look on the bright side of life, which follows through to this day. You laughed with me, I laughed with you at the stupid things we did. If we didn't 'do stupid' we might all have gone crazy.

It was a way of life which couldn't be described to those left at home. I think I understand more now why my father never spoke of his time in the war and his days as a prisoner in a camp in Germany. You couldn't even begin to explain it. Time at sea is a bit like that.

I am so glad you guys out there can let it all out here, your stories are absolutely wonderful. Thanks and thanks again. I hope this post doesn't sound patronising but I really mean every word.


Lin

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Lin
A big thank you for this post,and i say this for everyone i am sure they will agree!
You take care now,have a very Happy Holiday wherever you may wonder to,and we will see you on your return!
Stay safe
Cheers