Early background History of Gravesend Sea School

[Mike Hall]

There is a book called "SCHOOL FOR SEAMEN"
Its written by Roy Derham.
It can be bought from the Vindicatrix association, www.vindicatrix-hq.fsnet.co.uk for £17.00

[gray_marian]

#9, Where are you in the photograph John?

[John Albert Evans]

Marion,

Im in the centre line third from the right.
Thanks to you I've only just noticed that I put the same photo up twice, here is the second one that I meant to show, I'm on the bottom line centre person.....gravesend 1 001.jpg

John.
PS. Handsome little chap wasnt I.

[gray_marian]

#13, You still are John

[Peter Dobson]

An old thread but what the heck....... What amazing memories you have fellas, I was there "sometime" in 1957 was in catering but the only thing about my "stay" that sticks in my mind were the fabulous suppers we had namely thick doorstep bread spread with beef dripping we prepared ourselves (is this why I had a heart attack?) the other thing I remember was having to walk up 3 steps and down again the other side carrying 3 large plates and a large piece of wood on my head, wonderful!

Toilets, sleeping arrangements don't remember, probably my brain is shutting this detail out as it was that bad. Left the school and went straight to Falmouth to join the black listed Capulus which was being repaired then 9 months hell no one spoke English except the officers ugh!

[Keith Tindell]

I was there March 1958- may, and can recall the flushing bogs, no doors, just a run of traps with a half partition between, and the wash basins in front of you aas you sat. How would young guys react now i wonder. I remember the skipper lived in the flat at the school, i seem to recall he had a young daughter, you can imagine all the rampant guys, and the comments !!!. The skipper was a total piss head, KT

[Jim Brady]

Was his name Capt McKellar Keith,I went there 56/57.We did a week in the galley and got good grub,Cpt McKellar liked curry and rice which he had once a week,the week I was in the galley the cook gave us lads a plate of curry and rice each that was the first time that I had tasted curry.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Evan Lewis]

Hi All,

I am in the process of compiling a book based on my fathers time in the Merchant Navy between 1946 to 1955. As part of my research I have published some background history about Gravesend Sea School on my website, which I hope you will find of interest.

http://championfh.net/genealogy/cham...ool%20V1.0.pdf

Chris
www.championfh.net

Hi! Chris
Would I be right ,in thinking though ,your Dad would have actually had his training at the Vindicatrix,Sharpness?

[Keith Tindell]

Ref 17 Thats the guy Jim, sometimes used to appear rat arsed in the dormitory, yelling for everyone to be quiet, always some wag from one of the other decks would say ********** at which point he would fly up the stairs trying to find out who it was. I remember doing guard duty at the side door, his flat was upstairs at that point. You had to answer the door and let the shore leave guys in. Always hungry but happy, KT

[Jim Brady]

The same captains wife had the shop in the rec room Keith,a nice little earner I think.We didn't get much sugar for our porridge or tea so you could always buy a bag of sugar in the shop.Thats if you had any money.
Regards.
Jim.B.