Sea Training school Gravesend

[Keith Tindell]

Ref28, thats exactly as i remember it, although i was deck trainee, so had to endure a couple of weeks longer than stewards, i think, i am sure deck training was 12 weeks. The skipper was
Captain Mckeller, maybe spelt wrong. I remember door duty at the side of his flat. kt

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Her are a few pics of the Vindi, may they bring back good memories.
Des

catering.jpg

left Scott,Cope MP, Capt Dugaid, Capt Poore, Capt Wright.JPG

vindi_school.jpg

Splicing.JPG

Vindi Muster.jpg

Vindi Muster.jpg

[Clive Gurman]

In the early 1970's I worked for the Shipping Federation in Southampton responsible for the recruitment for the Gravesend Sea Training School. I have often wondered how many of those I accepted for Gravesend managed to have a decent career in the Merchant Navy and were grateful of the opportunity.

[j.sabourn]

#33 Tell me Clive as an appointee of the BSF what sort of redundancy payment did you receive. I have asked.various people over the years but never received a reply. As a seafarer and member for over 30 years I received like many others the grand sum of 1107 pounds and 7/6d , I won’t argue over the 7/6d. I hope you managed better? Cheers JS

[Clive Gurman]

Hi JS and sorry for the delay in my reply. Regretfully my memory is not what is was and it was quite a long time ago that I was told my employment was to end. They worked on the principal of last in first out so my length of service with BSF was only about 5 years. I think if I recall I received the statutory amount of redundancy pay set by the governnment, it certainly wasn't a very large amount. regards Clive

[Alan Briggs]

Ever get to Sydney Les.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Allen .
Do you mean Les or Des?
Des

[Robert Reilly]

Hi I was at Gravesend in around June of 1970, Ian catering, I remember a member of staff used to take us to shows in London, I seen the TV show the Goodies being recorded among other shows. Had A great time and I would love to visit the school again sometime.

[happy daze john in oz]

Be a bit of a problem there mate, think t is now long gone.

[Keith Tindell]

I think the old one is long gone John, but did they not built a big new one further down the esplanade ?, i did read somewhere what it is now used for, but cannot remember.