Late on Watch

[Jim Brady]

I was boss man over the engineers stewards on the Emp.Of Britain.On the way out I drank as much as the rest of them and had a late night every night which was'nt to bad because there was an hour off the clock every night.Homeward bound I was turned in about midnight with the hour on nightly one o'clock.My lads wanted to carry on the same as outward bound and could not get out of their bunks in the morning.I lived on the boat deck they were on D deck right aft in the "Glory Hole".It was a pain in the kneck for me to go down 5 decks and a walk along the working alleyway to call them,I was backwards and forwards maybe 4 times each morning to get them to turn to.I warned them each night to be early tomorrow,no chance.After 3 days I had had enough,phoned the second steward they soon turned to.Anyway I thought I'l teach them to take the piz.We used to get the lunch over about 2pm so it was usual to go and get your head down for 2 hours although they were paid overtime till 4pm.They were all about to dash off to their bunks,I stepped in,you 3 a nice bucket of sugee each you 3 a nice bucket of fresh water each,all these bulkheads a good wash down,did they suffer!!!.They were dropping to their knees,they thought it was all over but then I said right lets now have a good scub out of the decks.Some yardage of alleyways they did'nt get their afternoon kip that day so by the time we finished at 9pm they were ready for their bunks but they were never late again.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Capt Bill Davies]

A small digression.
What do they do now? I seem to recall sitting around in the messrom whilst on standby doing ropework of similar to occupy my time. Not a lot of reading seemed to go on. In the rec room at night the same thing. Decorative ropework was popular whilst shooting the breeze and enjoying a drink or two. Do they ( if there are any left) sit around texting or using an I pod/pad or similar.

Bill

[j.sabourn]

Going back to the 2nd. mate who complained about my being 2 minutes late for watch. A little incident happened shortly before in Middlesborough on the Pennyworth, a ship already mentioned as some on this site have been on. The accomodation ladder was swung out from aft on the bridle and a handy billy onto the tackle so one man could pull up as necessary with the tide. I watched the mentioned so called navigator look over the side see that the ladder was just about to be crushed unless lifted. I was looking aft from the midships accomodation, saw this person look around to see there was no one there and leave the scene. I ran aft and just managed to raise before we lost it between the wharf and the ship. I then got a hold of him and told him his fortune. We had the posers in the old days belief me. Cheers John Sabourn

[leratty]

Keith, I too had several fellow watch keepers who would always turn up up to five minutes late for relieving you & as you say two minutes is bad enough after two hours on the wheel, but if on focastle in winter as look out just bad form, yet often they thought it amusing. Heard of a fist fight because of it on a Fed ship. Also remember fellows who would sell their winter gear for grog in various nefarious ports, then when we were back in cold weather they would be asking for your duffel coat, wet weather gear etc when they relieved you. Never was quite sure what the attitude was to take there so depended on my like or other wise of the party.
Happy daz you are kidding re "In all the time at sea I only ever met one engineer who had a preference for men." The guys who were that way oriented John, or if you will went both ways did not wear badges. JC the guys mostly the hairy **** macho types who protested in a threatening manner the most about the 'fruits' as I recall them being known were often the main servicers of them, dark horses sir dark horses. Had a C/O put the word on me on a bulker once to say I was shocked would be being less than honest. On the Brasil Star I went down the 'Burma Road' once when on standby seeking the relieving (poor choice or words here) AB to find a seriously macho Hebrides anti gay & found him frolicking with one of the stewards.
In that instance one kept stoom!

[leratty]

Crikey I had forgotten it was called "The Farmer" & E Martin amen to that waiting for the bells, seriously irritating.
John love the "found out he had been in the Catering Division in Sydney NSW for most of the war. " Maybe it was the 'White Fleet?' (: Why do people do this I muse? Interesting how those former sort of breach of manners- etiquette could cause serious disharmony & rightly so if regular.

[j.sabourn]

Le dont know what the equivilant word in the Navy is for Quartermasters stores, maybe the same. Cheers John Sabourn

[happy daze john in oz]

[QUOTE=Captain Kong;102656]Brian & Tony,
I was not so lucky and I sailed with a few that were a little laid back in this department.


Brian, you never said there were ladies on some of your ships!!!!

[Capt Bill Davies]

How many of you enjoyed tea /coffee made with conny onny?

Bill

[Captain Kong]

Hi John.
.
QUOTE=Captain Kong;102656]Brian & Tony,
I was not so lucky and I sailed with a few that were a little laid back in this department.

..
Brian, you never said there were ladies on some of your ships!!!!
.
. I never made that quote, It was Bill.
Cheers
Brian.

[Bob Hollis]

How many of you enjoyed tea /coffee made with conny onny?

Bill

Liked the tea Bill but preferred the coffee with shaky milk and sugar.