A very short summary of my life at sea

[Dave Francis]

Chaps, this is Dave and an ex-seafarer. Started off my career in June 1960 at the Aldgate Board of Trade. Five of my friends went with me to the Merchant Navy Establishment, as it was once called and I was the only one to jump through the hoops, to find myself working for P & O Shipping Company.

After that it was a telegram to report to Southampton, to join the Orsova As a waiter. I had already learned something about waiting tables for two weeks at the training ship. At 17, I was ready for a change after my early education at secondary Modern school and I wanted something different and exciting. Once I jumped ship in Melbourne, Australia after having an argument with a Chief radio Officer and lived in Cairns in Queensland for 16 months.

Worked as a Junior Surveyor and one day trod in a Fire Ants nest and was rushed to the provincial hospital. Nearly died? It was time to leave and stayed at the Sidney harbor "flying Angel" and got a call to join a German Lloyd ship as a Steward, looking after the shop and the Captain. Ugh! His favorite snack was mackerel fish with Strawberry jam. Must admit I made more German Marks on the ship, than i did on British ships. Was aboard the Northern Star (Shaw Saville) A few Castle ships and finally had five years on the the Queen Elizabeth 2, Found a berth on the Holland American Line "Rotterdam" and even was Captains Tiger on an old rusty cargo called the MV: Gisela Vennmann; that was an adventure in itself. Slept on deck because the air conditioning was non-existent.It was always raining at the entrance to the Panama Canal, where we generally picked up our cargo.

The Canberra and the the last voyage of the Queen Mary, before it was decommissioned and retired to Long Beach, California. Had spent some time on Princess Cruises "Love Boat" Pacific Princess, then jumped over to the island Princess as a stateroom Steward. Tips were great. End of story when I met my future American wife on the " Love Boat" believe it or not. A year later we were married and later found out the parents were wealthy in real estate. I live a quite life now at the age of 71 years old, but I still communicate with my old ship mates, who are still alive. So much more to my story on life on the ships. Yes! there was sex and the ladies. I was the Entertainment for the crew on the Island and Pacific Princess, run Quizzes and tours. Emptied the slot machines and used the money for prizes. The Captain and higher echelon officers paid no attention to me, for watching passenger movies as I allowed officers, purserrettes and a few passengers join in General Knowledge quizzes in the crew mess room or bar.

So much more to tell, but it is suffice my life on the ships was a great one. Yes, I have cleaned toilets, showers, polished and washed decks; carried kegs of beer at 6.30 in the morning. Done most jobs from utility Steward, to First class Stateroom Steward. Do I miss my life cruising to the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean, East China Seas and around the world trips SIX times. Of course I do. Its a great, hard working life, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

[gray_marian]

#1, Looking forward to hearing more Casca Marian

[Doc Vernon]

Welcome to the site Casca
Thanks for joining in here and a very nice opening post ,we will as said by Marian look forward to more from you in the future!
Cheers

[happy daze john in oz]

G'day Casca, good to see a new member with some stories to tell, we would all I am sure love to hear more.

[Captain Kong]

Welcome Casca.
An exciting story to start with and a Very interesting life.
Lets hope you stay with us for a long time with more Seafaring Stories.
Cheers
Brian
.

[cappy]

wel casca what a great start and a good view oflife in the 60s plus .......lets hear more mate regards cappy

[Roger Dyer]

Hello Casca,

Are you sure you didn't work in the galley? Your tasty entre has left me salivating at the prospect of more 'goodies' to come. Welcome aboard, mate !!!

.........Roger

[John Albert Evans]

Welcome Casca, please keep posting.
John

[Red Lead Ted]

Agree with all that's been said, You will be surprised where a thread can lead to. You can start a thread aloft on the topmast and end up in the steering flat Terry. p.s. Has anyone ever heard the term Sally Ship................. Oldie but a goodie

[John Albert Evans]

Is she related to the Sally Anne.

John