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Hi Shipmates, watching the sun come up on watch, and going ashore in any good port, any sunday at sea on overtime, or watching the wake with a can in my hand {evenings } and a good sing song with a case of tennants in a cabin with great shipmates or watching a movie on a sheet by number four hatch ,and messing about in the make shift swimming pool {wood and canvas} in hot weather, loads more things I miss.......
Must be sitting on boatdeck, can of beer, record player playing, watching flying fish, sunset and thinking.
And we get paid for this.
Ron the batcave
although its not important to us just what would it cost now for a six month{say} cruise around the world? and we got paid for it {not much pay} but it was a blast wasn't it.
Any time between 12am and 4am on the fo'csle head lookout in the tropics, a pitch black sky, a warm balmy breeze in your face, a canopy millions of glittering stars and a multitude of glowing luminous fish of all sizes spreading out in huge fan of mini torpedoes ahead of the ships stem, and the occasional big fish. Beautiful.
for me the 4-8 watch great to be on lookout and feel the coolest breeze of the day in your face whilst in the tropics. and to look at the sunrise knowing you were in for another glorious sunny day (mostly)
for me it had to be sunrise seeing the shimmer of the first light and the stars at the same time over a calm pacific ocean another perfect day starts{right were is my chipping hammer} and paint pot
Sailing up the Mersey at about 10.00am on the 9th October 1945 on the good ship Monawai
Keith.. When were the hours of work reduced. I have memories of going from an 8 hour day to a 10 hour day, supposedly to cover Drills and cleaning of accommodation. Then suddenly a 12 hour day appeared, and this appeared to be the norm from hence. Overtime as paid ceased to exist and weekend work was supposed to be essential work only. This also disappeared into thin air. When I retired 12 hours a day 7 days a week was the norm. Myself employed in the offshore industry was at various time called upon to work the stipulated 18 hours a day if required. This once again is what the H plus S agreement came to. Makes me laugh. When I was involved at the Piper Alpha it was 2.5 days continuous for me, I should have stopped after the stipulated 18 hours to agree with the regulations. Regards John Sabourn
Hi John, I went to sea late 57, at first weekends we were always stood down, apart from a Sunday at sea, we did not get overtime for working our watches. At some time , pure guess, maybe 59, the union negotiated overtime when working the watches, and so understandably, we were turned to, painting, chipping etc. I am sure that is what happened, but the years may not be correct, Regards KT
Brian, there were a number of UCL and Cunard stewards who went in for the real Tom Halls.Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Kong