Flinders Bay

[Ian Warren]

I was on Flinders Bay for a 3 month voyage from January 1973, having spent the previous year on Pendennis Castle as a Bell Boy. I was just 17 year old and worked in the galley, helping the chef with food preparation, cooking, and of course doing the washing up. The accommodation was fantastic as I had a cabin to myself, which was larger than the one I had shared with 3 other lads on Pendennis Castle.

The trip was great and having got the bug for cooking I went ashore to train as a chef at the end of the voyage. My intention was to go back to sea once I had trained, but it never happened. In fact, I gave up cooking after a year, as for some reason working the unsocial hours ashore didn't seem as easy as it had been at sea, when there was nothing else to do anyway.

After over 30 years in sales I took the plunge last year, and now work for myself as a cruise specialist. I am an ABTA bonded travel agent working from home, but I specialise in cruises, both ocean and river. This gives me the opportunity to keep in contact with the sea, as I get to go on some of the ships myself, as well as having the satisfaction of helping others find the enjoyment of the ocean on their first cruise.

[Anthony Atkinson]

Flinders Bay
Hello Mr Warren, I also sailed on the Flinders Bay, from May 1971 to February 1972. I did two and a half trips on her. I flew out to Fremantle to join, hence the half trip. I was at that time a leading seaman. As you say, big cabins and magic grub. Glad to hear you are still keeping a foot in the door of seafaring, lucky fellow. I wish you and yours, calm seas. Anthony Atkinson. R796905

[Ian Warren]

Hi Anthony,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Good memories from those days.

Best regards

Ian

[Evan Lewis]

Hi! Anthony.
Until I read your Post,had not seen or even heard of the Rating.L/S, Other than the ones (3)
in my Book. From the Himalaya,mid sixties.
Until then,was only aware of the Deck ,discharges.Such as ,in order,Deck-boy.J.O.S. S.O.S.
E.D.H. A.B. Q.M. Sailor .Bosn's Mate , Lamptrimmer.Bosun& Carpenter.Any I've left out

D.H.U.?That's another story! Though some went on and became Bos'ns in their own right.

[Anthony Atkinson]

Hello Mr Lewis
Regarding rating titles, OCL was, away back in the late sixty and early seventies one of the first shipping companies to have a "General Purpose Rating" system on all six Bay Boats. These ratings were as follows, but not including the junior ratings. Seaman Grade One, Leading Seaman, Petty Officer Navigating, Petty Officer Engineroom. The catering staff were not involved. For me the system worked very well, and I ended up as Petty Officer Engineroom. Rather strange when I think about it, as I had spent my junior years at sea on deck. Probably me needing to find out how everything worked, and why. I hope this is of help to you. I am Anthony Atkinson, one time Deck Boy, Junior Ordinary Seaman, Senior Ordinary Seaman, EDH, AB, SG1, LS, POE and last Quartermaster on a different company. Now that deserves a tot of rum, I think. Wish you a good day.

[Andrew Smith]

Mr Atkinson,

I sailed with you on the Botany Bay, June to Aug 76,(Captain Wilson) where I was 3/O/N. I had to leave in Melbourne to take over from Phil Sizer on Encounter Bay which was also in Melbourne. He had a bad bout of kidney stones I think, and had to return to London.

Cheers Andrew Smith.