Where were you on your 21st Birthday?

[stewart morrison]

I spent my 21 st aboard the Rangitiki en route to kiwi as a lounge steward. I was very secretive about the bloods (passengers) finding out about my birhtday and I had a helluva job secretly letting them find out much to my surprise.
It was a devious way to get a whipround up for a happy 21 year old who then had a few drinks with
the lads later down at the "pig" Ah the tricks we got up to in them days !!!!Cheers shipmates.

[Bruce Sanders]

In the Atlantic enroute from Townsville Australia to St Johns New Brunswick Canada on MV Pinebank

[David Williams]

Birthday coming up, always makes me think about birthdays at sea or in port.
My 21st was on the Pinemore, in the Bay of Biscay. As usual in the Bay, blowing a gale.
Took a couple of cases of beer to the mess, but most hands had turned in. Had one beer, wished myself a happy birthday, then hit the sack. Didn't know that my folks had planned a bash for me when I got back,and invited a few girls I knew. Instead of going home,went to Workington[ had met a friendly girl there homeward bound]. Then shipped out again. Do recall having trouble finding a date when I finally did get home.
Den.

Hi Den.
Was at Mestre near Venice,fifty five years ago today.

Dave Williams(R583900)

[Gordon Turnbull]

In between ships. Trying to think back, it must have been after British Trent (or mabye Forth)and before British Tamar. Not so sure about the Trent but definitely the Tamar was my next one. In the Wallace Arms in Causewayhead outside Stirling. Fantastic night. 23rd February 1977. Starnge story come up when it is discussed with my missus. It was a ticket only affair and she turned up to see me rolling around the floor with a local floozie, thats not true, she was lovely was young Shona. I also think that was the time my Mum and Dad decided it might be prudent to leave. Anyway, where my future wife got a ticket from I have not a clue as I did not meet her until March 25th!!!! Still married to her by the way. It was actually considered a pretty good 21st resulting in only one arrest.

[Eddie Grant]

What a birthday 1952, 21 and duty engineer aboard the ss Kingsbury in the Kings drydock liverpool (now the Echo Arena) all shut down not a sound had a great night on my own!! but boy did i make up for it after and still doing it , all the best everyone Eddie Grant

[John Albert Evans]

I was Secondcook/baker on the Shell Tanker STS Haustrum when it left Brisbane on 20th September 1961 and arrived at Sydney on 22nd September 1961.
My 21st birthday was on 21st September 1961 and on the instructions of the Chief Steward I had to ask the Captain in order to buy a case of beerI did and he REFUSED.

Cheers
John Albert evans

[Graham Evans]

I was in the 'GLOBE' bar - Antwerp, can't remember any more ! ! !

[Les Howard]

birthday coming up, always makes me think about birthdays at sea or in port.
My 21st was on the pinemore, in the bay of biscay. As usual in the bay, blowing a gale.
Took a couple of cases of beer to the mess, but most hands had turned in. Had one beer, wished myself a happy birthday, then hit the sack. Didn't know that my folks had planned a bash for me when i got back,and invited a few girls i knew. Instead of going home,went to workington[ had met a friendly girl there homeward bound]. Then shipped out again. Do recall having trouble finding a date when i finally did get home.
Den.

my 21 was of the north cape of iceland in a force 10 les

[alf corbyn]

hi eddie. first mention i've had of the kingsbury. i was an assistant steward on her. worst ship i was ever on. alf

[Stuart Henderson]

I was Secondcook/baker on the Shell Tanker STS Haustrum when it left Brisbane on 20th September 1961 and arrived at Sydney on 22nd September 1961.
My 21st birthday was on 21st September 1961 and on the instructions of the Chief Steward I had to ask the Captain in order to buy a case of beerI did and he REFUSED.

Cheers
John Albert evans

Hi John,
Had the same experience in regards your second paragraph. celebrated with the usual two two beers. It was 1952 March and we were bound for Japan from Argentina in mid S>Atlantic via Um Said in the Persian Gulf as we called it then. The ship was the Esso Syracuse a T3 and Panamanian flag and trip lasted eleven months in total. Turned me off tankers but twenty years later sailed on Postrunner of Panocean and we had the best crowd Id sailed with. Just a couple of weeks ago some of those guys got in touch and theres talk of reunion,that would be great....
Salutations
Stuart H