Women at sea

[Anne Hamilton]

Can I have a little voice for women at sea - I am old - no make that ancient (93) and sailed as a telephonist first with Union Castle - Pendennis Castle.

Three of us the first female telephonists Union Castle had (come to think of it the first seagoing telephonists they'd had.)

After that did some trips on Oriana. Maiden voyages on both ships.

I have a lovely female friend from those days who sailed first with me on Pendennis Castle and subsequently went to P. & O. too.
Still the best of friends although we now live at opposite sides of the earth.

Anne Hamilton.

[j.sabourn]

That’s not old Anne I know a lady along the street who is 102. Now if you were Lady Hamilton who was associated with I beleive with Horatio Nelson you might have a better claim to being old . Your presence on the site is much welcomed I am sure and your experiences will be much appreciated. Regards JS

[John Arton]

Ann
I'm only a youngster compared to many on here, now retired but sailed with a number of female crew members, purserettes on the empress of Canada , female radio operators on tankers and deck and engineering cadets on bulk carriers and tankers. In all cases they were treated as equals with no favouritism but I have heard of one or two senior officers who attempted to take advantage of their position but got short shift from the rest of the crew. My wife also sailed with me a number of times and enjoyed her time visiting parts of the world.
Rgds
J.A

[john mc dermott]

Wonderful post Anne, a piece of modern seafaring history.

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Anne
As said you are not old or ancient, as the saying goes One only is as old as one feels! LOL

As i was with the UCL Line in the 50's , i really cannot recall any Lady Crew except for the Purserettes i know for sure there were no Asst Stewards then.

Just an Article on one Purserette here quite a Story as well.
Yours is a nice one i must say!

Cheers

HAYNES WORLD: Union-Castle Line Purserette "DAPHNE" (haynesworld-u-cdolly.blogspot.com)

[happy daze john in oz]

Anne, I see you are registered in Melbourne, what part?

Remember the telophonists on UCL all very bright and happy, only others before the Transvaal were the ones in Pursers dept and the nurse.

[Jo Stanley]

Can I have a little voice for women at sea - I am old - no make that ancient (93) and sailed as a telephonist first with Union Castle - Pendennis Castle.

Three of us the first female telephonists Union Castle had (come to think of it the first seagoing telephonists they'd had.)

After that did some trips on Oriana. Maiden voyages on both ships.

I have a lovely female friend from those days who sailed first with me on Pendennis Castle and subsequently went to P. & O. too.
Still the best of friends although we now live at opposite sides of the earth.

Anne Hamilton.

How lovely that you posted, Anne Hamilton. How wonderful that you were UC's first telephonists! You might like to check out my pages on women telephonists in my book, 'From Cabin "Boys" to Captains: 250 years of women at sea'. pp200-202. Or I can send you a copy of these pages if you send me your email address. You can find a link to me on my website Jo Stanley. And you are welcome to tell me what I got wrong and right, and how UC were different to Cunard (where I got most of my info from.)
I understand that telephonists were the best-informed people on ship, and knew more about current events than pursers and captains .
Appreciative wishes, Jo

[Valerie Pratt]

Thanks at last the nurse gets a mention , I do think there was a nurse on all passenger ships but this the first mention on this forum since I joined a few years ago. Way back in the 1970’s I joined my first ship , I am old now but many happy memories

[Les Woodard]

Not to mention that stewardesses where also on the BSL fliers. So not only on dedicated passenger ships

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Valerie.
I never sailed with a woman on board except for twice the skippers wifes accompanied us. Good to hear your seagoing views or any short excerpts, to give us all an insight to the women who went to sea.
Cheers Des