Dying Trades

[robpage]

Very true John , I applied for planning permission to convert an old store room into an office complex , there was a immovable concrete beam at 1.8 metres in the centre . We used to employ , on a ad hoc basis a very good structural engineer , a rare one who talked sense , The planner was citing some good reason to refuse the application , when the structural engineer asked if the height was the only problem . The Planning officer confirmed that it was , so the Structural Engineer took out a Felt Tip and Marked Beware Low Headroom , then explained to the planner that it now complied with sub section something or other , Structural Engineer 40 years experience , Planner , Ink still drying on his degree . I have met a few architects , planners and designers , and I would rather have my piles lanced than talk to them

[j.sabourn]

#1. Ref trades and practices diluted over the years...... have to look no further than Chart Corrections with paper charts. Soul destroying job for 2nd. mate trying to keep world coverage charts up to date, sometimes not receiving Notices to Mariners in arrears of 3 months or so. When they brought the tracings out to make the job slightly faster everyone thought this was progress. Nowadays with electronic charts is almost non existant. Same applies to corrections of Light Lists, and Pilot Books. Usually the 3rd. mates job. Clean copy of Deck Log book not now necessary. All navigation practices as previously known either much reduced or totally different. Shipboard routine much changed over the early years that most on this site remembers. As ashore, the sea is also a different lifestyle than what it once was. Would imagine even some of the present day practicing seamen would have difficulty in identifying some of these posts when referring to now obsolete methods too numerous and different to discuss here. John S.

[John Arton]

To digress slightly.
John S mentioned chart corrections, as 2nd Mate that was my favourite task correcting the world wide folio of a couple of thousand charts, as it allowed you to learn all about those countries that you had never visited and to this day certain features note on BA charts still come to mind, Cox Bazaar is only accessible at certain times of the year, Magnetic Anomaly exists off Jack Jack point and so on.
All the time spent correcting charts meant that when you came to planning a new passage plan you already had a stock of knowledge regarding many areas, something modern navigators with electronic charts do not have, they just use the mouse to draw a track line and then let the electronics to correct it to ensure under keel clearance and distance off parameters they have set.
Most modern navigators without the use of electronics will struggle to draw up a decent passage plan and then be able to monitor it without GPS.
All of this has happened very rapidly in about one generation of navigators.
rgds
JA

[robpage]

I remember as an apprentice doing complex test pieces with hand tools , hours with a hammer and chisel , thinking as a ship's engineer you would get this done ashore on a machine , how many times was I proven wrong , and thanked the college for those skills hard learned . Thinking about that I wonder if The East African Railways and Harbours Board , apprentice ever learned , you take the chuck key out of the lathe before starting

[Ivan Cloherty]

John, there is a company in Mansfield, Notts., which specialises in manufacturing ornate ceilings/ cornices etc.
If they are chosen a sample will be taken molds made and the plaster manufactured.

Also one here in Heathfield Devon, do a lot of ornate work in French Chateau and palaces, only a small place but great craftsmen

[vic mcclymont]

Trouble is that there are no Technical Colleges as such these days.
I also attended a Technical college where theory and practical were taught.

[John Pruden]

the size of rooms in houses they build in todays market are far to small for any type of decorative ceilings and the cost is great? its a pity the craftsmen are no longer being brought through? I could still make a good living repairing after sparks and plumbers have hacked chases through them now my son has taken over but its all down to time and money?jp