1966 and all that

[j.sabourn]

The Seamans strike of the same year was a changing point in many Seamans lives. My memories are of applying for various jobs away from my present one at the time , being very disallusioned with the way things were going. there were 3 if included the sludge ships on the Thames. Another was an instructor/lecturer at the College of Fisheries in St. John’s Newfoundland and was told was on the short list for , the other was with Cable and Wireless and as someone was recently asking about the cable ship working in Suva in 1980 I was later offered that station in 1967. However neither of these jobs were vacant at the time , and wages were the order of the day. As regards the Cable ships they were ideal for a family man as shore accomodation was provided for self and family. However initially I was told 28 was the cut off age. After signing a 12 month contract to work out in Canada and the West Indies I received notice on being accepted for the job in Newfoundland and also the Cable ships would waive the age barrier in my case. If things had worked faster how much my life might have been different . The Seamans strike changed many lives and suppose I’m just one among thousands. JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

John.
I wasn't involved in the seamen's strike, as for all of of 66 I was on the worst trip of my time at sea, the British Builder, and when I got home I applied to emigrate to NZ. And on the NZ coast what an eye opener on the different conditions.
Des

[j.sabourn]

It was a pleasure working out here Des. I was working inside of 4 weeks arrival.The hold up was getting in the Guild as was a closed shop. Relieved the Danish master ex sheep ship running out of Fremantle who had to wait 3 years to get accepted. The ship the Pacific Marlin one of Swires managed by Total Marine of Fremantle. Working out of Dampier couldn’t understand how some of the crowd were complaining of working in a force 3 .After 6 months and was just as bad , one soon forgets the hard times .Cheers JS

[Bryan Portwig]

southampton july 1966

1966.jpg

[Bryan Portwig]

some ship names

screenshot_17609.jpg

[Ivan Cloherty]

Bryan that photo would be considered science-fiction by today's young, they have no idea of what they missed.

[James Curry]

Very true Ivan , and what a shame they will never be able to experience those adventures.

[happy daze john in oz]

OIvan, even worse would be some of the things we did and got up to.
For any one who never sailed it could well all be scince fiction.