BAD SHIPS AND DR,s

[Tony Wilding]

another bad one was the Lakonia, or Laconia, no escort had women and children on board and many POW, s, the U, Boat Commanders comments were he could not understand why no escort, SS Ceramic, one survivor only. many mistakes were made, *even to steer a zig zag course made no difference, especially if was constant and not varied, in some ways it could help *a U Boat.*

[Lou Barron]

I am sorry that i mentioned about the bad ship i was on it was not that i intendedto bring it to a discussion .
In my old age i think i talk to much

[Tony Wilding]

HI LOU, *I think i do also at times, HAPPY NEW YEAR.*

[Ivan Cloherty]

I'm surprised at your response Ivan, I thought my curiosity was reasonable but apparently not.

My apologies Duke, sometimes being old you forget that some of the members are younger than yourself and don't have the memories or information that we oldies do

Rgds

Ivan

[Tom Kirby]

A Royal Mail Line Skipper wanted to D.R me for no personal reason other than he was annoyed with the the whole crew collectively over a large can of orange juice taken from a hatch and appeared on the mess room table. He was going to D.R every one. But the shipping master pointed out that any crew member can refuse to accept a D.R. and accept "Endorsement not Required" instead. I chose the latter and walked away with a smug grin on my face.

[Capt Bill Davies]

Would suggest the appropriate place for this thread is under 'Decline of the British Flag'

Bill

[Duke Drennan]

I am sorry that i mentioned about the bad ship i was on it was not that i intendedto bring it to a discussion .
In my old age i think i talk to much

No need to apologize Lou, I would imagine that your experience on the Michel would qualify it as being the worst of ships that any of us was on. My fault for digressing. Brian was kind enough to explain the circumstances of the Gloucester Castle's sinking. I asked because I am interested in the Second World War, particularly the naval aspects of it. Some time ago, I read Winston Churchill's 6 volumes of "The Second World War" and also the autobiography of Erich Raeder, Grand Admiral of the German Navy, before and during the war. I am always fascinated by your experiences as a P.O. W. and, I might add, eternally grateful. Thank you.

[Lou Barron]

Hi Duke One of the reasons i tell stories about my war experiences is to tell people what the MN did during the war .
It might sound like i am blowing my trumpet ,years ago i could not care a continental but as i got older and under a lot of talk of what the other servicesdid it got up my nose a wee bit and and when we formed a MN association and also the pow association thats when i all started
Then i bought my laptop and saw what Brian who started this great site and with a lot of these other people who made it just the thing the ex mn seamen wanted to bring to light the role they played in the war
Its New Years day i am on my own drinking G/T
I have made a tape a few years ago that was done by historian and it is place in the Hocken Library and also a book called Hell or High Water this was done through the NZ goverment a few years ago .So thats it
Better have a another G/T

[Captain Kong]

Happy new Year Lou
Hope it is a better one,
Cheers Brian looking forward to May
Cheers
Brian

[leratty]

Good New Year to all, John a bad trip with no washing machine or a/c? JC I do not recall a washing machine for crew on any vessel we did our own dobying. As to a/c reckon maybe 1/3 of vessels I sailed in had it. Chief Steward(Purser) (: was the one who topped himself on the Hazelmoor for sly dealings. Don't know if he had streets of houses, did him no good anyway can't take houses apparently through the Pearly Gates due to some restriction as to wide loads (:
I was fortunate not to sail with a DR maniac for skipper though did sail with some seriously peculiar ones, drunks abusive to their fellow officers & one nutter who was removed. Though did on a few ships have crew DR'd & would say being a reasonable person even they would say they were deserved. I recall one fellow on a a vessel did not get actually a DR rather nothing was stamped in his conduct section of discharge book? I think I might have mentioned this before as did know what the outcome of that would be to-on him. Some fellows used to think a DR was akin being awarded a medal, never quite understood that. I was seriously lucky though I was a immature nutter on a couple of ships on the WCSA as well as a BA flyer. the Capt.'s did not DR me thankfully though did on one of the vessels give me a hard talking to which of course in hind-site I appreciated, maybe not so at the time.

Jim what was the outcome of that nasty, was there any recourse or appeal available for a DR? I sailed with plenty of guys who had more than one DR did not seem to worry them as far as I recall?
Capt. Kong when do you head off for your warm weather adventure enjoy it anyway be interested to hear about Christmas Island as you know it from this visit. Richard