Seamens Mission.

[Jim Brady]

I have noticed for some time here in Seaforth within the dock system some very high silo type buildings with what looks like covered conveyor belts high in the air going from one building to another.I asked the volunteer driver of the minibus in the mission what these buildings are,he was telling me that it is a new Biomass facility.It will handle three million tonnes of wood pellets from North America each year for the power station at Selby,Yorks.Four trains a day will transport the pellets to the Drax power station.
Regards.
Jim.B.
New £100m Port of Liverpool biomass facility to support EU’s largest decarbonisation project at Drax power station | Peel Ports

[Bob Petty]

Thanks for that, the old and oft used brain cells clicked into gear and the memories came flooding back, cutting out the contract payments from the pool in the Red Lion across the road from the pool.
The Seamen's strike ; being told by my old man ( a card carrying communist) when I for the train fare to come home, to stick it out, it would be a good lesson for me as to how the world worked.
A lesson that has stayed with me all my life.

[Charlie Hannah]

Brian Charlie Whitfield always charged half a crown in the pound.Had many cashed by him!

[happy daze john in oz]

Still have the seamens mission here in Port Melbourne. Developers tried to buy it to demolish and build appartments but kit is heritage listed so no go on that one.
Operates very well with a regular bus service to ships, has a bar and does some food. Still holds services in the chapel and is well run.

But as we know as young men going to sea many of us were on a mission, just not that kind.

[cappy]

Brian Charlie Whitfield always charged half a crown in the pound.Had many cashed by him!

##now thats interesting charlie in shields it was always 2 bob in the pound.....when you think .they must have been on a canny screw......regards cappy ...how is skeeter doing ..cappy

[j.sabourn]

Just goes to show how much trust existed between shipowner and a seaman. You can go out there and die for me, but I still wont trust you with a few bob. The old Advance note was still going into the sixties I believe. JWS

[Keith Tindell]

I can remember advance note for a £5, and losing a quid each time, used to cash mine in the Black Horse pub in Aldgate, so the landlord did ok, got his quid, and most of the rest as well, kt

[Red Lead Ted]

J.S.The old advance note was still active not only in the 60s but also in the early 70s, I remember the first time i was refused, The skipper told me , If you have no money in this ship then how can you expect me or the company fund you in the local boozer, Its for some kit Captain sea boots etc... Then be sure to purchase some when you pay off, Advance notes are a thing of the past young man. That was around 1972, From what i can remember the only advance on your wages a shipping company would fund was your union dues to enable you if in areares to sign articles.

[j.sabourn]

Terry, that was the big failing of the seamans union. If the shipping company refused to deduct his dues for union fees the union would have been insolvent within weeks. As soon as a seaman was signed on he was due to a days pay so a couple of quid here or there was no big deal. It was all about control. People belittle the Australian Seamans Union, but the time out here in the Guild can say the conditions were more fairer than UK, however with power you always get the basket who wants to misuse it to his own ends. Before I came to live in Oz if anyone had plauded the closed shop, I like many others would have said you commie basket. However I changed my views here and think it is the correct thing to do. The natives of a country should be the first to have access to work and when this is under the control of a union worked, when the union power was taken away all you get is misuse of the system by government to further their own ends. Good union people and the system works, bad union as well as bad government people and the system doesn't. There are too many bad people walking this earth today. To make it a bit clearer the Seamans union here replaced the Shipping Federation which was Shipowner controlled, out here the union supplied the manpower. Cheers JWS

[Doc Vernon]

Although I remember that Advance Note System (gee whiz I can ) I never made use of it at all .only thing I did was get Subs at times for various reasons,but that was not a good idea either as it left one a bit short at payoff times! Eeeeek! What not Enough Dosh for a Girl! LOL