#133.. I learned very early on John, the sea could be a hard taskmaster, and like most things in life you only get out what you put in. It had its usual poseurs and those there for the ride , the bully’s the procrastinators, the knowalls, you learned to make your own decisions and learned those who gave good advice and those who liked to hear themselves talk. Like all walks of life you were in an industry which was there for profit making and you were a tool only of those making the good life for themselves and their Immediate friends and family. Yourself and you alone decided on what course you were going to take as regards morals or lack of them , you grew up faster than any younger person ashore ever had to do. It was your life and you managed it come hell or high water. What you finished up as depended on oneself , but like motor cars there were all different models. To me it started as an adventure it finished up as a livelihood or for finer wording a profession. It should not be a problem for any proper seaman to have to depend on what type of ship as a ship is a ship is a ship is a ship is a ship and evermore shall be so, as long as it floated in water. And any different peculiarities it had could soon be learned
JS....