Wire splice/Ferrels

[Captain Kong]

I also had plans to be a Sparky, I already knew Morse code, sending and recieving by lamp and morse key, I learned it in the Sea Cadets, when I lost my job in engineering I applied to the Wray Castle in the Lake District, it was a Radio school for training Sparkies. I couldnt afford the Fees, so ended up at the Vindicatrix to be trained as a Deck Boy.
I also wanted to go to the Conway, but the fees were too much, in 1950 it cost £200 a year including uniform.
So I was Destined to be a Deck Boy. I cannot complain, I have always enjoyed my seafaring career, that is all I ever wanted to do so I did it .
Cheers
Brian.

[Tony Morcom]

If anyone thinks that remarking that a lot of sparkys were Irish in the 50 60 and 70"s is discimatory, God help our society. This would at the most opened up the employment situation in Ireland at this time. Censorship of such is to the owners of the sites perogative, but to me ranks of over protection of what I dont know. Cheers John Sabourn

As you are very well aware John, the subject of their nationality was not the reason the thread was moderated. That subject is now closed and further comments relating to it will be deleted.

[Red Lead Ted]

Hi Charlie, around 1974 I worked as a rigger for L+H & Blue Star shore-gangs, Coubros (The Maritime) took us over. I wondered if any of following were there with you. Jack Charlton, Billy & George Sanderson, Barny Butler, Harry Willcox ,John Jackson, Billy Downy, Joe & John Peacock. There are loads more. regards Peter.

Peter, Do you remember Doggie Green, Union rep shore gang I think he was Moss Hutch Terry.

[Charlie Hannah]

(Charlie, when I started with the maritime Jack Charlton had been made up to manager and Biilly (Sando) was the Foreman rigger, Billy Downey ended up in the M.D.H.B. as a Dock Gateman,I also ended up in the Dock Board as a Boatman. Peter.) Haven't notice Peter posting for a while Terry.Going back to his last post to me if your still around Peter Jack Charlton must have taken over from Peter Dunn he was a great guy and top man in the job,he passed away after an illness R.I.P..Jack & Billy were also great men and taut me some good work tips!

[j.sabourn]

Looking back now through some of these old posts re. wire now the only thing that sticks in my mind was I think the SWL or was it the BS of wire depended on how many wires there were to a strand and if memory correct was 2c squared, 3c squared and 3 and a quarter c squared, this for 12 24 and 37 wires to a strand and c being the circumference of wire. As wires nowadays are all of different specialities, different lays etc. and are now I believe measured in diameter, all this is now obsolete knowledge, which had to know at the time. The SWL of wire usually being one third of the breaking strain, or thereabouts. I know some of the riggers I have met in a seagoing career were real experts at their trade and like the old shoe repairer of old would now be hard to find. I know if trying to put a splice in a tow wire would probably need a couple of spikes 6 feet long and a 7 foot giant to handle them. Cheers JS.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John.
Ten years ago working on the old ferry South Steyne I dragged an old mooring rope up out of the fore peak, and was sitting on one of the outside seats putting an eye splice in using a big fid I had made, looking up there were about ten people watching, I don't think they had ever seen anything like it before, and probably never will again.
Cheers Des

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[j.sabourn]

When they first brought out the plaited mooring ropes it caused a bit of a furore at first, but not for long, and everyone soon adapted to. Nowadays if they part at the eye, all your likely to see is a bowline in the end, and that's if anyone can do one. JS

[Jim Brady]

(Charlie, when I started with the maritime Jack Charlton had been made up to manager and Biilly (Sando) was the Foreman rigger, Billy Downey ended up in the M.D.H.B. as a Dock Gateman,I also ended up in the Dock Board as a Boatman. Peter.) Haven't notice Peter posting for a while Terry.Going back to his last post to me if your still around Peter Jack Charlton must have taken over from Peter Dunn he was a great guy and top man in the job,he passed away after an illness R.I.P..Jack & Billy were also great men and taut me some good work tips!

Hi Charlie,Jack Charlton was my cousin,he did end up as manager at the Maritime.I used to have a pint with him some Saturday afternoons in the Black Horse Walton.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Peter Wharton]

Peter, Do you remember Doggie Green, Union rep shore gang I think he was Moss Hutch Terry.

Hi Terry, your right Dougie was the shop steward, I was fortunate to have worked along side loads of lads from the Seaforth and Bootle area, like my self all ex seamen who came ashore and worked in the numerous shore gangs on the Liverpool and Birkenhead docks. Here are a few names you might know Ernie Simmo, Albie Wild, Andy Anderson, Tommy and Billy Ledson. Peter.

[John Arton]

Just caught up on this.
Are CUBRO SCRUTTON still going manufacturing lashing gear. I am almost certain that in the late 80's they supplied all the twist locks and lashing gear for the Canmar ships I was mate on.
rgds
JA