Steering Mistake.

[Phil Hughes]

On my first trip to sea in 1958 as Deck Boy I was on the Warwick Castle going down the east African coast doing my steering hours for my ticket and after 6 hours I guess I was over confident and the Q.M. was obviously happy with me so he was strolling around the bridge whilst talking to me. When I looked back at the compass card I was off course and it looked way off course so I panicked and instead of easing it back gently I did it too fast and the ship healed over to starboard. The Captain came running into the wheelhouse shouting about being thrown from his chair and asking what the **** is happening. He then went onto the wing and looked astern shouting, "My passengers are swimming on the timber decks while they should be in the pool". I think he exagerated a bit. I got an extra 2 hours on my time and the Q.M. got a reprimand.
Phil Hughes. R698842.

[John Arton]

As cadet I had to do my steering ticket on my first trip on a 66000 ton tanker. I was also tasked with doing the steering going into and out of port. We were going up to Tranmere, fully laden and the pilot was giving me compass course to steer and once I had steaded her up on the new heading and reported to the pilot steady on xxx I would pick a prominent object that was aligned right ahead of the foremast and keep the head steady on it. The pilot was getting very shifty about this as with the tide affecting us the actual compass heading was different to the heading I was steering on. The captain politely pointed out to the pilot that if he, the pilot, had been paying attention he would have realised that the tidal current was setting off track.
Rgds
J.A

[Graham Shaw]

As a cadet I used to love steering,especially on long river or estuary pilotages ,where it really felt that one was really doing something important and more relative to one's future career than chipping decks,or soogying paintwork or varnishing rails.Even as a junior mate I relished taking the wheel under pilotage when the QM was overdue his relief or had to go below to call the watch.It was also a good way to learn how ships handled in confined waters or responded to the helm when avoiding other vessels or
obstructions. I don't suppose it is as enjoyable or as satisfying today. Oops !Hard- a -cardboard!

[Des Jenkins]

Some of the most enjoyable times steering which I liked was on the last British ship I was on a small coaster the leadsman, up and down the East coast in the summer of 57.
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

Been on the bridge of a modern day cruise ship.
So different, no one to steer now, just a joy stick and a computer screen, no magic there now.

[Chris Newton]

Exactly as you said, as a cadet I paricularly enjoyed being on the wheel in specific areas, PANAMA canal, approch to Punta Arenas, to and from Liverpool and London berths. ONLY 65 years ago but experiences one never forgets!

[Johnny Kieran]

Got my steering ticket on the Hornby Grange. I got that urge to tweak the wheel a tiny bit, just to see what it did to the course and how it felt. Then I was shown the graph of each time I did it, plus a little telling off "Every time you do that it costs money in fuel", I soon learned.

[Chris Gundry]

Chris Gundry
R730309
This post reminds me of my steering mistake,I was on the MV Thakery in the north sea heading for Middlesborough, I was sixteen and only been on the wheel once before
On the Bridge I took over from and AB who mumbled something about the course and was gone, I wasnt sure which compass we were using as the Giro was open onone side of the wheel and the Steering compass was also open ,So i decided it must the course on the compass ,It was a rough and dark night and I had a job to keep the course,The Skipper and the first mate were both on the bridge and looking forward into the weather,a few minutes in and the skipper turned to me asked what course I was steering
I told him what I thought was the correct course and he came over to the wheel and slamed the cover over the compass and said you should be steering by the giro ,we are heading straight for the Goodwin sands. I altered course and continued my watch we no further problem, When we paid of in Middlsborough the Skipper signed my steering certificate. Which I thought was prety good as I had only done two tricks on the wheel.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Chris Gundry
R730309
This post reminds me of my steering mistake,I was on the MV Thakery in the north sea heading for Middlesborough, I was sixteen and only been on the wheel once before

,we are heading straight for the Goodwin sands.

Yep, those Goodwin Sands have a habit of moving in bad weather

[Johnny Kieran]

Think I might have posted this before, but anyway.
On a City boat round the Borneo coast, I was on the wheel being directed by a little chinky geezer that seemed to be a permanent pilot while on the coast. We were entering one of the many rivers that took you to a tiny place for loading rubber. He told me to go to port when I could see we had to go to starboard. I told him port was toward land, but he just had a hissy fit telling me he was in charge and to do as I was told. All of a sudden we came to a sharp stop with everything flying everywhere. The skipper ran into the bridge roaring at me, but the mate (not sure which) on watch said he'd heard the order to go to port and had written all the pilots orders down. He saved my skin, but it was a few days before a tug came out to pull us off.
Oddly enough, that pilot stayed on board for several more ports.