Palm Line Deck Cadet/Officer

[Paul Halford]

Hi,
In the period 1963/65 Mike Farrell and I attended South Shields Marine College on a pre sea cadet course, we were great buddies, he went onto to join Palm Line as a deck cadet, I went onto sail with PSNC as a Nav App. Initially, after leaving college and going our separate ways, we kept in touch but inevitably lost contact. I've often wondered how his career and life developed and it would be great to satisfy my interest. I went with him to Newcastle station when he left to join his first ship in August 1965, I was so envious because I was still waiting for news of my first ship. I completed my apprenticeship but then left the MN to work ashore, something I've often regretted.

[j.sabourn]

Paul I did the same course you mention in 1952, but only 8 months of it until reached 16. It was then at some old youth hostel as the new building was then not in existence. You had to do 12 months then to receive 6 months remission of sea service so I didn't get. The head of Department was in my Time Capt. W. Moore a well known person in shipping circles. I heard at a much later date that he had died with all things Chicken Pox, was this before or after your time, I believe after him as his deputy was a Capt. Atkinson who was much younger and was badly gassed on an oil tanker and had to take early retirement. The next time I was at South Shields was through force of circumstances in 1963 and was there for just under 3 months. Previous certs. gained through Nellists Nautical School in Newcastle as both brothers had died. Their total sea time was 6 months as Jacky Nellist had done 6 months as a cabin boy, his bother Billy no seatime. Yet they put people through for Extra Masters just by studying themselves. Both brothers liked their Newcastle Brown Ale. Regards JWS

[j.sabourn]

Without sounding discriminating 2.5 months at South Shields was no doubt an excellent College for some. However people of my generation didn't go to a nautical establishment to be educated from base 1. The class contained about 50 persons of various nationalitys and whilst some of them may have had the inclination to sit there and the money to go with it and be re-educated,most of the British seafarers didn't. The lecturer went for over 2 hours describing the quarter on a ship for men up for a masters ticket and had a minimum of 8 years at sea was a bit of a put off. Was ok for all those types with money and quite happy to sit there every day. We just went to the library and self examined among ourselves. Put papers in went in for xam without being advised, came back to school told them would not be in anymore, their reply was who are you. The maltese bloke who used to it in front of me was kcking up saying I've been here 11 months and no one had said it was time for him to go up. Told him if he was prepared to sit there that was his problem. There are couple of letters missing in the text but not worth going back and putting right. Will just have one of cappys misteaks well done. Was like going back to the Pre-sea course when they described what is a ship " a ship is a vessel which floats and carries cargo, for this purpose it is divided into several compartments called holds separated by steel walls which are called Bulkheads". Very first words at pre-sea school to 15 year olds. Cheers JWS