Life at Sea Weblog

Craig Eason’s Weblog was very much appreciated,
From 1944 to 1946, I was a Deck Boy aged 17 on the Troopship ” VOLENDAM “, trooping between the Clyde River and Halifax N.S. and also into the Med, with Service personel. The same ship that had been torpedoed by a U Boat off Malin Head in
1941. Another Deck Boy and a O.S. AMONG 17 Dutch and Belguim Seaman, all living down below on the water line accomodation deck for,ward.
Later, I joined the CPR ” Beaverlake ” liner cargo service, London – Antwerp – Montreal in the Summer months, St John, New Brunswick in the
winter months, all for 7 pounds a week.
Later, I went to a Watts Watt ship, ” WENDOVER “strait out of the Scottish shipyard, single cabins for the crew,
and with a Galley / Messroom for the crew, but,
we had to wash and dry our plates and cutlery after each meal, when I came from the bridge at
6 pm, the last one for his meal, from the hot press, the tea towels were all dripping wet, this
I pointed out to the Master when after complaining
to the Chief Steward, who did nothing about putting extra tea towel into the messroom, for 20
mixed crew members, engine and deck.
When the ship arrived at Antwerp, a Able Seaman
came on board and said he was the replacement
A.B. No notice was given to the deck crew about
replacing any seaman, and the Bosun was informed, who went the Captain to enquire about
a new Seaman joining the vessel.
Mr Watts Watt, had heard about the problem with the tea towels and arranged for a replacement for
the man who complained about the tea towels, which was me. I packed my bags, went with the
Captain to sign off at the British Consuls Office
in Antwerp, who requested the reason for my
dismissal,the Master had to explain about the tea
towel crisis and that it was the owner of the ship
that had arranged for the sacking of the seaman
concerned in the epec of the tea towel.
The Consul, after brief consideration, informed the Captain that a crew member had every right
to express himself to the Captain without any
compliance, and as such that he could not sign
off this crew member under such circumstances.
I had signed a 2 year articles of engagement with
the ship,I had less than a month of wages from the ship and only a repat ticket due to me.
The Consul informed the Captain that he had to
send the replacement AB back to the U.K. if I still
wanted my job on board the ship.
I could se that the Captain was in a quandary, a
brand new ship under his command, a order from
his employer to sack a man at the owners instigation, or to inform the owner that the Consul
would not comply with his requirement.
This was the year of 1950, I ask, what would all the retired Masters who read L.L. do about this
Captains position at the office of the British Consul in Antwerp.
( Over the years I was able to obtain my Mates
Ticket and out of the Fo’c’s’le ).

This ship, on liner service Antwerp – New Orleans,
for which the crew stayed 22months on board the vessel, and was eventualy paid off at Antwerp,
how would this fare today, the most discussed item with the crew was that, that lucky “B” who
was paid off in Antwerp, and who possibly was able to sign on and off several ships within that
time, which I did.
The Consul asked me how I felt about the situation of being dumpt in a forign port, I informed the Consul that I spoke the Dutch Language and French, quite well, and that a few days in Antwerp would be very nice for me, much to the Captains unexpected astonishment.
The seaman A.B. who replaced me was paid off sick after 6 months, and each of the A.B.s would have gladly changed positions with me, had they
been informed of the 22 month on articles.
My local friend who joined the ship with me in
Scotland, and did the 22 months, said nobody
saved any money for such a long trip.
Some seaman do have luck some of the time.
Stan Caplin, caplin@westnet.com.au, Shipbroker

Ellinore has not blogged since 10 May. She must be too busy. Hope she continues for a while longer. I’ve been really enjoying it. What splendid English she writes – puts some Brits to shame!