Where were you on your 21st Birthday?

[Dennis McGuckin]

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.

[happy daze john in oz]

Had my 21st three days out of Southampton homeward bound. Was sent to the radio shack to collect a telegram from the family. Some of the cooks made me a cake from mashed spuds with swede for icing and 21 can openers on top. Most of the crew came in at sometime and was so crook next day the lads stood in for me. Like to try it again some day.

[Michael Lawrence]

21st was spent in Caracas Bay Curacoa bunkering on our way to New Zealand.
Remember had a case of beer off the 2nd Steward. Tuborg's if my memory correct. Normal allowance was 2/3 cans a day, so he was a decent bloke. I had spent the afternoon swimming and sunbathing ashore in the fenced off area under Captain Morgan's fort. Got a good case of sunstroke and spent the night spewing my heart up why my cobbers drank the booze.
Does anyone remember that fenced off swimming section? Had a hole in it big enough to drive a sub., thu it. Still, another experience on the road of life. Lads I'm going to start a post on a virtual ship. so form an orderly queue. All dept., are welcome. Mike

[alf corbyn]

hi all. spent my 21st in the playhouse durban had a glass of napoleon brandy. could have bought a bottle of ordinary brandy for that price, but worth it. invited a girl to join me and had a very good time. mike i well remember that swimming hole which was added to by most ships crew.i believe ours (materoa) built a diving board. remember chasing baby sharks inside the wire. cheers. alf

[Doc Vernon]

Well so far all of you seem to have been lucky on your 21st!

Me well all i can say is i was sitting in a barrack room full of rather nasty looking guys,the bed i was sitting on had a rounded edge hard coir filled mattress,(apparently to teach one to sleep very lightly,if you moved too much you would fall off) the Bed was also about waist height above the floor,i was smoking a Gitanes, and had a Tin Mug full of Vin Rouge,and a piece of French Bread,my late Brother at least was beside me,so i didnt feel all that lonely!
Not something i really wish to remember,but it sticks in my mind till this day!
Cheers
Vernon

[Geoff Anderson]

hi all.my 21st sent in jersey c,i plenty of duty free .spent the next day sick as a parrot. always said never again but i did , again and again . best wishes geoff

[John Aspin]

Greetings all,
I spent my 21st signing on for my first trip to sea in the Middlesbrough shipping office after that a few pints in the Royal opposite the Captain Cook, I am sure some of you will remember that pub if you have been to Middlesbrough, then it was back to the ship over at Graythorpe a good skin full was had by all later that night.
Best wishes,
John Aspin (R685343) Ormesby-Middlesbrough

[Frank Ferri]

In the BLOODY ARMY.. got caught for National Service, serves me right for staying ashore longer than I should have.. hated every second of it ...
Frank

[NORMAN F WORMALD]

Hi all,
I had my first trip sailing on a tanker at the age of 21 and arrived in Southhampton for 12 hours discharging cargo. While the cargo was being discharged I went ashore with a few of my friends and we had a marvelous night before we sailed back to the Persian Gulf the following day. That was my 21st. Many happy returns to all, Norman.

[Bob Cheeseman]

Maid Of Kent, crossed the channel with my own gang ,stayed on with the next lot ,well pissed by now, tried to walk of on the wrong side put back on board ,had a kip in a spare bunk then up the road to the Cause is Altered ( Dover)to finish a great couple of days regards Bob c