Female radio officers at sea mid 70's on tankers before sex disc Act

[j.sabourn]

Ref. Ivans 138... My one and only experience with female passengers was on the cargo/passenger vessel I was on in 67/68. As stated the passengers were more trouble than the general cargo we carried around the West Indies. I didnt mention most problems were elderly to me at the time being only 30, and them mostly 50/60 ish females. Even socially if you forgot to speak to one and not another they got annoyed and thought you were being rude to them. We used to have a saying once a woman came up the gangway she might as well take her panties off and carry up over her arm. Inhibitions in a lot were sadly lacking. I was not kidding when I spoke of reefer boxes on the main deck and flag lockers inside the funnel. I am and always have been broad minded, but in this case had nothing to do with badly behaved seafarers, who were west indians and kept clear of all passengers. Officially the only four officers who mixed socially with were the master the chief and second and the mate (myself). Both the second and myself used to often make the excuse not to eat in the saloon as had other ship duties and ate in cabins supplied with food by the stewardess. It was an outside experience for me as would never have made it on a passenger vessel as such, maybe is why a lot of catering staffs were welcomed by shipowners who were otherways inclined. JS

[John Arton]

Ref 125... Ivan, is now getting Brian Kong all wound up and raring to go, he may pick up Cappy on the way and start pillaging Whitley Bay again. Brian you do know the Spanish City was pulled down, so will have to knock that off your list, the Rex is still there though a shadow of its former self. Cappy still has a shoot on sight notice on his head so keep him at arms length as may get caught in the cross fire. Cheers have a pint for me in the Briardene. JS

John S/Brian
Spanish City is still standing though empty at present. It recently received lottery funding for vital repairs and refurbishment. It is part of North Tyneside's plan to regenerate the Whitley Bay sea front. Last time I was over there a few months ago both Whitley Bay and Tynemouth have become quite upmarket with fancy restaurant's and coffee shops. Still gets crowded on Bank Holidays, Scotch fortnights holidays etc and there are still parties of scantily dressed women on the lookout for any passable looking male. Just google "Spanish City, Whitley Bay" for more info
Rgds
JA

[j.sabourn]

Your going to have the Scottish contingent after you John. Scotch is Whiskey. You should have said Scots. Thought they had built a school on part of the old Spanish City. Cheers JS PS Where the Figure of eight used to be. JS

[gray_marian]

#141, Diddums!!......Sorry John, The thought of you fighting off what was then termed "The
Blue Rinse Brigade" makes me laugh, and you only 30....sorry Even though I'm
ages with the women you refer to [57,last month] think my generation might not appear so scary. Oh and we have "Highlights" now

[Fouro]

Re No 142.
I think John A. was referring to the "Glesga Fair" holiday fortnight.
Re No 143.
To John S. Scotch is "Whisky" without the "e".
And always remember, if your offered whisky with an "e",
Make sure that you get it for free.

FOURO.

[j.sabourn]

#144... Who said I fought them off Marian. Never look a gift horse in the mouth, make hay while the sun shines, I said I was broad minded also, not that I am complaining, just what I observed. Some would be ravishing beauties to me now. Cheers John S PS If I had Cappys stamina I might have spent more time in the saloon in the evening. JS

[j.sabourn]

#142... The ownly whisky I ever got free was a bottle of Suntory, very nearly Scotch, cant remember how the japs spelt it must have been with an E for me to remember. They even built a city called Usa so they could stamp their imitation goods made in USA. If you have ever worked in a Japanese shipyard you will remember the parties they used to throw on completion, put some of ours to shame, especially with the nearly geishas. JS

[j.sabourn]

The Nearly Geisha... Those who spent time in the Far east will be well aware that the Geisha Girl of popular myth was lady of loose morals. This was totally incorrect as a trained Geisha was a very bright and educated Lady who had no loose morals as such and was well trained in a lot of arts besides the obvious ones one suspects. They usually came from a high family background and were very sophisticated by anybodies standards. Hence I said nearly Geishas, they dressed and acted like geishas but obviously were not. I dont think even in those days the 60"s the japanese would indulge in having the flowers of their womanhood allowed to acquaint themselves with the round eyes especially seafarers. Were probably bar girls hired for the festivities and dressed up and made to act even more demure than the average Japanese female did in any case. The Blue lights that many saw outside of Japanese bars were supposed to signify Japanese only, I was in a few of these bars as went with Japanese business men, they were a bit more posh than what we as seamen were used to, however the same facilities were on offer. obviously also cheaper. Thinking back the blue lights would have matched the blue rinses Marian was on about. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

The only females I ever encountered at sae were on passenger liners. For then officers it was like giving a young kid his choice of the lolly factory. There were some of them that thought as long as they were female and breathing they were on for it. As for female crew, there were a number of married ladies who behaved, but there were as many who were hot to trot.I recall one, telephone operator, lovingly known as the ships bike, just about anyone could ride her. These were the real females, not to be confused with the 'unusual' ones on some ships.

[j.sabourn]

Did the other bikes have cross bars John JS