Ship Painting Days

[Keith Tindell]

Pilot ladders reminded me of many times, painting over the side, several lots of stages working, and the bosun called *smoko*, you would be waiting for one guy to bring the pilot ladder to each stage, but most of us would shin up the gantline, so as not to miss too much smoko. Mind you the ships sides then was nothing like the ones i see out there now, oh to be fit enough to do that today tho, kt

[Red Lead Ted]

How right you are Keith, I have shimmied up many a gantline, Although I do seem to remember most of the time we would rig a Jacobs ladder down the middle of the stage, It not only acted as a ladder but also a safety line, Memories, Memories,!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Jim.
You brought back great memories of sitting on the hatch with a palm and needle sewing old tarps.
And John brought back memories of life boat drill on the Wave Baron, the same Flemming gear, but she had sliding metal covers so we were a bit in the dark about it all.
Cheers Des

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Ted.
I was watching a TV film about the QE2 when the camera swung up to the bridge, I suppose it was about a 100 ft above sea level, and there underneath the wing was a deck head, now that would be a good soogie job I thought. I also thought why the hell wasn't it closed in?
Des

[Red Lead Ted]

Hi Ted.
I was watching a TV film about the QE2 when the camera swung up to the bridge, I suppose it was about a 100 ft above sea level, and there underneath the wing was a deck head, now that would be a good soogie job I thought. I also thought why the hell wasn't it closed in?
Des

Because Des, Ship builders never had to maintain the ships they built it was us who had to figure a way out, Having said that as Frank has pointed out seaman today don't carry out the same duties that we did, I have spoken to todays Able Seaman they scratch there head when you mention painting masts in chairs or coming down the fore part or ships bow on a painting stage, And as I am sure most will remember it was down to you to check your gantline was sound along with seizing wire shackles and lizards before you used them, And always check each others turns on the stage if your mate was outside you where inside or vise versa otherwise you both rolled into the oggin or worse. Happy days lads Terry.

[Keith Tindell]

Things we have forgotten, when you mentioned the turns on the stage, one out and one in, i had completely forgotten that, mind it was 55 years ago for me. Reminded me also of pulling in on the bowsing line, to get right under the bow etc, oh happy days. After a day over the side painting, evening meal, and a few cans on the stern putting the world to right, assuming you did not have go ashore money, or what you did last trip etc, kt

[Tony Taylor]

Because Des, Happy days lads Terry.

so true Terry, forgot the number of times have had to struggle to get at gear to carry out repairs.

[happy daze john in oz]

Looking at some of the container ships you come to understand that firstly there would not be enough crew to do any serious painting etc , and when fully laden there is not much room to get around.

But on the cruise ships regular painting still goes on, mainly in scuppers, ships wooden rails and bulkheads.
No one goes over the side any more.

[Red Lead Ted]

Looking at some of the container ships you come to understand that firstly there would not be enough crew to do any serious painting etc , and when fully laden there is not much room to get around.

But on the cruise ships regular painting still goes on, mainly in scuppers, ships wooden rails and bulkheads.
No one goes over the side any more.

The maintenance duties we carried out John where governed by the Board of trade if you remember we signed B.O.T. Articles, Does the B.O.T. Still exist I don't think so and of course the articles todays British seaman sign are all graded General Purpose change for the better I am not sure but seaman today have known nothing else Terry.

[Captain Kong]

But on the cruise ships regular painting still goes on, mainly in scuppers, ships wooden rails and bulkheads.
No one goes over the side any more. HD JOHN


Hi John
I paid a lot of money to work on deck while the deck crew stood and watched.
Did a good job too.
Brian