why ships sink

[Keith at Tregenna]

Adding anything unnatural is not meant to be,
force feeding cattle led to BSC.
Allowing Adolf (an Austrian) to lead Germany,
to us is like a landlubber, having control of the sea.

like having a one balled foreigner, lead a master plan,
neither, Germanic or local, did not fit the plan.
The eagle has landed and was seen off,
By the British Navy, who cared pos not a toss.

Although the war is over, best we did not end last,
now we have a modern world, Nasty's in the past.
There are enough hassles, with the trouble an strife,
That's why I went to sea my dears: So I could lead my life.

Adding anything unnatural is not meant to be,
force feeding chicks to chicken, no one could forsee.
And all thoughts were stupid and proven, no doubt,
when it came to seamanship the MN not the kraut.

Fame is with the worthy. not the blue eyed tools,
blondie, mucking fastards, that obeyed mucking fools.
If it came down to Neptune and really whom that rules,
My money is with Brittania, she rocks and rules.

Adding anything unnatural is not meant to be,
force feeding cattle led to BSC.
Allowing Adolf (an Austrian) to lead Germany,
to us is like a landlubber, having control of the sea.

Fortunate for us we beat them in the air,
specially for our kinder, they seem to not really care.
THE REASON FOR MY RHYMING IS THAT YOU MAY CARE TO SEE:
It was our Merchant Navy they helped to keep us free.

K.

[robpage]

I wonder how many AB, s are employed on a cruise ship,? how many of the crew have lifeboat tickets, ? who have done a course of practical instruction, most seem to be catering or waiting staff, cant be classed as seaman, not just launching the boats

In all fairness to the many stewards that walked and minced around the Lavender Hulled Union Castle boats , a lot had lifeboat certificates , some did the fire fighting course , I believe that some had a steering ticket , they might have carried a tray , or on the Cape Coast a Wheelbarrow , they might have thrown their handbags around a few times , but I regarded a very high percentage of those , guys , and those with alternative sexual options as professional seafarers , and if they had ever had to launch and man a lifeboat , I would have trusted them , I have doubts about the modern dancers , singers and entertainment staff , Union Castle used to group the musicians , Hairdressers , Pianist , Shop assistants ( I Think ) together as Non uniform personnel , I would not have let them launch a firework .

I know it was a long time ago , but I still think when you dug below the moans and groans the British Seaman in all Ratings were the best in the world , by far , from every department , from every region , and ( reluctantly ) of every sexual persuasion

[Keith at Tregenna]

THE MOLLY MOGS

In all the pubs in all the world singled out for praise,
It’s the Molly Mogs in Soho for all the funds they raise,
Specially for our mariners and veterans of war,
And the unsung heroes that struggled at the fore.

On the corner of Old Compton Street this pub’s a little gem
Built in seventeen hundred, her pedigree’s from then,
Plenty are the bar stools but not a lot of space,
Hearty entertainment is the highlight of the place.

Some clientele enthral with witty quips so gay,
Bonding all together in their camp and funny way,
They recognize the value of duty to the end,
Selfless with their time and energy they lend.

Famous for its drag shows and fabulous inside,
Historic and important for old London’s pride,
Performers are just marvellous, open and sincere,
Collecting for our heroes when punters come for cheer.

Raising cash for brave folk is humble and sublime,
Patrons of the Molly Mogs do it all the time,
This cultured bar is friendly to all of us out there,
Best of all a grand spot for those that really care.

Joe Earl Nov. 2009

We are both lucky and pleased to have a friend in Captain Joe Earl, we appreciate his work and the fact that he not only shares this with us, but allows us to post here for the benefit of all.

We only ask if you wish to copy or use any of his work in tribute and for no financial gain etc, please simply ask us at Tregenna and we will contact Joe on your behalf.

FIRST CLASS PASSAGE: FIRST COME FIRST SERVED ? ANYONE FOR A LIFEBOUY ?

A Differing breed but first up against it, when much is going down.

K.

[Tony Wilding]

Hi Rob. i was referring to modern day crews, even some ER ratings of old had steering tickets, i just watched on TV the building of Oasis of the Seas. 6000 persons on board, 24 resteraunts, its just too scary to even think of another major disaster with one of these giants.

[Red Lead Ted]

Good question Tony and could be extended to how many on the Deck Officers can use a sextant!

Brgds

Bill

Now there,s another very good point Costa Concordia,s Liferafts would have had the capacity for about 40 souls. They are still quick release today as they were in our day. I noticed a few hanging over the side rendered usless after she listed. And it wouldn,t suprise me if these hadn,t been threw over the side by desperate passenger,s. But as been mentioned they would not have known how to either right an upturned liferaft or get one away from a listing ship. Interesting point raised on a program t.v. by a passenger the other night they were told after boarding the Concordia in the event of an unlikely emergency seek out a yellow life jacket because the crew wear yellow the passenger,s red? Bloody rediculous idea, On the Empress boats and UCL I sailed on you were issued seaman,s vest,s and jersey,s and cap and were easilly identified. You may have felt as if you looked like a chocolate soldier at times but i could certainly see the logic and i know for a fact people are booking less and less cruiser,s the more that comes to light bring back the B.O.T. Rgulations and get some of our youth into basic training as seaman there are enough of us to lend our knowledge i for one would give up some of my time to give these lads a chance of a carreer at sea. Regards Terry.

[happy daze john in oz]

On many of the cruise ships the lifeboats are used as tenders to take persons ashore where there is no quay. Most of these boats will hold UP TO 150 and have to carry sufficient fuel to travel at 4 knots for 24 hours. That is now the recognised international standard. When on one I always take a good look around to see where provisions etc may be stored. There are markings everywhere which to the untrained would mean little, but in theses places are the water, stores etc. There are usualy two pairs of oars strapped to the deckhead, and the crew that lower these and man them have to me always appeared capable. In an emergency........................ who knows?

[Red Lead Ted]

There is a big difference in lowering a launch and throwing a liferaft over the side and inflating it to save your life. Once that ship had listed obviously there were some desperate souls who inflated them liferafts over the side. My guess is it was passenger,s who inflated them before they hit the sea. I saw at least 3 hanging on there hawser rendered useless. Seems to me her whole crew had one thing in mind there own survival ?? Regards Terry.

[robpage]

With Clan Line the lifeboat drill was Saturday Morning , at 10:00 Am , so we were all wrapped up and done for the 10:30 Smoko . We had one entreprising master who thought he would introduce an element of surprise and ordered a surprise boat drill on a Wednesday . There was very little reaction from the East Pakistani ( Bangladeshi ) Crew for about five minutes from the alarms going off , then in a rush they clambered up the ladder into the lifeboats with their belongings in suitcases and sacks , one had a Singer Treddle Sewing Machine that he was hauling on to the boat with lengths of rope and assistance from his cohorts . That was the last surprise drill that we ever had , but I always felt that unless we went to emergency stations at 10:00 AM on Saturdays , then we were on our own to deal with the problems . Maybe the Italians have a little Bangla Blood in their veins . The same ship tried an Emergency fire drill too , the mate put an orange smoke flare in the Deck House between Nos 2 and No 3 hatches , Note Orange Smoke !! . The result was brilliant the Deck Sarang ( Bosun ) thought the winch control gear was on fire , used a dry powdeer extinguisher , and found us a weeks work cleaning the powder out of the contacts in the controls

[Red Lead Ted]

I am sittin here having the best laugh to myself in years reading that post I can imagine how popular they must have been aboard after that. Dont you get the feeling that we were world leader,s in our day as seaman. But to take it a bit further its goes to the core with are armed forces also. I remember watching the news a few months ago some where in the Arab Med i cant remember there has been that much unrest? Here was a guy going hell for leather on a camel charging a tank with a mop in his hand W.T.F. He thought he was going to do with it is beyond me , There was a BBC Reporter standing on the sidewalk as this guy charged with his mophead, And he could be clearly heard shouting !!!!!!!!! Were are the British soldier,s to help us. What the hell do these guys think we are world police. And if this government get involved in squadies on the ground in Syria i will bloody scream were are these oil wealthy Arab nations who have bought the best technoligy available to the world as in arms. Or are we the idiots of this world i am bewildered. Regards Rob thanks for the chuckle Terry.

[Lou Barron]

Going back to the lifeboats in the war years the lifeboats and all the gear for lowering the life boats would be a lot different to later years in the more modern ships .I know on the Gloucester Castle they were of the old type but then then the ships had their lifeboats out board with a belly band ready for lowering manually . Would i by right in saying that in the modern ships lifeboats would be lowered by power ???