By registering with our site you will have full instant access to:
268,000 posts on every subject imaginable contributed by 1000's of members worldwide.
25000 photos and videos mainly relating to the British Merchant Navy.
Members experienced in research to help you find out about friends and relatives who served.
The camaraderie of 1000's of ex Merchant Seamen who use the site for recreation & nostalgia.
Here we are all equal whether ex Deck Boy or Commodore of the Fleet.
A wealth of experience and expertise from all departments spanning 70+ years.
It is simple to register and membership is absolutely free.
N.B. If you are going to be requesting help from one of the forums with finding historical details of a relative
please include as much information as possible to help members assist you. We certainly need full names,
date and place of birth / death where possible plus any other details you have such as discharge book numbers etc.
Please post all questions onto the appropriate forum
I have been overwhelmed by the number of requests for new passwords
It is going to take a while as each one has to be dealt with and replied to individually but I am working on them and will get back to you as soon as I am able.
Brian.
Thank you for your patience, I am getting there.
-
20th December 2022, 04:25 AM
#71
Re: Thunderbox.

Originally Posted by
Harvey Stanger
Outside Toilets…
Facilities provided in Swan Hunter shipyard on Tyneside in 50’s and 60’s consisted of long plank on scaffold rigged over the river with holes in and a gutter underneath with a stream of water flowing to remove debris. Seemed OK but the canvas walls were open at the bottom and the wind blew straight in off the North Sea up your Kyber. Suppose it deterred people from lingering.
You should come and try some of our Bush long drops, complete with Red Back spiders and others as well.


Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
World Traveller

-
Post Thanks / Like
-
29th December 2022, 12:05 PM
#72
Re: Thunderbox.
As a ships carpenter with Brocklebank I made numerous thunder boxes for around the Indian coast didn't mind making them but striping them down was an other matter tony
-
Post Thanks / Like
-
30th December 2022, 12:17 AM
#73
Re: Thunderbox.
Hi Harvey.
Reminds me of the toilets on the Vindi, same system long plank series of holes and water running beneath, except at time a burning newspaper would come past making everyone jump off.
Des
R510868
Lest We Forget
-
Post Thanks / Like
-
30th December 2022, 08:43 AM
#74
Re: Thunderbox.

Originally Posted by
Anthony hines
As a ships carpenter with Brocklebank I made numerous thunder boxes for around the Indian coast didn't mind making them but striping them down was an other matter tony
At the final coastal port, we always cut them adrift. Always hosed down between ports and during long stay ports
-
Post Thanks / Like
-
30th December 2022, 09:09 AM
#75
Re: Thunderbox.
#73. Bet the theme song and accompanying music for that one was “ Great Balls of Fire “ Des ? JS
R575129
-
Post Thanks / Like
-
2nd January 2023, 09:00 AM
#76
Re: Thunderbox.
I was on a Texaco VLCC cleaning tanks off Korea and we had hundreds down the tanks emptying the sludge. Our stern was fitted with a host of Thunder boxes to cater for this 24 hour work force. Needless to say it was an area to keep clear off and I am sure no soft tissues were supplied. Many of the workers were women but no segregation.
-
Post Thanks / Like
-
15th January 2023, 11:08 AM
#77
Re: Thunderbox.
Hi Johnny,
The thunderboxes I remember were built on the stern of the ship that I sailed on tripping from port to port on the West Coast of Africa. This was in the early 50s.We had them for the crew boys that we had on board to come with us, they were on board as dockers. When we finished loading they were then put ashore and the thunderbox was dismantled. Best wishes and thanks for bringing back good memories. Frank 545192.
-
Post Thanks / Like
-
15th January 2023, 05:01 PM
#78
Re: Thunderbox.
Just noticed your post Tony. Yes, I was with Huntings 64-69.
-
Post Thanks / Like
-
15th January 2023, 07:03 PM
#79
Re: Thunderbox.

Originally Posted by
Harvey Stanger
Just noticed your post Tony. Yes, I was with Huntings 64-69.
I am sure it was you who used to catch the no. 6 bus at Wardley, me and a Stag line guy were already on board.
-
Post Thanks / Like
-
16th January 2023, 03:10 PM
#80
Re: Thunderbox.
Yes I did. Got a very poor memory for names, so don’t remember seeing you, sorry.
-
Post Thanks / Like
Tags for this Thread
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules