One Hand for the Company - One Hand for yourself

[Wagga]

It was a grey overcast day with rough seas. We were mid Atlantic and I was a deck boy aboard the MV Orita, a general cargo ship bound for South America. I was on the afternoon watch when it was noticed that a large pile of wooden deck cargo had begun to come adrift on the main deck.

Wishing to please, I said I would go down and lash it down again. I ran from the bridge, along the deck and over the great pile of rogue wooden planks and edged my way over it until I was precariously perched with my feet on the gunwales.

The spray and high seas did their best to claim me as another victim and a watery grave as I wrestled with the wet ropes. I had no problem hitching the ropes up tightly and felt a surge of confidence come over me as I gained control over this great pile of boisterous wood.

Once I was satisfied, I edged my way back along the gunwales and onto the safety of the deck. Brimming with pride, I made my way back up to the bridge where the First Officer was impressed but gave me those cautionary words I shall never forget; "good job but remember, one hand for the company and one hand for yourself". I understood immediately what he was saying and it brought me back to my senses.

I often look back at that incident and realise how close I had been to being washed overboard with very little chance of being recovered. We did a lot of dangerous things back then and I wonder how I am still here.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Nice story but I was taught one hand for yourself and one for the ship

[j.sabourn]

There was also always the other one, Eff you jack I'm on board pull up the gangway, John Sabourn

[john sutton]

you guys must have been on easy ships.
I was taught one hand for the company and one for the ship.
john sutton

[Red Lead Ted]

John i always adopted a similar attitude, One hand for Myself and one for who ever the female company was at the time

[happy daze john in oz]

Great fun for a tourist winger as no doubt Alf will tesify, one bloody big try piled high with dishes and the ship doing a polka.

[Colin Pook]

similar to mine---one hand for me--the other on stand-by
w.... w....., money in the banky,
if it don't c... now, it must be empty!!

Colin

[E.Martin]

Plenty of times in my time at sea Fishing and Merchant Navy it has come about one hand for yourself one hand for the ship,bollox to that if it comes to it it was 2 hands for Martin with no hesitation.