British Tramps

[j.sabourn]

Think I recommended this book once before and is entitled British Tramps by I.G.Stewart .
The book is dedicated to the masters ,officers,and crews of British Tramps who went down to the sea in Ships , in war and peace ,and never returned.
And to the memory of our only son and brother , Andrew Robert Stewart , who died accidentally during underwater hull cleaning , Fremantle Harbour, Western Australia August14 th.1984, aged 21 years.

This book covers most of what anyone would want to know about tramp shipping from 1914 onwards, has over 500 fullscap pages and covers nearly everyship lost and built over the years since.
It weighs quite heavy so will not fit in your back pocket.
I received it as a present in 1998. And wouldn’t mind betting it has just about every tramp ship and it’s history since 1914. British of course only the best !!!?
It covers among other things 1. The British Tramp Ship
2. Background History of the British Tramp.
3. Development of the British Tramp.
4. World War 11.-1940 to 1945.
5. Post war years 1946 -1955
6. New trends in tramp design 1956-1960
7. Competition from Tankers and bulk carriers 1961- 1965
8. The end of an era 1966-1970
9. The last quarter century 1971- 1996
10 Ships owned /managed by British tramp company’s 1946-1997
11.British standard tramp ships
12 British liberty ship replacements
13. Austen /Pickerskill. Types built in foreign yards
Plus much much more. You will never get to know these ships now but anyone can read their histories .
I tried and succeeded on counting the British tramp companies and it ran into unbelievable amounts
Its when you see what Britain has been reduced to it makes one feel like pointing the finger at whoever made such stupid decisions to let uk shipping finish up where it has.

Cheers JS

[Louis the fly]

It was a common myth that if a seaman did a long trip on a tramp he would come home with his pockets bulging with cash.
On a tramp there was plenty of time to do all necessary work so no overtime. The longer you were away the more you spent with subs, bar bills and all other expenses signed for. After 11 months away I paid off with £200. No complaints on my part because I enjoyed nearly every minute of it, including being stuck in Shanghai for over a month in the middle of winter during the Cultural Revolution. The best trip I have ever done, the crew makes the ship.
I did not go to sea for money, I went to see as much of the world as possible and to enjoy myself as much as possible. For those on deck like me who were motivated by money they would make more by doing a few 6 week trips on Ellerman or McAndrews Medi. boats.

[Trevor Bodiam]

Re post 3.
Absolutely agree with you Louis, and i came home after 11 months with only 70 quid, but it was worth it. Like you again i only went to sea to see the world and enjoy myself. That was my motivation and i accomplished both.

[Keith Tindell]

That book JS is available on Amazon for £29, thats a used edition, would be a good read, kt

[happy daze john in oz]

Most voyages were worth it, the money was good but the adventure far better.

As for British tramps, we had one live near us for years had a bicycle with no tyers, odd man.

[Ivan Cloherty]

My longest trip of 22 months was on a tramp ship, albeit that she was brand new, we had a good crew, good food, good Master and Mate, overtime good and we certainly saw the world. Cannot remember how much I paid off with but it wasn't a fortune. Homeward bound Master said anyone wanting overtime, officers included, can have it, we arrived back in the UK looking like we'd just left the builders yard. Happy days, although China was a pain in the butt and an experience.

[Red Lead Ted]

2 x 12 month trips, The first Anchor Donaldson India/ Pakistan /Aden for 4 months on the hook pay off Good,
The second, Gulf of Mexico/ West Indies / Caribbean / South America /Eastern Seaboard U.S.A., To name a few pay off, Reported back to Mann Island pool after 7 days looking for a ship. Every picture tells a story. Terry.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

All my ships were either tramps or tankers, some good some bad, but all took me places I would never have seen, and delights I would never have had, when I look back my cup runeth over. Now all I can do is dream.
Des

[Terry Sullivan]

I have been trying to trace a tramp I sailed on, SS Burhill, Cardiff i think without any success.
Terry Sullivan, R340406

[Doc Vernon]

I have been trying to trace a tramp I sailed on, SS Burhill, Cardiff i think without any success.
Terry Sullivan, R340406

Was first the Empire Grey
Cheers

Empire Grey 1944 (tynebuiltships.co.uk)