Crew Interface

[Roger Dyer]

In 1962, U.B.C.'s 'Baltic Swift' was engaged on a charter running between the French ports of Dunkirk and Caen up to Latvia and Lithuania (via the Kiel Canal). The crew were on Foreign R/A articles. In those days, the normal practice of U.B.C., was to employ British crews, however, on the 'Swift when ever a replacement was required they usually employed German seaman picked-up when we passed through Kiel. I used to wonder if the N.U.S. were aware of this arrangement or whether, in fact, it would have made any difference if they were. By the time I left the ship, the crew of about 24, although predominantly indigenous British, included seamen from Germany, Malta, Eire, Canada and Spain. It must be said, the mixture seemed to get along very well, apart from one occasion when a German A.B. attempted to sexually assault his watch-mate, a young English J.O.S. You may rest assured that the culprit, a former member of Hitler's Wehrmacht, was summarily dealt with as only seamen know how.
( In case you are wondering, the answer is no he did not forfeit his life, but it was a close run thing).


.....................Roger

[Red Lead Ted]

I had the misfortune of being the only scouser aboard the M.V Manchester zeal. That was in 1977 the same year Man Utd under there then manager Tommy Docherty beat my beloved Liverpool F.C. 2-1 in the F.A. Cup final at Wembley. We had a tiny portable black and white t.v. and actually managed to tune into the game all the other crew member,s were from Manchester. [ NOTHING DOWN FOR THE BROWN MOUSE} SCOUSE. I took that much stick it nearly come to handbags at dawn between me and the cook. Good job i was dead hard Another day another dollar. Terry.

[Peter F Chard]

I was on a Passenger / Cargo / Ferry running between Hong Kong and Keelung in Taiwan for nine months. There were only four Europeans on board - The Skipper and mate and the Chief and Second Engineer. The rest of the crew were Chinese and we got along famously -- the best Chinese food I have ever eaten ( twelve hour long banquets on special occasions such as New Year, weddings, births etc ). I was not allowed to get my hands dirty, the engine room crowd never really understood why I bothered going below to do my watch -- just leave it all to us and you enjoy yourself they would say !!! Regards Peter in NZ.

[j.sabourn]

Had similar experiences with Chinese crews in Kaoshiung Taiwan, taken ashore with about 12 in party, there was always one more course than the number of people. In this case 13 courses, as you say meal takes hours with breaks whenever you feel like it. I even went out for a haircut. The number of toasts with the old chinese whiskey lost count of. The Chinese certainly know how to do it in style when they are inclined. Cheers John Sabourn

[happy daze john in oz]

As I recall during my time as an officers steward I got on very well with most of the officers, the very top ones could be a little aloof at times. Most of them had a table in the first class dinning saloon and from commenst made by some of the wingers they could be pure crap at times. In and out of uniform maybe??

[leratty]

Starting as an apprentice in Fed Steam it was so Dickensian as to be appalling with no fraternisation with 'them below' almost avert ones eyes when passing & so much B/S, i.e after working on deck maybe greasing down topping lifts you would have to get dressed for lunch or even breakfast with your finger nails being inspected, what a croc! I went on deck after three trips. Then first trip out of frying pan into fire as did a trip with Port Line. JC they made fed Steam look veritably a happy camp where did those deck officers come from most thought their collective droppings had no aroma, sadly amusing at the time. Yet on every other ship (not Fed or Port) with exception of a B.A. Flyer we were all on first name-nick name basis, often the Capt too though I always called them sir interestingly. Occasionally you had a truculent officer or some dumb deckhand who abused the situation but in the norm no. Possibly that was as they were trampers so much more relaxed? Many a C/O etc would have a beer with you or us & bring beer too at end of day though I do not recall any shore time with them. Engineers, sparky yes, sadly when women came on board, wives I mean that made a difference in some instances, why I was never sure. The other thing was how the deck crew could be told to mind their language in those circumstances baffled me after all the wives were in the work place of those men, so expect it. Always thought they would be going out of their pretty minds with zip to do all day?

[Lou Barron]

The only time i got to talk to the captain was when i got logged

[j.sabourn]

Bill as no engineer seems to have taken up you query, I'll give an impromto answer for them which may cause them to reply to your post. Engineers when they came to sea were graded by the BOT depending on what type of engineering they had served their time in. I beleive they went in front of a BOT surveyor so were probably questioned re their abilitys etc. In which case I would assume they were more qualified than an uncertificated 3rd. Mate who never had to appear before an examiner. Hope this may prompt an answer from a better source than myself. you should be well home by now after picking up the papers. Cheers John Sabourn.

[j.sabourn]

Peter did you work for Butterfield and Swires. Cheers John Sabourn

[happy daze john in oz]

The only time i got to talk to the captain was when i got logged

Lou mate, you were not alone in that I can assure you.