First Foreign Port.

[George Gunn]

My first foreign port was Lisbon I was 16 years old and clueless . Went ashore with a group of old hands to a drinking establishment that they had visited in the past, as soon a we arrived we were joined by a group of young ladies and some not so young ladies , I was a complete observer as the guys chatted to the ladies not really knowing how to behave, after a short time one of the younger girls came and sat beside me she asked my name and told me hers and said that she really liked me !! I thought ( this is the life) and couldn't believe my luck !!a little while later she asked if I wanted to go somewhere nice and quiet with her so we could be on our own, I was in heaven by this time completely besotted.We went to building just round the corner and she banged on the front door and it was opened by a fairly old woman she handed me a bar of soap and a small towel and we went to a room.I will spare you'll the details of my ( Brief Encounter) and we returned to meet my shipmates when we walked in the door the boys all stood up and cheered and it slowly dawned that I was not the most desirable guy on the planet but had simply been set up !! but I was chuffed to bits.

[Doc Vernon]

Nice one George , in more ways than one ! LOL
I guess though that has happened to many here on site, myself included, yes those early young days when most of young uns knew not much about the great life out there.
Quite an experience it was and a shock at that too.
\But Boy "Did we Have it All"
Thanks keep em coming!

[Johnny Kieran]

Well I was different. I remember going into a bar with all the older blokes, who one by one, went into a room with the only lady there. I was crapping myself at the thought of it, coz when it came to my turn, I went in and told her that my mum advised me not to do this. She smiled and told me to sit on the bed, while she groaned and howled loudly. After a while she took me back into the bar, where all the blokes cheered. She told them I was number one loverboy.
It was only after a few days when the other blokes all started squeezing up and I didn't, that they caught on to my game. I was jeered at, but felt great that I'd avoided the inevitable. They followed me into the heads for a few days to be sure.

[Michael Black]

My first foreign port was Las palmas for bunkers no shore leave posted at top of gangway so I suppose my first real foreign port was Freemantle 3 weeks later.
Was taken to Cleo's for my first beer in a foreign land, even though it was obvious to the barman I was well under age. No tales to tell from there, they came later courtesy of a nurse called Glenda in Melbourne.
Regards Michael

[John Arton]

My first foreign port was Dunkirk when I was 14 years old and blue star line, my father's company, had offered me a trip coasting as a supernumerary in order to give me a taste of sea life.
At aged 17 I actually started my sea going career, first port was das Island up the Persian gulf, offshore loading, no shore leave, next port was Gothenburg, again no shore leave, finally got ashore in the next port which was Lisbon where we were in drydock. Had a similar experience as George in #1.
Also spent a number of nights getting drunk in the Texas bar.
Rgds
J.A

[j.sabourn]

#4. If you got around the pubs in Freo Mike think it would still have been the same in earlier years , but the Pennisular and Oriental better know as the P&O pub was the meeting place every week for whoever was at home on leave for masters and mates union meeting this was obligatory. The other unions all had different pubs as venues ,the other unions being the Engineers , the Seaman’s, the stewards or catering.The shipowner and government seemed quiete happy for this arrangement . Maybe they were working on the old theorem of divide and rule.Cheers JS

[Des Jenkins]

My first port was Galveston in Texas in July 49, picking up a cargo of wheat for Hamburg. I was also my first death on a ship, when a heel block broke away while loading the sacks on top of the loose wheat, it took this Negro's head apart, the wieght must have been to much for the shackle and strop holding it.
Des

[j.sabourn]

That was one of the things that would stop a ship in Australia from 1953 and onwards to my knowledge Des , every Derrick heel block had to have a substantial wire preventer passed through the securing heel of the block and the Derrick securing heel piece for the block . As mate on a ship coming into an Australia port I had to know where every block on the ship was and be able to produce the certificate for all Derrick fittings this included all shackles and wires as well .it was always easier when one had a long sea passage with good weather before arrival Oz. One of the reasons why the shipowner didn’t like his ships going to Oz. Not the Safety Authorities and the unions fault laziness and cheap and shoddy goods maybe purchased by himself knowingly. Over the years Safety at Sea has reached a more safety conscience position in the industry , but it still has a long way to go. If risks weren’t taken there wouldn’t be many ships at sea today., JS

[James Curry]

So back on topic, my first run ashore was Hamburg. Ero's centre, that did not take long as the lady in question was very expeirenced and was keen to get back to source her next trick. Still I had a smile on my face
Next run up the road was Ghana, Takoradi. Enjoyable but was itching for several days after. One of the old hands told me best thing is shave down below. Well that worked for a bit. So went to see the the Chief Steward , drop them , there is me standing there like a bald eagle!!! have you been talking to Danny Wilson(AB) yes oh ffs!!!anyway here use this cream and it will be gone in a day or 3.
Thankfully never got a cold ever during my time at sea. Got married to my first Mrs, should have carried on enjoying the odd dalliance as turned out she was certainly not sitting at home waiting on hubby coming home!!!