Steering ticket

[Keith Tindell]

again, when handing over the wheel to the next helmsman, it was obvious you hand over the course to steer, but also if she was taking a couple of extra spokes one way or the other. Also remember after 2 hrs on the wheel if the relief was 2 minutes late you could kill them. 2 hrs with just the compass glow at night, in my day, it was rare for anyone to talk to you,so basic silence kt

[Red Lead Ted]

I will get corrected if i am wrong, But if my memory serves me correct you also mentioned your head to the officer of the watch before leaving the bridge. Terry

[Ivan Cloherty]

I will get corrected if i am wrong, But if my memory serves me correct you also mentioned your head to the officer of the watch before leaving the bridge. Terry

You'd get a sharp reprimand if you didn't Terry, wisley most did it to protect themselves and as OOW you always checked the new QM was on the correct course, which on most ships I was on was always chalked up on the board on the for'd bulkhead, which you could see in the dark once your eyes had settled down. Most people I knew just closed their eyes for a few seconds before entering the wheelhouse to acclimatise, we all had our own little tricks

[Red Lead Ted]

Ivan, I had forgotten the chalk board yes remember now obviously with you mentioning it the officer of the watch must have carried out that duty because i can never remember chalking it up, It was an eerie duty 4 hours at the wheel at night and easy to understand how some especially on the graveyard watch fell asleep at the wheel, I used to come alive when the silence was broken with the shipping forecast on the radio, Funny how very little was spoken between the helmsman and the officer of the watch, That's why we all welcomed our rotation onto the 4 to 8 you spent very little time at the wheel if any apart from darkness on the wing of the bridge lookout or switching from auto, And even then before you new it you where putting the crowd on the shake, Happy days indeed Regards Terry.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Yes Terry the course was chalked up by the OOW when a change of course took place. Don't think the not talking to the QM was a class thing, in those days we didn't have all the Nav aids they have today and had to traverse from wing to wing for lookout and keep ourselves awake; stopping for a chat could be distracting and not being attentive could find you with a light ahead that came out of nowhere in a seemingly empty ocean, you never saw it on the radar, because you never had one, and if you did the old man forbade its use 2000 - 0800 by the OOW, even the C/O was subject to these rules and have seen many an argument ensue at the top over that dictact.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

One thing has always intrigued me on the site. I refer to Ivan's post 37# where he said the crew enjoyed the extra shorthand money, also John S asking one time if I had the extra money from all the Gulf trips I did. I was on a B.T.C. tanker where most of the crew jumped on the NZ coast, and we used to go to the next port shorthanded, where new members [Blokes that had jumped other ships] came aboard, we sailed for Aus two men short, I can't remember any extra wages. Never had any extra money up the Gulf either. With interest I must be owed $millions.
Des

[j.sabourn]

Do you want it in Euros or Rupees Des ? JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Cooma shopping vouchers will do John, I will have to build a new garage to hold them all.
Des

[Ivan Cloherty]

One thing has always intrigued me on the site. I refer to Ivan's post 37# where he said the crew enjoyed the extra shorthand money,
Des

Des, not many DBS in China or Japan, and when you loaded in Canada or Aus, you were only there a couple of days and when that green hulled vessel with green funnel with red and white squares starts to appear round the breakwater all the DBS take to the hills, as they sure as hell know that vessel ain't UK bound!

[j.sabourn]

#47... Des still have a few bits of paper money ex Port Moresby , what was left after sending to that bloke who was desperate who lived up there and has since died. He used to contribute to this site and know a few of us helped him out , even Cappy did as well. if you really get caught out before your 25 rupees arrive will see if still have , don’t let Cappy know or he” ll want them , they are worth about 1/9d. JS
In actual fact I sent him $500 which cost $536 to send , however this was some time ago and heard that he had died. I hope it wasn’t for lack of his medication. Which the money was for. The wife never knew or she would have kicked up a riot. JS