Captain John Douglas Taylor (Ticket No.008957)

[Andy Crawford]

Hi there

John Douglas Taylor was born in Govan, Renfrewshire, Scotland on 28 October 1894, son of Captain John Taylor 1848-1919 and Helen Johnston 1863-? He had two older sisters and a younger brother.

In his Application to be Examined for a Certificate of Competency as 'Second Mate for Foreign-going Steamships Only' dated 26 December 1914, the vessels in which John had served since first going to sea were listed as:
SS "Saturnia", SS "Almora", SS Tritonia" and SS "Saturnia" of Glasgow - Indentured as an Apprentice from 3 June 1910 - 3 June 1914 in Foreign Trade
SS "Saturnia" of Glasgow as 4th Mate from 3 June 1914 - 7 June 1914; 13 June 1914 - 5 July 1914; 11 July 1914 - 2 August 1914 and 8 August 1914 - 4 September 1914 in Foreign Trade

Board of Trade Certificate of Competency No.008957 as 'Second Mate for Foreign Steamships Only' was issued 23 February 1915 at Glasgow

In his Application to be Examined for a Certificate of Competency as 'First Mate for Foreign-going Steamships Only' dated 11 August 1916, the vessels in which John had served since first going to sea were added to as:
S.S. "Orthia" of Glasgow as 3rd Mate from 8 March 1915 - 22 April 1915; 29 April 1915 - 14 June 1915 and 19 June - 6 August 1915
S.S. "Orthia" of Glasgow as 2rd Mate from 20 August 1915 - 5 ctober 1915; 18 October 1915 - 6 December 1915; 25 December 1915 - 18 February 1916; 26 February 1916 - 5 April 1916 and 19 April 1916 - 5 June 1916

Board of Trade Certificate of Competency No.008957 as 'First Mate for Foreign Steamships Only' was issued 15 August 1916 at Glasgow

On 14 May 1924 John, a "First Officer, Merchant Navy" married Mary Lavery Law in St Mary's Roman Catholic Chapel, Pollockshields, Glasgow, Lanarkshire.

At some point after this I think he was granted a Board of Trade Certificate of Competency as "Master". He may have died in 1950 but I am uncertain.

Can anyone help me?

Andy

[Hugh]

Hello Andy,
I can confirm to you that Captain John Douglas Taylor died at sea in position 21.59N 115.18E aboard LADY WOLMER official number 166052 on 21 July 1950.
Cause of death was "Fatty Degeneration of the Myocardium". The coordinates point roughly SE of Hong Kong.
He has 2 x CR1 cards a CR2 card and a CR 10 with photo from the Fourth Register of Seamen which you may or may not have let me know if you need them?

Regards
Hugh

[j.sabourn]

Without trying to interfere or hold this post up, I notice the words on the front of these certificates of competency state 1st. 2nd or master steamship only. This obviously refers to the fact that square rigged certificates were still obtainable. Wondered out of curiosity at what sort of year the”only”. was dropped. JWS.

[John Arton]

JWS
My dad's Masters ticket issued in 1941, states "Master of foreign steamship".
Rgds
J.A.

[j.sabourn]

Yes so is mine John the same as a lot more on site. It was the only I was asking about , master F.G. Steamship only was I believe stated. So assume the only was as against a square rigged cert. If your Dads was the straight steamship in 1941,then maybe it was much before that date that the square rigged Certs. were unavailable. But Thought it might have been later, today don’t think there is anyone who holds such, therefore there can be no examiners for such, plus the fact no teachers holding the cert. JWS

[Hugh]

Certainly steam was obtainable in the early 20th century John. The mate on CITY OF CAIRO had one for square rigged from 1922. The certificate being "second mate of a foreign-going ship". Compare that with the master of the ship only certificated for steam. The words on his certificate being "master of foreign-going steamships only". I doubt you will find many after that date.

Regards
Hugh

[Andy Crawford]

Hello Andy,
I can confirm to you that Captain John Douglas Taylor died at sea in position 21.59N 115.18E aboard LADY WOLMER official number 166052 on 21 July 1950.
Cause of death was "Fatty Degeneration of the Myocardium". The coordinates point roughly SE of Hong Kong.
He has 2 x CR1 cards a CR2 card and a CR 10 with photo from the Fourth Register of Seamen which you may or may not have let me know if you need them?

Regards
Hugh

Many thanks Hugh. I hadn't received any notifications to say that there were replies here .

I had spotted a Marine Return on the ScotlandsPeople website that I thought may have been him. The "Cards" you mention are news to me. If they're available FOC then I'd be happy to see them. My cousin in Brisbane will be happy to get this information.

Many thanks to all for the responses ... I'm glad my post generated some other observations!

Andy

[Hugh]

The "Cards" you mention are news to me. If they're available FOC then I'd be happy to see them.

They are available FOC from me if you post your email address via a private message I will send them to you.

Regards
Hugh