That sounds like a company that wouldn't buy even a spud peelerfor the galley boy
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That sounds like a company that wouldn't buy even a spud peelerfor the galley boy
Think of all the wasted ammunition for the potato guns we used to have. The sacks used to make good overalls when white leading and tallowing the mast stays or shrouds. Then over the wall. JWS.
WE had on UCL the luxury of potato peeling machines.
But the problem was if you did not keep an eye on it you ended up with spuds the size of marbles.
As a Deck Boy in 1948 at 7-pounds monthly until later AB/QM at 24-pounds I was always paid in cash at trip end - not that there was much to receive. Occasional large white 5-pound notes created a problem in shops in my home town of Worcester where, as an unkempt 17-year old and seamen almost unknown, I could only have been a thief - even though I had clothing coupons also received at pay-off.
Signed on my first deep sea ship the British Energy on 30th November 1964.
Wages for catering boy were 11 pounds a month. sent my mother an allotment of 2 pounds a week.
From memory after end of 1966 strike wages rose to 17 pounds a week.
Like many other posters to this site i would of happily worked for food and board as it was such a good life and filled with adventure and wonder for a 16-17 year old boy.
There was no comparison to any job "on-shore."
Trevor I think you were getting a bit more than 11 pounds per month in 1964 my wages as catering boy in 1956 was £12 2s 6d.I know raises were few and far between but I think there would''ve been some kind of a raise in 8 years.If I remember correctly i think the overtime for a cat/boy was 1/9d per hour after a trip of nearly 3 month paid off with £40 quid,loaded,£22.00 of that was overtime.Happy Days.
Regards.
Jim.B.