Hi Everyone

[john walker]

#10 Thanks for those pictures Vernon they are a blast from the past for me as I used to live at No.5 Dock street. Alas the only buildings that it shows in the photos which have not changed beyond recognition are the Church (Now a nursery) and the Red Ensign Club (Now called the Wombat Hostel) The old Shipping Federation offices are now just more unaffordable flats. Strangely enough I have an enamelled sign which was on the wall of the London School of Nautical Cookery (Opened in 1927, closed in 1977) which was part of the old seamen's home which was accessed from Well Street which connected Dock street and Ensign street. In your photo it shows as an orange bit at the northern end of Dock street which was a gate put up when the school closed. My sign states that the school run courses for Ships cooks, 2nd. cooks, Assistant cooks and also for Messroom stewards plus courses in bread making . It says nothing about asst. stewards, A/s etc. These were all approved by the Board of Trade and run under the beady eyes of Albert E. Loder Pay'r Commander R.D. R.N.R.

[Chris Allman]

I have discovered that some Engine Room staff in the 30s and 40s were employed as Auxiliary Steam engineers, who were responsible for the auxiliary steam machinery, such as Winches and Generators but they also stood a watch as an assistant to the Senior Watch Engineer - perhaps, and its only a perhaps, that the A / S could refer to such a position / rating. I must admit to not hearing of the rating before, but you learn every day.

[j.sabourn]

A/S could also be assistant storeman. It could be a number of things. But the obvious. One we all know is assistant steward. I see the CR1 card has his NHI number so that must have been after 1948 as previous to NHI didn’t exist. So must have been appended after he had received his dis book during the war either that or a different dis. Book was issued. However his discharge number would have remained the same. JS

[Doc Vernon]

This thread has been heavily trimmed . Keep on the Subject of assistance
Thank You

[Maria Campbell]

Hi All,

I would like to thank everyone for your time, for researching and posting to help me out with my queries. I'm so sorry I haven't been active these days but I didn't think I would receive many answers in a short period of time, silly me! I'm thrilled, honestly.

I have read all your comments more than once now and I will be replying to you individually.

Have a lovely weekend and thanks again!

Best,
Maria

[Maria Campbell]

Hi Maria - welcome to the site -
The definition of a Engineer Setter is :-




However I would think that his knowledge of engineering would be more than just ' a setter ' and would involve the use and maintenance of Marine Engines - generators etc.

Hope this helps. Please keep calling in as I am sure you will receive help in your quest.

Hi Chris,

I confirm the details on the card are correct, and thank you for the job description! I didn't find anything clear as that on the internet and sometimes quite technical :S

I haven't found the Discharge Book yet but some other members have pointed me to the Southampton Archives or the National Archive so fingers crossed!

Thanks,
M

[Doc Vernon]

ES25 Looking at this again and found that it is in actual fact Extended Service Rule 25 of the Act.
Cheers

[Keith at Tregenna]

Hi Chris,

I confirm the details on the card are correct,

Thanks,
M

Just to double check, as it has been known for a fib or two
to be told to go to sea etc. Is the birth year correct ?

Is Australia correct, as opposed to NZ ?

Any other names IE: Cameron, parents names ec ?

Any info as to actual place of birth ?

Nothing found in usual places thus far hence, the request for more info.

Keith.

[DeepSea]

Not sure why records dated 1949 are in the Fourth Register as after 1941 records were moved to Fifth Register of Merchant Seaman's Service covering 1941 to 1972

These records are held at The National Archive in classification BT 382.

Records of individual Merchant Seamen's sea service details are held in alphabetical surname order. These details include the following information: Name of seaman, Date and place of birth, Discharge (Seaman’s) book number, Rank, Details of the ships on which he served. These include:

Name of ship and official number, date of engagement (Joining ship), Date of discharge (Leaving ship), whether ship was a foreign going of home trade vessel, and records in some cases National Insurance contributions. Details shown in these records are similar to those contained in an individual seaman's discharge book.

[Maria Campbell]

ES25 Looking at this again and found that it is in actual fact Extended Service Rule 25 of the Act.
Cheers

Hi Doc,

Thank you so much for your research, photos and posts!

My thought, like yours, is that he rejoined at some point. I will try to find out more about the Extended Service Rule 25 of the Act.

Re the Central Indexed Register of Merchant Seamen (1918-1941), my husband has to go to Southampton in the next couple of weeks so I will join him and go to the Archives and see if I can find further information.

Thanks,
Maria