Beware the drunken sailor.

[j.sabourn]

Anyone who visited Murmansk a lot during the ore runs by Bisco in the 50s and 60s will no doubt remember the drunks on the streets. Russia must of had the biggest problem of alcoholism in the world, due to the cheapness of their vodka, and the depressing sights of the tenement like buildings of Murmansk especially during the freezing winter months. Although all Russians seem to have a larger than usual capacity for drink than most. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

Only there once John, but once was enough. Russian soldiers who looked drunk and what appeared to be police not much better. But you are being very kind if you think that ship may have had a cook. Most at best have a microwave and maybe a steward come general hand.

[John Arton]

Here is more info on the Russian sailor in charge. He was Chief Officer and the ship, run by DFDS was meant to be a dry ship. Think it was a Master and Mate only ship.
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/nation...cid=spartanntp
rgds
JA

[j.sabourn]

Was in Gdansk in 1969 when still under Russian occupation. All the city public buildings had Russian troops stationed as guards patrolled at. These must however have mostly been drawn from their Asiatic regiments as mostly appeared to have the looks of Tibetans. Body searched going ashore and coming back to ship. Amazing what one could get for a packet of wrigleys spearmint gum, or even a tube of toothpaste. Nowadays Poland is I believe a member of the Euro and the present generation will not be able to remember such. Cheers JS

[Louis the fly]

A sign of the times. The ship was flying the red ensign and registered in Dover.

[j.sabourn]

#15... If he was 36 Louis and started at about 16, this would put him back into a draft of about 1995. The extremely low standards of any certification had by this time well reached their nadir ( opposite to Zenith). The standards I saw were no where near those required in earlier years. In fact there was one period during the change over of tactics by the British government Dept. responsible for, where one could apply and receive certification without examination, just proof of service was required. There are still many floating around today with such. Cheers JS