What motivated you all to join the Merchant Navy.

[John Richardson]

I really wanted to be an airline pilot but didn't have the A levels, which could have got me on a training course run by the airlines and as my parents couldn't afford for me to learn to fly privately, I had to think of something else. My brother had done his National Sevice in the RN, serving on the cruiser HMS Ceylon circa 1952. He obviously had had a good time but I imagined there would be a lot more bull in the RN than in the merchant service, so I chose the latter - my O levels being good enough for me to start me on the ladder as an engineer cadet with Esso tankers. I retired 29 years later as Chief Engineer on Seacats - it had at times been bloody hard work and also very scary at times but I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

[Barry Davidson]

My fascination with the sea started as a young 15 year old pupil on a B&I School Cruise to the Greek Islands, aboard the 'Devonia', a converted troop carrier. This was followed by an application to join the MN, and an in person interview, somewhere close to Tower Bridge, if my memory serves me correctly.

Nobody tells a now 16 year od how to properly conduct a job interview, and I failed that portion miserably....mainly by telling the truth! (Q) Why do you want to join the MN?....... (A) to see the World? (Q) How long do you want to join for?....
(A) a couple of years will do!

I went home totally dejected but the Ocean Gods were on my side. My Mother worked two jobs, including cleaning houses. One of her customers worked for Royal Mail, and apparently, he was able to pull some strings on my behalf. About two
weeks after the interview I received a call at home, instructing me to get down to Tilbury ASAP, as there was a vessel there needing staff. I reported to the local office, collected my paperwork and was told to report to the RMS Durango, which was due to sail the following evening for Australia.

So there I was, clutching my new Seamans Book, with no training or experience reporting to my first vessel. I told the Chief Steward that I had been hired as a Lift Boy. When the laughter died away, he explained that the Durango was a cargo vessel, and not a passenger liner, therefore no lifts! Instead, I was assigned as Pantry Boy and spent the next four months in charge of the Pantry sailing from the UK to Melbourne, Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns and Bowen. Unfortunately, my seagoing days were not meant to last long. After the Durango i did two trips on the RMS 'Eden' and then a further trip with Port Line 'Port Lincoln'. At the end of that trip we returned to Liverpool in the midst of a general strike, I signed off and then could not get a placement after the strike ended. Still, it was a great experience, and one that I will never forget.
Regards to all.