Desperation (memories)

[j.sabourn]

Foreign going articles used to have home trade limits as between the Elbe and Brest and if vessel arrived back in these limits the Agreemant was broken and crew were paid off. I can remember as an apprentice working with an AB and when word came to us on deck that we were just outside these limits he was rather upset that ship was not paying off, as the ship had been out for 7 months most were upset, he however was certain he was paying off and picking a 28 lb. Maul he smashed it down on his own foot, of course breaking same, I'm paying off was his only statement, another crew member stowed away on a Bowater ship which was going back to UK. We then sailed with a rather unhappy crew. The shipowner had no regard for seamen, which makes me a bit angry when I see all the guff and such put out about female ships members, being given all the latitude and so called special conditions that their male counterparts never had. Going back to a previous post is just the owners trying to appear in a good light, they have very short memories, or only remember what they want to. Regards John Sabourn

[Captain Kong]

Some Foreign Going Articles had ...Pay off in UK only and others had Pay off in UK or any Continental Port which ever came first.
But not exceeding two years.

In 1958, I signed on the CASTLEDORE, it was her maiden voyage a new Tramp.
She had just loaded in Liverpool for B.A. and had a two year contract, B.A. To Rotterdam with grain and Rotterdam to B.A,. with coal.
When we signed on the Articles said,.....A voyage not exceeding two years or on arrival at a UK or Continental Port.
We joined the following day, sailing day. Expecting to be able to pay off in Rotterdam.
We were in the mess room and the tugs were coming alongside, the Bosun shouts"OK Lads turn to, make fast the tugs and then Gangway.
As I came out of the Messroom I saw the Articles on the bulkhead in the glass case and noticed that "Continental Port" had been crossed out.
I called the lads back, and showed them. We were being shanghaied for two years of the B.A./Rotterdam run.
The Bosun shouts"Come on Lads , turn to". We all said , "No Way".
I legged it down the gangway and into the sheds to a phone box, Called the Union then called the Shipping Office in Cornhill where we had signed on and told them to send a Shipping Master down to the ship.
The Captain was going demented , "
Pull the gangway in and stand by for letting go". He came down from the bridge with the Mate, He denied the Articles had been altered , they were the ones we had signed. The Union Man turned up with the Shipping Master and he had a copy of the Articles, and confirmed, the "Continental Port" had indeed been crossed off after we had signed on.
The ship`s sailing was cancelled, the Captain jumping up and down and demented, The following day we went to Cornhill Shipping Office to pay off and got a Months wages for it. then they asked us to sign on again for the two year trip. No Chance. my mate Len Seed signed on as Bosun.A few months later I was in B.A. on the Urmston Grange and Len came on board, the Castledore was in. He was not a happy man.
Cheers
Brian.

[j.sabourn]

Did that Cardiff to B.A. with coal, then grain from there to Japan via Durban. Loaded different ports up the Plate Rosario, and I think a place called San Pedro or something like that where you had to drop a kedge anchor and tie up to the cliffs. Also a little port called Villa Constitution. Did that run a couple of times was just after Eva Peron died. B.A.was jumping in those days Cheers John Sabourn. San Pedro may have been San Nicholas cant really remember the correct name.Cheers John Sabourn