Was I a petty officer?

[j.sabourn]

Or
“Position Of Such Haughtiness”. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

Cooling breeze in the Indian ocean, like to see that.
Went through there in 64 on two pints of fresh water per man per day.
So dry could not even whistle up a breeze.

[Rodney Mills]

Johnno, that was the days before planes and fast ships, and probably wind scoops sticking out of the porthole of an 8 man cabin for cooks and wingers on a Castle boat. I'm afraid that was not part of the good old days. Crossing the line or pulling away from Suez and wishing your life away praying for Channel night. Funny, I never whinged about spending many nights in Oz with my late wife in our camper and had some bloody hot summer nights there.

Cheers, Rodders

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Rod.
Your hot summer nights of yore are now called cool summer nights that everyone one here looks back on LoL
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

Had some hot nights as a young man in many places, gone a bit cool now.

But hot or cold it all depends on who you spend it with and how.

But with spring on the way the sap will be rising for many, reminds me of the musical 'Grease' and hot summer nights.

[john walker]

I like the old one about the waiter asking for a tip, and the answer was be kind to your mother. JS

I have heard a similar one with the answer being get another job as you are useless at this one.

[Peter MacFarlane]

I was a time served engineer from the Clyde. I attended day release and night school to gain a Higher national Diploma which exempted me from part A of my second's ticket. I think I was qualified enough to be classed as an officer. The majority of engineers that came from cadet schemes also had good certificates although often lacking in real engineering experience. I never sailed with anyone who looked down on ER crew.

[Mike R868356]

I was Ships Cook for a spell on the QE2, my official rating was Grill Cook but I was being put through all the sections with a view to junior catering officer promotion (black trouser Chef). I didn't hold a Ships Cook certificate but others in the galley did, I was told it carried Chief Petty Officer status. 52 years later I am still very proud of the fact, never made catering officer returning from leave dawn breaking over the Oxfordshire countryside on a whim decided to turn round and head for home in Lincolnshire.