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Thread: Blue flu and memories

  1. #11
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    Default Re: Blue flu and memories

    Ivan #6.
    Yes some never got past the dock gate.
    In Durban before UCL moved to the town terminal they berthed further back closer to the whale factory.
    There was an hotel, the "criterion', in two half, bar one side hotel and restaurant the other.
    the atrium, between was the dock gate
    The barman, Jock, loved smoked fish and we always made sure we had some for him, cheaper than buying beer.

    But for many of the crew a few in there before going into town never happened.
    Once in they forgot to go to town, too much beer and Brandy squares can do that to you.

    I must admit I did not see the center of town until the berth was moved, after about 8 or 9 voyages.

    Then when I did discover it I discovered the 'Playhouse' which got meinto more strife.
    Last edited by happy daze john in oz; 9th November 2022 at 05:25 AM.
    Happy daze John in Oz.

    Life is too short to blend in.

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    Default Re: Blue flu and memories

    Ivan mentions China in the 50s / 60s. I spent six weeks alongside in Shanghai during a freezing cold winter. This was the time of Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution, everyone looked the same in blue boilersuits and caps, armed guards on the gangway and music with speeches blasting out from loud speakers 24 hours a day. The only places we were allowed to go were the mission or the Friendship Store, everything for sale there all at half price but only open for foreigners not Chinese. Although we were all pleased when sailing day came it was an experience I was glad to have, China was virtually cut off from the outside world it was mainly only seamen who witnessed these events.
    Our next port was in the States to load timber, at the time a ship could not go to the States directly from a Communist country so we went to one of the Japanese ports to have that on the manifest, a time to have a good run ashore and make up for what we missed.

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    Default Re: Blue flu and memories

    #12 Exactly Louis as you described, but we were only allowed to go to the Friendship store (FS) on the bus provided with an armed escort, Shanghai was the only place in nearly two years that we were allowed to go ashore, then only to the FS. Spent nearly two years running twixt OZ/Canada to China with a drydocking in Shimonoseki; where we all made up for lost time, and where I fell in love with Michiko, the Ship Chandler's daughter; but although being invited to their home, it was not to be, as Papasan decreed that she would marry a man of her culture.

    You mentioned the USA and communist trading/port entry, as usual what was on the surface hid the currents below, whilst loading in Vancouver, I remarked on the yellowness of the corn, and the foreman told me it was American, as that type of corn was not grown in Canada, as the Canadian corn has a much mellow yellow (remind you of a song), politics never stopped trade and embargoes rarely work.

    When ever we entered a Canadian or Aus port we were boarded by USA (not Canadian)/Aus officials asking us questions about the ports and coast lines (before the days of satellites), what could we remember, could we sketch it for them, what was the draft in the river, we kept an eye on ships larger than ourselves to see what draft they were for our own purposes; the last charts the USA had were Admiralty charts corrected up to 1949. Upon entering Chinese territorial waters armed guards boarded the vessel together with the pilot, all charts had to be put away, radar switched off, cameras and binoculars locked in Master's safe, any maps showing Tibet had to be thrown overboard before arrival, otherwise you were taken ashore for a geography lesson, you would not come back the same person.

    After securely berthing all crew members except the Master had to report on deck and stand in a straight line whilst armed guards searched the ship, for cameras, maps, stowaways etc etc, that search could take anything from 2-6 hours, regardless of weather whether it be +37 or -15/20c, the same on departure.

    When the Master complained on our first visit and said he wanted to see British Consul, he was told 'certainly Captain, but first you have to get to him' and that wasn't going to happen, we had to have an armed guard with us when reading the draft, only allowed twice a day, then we also had to show our pass to the guard at the bottom of the gangway before stepping off and again before stepping on, even though we had a guard with us all the time.

    There are numerous instances of other restrictions and privitations endured on that run, that would not be believed by any shore wallah, but it was all part of life's learning curve.

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    Default Re: Blue flu and memories

    Loui, you were lucky we were not allowed off the ship.
    Guards on the gangway and on deck.
    We had to take down all western style items from our cabins and stow them.
    Only in port for one day, just as well.
    Looking over the side it was almost impossible to tell who was male or female.

    Many years later there I was employed at a university.
    It was early 80,s and one of the lecturers ran end of year tours to China.
    A number of the staff would go and all were given a list of what to pack.
    Amongst the items, toilet paper, biscuits, make up soap and washing powder.
    According to those who went the hotels were very good but basic such as toilet paper non existant.
    Food quite good and all came back well used to chop sticks.

    Mate of mine went only a few years back, said it was great, did the wall bit and had a wonderful time saying the people were very friendly and helpful.
    Happy daze John in Oz.

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    John Strange R737787
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    Default Re: Blue flu and memories

    Yes, John China went from rickshaws, slums and dirt roads to one of the world's most developed modern countries in record time. There is no comparison between the old China to how it is now. Nearly everything sold will have Made in China stamped on it.

    In the days I was there a guard with a rifle stood behind the wheelman with all electrical devices shut down when entering and leaving port. A second mate on a Glen boat was seen making sketches of the entrance and harbour while standing on the wing on the bridge, when the ship sailed it was without the second mate.

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    Default Re: Blue flu and memories

    My first ship offered to me from the pool was going to China. My dad, who was ex M N himself, wouldn't let me go. At the time I was disappointed but looking back I am glad he did as I ended up on the Kiwi/Aussie run.
    Regards Michael

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    Default Re: Blue flu and memories

    #15 He should of had more sense Louis.Most mates and some masters were approached by a man from the ministry of Defence Dept. on going to Chinese and Russian ports with their shopping lists as have said before. I always refused , there was one case years ago think it was a George Granville a business man picked up in one of the Eastern European Russian Satellite countries and made the headlines of a big spy trial .He was. no more a professional spy than my left testicle. I was told I was a poor patriot whenever I said no. Cheers JS
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    Default Re: Blue flu and memories

    #11. John did you ever get up to the Valley of a Thousand Hills when in Durban , a native Kraal .I was all set to buy a couple of native spears until I saw on the steel tips Made in Sheffield. JS
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    Default Re: Blue flu and memories

    No John, not the valley of a thousand hills but the valley of a very sore head.
    The grog there always did something odd to me and the lads.

    But up in the Alice some years ago went into a local tourist shop.
    All the usual stuff there for the tourists.
    Picked up a Boomerang and on the back a sticker, Made in China.
    Happy daze John in Oz.

    Life is too short to blend in.

    John Strange R737787
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  12. #20
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    Default Re: Blue flu and memories

    Quote Originally Posted by j.sabourn View Post
    #11. John did you ever get up to the Valley of a Thousand Hills when in Durban , a native Kraal .I was all set to buy a couple of native spears until I saw on the steel tips Made in Sheffield. JS
    That must have been later in Years JS, as i know for sure when going there on many occasions all the goods made by the Zulu there were the Genuine stuff, the Spears had Steel Tips as you say, but were hand made and jusr as good, be it they were not quite as straight!
    Cheers

    The Zulu was a very proud Nation and must have taken some guts to change to Sheffield made Steel Tips, would have been more costly too!

    I talk of this as i had a Genuine one for many Years, but had to sell it when immigrating here, along with my Shambok, and Hunting Knife!
    Cheers

    And John
    Ah! yes the old Criterion, what a place many a good Drink and Barney in that place too.
    As for the Smoked Fish, well i can only say that South Africa was the only place that i recall at that time where one could get real Smoked Fish. (Snoek from the Cape) and the best in the World.
    When working at the Flour Mills in Durban, the Wife used to make ne Smoked Snoek Sarnies , with Onion and Tomato, she had to always make a lot extra too, as the Guys at work just loved them Sarnies!
    Cheers
    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 11th November 2022 at 05:22 AM.
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