Elders & Fyffes during WW2

[Susan Moore]

My Grandfather was a merchant seaman for Elders & Fyffes, he trained in Belfast and later lived in Liverpool with his wife and had 5 daughters. His name was John McEwan Cole, nicknamed Mad Jack.
He died following a fall onboard ship from a brain hemorrhage in hospital in Liverpool in 1937.
He was an engineer, rising to Chief Engineer, but I do not have any details of his service record, is this available anywhere?
He served for a time on these ships: Manistee, Matina, Miami, Pacuare, Barranca, Aracantaca, Patia, Patuca, Coronado, Crystals, Tilapia and Tetela. I would like to know the dates he sailed on each if possible. He survived 2 sinkings, once losing part of his eye sight and served as a King's Messenger until he could rejoin a ship - is there any records of King's Messengers?
I think he was serving on Patia in early 1916 when his first daughter (my mother) was born as he wanted to call her Patia but had to settle for Patricia as his wife refused to have her daughter named after a ship!
Can anyone point me in the right direction to find out more about my grandfather, his service records or the ships he sail on please?
Suzie

[Doc Vernon]

My Grandfather was a merchant seaman for Elders & Fyffes, he trained in Belfast and later lived in Liverpool with his wife and had 5 daughters. His name was John McEwan Cole, nicknamed Mad Jack.
He died following a fall onboard ship from a brain hemorrhage in hospital in Liverpool in 1937.
He was an engineer, rising to Chief Engineer, but I do not have any details of his service record, is this available anywhere?
He served for a time on these ships: Manistee, Matina, Miami, Pacuare, Barranca, Aracantaca, Patia, Patuca, Coronado, Crystals, Tilapia and Tetela. I would like to know the dates he sailed on each if possible. He survived 2 sinkings, once losing part of his eye sight and served as a King's Messenger until he could rejoin a ship - is there any records of King's Messengers?
I think he was serving on Patia in early 1916 when his first daughter (my mother) was born as he wanted to call her Patia but had to settle for Patricia as his wife refused to have her daughter named after a ship!
Can anyone point me in the right direction to find out more about my grandfather, his service records or the ships he sail on please?
Suzie

Hi Suzie
Is this a Double Barrel Surname please! McEwan Cole Or Just Cole ? And where was he Born, also possible Year of Birth

Cheers

[Susan Moore]

Hi Suzie
Is this a Double Barrel Surname please! McEwan Cole Or Just Cole ? And where was he Born, also possible Year of Birth

Cheers

Not double barrelled, just COLE born 1887 in Sunderland, he was from a Quaker family

[Doc Vernon]

Always difficult for Seamans Records in this Period, so the best at this stage would be to read through this Link i provide.
Within there are various explanations of how to try and go about finding someone Born around that time !

If you had a Ships name it would make things a lot better though.
I will also look into this a bit more when i can , and if anything comes up will post here
Cheers

Merchant Navy ships’ records: crew lists, musters and log books - The National Archives

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Susan
Bit of a delay i know but here is some good News on your Question.

tna_msea_bt350_04_68_046835.jpg

tna_msea_bt348_20_14_201467.jpg

Hope this will help you
Cheers

[Susan Moore]

Dear Doc, A million thanks for this information. I don't know how you found it but I will follow some of the info you have provided to see if there is any more on him. I found a posting by 'Brian" with a story about one of his trips on the banana run to Tiki from Garston so I could read a very personal, interesting and illuminating account of a typical voyage that my grandfather would have taken, it has fleshed out John McEwan Cole's working life for my sister and I. This forum is invaluable and I will add more information if I come across any, meanwhile thank you so very much. Suzie (Moore)

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Suzie
Gald it helped , and Yes please do let us know here if you come across any other info on him.
Always nice to have as much info as possible on old Crew!
Cheers

[Doc Vernon]

My Grandfather was a merchant seaman for Elders & Fyffes, he trained in Belfast and later lived in Liverpool with his wife and had 5 daughters. His name was John McEwan Cole, nicknamed Mad Jack.
He died following a fall onboard ship from a brain hemorrhage in hospital in Liverpool in 1937.
He was an engineer, rising to Chief Engineer, but I do not have any details of his service record, is this available anywhere?
He served for a time on these ships: Manistee, Matina, Miami, Pacuare, Barranca, Aracantaca, Patia, Patuca, Coronado, Crystals, Tilapia and Tetela. I would like to know the dates he sailed on each if possible. He survived 2 sinkings, once losing part of his eye sight and served as a King's Messenger until he could rejoin a ship - is there any records of King's Messengers?
I think he was serving on Patia in early 1916 when his first daughter (my mother) was born as he wanted to call her Patia but had to settle for Patricia as his wife refused to have her daughter named after a ship!
Can anyone point me in the right direction to find out more about my grandfather, his service records or the ships he sail on please?
Suzie

145889 Manistee Joined 25.9. 1930

161087 Matina Joined 7.11,1930

147364
Tetela Joined 27.2 1933

121232 Nicoya Joined March 1931

132040 Patuca Joined May 1920

136350 Coronado Joined November 1919

119597 Barranca Joined 2.1. 1923 and again on 3.1.1932

There are a few missing , but perhaps will be filled in when and if you find more on him.
Cheers

[Susan Moore]

Fantastic thank you Doc, I've spent today trying to identify the ships by the numbers you gave me previously so this fills those in and confirms the few I found. Will be back in touch when more information found. Suzie