British seafarers

[j.sabourn]

Have just sent a similar post as this, but seems to have diasappeared into the unknown. Will try and remember.
The British seafarer has never been held in esteem like the Scandanavian seafarers who are also seafaring nations.
This is probably due to bad publicity from the likes of Lady Astor and others of her ilk. Although she was American by birth was married into one of the aristocacy of Britain. She was well known as saying every seaman should wear a black arm band to distinguish as such. It was put around that some seaman had given her daughter a social disease. Another well known one was that a tin of condensed milk should last 1 seaman 1 month. She was well known as well as her associates for her anti seafarers views. As regards the Shipowners of this period of which she was closely involved Lord Runciman ( I worked for 11 years ) Chapmans,Dalglieshes and a few more of these companys, the story I heard was that they were given money from the Ministry of War Transport to either assist in the repair or building of vessels at Blyth.They were accused of putting the money into property developement instead. When found out Dalgliesh took the rap and received a short prison sentence. These stories I believe as were told to me by older seafarers who had served during the war, and they had nothing for contempt for the same. These people are mostly dead by now I would assume, and is another instant of air brushing from our Merchant Navy heritage. I however remember and hope there are others who do so also. They to my mind were the enemy within. As there are others on this site who worked for Dalgliesh"s they can probably remember that he was responsible for the building of the quay in port Churchill. The story that went around was that he was after a Knighthood, however due to his previous jail time he was considered unsuitable. The whole family I feel sorry for, as the younger generations had much bad health in later life, and heard of a suicide by one of them, I met a few times as they used to frequent the vessels frequently. Cheers John Sabourn.

[Captain Kong]

It was the same Lady Astor who said Merchant Seamen should not be paid wages, They get free travel around the world and free accommodation and food.
It was the same Lady Astor who called the Servicemen on the Italian Campaign , D-Day Dodgers.
It was the same lady Astor who once accused Churchill of being drunk in Parliament. He replied, "And you madam are Ugly, but I shall be sober in the morning".
Brian.

[alf corbyn]

lady astor was an MP for plymouth abit before my time, and it was said that she had a notice on her property that said: no dogs or merchant seamen allowed: i guess her daughter liked a bit of rough

[John Pruden]

typical of the class system of the day. not much different of today we have two millionaires trying to tell us how to tighten our belts because {we!!!! are all in this together}?jp

[Ivan Cloherty]

lady astor was an MP for plymouth abit before my time, and it was said that she had a notice on her property that said: no dogs or merchant seamen allowed: i guess her daughter liked a bit of rough

Hi Alf, if the daughter was anything like the mother she was also a bit of a dog

[robpage]

Hi Alf, if the daughter was anything like the mother she was also a bit of a dog

Wha was she like in the sack though ?

[Glenn Baker]

I have no idea what she was like in the sack, a few NZ.S.Co ships were registered in Plymouth where this Lady Astor was a political member of the upper Class, so i doubt if she ever drank in any of the seamens pubs. Is that where the name commonly mentioned at sea Sandy Mcnabb came from. maybe he had some connection with her many moons ago.
I know one thing I dont think I ever saw her in Ma Gleasons Pub, there were a few Princesses there but definitely no Lady,s
all the best Glenn Baker

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, The Royal and merchant navy seaman have a very long history, with many the top rich society and aristocratic women ,its part of the folklaw? All the nice girls love a sailor as the old song goes but they dont like it common knowlege.

[Lou Barron]

When i came in 1945 the Birkenhead Council put on a party for the return of all ex pows in the town hall .I can remember some high ranking guy giving a speech his opening was that the gentlemen of the armed forces we thank you for efforts in the war Blah Blahn no mention of theMN till one of the guys i was with got up said you forgot something MR what about the Merchant Navy .There was a bit of silence for a minute then there was a few hand claps .But that was just just some of the the things that happened after the war