D.h.u.

[Louis the fly]

I once did a trip on the Empress of England. Only one, Quebec and Montreal far too cold. Went back to the Pool for the sunshine.
Here is a story I heard there, do not know if true or not.

A first trip D.H.U. joined and is put in the 12-4. He finishes his first watch at 4 a.m. and turns in. At 1120 he is woken up for midday.
He said " what are you calling me for I am on the night shift ".

An A.B. is teaching the D.H.U. how to report lights on lookout using the bell, one to starboard, two to port and three dead ahead.
On his next watch he is on lookout in the crows nest when he sees a light on the horizon dead ahead, he picks up the phone and when it is answered on the bridge says...... ding ding ding.


All the very best to all of you.

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi Shipmates, "The D.H.U.s i came across were an odd lot one was royal navy with 6 years service{ as AB} he done something bad? one was a trawler man born on one in hull, who wanted a bit of the good life he thought he was on a cruise ship, never had it so good , and the other was a junkie ex army. They done the job ....

[Ivan Cloherty]

Hi Shipmates, ? one was a trawler man born on one in hull, who wanted a bit of the good life he thought he was on a cruise ship,...

I can confirm anyone coming off a deep sea trawler onto a merchant ship of any description would think he was on a cruise ship, especially in 50's and 60's

[j.sabourn]

The few DHUs I sailed with were mainly ex national servicemen. As they were mature men so to speak it was considered they should be on a higher salary than OSs. As they were on I believe 10 shillings a month less than an AB they were on the whole a good screw. I only ever sailed with one who tried to use the system to his advantage by refusing to go over the side on a stage saying he wasn't certificated to do it. It was a headworking ploy and he didn't get away it as got all the *hitty jobs going. John Sabourn

[j.sabourn]

Ivan I was on at least 5 of these trawlers built in the 40s and 50"s doing another rotten job. The manning on these ships I have said in the past no one from regular shipping, apart from those not knowing better or desperate for a job would take. I have sailed with double barrelled tickets ( Chief Engineers) in fact one a close friend of mine was lost in the North Sea. The living conditions on most of these ships was abysminal and in winter time when every one else was running for shelter you were stuck there for a minimum of 4 weeks sometimes 6 depending on the availability of another vessel being able to relieve you. Most of these crews although you wouldn't introduce them to your sister were fine seamen, and had no fear of getting their feet wet. Cheers John Sabourn

[j.sabourn]

Ref #4. Anyone coming back and quoting Safety Rules and Regulations, everyone in the deck department went over the side on stages apart from first trip deck boys. This was how they learnt and mostly were always keen to do. John Sabourn

[happy daze john in oz]

I once did a trip on the Empress of England. ---

All the very best to all of you.

Sounds as if he was a bit of a ding aling

[Ivan Cloherty]

Ivan I was on at least 5 of these trawlers ---- Cheers John Sabourn

John, I was on the 'Swanland' built in 1914, you can imagine what she was like, especially in bad weather off Iceland, my next was built in 1936 and seemed like luxury, it was a bluddy hard life, but you did get to know the sea and all its moods and although the guys were rough and made you work long hours even as a 13/14 year old, they always made sure you were safe and never molicoddled. You learnt an awful lot in a very short time. Going deep sea was a luxury compared to the life those men had, but they liked it, it was in their blood and the richest men in town (at times)

[j.sabourn]

I visited the Retired Fishermans club in North Shields last July, looking for some information for a family tree. Whilst there was made very welcome but could feel was being put under a microscope. They the same as all seafarers probably feel more secure amongst their own, as all seafarers have a different life history than the normal people ashore. Don't know whether Keith has visited them yet. It was another disaster for the UK when the very strong fishing industry we had was curtailed by the stupidity of going into Europe .Regards John Sabourn

[cappy]

#8 respects to you two.....proper seaman