First Post

[Derek A Smith]

Hello everyone

It looks like I`m not going to write my book,so this seems a good place to spout.
I joined my first ship as deck boy in 66. My cabin mate and I arrive abourd NZS Co.`s TEKOA for her maiden voyage at Bartrum`s yard on the Tyne, then went to Liverpool to Load for Australia. There were severe storms through the Pentland Firth and in a light ship, I thought I would die, the sea sickness was terrible, I didn`t die so it was definitly a cure.
I`ll dig out my discharge book to help my poor old rum soaked memory and post again with a full list of ships.

I think we all kid ourselves from time to time, it wasn`t all good, but I had a great time at sea and like many of us it defined my life to date.

All the best

Derek Smith
R831424 ( I do rememder that! )

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Derek Would just like to give you a warm Welcome to this very good site!
Here you will find lots of info,a good Crew here and with luck also find a few old Shipmates!
So sit back grab a Tinny,relax and just enjoy the trip!
Hope we will have you here for a long time! Have a happy stay!

Cheers

Vernon (castleman)

Arbroath or Aberbrothock (Scottish Gaelic: Obar Bhrothaig [2], [opəɾ'vɾo.ɪkʲ], English: /ɑːˈbrəʊθ/) is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the council area of Angus in Scotland, and has a population of 22,785.[1] It lies on the North Sea coast, around 16 miles (25.7 km) ENE of Dundee and 45 miles (72.4 km) SSW of Aberdeen.
While there is evidence for settlement of the area now occupied by the town that dates back to the Iron Age, Arbroath's history as a town begins in the High Middle Ages with the founding of Arbroath Abbey in 1178. Arbroath grew considerably during the Industrial Revolution owing to the expansion of firstly the flax and secondly the jute industries and the engineering sector. A new harbour was built in 1839 and by the 20th century, Arbroath had become one of the larger fishing ports in Scotland.

Info only Derek will know why! haha! 1950 i believe Derek!
Cheers

[Doc Vernon]

Gulliver
Who knows he may have had his 9 lives!
Its gone ,so he has used them all !! LOL!
Cheers

No one will know what we are on about haha!

[Ray McCerery]

Bartrams shipbuilder were in South Docks Sunderland Not the Tyne

Ray

[Derek A Smith]

Vernon

That`s me. ????

Regards
Derek

[Derek A Smith]

Ray

I knew it was Sunderland, but we went into Newcastle a few times so assumed it was also on the Tyne . I stand corrected, well I wasn`t a navigator in those days.

Cheers
Derek

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Derek
Yes mate sure is!
Cheers

[happy daze john in oz]

Tyne and Wear are often refered to and as they are were shipping centers years ago. Not that far apart so it is not unusual for people to mistake one for the other.