Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: New Visitor Saying Hello

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Location
    Essex
    Posts
    1
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    5
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    10

    Default New Visitor Saying Hello

    Only did a short term as a 'boy' and nothing particularly memorable occurred so I doubt anyone will remember me. However I found this site, while looking for photo's of a couple of the ships I was on, and decided it would be nice to join.

    I trained at Gravesend National Sea Training College in Catering and my first ship was T.E.S.Helcion a Shell Tanker out of Tilbury where we went to Germany back to UK and then to Rotterdam, Germany again and onto Sweden where we ended up in dry dock after a heavy storm on the North Sea pulled apart some plating and we trailed oil through the Kiel Canal - spent some happy days in Stockholm before we went to Denmark Copenhagen and somewhere in Norway. I believe Shell were heavily fined for the oil leak and we weren't allowed to sail back through the canal (but some of that may be imaginative memory).

    I did a few trips on Blue Star Line 1968 (recollection of ship faded, will have to dig out old Seaman's Book; but I think one was Tasmania Star) and sailed to Aussie and Kiwi through the Panama Canal on the Port Launceston. Worst thing on the whole trip was seeing the Passenger Ferry, the Wahine, sticking up out of the water after it sank between North and South islands, with its lifeboats still attached.

    Shared a cabin with other boy ratings [sorry, cannot remember his first name] Meeks and Taffy (a large haired, good humoured, Welsh lad) I don't remember even knowing his name. Alan ? was the Head cook, Pogo was one of the Stewards, Mr Brough was the Chief Steward. The Chief engineer started the journey with a huge bushy beard (like Brian Blessed) and halfway through the voyage he shaved it completely off - tbh it took me a day or two to realise who the 'new' guy was (and how we happened to have a 'new' guy onboard while we were still at sea). Other stewards were Ken, John and Stan plus a couple more I can see in my mind's eye but cannot bring any names to the fore.

    While berthed at Curacao Mr Meeks and I went ashore, explored a sandy range and cut down a cactus (with a 3 inch bladed old penknife) over a metre tall which we carried back to the ship (using our belts for slings but we still got numerous spike injuries) and planted it in a fire bucket outside the Captain's door. It stayed there until we got into Australian water when we had to throw it overboard because of health regulations - bringing plants into the country.

    I guess that's me introduced then. Thanks for listening

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    W.A.
    Posts
    23,640
    Thanks (Given)
    12848
    Thanks (Received)
    13717
    Likes (Given)
    19100
    Likes (Received)
    76753

    Default Re: New Visitor Saying Hello

    The health regulations for importation of any plant life is still very strict Chris , more strict than illegal boat people.
    Welcome to the site , don’t suffer from seasickness do you ? Cheers JS
    R575129

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    liverpool
    Posts
    2,180
    Thanks (Given)
    649
    Thanks (Received)
    625
    Likes (Given)
    4349
    Likes (Received)
    5601

    Default Re: New Visitor Saying Hello

    Interesting CV Chris. Seem you experienced quite a lot during your 'short time' at sea. Welcome aboard.
    Gilly.
    R635733

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Torquay
    Posts
    11,467
    Thanks (Given)
    3440
    Thanks (Received)
    7758
    Likes (Given)
    11953
    Likes (Received)
    34924

    Default Re: New Visitor Saying Hello

    Your memory seems okay Chris, if you were at sea in the '60's there would still be about 90K MN lads/lassies around, so may be difficult to remember you as an individual, but a few Port Line guys around on here and some I believe on the Launceston. Welcome aboard. List your ships and someone may remember you.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Blue Mountains NSW
    Posts
    24,237
    Thanks (Given)
    45047
    Thanks (Received)
    13126
    Likes (Given)
    52440
    Likes (Received)
    39395

    Default Re: New Visitor Saying Hello

    Thank you for posting Chris nice opening story,
    Hope that you find a lot that may take your interest here and read all about us all.
    Cheers

    Welcome Aboard!
    Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website

    R697530

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Forfar
    Posts
    1,283
    Thanks (Given)
    58
    Thanks (Received)
    377
    Likes (Given)
    39
    Likes (Received)
    1774

    Default Re: New Visitor Saying Hello

    Welcome to the site Chris .
    Any length of Service is still important your still one of us
    Ron the batcave

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Cooma NSW
    Posts
    8,967
    Thanks (Given)
    10195
    Thanks (Received)
    5219
    Likes (Given)
    44136
    Likes (Received)
    26879

    Default Re: New Visitor Saying Hello

    Hi Chris.
    A few Gravesend boys on site, you may know some of them, stick around you will enjoy what there is to peruse on here.
    Des
    R510868
    Lest We Forget

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Location
    Pathankot
    Posts
    1
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1

    Default Re: New Visitor Saying Hello

    Hello ,
    My self Taljinder Singh from Punjab, INDIA
    I have done my pre-sea traing and I have all documents ,but I didn't get job till now plz help me to join the ship or company.

  9. Likes happy daze john in oz liked this post

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •