Question

[vic mcclymont]

When ships arrived at New York the crew members of the ship were recorded and records can be found on Eliss Island, did the same happen when a ship docked in San Francisco, and if so where can the records be found?
Did Australia and New Zealand record the names of seafarers when the ships docked, and if so where can the records be found?

Cheers
Vic

[j.sabourn]

Don’t know how long they keep records but the custom house would be a place to try. Before I retired we went to Cairns in FNQ as had memories of the place. Went into the harbour masters office and asked if they kept records of all ships. They had a young girl there very obliging who said yes they could help me and asks for ship and year when I said 1953, she said God ! we don’t go that far back. JS

[John Gill]

Sailing with Cunard late fifties early sixties I was night cook on the Sylvania, with regular trips to New York. Immigration officials used to board at the Ambrose Light at the entrance to the harbour, and process passengers and crew prior to berthing at Pier 92. This procedure had to be done every trip. Being on nights I would be first down the gangway and on the uptown bus to savour the delights of the Big Apple. Spent most of the day there and as I wouldn't be working that night had imbibed a glass or two in the Market Diner on my way back. Top of the gangway was Master at Arms along with two men in suits. I was formally arrested, cautioned, read my rights and was driven to Bowling Green the office of FBI, interrogated and after satisfied i wasn't a threat to US security, threw me out to walk a long way back to the ship. Obviously I'd missed immigration and subsequently my card was marked, future trips I was always front of the queue.
Gilly

[Dennis McGuckin]

HI John,
Our R number is very close.
I did many trips into NY on the Sara Bowater.
First place I ever saw Pizza.
Fond memories of the Market Diner.

[John Gill]

Keep that R number below one Dennis or we'll all be going to hell in a handcart.

[happy daze john in oz]

Do not recall any details being taken here in Oz when we docked.

But there were a large number who jumped here and in NZ and their details may have been given to authorities by the skipper.

[j.sabourn]

On British ships the Articles of Agreement were always lodged with the Embassy or consulate and returned when clearing outwards so all particulars of those who jumped would have been available if wanted. Depending on which port you jumped and your character and your keeping your nose clean and depending on supply and demand you were left to your own devices . Cappy apart from being underage and a villain to boot was deported along with his pet emu as during those days consensual sex was not recognised. Seriously though those were much better days to be on this earth , and as one ages one realises we were the lucky ones. All though it caused the likes of me a lot of extra work , it wasn’t just British seamen. The lascars had a penchant for jumping in the U. K. , and the Chinese in the U.S.A. Cheers JS...

Whoever looked after the accounts purser Chief Steward or second mate , after sailing from a port , the exchange rates for the money’s or subs advanced , the official exchange rate was stamped on the back of the Articles , and then had to change to sterling for entry on the pay off slips. This is where Cappy gets mixed up
with his 1/3d. JS

[Captain Kong]

I remember on the SUEVIC in 1955 having to line up on the deck, Port Health man there, and having to dropkeks for a shortarm inspection.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

HI Brian.
I dropped my keks so many times I was inclined to ask for a few bob for the show.
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

Des, the only ones to do that were mainly on UCL.

But I was being sort by the police in Cape Town on my last voyage there.

I had been taken captive by a young lady who took advantage of me and kept me in her place, plied me with Cape smoke and Weed, until the noon day gun went off.

Not having turned to at 0700 hours as I should the skipper put out an APB on me.

Got back and it cost me almost a weeks pay.