Life jackets.

[bob gatton]

I have just finished the story of 'The sinking of the Lusitania'.I was surprised to learn that a lot of passengers*drowned, due to putting their life jackets on upside down. Apparently, this caused their heads*to be under water, and their legs on the surface.Not sure if that is possible.Regardless, during my time at sea in the 50s and 60s, every ship I was on had the old cork jackets. You couldn't put them on the wrong way.Question. What was the design of the life jackets during*WW1?Also, when were the cork ones done away with?

Don’t think that’s possible. However, one of the potentially lethal problem with cork life jackets was that jumping from a height into the water was liable to result in a broken neck! as the hard cork came sharply up on entering the water and smacked under the wearers chin! One of the main reasons that they were replaced with Kapok filled life jackets ( in the 1940s and 50s i think ) If i recall correctly from 2M exams. The Board of Trade requirement for life jackets was. “ The support 7 pounds of iron for 24 hours”. That always seemed to me to be a bizarre and random test!!

[Al Williams]

Joined Iona this summer for a cruise. On boarding, was directed to muster station, then one of the bar/bedroom/hotel staff (they do have these roles as passenger safety guides in emergencies) immediately to register that I was 'onboard' (swipe the cruise card), then we made way oi cabin and watched the video. Previously, we had a talk at the muster station, shown how to put on lifejacket, and then they ticked off we had attended.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Does any of us know anyone who ever had there arm broken by a Swan?

Those of us wise enough never tested the theory of either lifejackets or swans, although have jumped in clutching one, lifejacket that is, not the swan, although like Donald O'Connor have been out with a few ugly ducklings!

[happy daze john in oz]

Lewis, JS may be able to clarify this.
There have been a number of people who have come into trouble with Swan.

Mostly in WA were Swan lager is very popular, too much has resulted in many ending up in hospital

[Steve Singleton]

Hi Keith..... Interesting comment from 2/O Lightoller there.... "a thousand knives....." etc.
I once jumped off the stern of a large ship, alongside, in Algeciras, across the bay from Gibraltar......
It was late November and I suppose I reasoned the sea would be reasonably benign but what I had not allowed for was that the "jetty/pier" was in deep water....
The ship was deep draught... & it was a long way from the shoreline...about I mile or so I'd guess.
I jumped from the poop deck... At a height of about 30 feet, I reckon. I was fully clothed, apart from my shoes. What shocked me on entering the water was how damn cold it was:
It was VERY cold......
The second thing was how deep I seemed to go..... (I'd jumped from greater heights, anchored in the bay of Naples, for example....but as a young man....In Summer.)
I got seriously worried.... as the rate of ascent seemed to get slower and the daylight above seemed a long, long way away.
I worried I was not going to make it. And I mean: Seriously worried.
But I did...eventually, I surfaced, and the man I had jumped in for was about 30 feet away....it took me an age to get to him...my legs and arms just seemed so reluctant to work.

I can quite understand how Lightoller felt..... He was so right to not wait to jump from a greater height.... He knew it was futile to do so & I'm sure his water was much colder than mine.
But believe me, I would not wish that experience on anyone.
Going very deep into shockingly cold water is a horrible experience. "Especially from a relatively warm environment".

I survived, obviously....but the man I tried to save did not.
The authorities said the cold water simply shocked his heart into "arrest".
May he rest in peace.

[j.sabourn]

#41 I can vouch for that , got into trouble on Thursday night as had contact with 4 or 5 Swans at Happy hour. Was a delayed re- action as trouble didn’t start until I walked though the front door where one always thinks you are in a safe environment, not true I can tell you. JS .

[happy daze john in oz]

John, how true is that.??

Recall our first trip to Perth ship docked in Freeo with a ferry service across to the main port.
Had a great night, Swan and Bundaburgh, what a combination.

All was well until we attempted to get back on the ferry, the guy in charge said we were drunk and would need to sober up before we were allowed on.

Sitting on the dock of the bay waiting for the effects to wear off, he let us on on the last one of the night.

[j.sabourn]

#45... Good job you got on the right launch or could of finished up on Rottnest Island and is a long swim back. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

Been back to both Freeo and Perth since but no sign of the pub and did not see a ferry.
Does one still run??

[j.sabourn]

Before my time John , can never remember a one there purely for crossing the harbour ,but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t one. If want to get to the other side I just drive round as there is a bridge there. There are trip boats go out to Rottnest though as have been on one I think if remember correctly. I gave up going to freo couple of years ago when was fined $70 for putting the wrong number plate in car park machine , as forgot which car I was in. Only go there now if have to. JS