Help needed

[Jimmy Swinnerton]

Hi Doc, Thanks for your reply, I've just requested a copy from NA with the new info. I'll let you know the result, Thanks.

[happy daze john in oz]

Probably more to do with safety and security John, as millions of records (not only MN) have been lost in fires in various archives around London over the years. Not surprising when you think of the amount of paper and film material and ancient electric wiring

You could well be correct there Ivan, there have been a number of fires over the years in many London offices.

[Keith at Tregenna]

In 1966 the National Archives in London [Public Record Office] took the decision to discard part of the “Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, the Agreements and Account of Crew and Official Logbooks” for British Empire vessels from 1861 to 1913. The decision met with considerable opposition from archivists and maritime and labour historians; these records were considered to be a valuable and largely untapped source of information on seafaring labour and the shipping industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Eventually, through the co-operative effort of a number of individuals, the disposition of the Crew Agreements was settled, with the bulk of the records, covering 1863-1938 and 1951-1976, being transferred to Memorial University's Maritime History Archive (MHA).

[casso]

They said "Newfie is a big place we'll take care of them, got lots o' room."

[Jimmy Swinnerton]

Hi Marion, I've been checking the info you gave me regarding my Dad's WW2 MN records you found on FMP. of his arrival at New York Immigration on the ship SS Pasteur. What I see is interesting, there is an attached letter from a Shipping Agent in Liverpool regarding the list of names stated, have been engaged to join the above vessel (MV LUXOR) in San Fransisco California. Wow, they have just arrived from Liverpool, now they've got to get to California,
How,? would it be another voyage or by aircraft ?? Did events like this often occur, or is this just a one-off? Thanks

[j.sabourn]

#28.. Don’t know about during the war but was not out of the ordinary for whole crews to be transported abroad on long distances to relieve crews en masse after the war so imagine it was an on going practice prior to. JS

Mainly total crew changes I have been involved in India to Japan.
Uk to the Eastern seaboard of the states.
Philippines to Hong Kong .
And all vice - versa of course.
Those are just the total crew (more or less ) crew change.
Many individual and small number crew changes as necessary.
JS

[John Sayers]

Hi Can you explain what exactly is a seamans pouch, I believe it is a series of cards in an envelope which you have to visit the NA to view , is this correct.


I have a copy of his release papers date 1/1/1946 Throughout the war he was on a T.124 agreement which meant he was Merchant Navy but employed on Royal Navel vessels.
His name was Robert Maclaren DOB 4/11/1909 Discharge book # R227455

My Paternal Grandfather was a Chief Petty Officer RN on board HMS Tasejera during the North African Landings Operation Torch. He was T124X . His name was Samuel Sayers. I have two photos of him on board ship but don't know which ship, he was on the HMS Maloja as well

[Des Taff Jenkins]

During the war a neighbour in the MN was torpedoed three or four times, but I know that once he ended up in Jamaica, whether as a survivor or a jumper, but he was transferred to New York to join a ship on a home convoy.
Des

[j.sabourn]

Anyone know and can explain the difference if any, between the T124 x and the H.O. ( hostility’s only ) rating ? JS

Another similar but different in its adaptability was the permit second engineer and the dispensation 2 nd engineer . When I think I am correct in saying the permit brought out during the war enabled the engineer go from ship to ship. Whilst a dispensation of later years only gave the right to that one ship for that particular voyage. Engineers will have a better understanding of this than me. JS

[Doc Vernon]

Warrant Officers entered on T.124 agreement or variants. (iii) Warrant ... Seamen H.O. Selection of these ratings (preferably volunteers) is as far as possible.