Great uncle George King No 106516

[Frances Hudson]

Hi All.
Not sure where this should go .Thought it might be of interest to those who appreciate the days of sail.
Born Liverpool 1881. Trained on Indefatigable 1895.
First ship {1897} Marion Inglis .Glasgow registered. Built in Dumbarton in 1886 by McMillan for Lewis and Co. Steel hull.1587 tons and 250 ft long.
She was a good sailer and paid for herself many times over.
Uncles 1st trip was to Sydney arriving Dec 1897 and according to Syd Morning herald left Sept 1 and had fine weather and good NE to equator. Passing the de Verde islands encountered a heavy storm and several sails were lost. They crossed the equator on Oct 4/5 and made Cape Meridian on Oct 30 with strong southerlies. They ran the easting in 40 to 45 degrees. By Dec 4 the winds were all around the compass and very squally. They made the Australian coast with heavy seas and gales. While running the easting the main topsail yard carried away breaking amidships.
After this exciting introduction to being a sailor Gt Uncle spent most of the following years sailing on White Star ships as Bosuns Mate. Some ships were Campania [1906] Zeeland [1909] Cretic[1911] Runic [1914] Cymric. Adriatic[1919] Suevic [1920] Adriatic /Baltic [1921[ Pittsburgh [!923] Cretic [1926] Arcadia[1927] I realise that not all these ships were White Star. Whilst on the Pittsburgh he was awarded the Med+l Medaille plus citation for rescuing Italian seamen.
His other medals include Victory Medal, Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Life Saving Medal from Benevolent Society of NY, 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, and Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Medal.
Hope this creates some nostalgia for some of you. Cheers Fran

[Keith at Tregenna]

Thanks for your posting / recording of your Great uncle's life and times.
Very interesting.

Regards, Keith.