Kenneth Arthur Bromley

  Noted events in his life were:

• Residence: Two year old, Abt 1936, Helsby, Cheshire, England. To young to remember much. I have heard my mother talk of going into Frodsham to shop and some times into Chester. The house was at the bottom of a mountain or so it seemed, although it was used by climbers at weekends. Lighting was by oil lamp and a cold water tap out side.Toilet was out side and around the back of the house. That was the good old days.

• Residence: Young Boy, Abt 1936, Pockhill Farm, East Grindstead, Sussex. All I remember of this it was up a Farm track miles from anywere. To take my elder sister to school or to go shopping , my Mother would use the Pony and Trap which we owned.I have a photograph of this. Water was drawn up by bucket from a well, and lighting was by parrafin lamp. From here on we always lived on a farm.

• Residence: 17 Lincoln Street,Patricroft,Manchester, England, 1939. We moved here from East Grinstead just on the outbreak of war (1939). Farther was working on a farm as Manager a short distance away.The house was only one hundred yards or so from the Bridgewater Canal, and about half a mile from the Manchester Ship Canal.Farther new one of the men who swung the bridge,(called Barton Bridge)and I spent a lot of time up in the control tower watching the ships pass through, on their way up to Manchester or down to Liverpool and the open sea.Thinking about it all these years on,the sight of the ships and wondering where they had been , could have been at the back of my mind for years and when I left school it came to the front and led me into the Merchant Navy .I started school here, just at the bottom of our street. Off I used to go, Gas Mask in a box with string through it so I could put it over my shoulder, pass a small cotton mill and into school.Every one wore Clogs , and what a noise when we were all in school,walking about on wooden floors.Most Clogs had irons on the soles a few had rubber.When the irons were worn out ,before putting new irons on,Farther used to soak the clog sole in a bucket of water to soften the wood so the nails would not split it.Air Raid Shelters were built in the midle of the street, out of brick and a concret roof.The first Air Raid we had, Mother took us off to the shelter,with a blanket each and a torch. We were sat on wooden benches around the sides of the shelter, cold and uncomfortably, for most of the night. Next day Mother said , if thats what we are going to put up with every time there is an air raid, I would rather die in comfort in my own home and bed , and thats what we did . Never going to a shelter again, whilst an air raid was in progress.

• Residence: Young Boy, Abt 1940, Monton Nr. Eccles, Manchester, Lancashire, England. War had been on a few months when we moved here, to Chorlton Fold Farm only a few miles from Patricroft, and My step farther was still farm manager for the same person who owend the previous farm and still working with pigs.This was to be a great help when food was short and on ration. Although all new born pigs had too be registerd with the Minestry of agriculture, one always seemed to have missed the roll call. We never whent short of meat, and could always exchange a piece of Pork for something else.

• Residence: Still Growing up, Abt 1943. On the move again, this time back South, to another farm. A small village with a Blacksmiths opposite our house, and a Pub with the village pond at the side of it just down the road.I used to go to the Pub for my dad and buy ten Woodbines cigaretts for ten and a half pence old money.Todays money less than five pence To reach school a coverd lorry , with benches down the sides , picked us up outside the house and took us,with other children to school at Warfield. I cannot remember why but we moved on again after a year,

• Residence: School boy, 1944, 3 Stud Cottages, Crews Hill, Enfield, Middlesex, England. My family moved fromWarfield near Bracknell in Berkshire to Crews Hill north of London in about 1944. my Stepfarther was to take up a post at a Stud Farm for race horses, run by the British Blood Stock Agency. I was at the local village School untill the age of eleven,where I past my xams to go to a Grammer School. This turned out to be Glendale Grammer School at Wood Green, North London. I left at the age of sixteen to join the Merchant Navy. This was to be my life for the next ten years.

• Occupation: Merchent Seaman, Between 28 Sep 1950 and 27 Mar 1951, Prince Of Wales Sea Training School, Ingham, Norfolk, England. Training was required before I could go to sea.This was done at The Prince Of Wales Sea Training School,situated in the village of Ingham,in the county of Norfolk.This was to last for six months 28-9-1950 to27-3-1951.Here i was taught how to splice ropes and wires,knots fancey and practical for use at sea.How to reeve of differant blocks and tackle and there useage.To go up a mast in a Bosuns Chair,from the mast at school , when at the top, you could see the Light House at Sea Palling on the Norfolk coast. We allso learnt Morse Code by Lamp and Key and Semaphore with flags.Once aweek we would cycle to the next village, Stalham, where the School had a large ex ships lifeboat ,which we learnt to row and sail on Stalham Broad.Bearing in mind this was through the winter period and it was bitter cold,some times haveing to break the ice to launch the boat. Prepairing us for what was to come no doubt.We also lernt to steer a ship on a simulater,which stood me in good sted later on at sea when i did my first spell on the wheel of a ship.We washed our clothes out side on wooden tables,some times haveing to clear snow off before starting..Bath was once a week in an out building with no doors or windows,and if you were last the water was none to hot. We also learnt to sew canvas, and just before leaveing we made our own kit bag. Week ends we were allowed out on Saturday with FIVE Shillings pocket money (25p today),and had to be back in by six pm We whent on the bus to Norwhich to the pictures or to Yarmouth on the train from Stalham. At Yarmouth we could have a free meal at the Seamens Mission, so that was the favorite place as it left us with money to spend. On leaving The Prince of Wales I joined my first ship, on the 30 of March 1951 with five others from the school, at Barrow In Furness ship yard.She was a new passenger ship , built for the Orient Line,her name was the Oronsay

• Occupation: Deck boy onboard M.V. Oronsay, Between 30 Mar 1951 and 3 Feb 1952. .I started as deck boy on the M.V .ORONSAY, we were running from Tilbury on the River Thames, England to Austrailia calling at Spain, Italy, through the Suez Canal toCeylon and on to Austrailia.The return trip was the same in reverse.I left the M. V. Oronsay on the 3 Febuary 1952 as a Junior Ordnary Seaman, and joined my next ship,the S.S. GRAIGWEN,

• Occupation: Junior Ordinary Seamen onboard S.S. Graigwen, Between 20 Feb 1952 and 13 Oct 1952. I joined the S.S.Graigwen inVictoria Dock London.She was a Tramp steamer,with no regular run,justs going where a cargo was available. From London we went to Galveston in America,we had bad weather going across and it took us almost a month to get there.This ship was a Tramp steamer in every way.The Sailors and Firemen had no running water in our accomadation, at four oclock each day we went to the top of the Engine Room and the Second Engineer would unlock a pump and we where allowed one bucket of water each, to last twenty four hours .With this we had to use it for drinking, washing our selfs and washing our clothes.In Galveston we loaded Grain for a port on the southern tip of India the name of the port sounded like Tuticorin.On the way to India the ship started to take in water through a few leaking rivets. So at Port Side at the Northern entrance to the Suez Canal we had to unload two of the holds into barges, seperating the wet from the dry grain.The ships carpenter then whent down and built a concret box around the leaks. Dry grain was reloaded, the wet left behind, and we continued on our journey.Arriveing at Tuticorin , the sea was to shallow to go into a Port here so we Anchored off the coast and large boats were rowed out to us, to off load the grain into. From there we whent up the coast to Calcutta to load Coal for Melbourn in Austrailia. Arriveing at Melbourn and takeing the hold covers off, the heat comeing out of the hold was enough to cook a meal on. Needless to say the dock workers would not touch us, and sent the ship back out to anchor in the river for a week to cool off. After dischareging the coal and more cement boxes put around more leaks we whent toGeelong. just down the river,to load Grain for Hull in England.On arrival in Hull, after eight months away, I paid off, and whent home to take some leave.

• Occupation: Senior Ordinary Seaman onboard M.V. Highland Brigade, Between 20 Nov 1952 and 10 Jul 1953. I joined this ship,which belonged to the Royal Mail Line in the Royal Albert Dock, London , England.She was a passenger and general cargo , running to South America.Our first port of call was Vigo in Spain, then on to Lisbon in Portugal,then on across the Atlantic to South America.First stop was Santos,on the way back we loaded,Oranges, Bannanas,and Coffee Beans,here.Next stop was Rio De Janiro,as you went into Rio between high green coverd cliffs ,there was a large statue of Christ looking down on you from a mountain top.When lit up on a night it could be seen sixty mile out to sea.Leaving here after dropping of a few passengers and cargo, and picking more up ,we headed for Montevideo. While we were in Montevideo the Coronation of H.M.Queen Elizabeth 11 was takeing place back in England.I still have the local paper called The Montevidean, with pictures of the event.Our next port of call was Buenos Aires.Here ,passengers left and remaining cargo discharged, we were now ready to take on passengers and mixed cargo for home,and call at the same ports in reverse order.I allso have the Buenos Aires Herald news paper with Coronation pictures in.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Daleby, Between 21 Jul 1953 and 4 Mar 1954. After a spot of leave,i joined my next ship the M.V. Daleby in the Albert Dock Basin, London .She belonged to Ropners Shipping Co. of Newcastle, England. It was loading for the American Gulf Ports. Our first port of call was Miami in Florida, this was just a one day stop to drop a few tons of cargo off.It could hardley be called a port, it was mainly for ocean going yachts and small fishing boats.As you approached Miami you past close to a number of small islands attached to the mainland by small bridges.On these islands live many film stars and one noteable person was Al Capon whoes house was pointed out to us. Leaving Miami we headed for Tampa,still in Florida and just a short journey away.Again it was not a long stop.Then onwards to Mobile in Alabama. More cargo put ashore, some taken on and then to New Orleans.To reach this place you sailed up the Missisippie River,what a sight,with long strings of barges,( almost the size of small ships) being pushed by large tugs. Whilst there we visited some of the Night Clubs on the famous Canal Street and Bourbon Street. Also you could take a ride on the old stern wheel paddel steamers.Moveing on to the next port of Huston, not a lot there then,but after fifty five years with the space age, I would not reconise it now. Here we loaded large bales of Cotton, for Manchester, England From here we moved down river to Galveston,to load more cotton bales,sulpher and lamp black. Perhaps I should say here, that the ship moved down to Galveston ,but three of us had had a night out and when we arrived back in the morning the ship had sailed. How to get back to the ship?. A dock worker told us to walk up to the main road and we should be able to thumb a lift on a lorry takeing more cotton to Galveston for our ship.This we did and arrived back onboard late afternoon. We were called up to see the Captain and fined one Pound and a days pay. Next call was Brownsville,to reach it was by way of a canal, this was truley a cowboy town. Straight out of a film set. What we loaded here I cannot remember, but hey ho off back home to England. I stayed with this ship and did the same run twice more, before I left.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Timaru Star, Between 23 Mar 1954 and 23 May 1954. After my leave i joined the M.V.Timaru Star in the Victoria Dock London.,bound for Australier. First stop was Gibralter for fuel and fresh water,then on to Port Said, the start of the Suez Canal.Here you pick up a large search light and fix it onto the Bow, so you can see your way through at night.Ships go through in convoy, one from the North and one from the south,about half way is the Great Bitter Lake.Which ever convoy reaches this first, they anchor and let the other convoy pass through to continue into the next section of canal.The whole journey takes about eight hours.To go around Africa it would take you two weeks.I know this because it happend to me on another ship when Colonel Nassur had a tiff with England and blocked the canal.After leaving the canal you go down the Red Sea and across to Ceylon taking on more fuel oil and water.Next stop Freemantle Australier.Discharged some cargo and onto Hobart in Tasmainia.My voyage on this ship ended here.I had picked up a virus and ended up in Hostpital with two of the ships firemen. After I was fit again, about six weeks , I was flown across to Melbourn Australier, to join another ship of the same company to come home.Her name was the South Africa Star.

• Occupation: Able Seaman on board M.V. South Africa Star, Between 3 Jul 1954 and 1 Sep 1954. I joined the M.V. South Africa Star in Melbourn Australiar as I said previous. She was a good ship and some of her crew I had sailed with before on another ships.She was already fully loaded with grain and general cargo for Hull England. So we set sail the next day. Not much to say about the trip home, we retraced the same way home as I came out on the M.V.Timaru Star.There was a history to the M.V. South Africa Star though.. She was built in 1943 as the escort aircraft carrier Winjah for the United States Navy.Later on she was transferred under the lease lend agreement to the Royal Navy and renamed H.M.S. Reaper. Ater the war she was converted into a cargo ship, and sailed as the M.V. South Africa Star.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. British Corporal, Between 26 Sep 1954 and 3 Oct 1954. This was a brand new ship,I joined this one at The Isle of Grain on the river Thames England. The M.V. British Corporal, was a Tanker, built for Oil transporting. On leaving our course was set for Oslo in Norway,from there we were to go on to Austrailia but this was not to be.There was a problem in the engine room , so after loading oil at Oslo, eight hours to take on a full load,we headed back for England.As the food was very poor , the Cook had walked off before we sailed A replacement was sent out to Oslo , but he refused to cook what he was given, said it was not enough to feed the men on,it gave us all a chance to Pay off when we reached England. When you signed on a ship you agreed to stay on said ship for two years or untill the firstU.K. port was reached. Although the accomodation was very good , the food was not so the whole crew paid off when we arrived back in Egland.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Devis, Between 7 Oct 1954 and 8 Oct 1954. This was to be another short run .I joined this one the M.V.Devis belonging to Lampart and Holt, for what is called a Run Job.All you did was to make the ship ready for sea by lowering all the Derricks, cleaning the decks down, and that was it. We went from the West India Docks London toDover. For this we were paid two days pay,milage money, and our rail fare back to London.I could have stayed on her for her next trip,to South America but the accomadation, was terrible. So I was back in London the next day looking for another ship.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Mapledell, Between 14 Oct 1954 and 13 Nov 1954. M.V. Mapledell was owned by Canaidian Pacific Steam Ship Company, I went across to Antwerp in Belgium,to join her.Train to Dover, ferry across to Calais, train from there to Antwerp.This company ran four cargo ships to Montreal,Canada. Takeing four weeks from London to Montreal and back. You could almost set your clock by them.Even the North Alantic winter storms did not not slow them ,you got thrown about in these. They were quite heavy ships to work, by this I mean the number of holds they had,most ships had four but these had six.This ment that at four derricks (cranes to land lubbers) to a hold ,thirty six in all, there was a lot to rig and maintain. Not easy when it was bitter cold. Dockers worked in heavy coats,(some fur) and warm hats. Anti freeze was used a lot to keep some of the running gear from freezing up.At that time there was no alcohol ashore, it a was a dry State, but certain cafes sold it illegely in coffee.So you could always get something extra for your money. That is enough about this one ,so back to London and my next ship.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Corinthic, Between 20 Nov 1954 and 2 Dec 1954. This is another quick trip, we never left Victoria Dock, London, where i joined the M.V. Corinthic, one of the Shaw Savill Line on regular runs to South Africa.On looking in my Seamans Record Book, i could not recall straight away why I had signed on, never left the Dock and signed off after twelve days.Then it came ,(after all it is fifty four years ago) to me. The ROYAL FAMILY were to use it. The Merchant Navey personel were paid off and Royal Navey took over.The ship was painted white all over, and away the Royal Family sailed. I cannot remember where to.So that was the end of that. I did join another one of that company later and get to South Africa. Roll on my next ship I might get to sea next time.

• Occupation: Abel Seaman onboard M.V. Antrim, Between 7 Dec 1954 and 17 Jun 1955. Back in Victoria Dock, London, again this time to join one of the Trinder Anderson Shipping Line,the M.V. Antrim. She was loading for Suva in the Fiji Islands and New Zealand.We set sail down the Thames heading out into the Atlantic for the Panama Canal. Not haveing been through this one I was looking forward to it. But once again I had picked a ship with an engine problem.We limped into the start of the canal straight into a dock yard. Main Bearings were in a bad way.I know the feeling or should I say sound, I have just had the same trouble on the old 1959 Panther Motorcycle I ride. Back to the M.V.Antrim. To do the job took a fortnight,and then we were off through the Panama Canal.The Locks to take you up over the hills can take up too three large ships in them.To hold the ship in position whilst water is being pumped in or out there are large engines on rails with large reels holding thick cables which are attached to the ship.In normal locks this is not the practice, a ship uses its own wires , but here in Panama the rise and fall is so quick it would be impossible to use your own wires.The scenery to be seen is absolutly wonderfull, any one winning the Lottery should take a trip through.Its not only a cannal, but there are Lakes to go through as well.Arriving in Suva, Fiji I was surprised to find a Boots Chemist, and a Woolworths Store,I dont no why, but I did not expect to see them out there.Whilst there the ships Carpenter and first Officer built a canoe out of wood and canvas, with this they went out to a nearby reef diving and takeing under water photographs.It was more than I would have done, if you had seen the size of the sharks swimming around the ships side when the Cook threw galley rubbish over board.I had two tattoos done here,a chap who was looking after the shore Generators put them on for me.did a pretty good job as his instrument was an old type razor handle , drilled through and two needles inserted, powerd by an electric bell coil and a battery.Still it was an improvement on the one i had done with a small knife in Ceylon .LeavingFiji behind we head for Bluff on the South Island of New Zealand. There was not to much to this place I would call it very large village, or may be a small town.We discharged a lot of cargo here and loaded bales of wool for England. Being a small place they were short of dockside labour, so we were allowed ashore to load our own ship. Besides our ships pay we were also paid by the Shoreside Agents. (Not bad)After we had finished work on our last day there Three of us whent ashore for a drink, foregetting how time passes we foregot all about the sailing time, and when we arrived, (staggerd) back, She had sailed with out us.Off to the company shipping Agent we went, he arranged tictets for us to go by train to Dunedin the next port of call to rejoin the ship.On arrival back on the ship , we were fined two days pay plus one pound. Loaded more general cargo here , then on to Timaru, still on the South Island. From there onwards to Wellington on the North Island.This was to sailors, called Windy Wellington as there was always a wind blowing. It also remineded me of Scarbourghi in England,simular bay and looks. Ready for the long voyage home now.This time we would go back home via the Suez Canal, by going out through the Panama Canal and returning through the Suez Canal we had been right around the World. Enough of this trip,with all of these memories I am begining to feel sea sick,I will take to my bunk now. Call me when we reach England, and I will tell you about my next ship.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard Newzeald Star, Between 4 Jul 1955 and 11 Nov 1955. Once again I am walking up a gangway to join another ship, another Blue Star Line,called the M.V.Newzeald Star. Sailing orders onboard and we leave Victoria Dock,London down the Thames once more . Turn right when we reach the English Channel,and point her nose at New York, in U.S.A.. Not much to talk about going across. Renewing ropes and wire ropes where needed,painting the deck houseing etc..Part of a seamans job whilst at sea was to steer the ship and keep look out.The hours worked were four on and eight off.Three men to a watch.first man did a two hour spell on the wheel,then one hour off,then one hours look out.seconded man did one hour look out, then one hour off then took over the wheel from the first man..The third man was called the farmer,he did one hour off , two hours look out and one hour off. Can you work that out or is it clear as mud.The name Farmer came from the sailing days, when the man who did not do a turn at the wheel looked after the animals on board, which was there fresh meat, and was responsible for getting the next whatch up on deck.It took so long to type this(one finger) we have arrived in New York.On the way in I did get a picture of the famous Statue with my old box camara,(can any one remember them).Usual thing loading and unloading.,ashore when work had finished.Even got to ride the New York Subway.some where I still have a map of it.The things I keep. Loading finished, ship battened down for sea and away we go.Boston is calling the old ship on.To reach Boston we took a short cut through the Cape Cod Canal., another sight to behold as you passed all the old period type houses. Wondrefull, just think, I was getting paid to see all this. Are you jealous.? From Boston on up to Halifax, Canada, and then home to Liverpool. another voyage over, a spot of leave due and then see whats next.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Calgary, Between 28 Nov 1955 and 29 Mar 1956. Well I am off to a warmer place than England, the West Coast of Africa. This time aboard one of the Elder Demster Line, called the M.V. Calgery, she was the second oldest in the fleet, I did not know this untill I joined her in Hamburgh, Germany.When I excepted the job in London , they told me she was a fairly new ship. If thirty eight years old, is what they call fairly new I would not like to be sent to an old one.It could have had sails and Nelson in command.To join,a train from London to Harwich,ferry from there to the Hook Of Holland, then train again to Hamburgh. When I first saw Her I new she was no spring chicken,by the size of her Funnel,it was so tall and thin,what is know at sea as a woodbine Funnel. Anything to do with the old Woodbine Cigaretts, I wonder?. Sailors accomadation was under the Foc,stl , usual, midships or aft on the poop deck. Well away we go, mixed cargo for the West coast of Africa, including two railway engines on deck and three carriges in the holds, first stop Dakar As there are no dock workers here in these ports, you carry your own with you from port to port.About twenty to each hold, thats about eighty in all .They work,live and sleep on the decks..Here we take them on ,they are known as crew boys.From Daka we sail further down the west coast to Freetown and fom there to Accra.Here we have no port the water is to shallow , large boats are paddled out from ashore by eight men to take the cargo off.It has to be timed just right as they rise up to the top of a wave the men onboard have to let the cargo go. just at the right time or it misses the boat and drops into the sea . A fortune could be made recovering lost cargo from the seabed.Up anchor and on our way again to Port Harcout, reaching this by narrow rivers.On reaching an acute bend in the river, we had to put the bow of the ship into the bank and swing the stern aound , then go astern to get off the bank , then proceed ahead again.. With the ship being so long this was the only way to get around the bend. At Port Harcourt we unload the remaing cargo, including the railway engines and carriges.Our return cargo was hard wood tree trunks, for the port of Hull in England. Ater two weeks we were fully loaded and ready to set sail again for home.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Polamhall, Between 18 Apr 1956 and 18 May 1956. Again I join a ship in Victoria Dock London, as this was my home port I suppose it makes sense.One of Newcastle Steamship Co., called the M.V. Polamhall.Loaded general cargo for Montreal Canada. Uneventful crossing. Discharged and loaded Grain for Avonmouth in England.Before loading grain we had to clean the holds out and erect what was known as Shifting Boards,under the watchfull eye of the ships Carpenter.These divided the hold up into sections from top to bottom.The idea was ,it stopped the Grain moveing in bad weather,grain , cement and coal are some of the worst cargos for this, as they run about like liquid in bad weather.Loaded up, and we head for sea down the St. Lawrence River.Back in Avenmouth I paid off this ship and whent by train to Hull in Yorkshire, England, as by this time I was seeing a young Lady there.Aftera few weeks back down to London again to find another ship.

• Occupation: Quarter Master onboard M.V. Highland Chieftain, Between 19 Jun 1956 and 18 Jul 1956. Not a lot to say about this ship the M.V. Highland Chieftain, as she was the same as the M.V.Highland Brigade and doing the same run to South Amercia.Instead of joining as an A.B. I joined as a Quarter Master, this meant I did no work on deck, but with five other Q.Ms we stood our watches, and steered the ship. Passenger ships where the only ones to do this.General cargo ships the A.Bs took turns as I explained early on..Four weeks and I am back again on British soil.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Braemar Castle, Between 31 Jul 1956 and 15 Oct 1956. Back in London after time out in Hull , this time joining theM.V. Braemar Castel, one of the Union Castle Steamship Co.. Passengers and general cargo for South Africa. Once again down the Thames,turn right ,on reaching the English Channel. I know this river like my local roads by now. (Pity I did,nt know this key board as well.) Turn left at the end of the Channel,(no sat navs in them days only stars and sun to Navigate with, across the Bay Of Biscay and on towards Gibralter and the Mediterainian Sea.Fuel up in Gibralter and head for Genoa and Naples in Italy. Dropped a few passengers of, and headed for Port Said, the start of the Suez Canal. Through the canal and first stop Mombasa on the East Coast of Africa,usual,work goes on .As I mentioned before we do go ashore and see the local sights, they could be another story ,to read after the nine oclock water shed. Moveing on to Zanzibar,as you approach there is a heay smell of Spices in the air. Only a few hours stop , and then away .No time to go ashore, and we are of to Dares Salaam. Not long, sust over night, then on to Durban for a few days.Sounds like a train annoucement, this Train will be stopping at stations etc etc etc.Off the rail and back to sea.Stopping at East London,Port Elizabeth and finalyCape Town.Longer stay here, plenty to see ashore before we retrace are steps, and head for home.

• Occupation: Able Seamen onboard M.V. Authenticity, Between 27 Oct 1956 and 15 Nov 1956. A few days off , and looking to be back at sea again, this time on a small Coastal . Vessel, called the M.V. Authenticity, dischargeing,Palm Oil, at Kings Lynn, England ,where i joined her .She belong to a Coastal firm of ship owners ,in fact the largest in England, called Everards. they still run ships to this day.I have seen them in the Port of Goole not far from where I live.This cargo leaves a thick coating of orange gunge in the tanks. We where running empty from Kings Lynn to Preston on the west coast of England,before our arrival the tanks had to be cleaned out. To do this you had to put a water proof suit on and go down into the tanks with a wire bound steam hose and steam all the sides and deck down into the bilges, from there it was pumped over the side. Not allowed to day.Once you were in the tanks you stayed there for two hours , or untill they were clean. If you came out before, you could not get back in because of the heat. your body had acclimatized to. It was like working in a pressure cooker.Arrival at Preston and I had enough of that type of ship, paid off and back to London.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Beaverglen, Between 4 Dec 1956 and 3 Jan 1957. Back to a better ship than my last, one of the Canadian Pacific Steam Ship Co. named the M.V.Beverglen. Again not much to say about this trip as I had already done the same run on the sister ship the M.V.Mapledell The weather was a lot colder than before, and we could not sail up the river ST. Lawrence as it was froze over , so we whent to Halifax, Nova Scotia. A four week trip then back home. The saying was that if you did two trips on these ships in the winter you were an Eager Beaver.My thoughts were one trip out and one home trip home That will do me.These ships were useualy manned by London men with families because they new that they would be home every four weeks.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Amity, Between 8 Jan 1957 and 1 Mar 1957. Not long in finding another ship, five days . I chose another small coastel vessel as I had two Weddings to attend. One was my sisters and the other the sister of my girl friend a week later.With these ships you could give twenty four hours notice, so I new I would be home in time for the weddings. Again a small coastal tanker name of M.V. Amity, another of the Everard Fleet.Purfleet on the Thames was the place I joined her. Spent about two Months on her around the English coast and the odd trip over to Holland and Germany.March soon came around and it was time to pay off in Plymouth and return home for the weddings.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Frederick T Everard, Between 3 Apr 1957 and 23 Jun 1957. Back looking for a job after the weddings. I have my own Wedding in July , so I thought I would give the deep sea ships a miss ,( not knowing when you were comeing home,) and stay Home Trade as it was called , around the coast of England. Could not miss my own Wedding could I ?.Well back to one of Everards Fleet, this time called the M.V. Frederick T. Everard . She was at Everards own small ship yard at Greenhithe on the River Thames .Loaded bags of cement just across the river at West Thurrock, these were for Plymouth, on the south coast.Empty we moved up the coast to Berry Head near Torquay and loaded stone for Dagenham on the River Thames.This was repeated for some time, then a change of orders.Proceed to Swansea in Wales to take on coal for Anterwerp in Belgium. Blyth in the North East of England next, more coal, this time for Shoreham Power Station on the South coast ,( my birth place).Back to Blyth again, so I thought it time to leave as my wedding was just a few weeks away.

• Residence, Jul 1957, 2 Rosmead Street. Hull, E.Yorkshire, England. While still at sea, and after my marrige to Hazel in July nineteen fifty seven, I bought a house in Hull, Yorkshire, nine hundred and fifty pounds. (What price today)Not wanting to take her away from Gods own county,( or her Mother and Farther).It was a standard type house on the end of a row, two bedrooms and bathroom, two rooms and kitchen down stairs, with back yard.Our first child was born here in nineteen sixty three, a boy we named Ian . By this time I had left the sea and was working as a Process worker at a metal smelting factory by the name of Capper Pass at North Ferriby, East Yorkshire.This place took a lot of Tin Ore from the Tin Mines in Cornwall, and South America melting it down with other waste and scrap metal in furnaces.The end product was Tin ingots, copper sheets, lead ingots,a small amount of gold and silver.The name Capper Pass came from the two people who started it up , a Mr Capper and a Mr Pass. After ten years as a process worker I whent as a fitters mate on shift work and four years after that as a shift fitter. After working there for twenty eight years the place closed down.Plastic had replaced a lot of tin products, and pollution was another factor.Buy this time I had already moved out of Hull and bought a new bungalow to the west of Hull.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard S.S. Elizabeth Lysaght, Between 26 Aug 1957 and 15 Sep 1957. After my marriage I thought it best to stay on coastal ships as I could get home more often,(which I had made in Hull, East Yorkshire).My first one back after two Months ashore,was another ship running coal to the South of England from Goole in Yorkshire.This Port is fifty miles inland from the sea, but close to the coal fields of Yorkshire. Coal was a good trade from here. (Sounds like a history lesson.) Any way back to the ships name,S.S. Elizabeth Lysaght, owned by Stephenson and Clarks. Just three weeks and the whole crew went down with Asian Flue , this was a killer at the time for a lot of the older people. We made it back to Goole and the whole crew paid off sick. End of that trip.When I arrived home, a note on the table said "at mothers with flue", so off I trotts to mothers. She took one look at me and said, you look awfull, better stay here and join Hazel in bed. Ten days saw me back on my feet and joining another ship.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard S.S. Selby, Between 25 Sep 1957 and 24 Apr 1958. Off to Goole to join my latest ship belonging to Associated Humber Lines, named the S.S. Selby on weekly runs across to Ghent and Antwerp in Belgium. We carried a mixed general cargo and had stalls for live Horses, which we some times carried.Their end was on a Butchers slab in Belgium.For every Horse carried the sailors , if I remember right were paid one shilling, (five pence in new money). For this we fead them and put bands under them from one side of the stall to the other, to stop them falling down in bad weather.The Selby was an old ship and a coal burner. To do the round trip of about seven days we burnt about eighty tons of coal.After about seven months I felt like a change of ship , so I paid of and joined another ship ,of the same company , the same day.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard S.S. Aire, Between 24 Apr 1958 and 8 Oct 1958. S.S. AIRE same company as the last one , and on the same run, only thing different was the ship, and crew .Although I did know some of them from previous ships.We were on our way home on the third trip , I was at the helm at the time, when disaster struck. We had left the North Sea and sailed up the River Humber to where it meets the River Ouse at Trent Falls. Continuing up the Ouse,( it was dark and near midnight) we met another ship leaving Goole ,comeing down on the wrong side of the river. There are rules as we have on roads,the ship was comeing between us and the river bank . Unable to get out of the way , there was a collision, you cannot stop a ship like a car by putting the brakes on.The othere ship hit us on the starboard (right) side with her bow and put a large gash (thirty foot long ) into us below the water line.In trying to avoid the other ship we were left heading for the river bank, and as we where sinking fast by the stern the Captain said to me , put her bow on the bank, and go below and make sure every one is up and out on deck. Being an old ship the cabin doors opened out onto the deck.With her stern still sinking water was rushing down the deck towards the stern.When I got to the Assistant Stewards cabin water was at least two foot high , and the weight of the water made it impossible to open outwards,even with him pushing from inside.Being an old ship the doors were solid, even a fire axe had no effect.By this time the water was getting highier and sadly he had to be left. Escape through a porthole was not possible because they were to small.Later we found it to be a German ship that hit us, called the Helen B Shcupp.This ship turned over and sank off the Danish coast in bad weather early the next year. The Captain was lost . Eighteen months later in the High Court In London ,the other ship was put at seventy five percent blame and we twenty five percent. A sad ending to that trip.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Whitby Abbey, Between 3 Nov 1958 and 10 Feb 1959. A few weeks off after my last ill fated voyage and back with the same company again. This time aboard the M.V.Whitby Abbey, running from Goole to Breamen Haven and Hamburg in Germany. Another weekly run. Three months and I wanted a change , paid off and looking for another ship.Maybe a good thing I left this ship, because a few months later she cought fire in the North Sea, and the Bosun was lost getting into a life boat. The rest of the crew where picked up and o.k..

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Selectivity, Between 23 Feb 1959 and 27 Aug 1959. Once again I join one of Everard Shipping comp. this time the M.V. Selectivity in Goole.A coal cargo again, this time for Dartmouth on the south coast , a nice little town. Backwards and forwards on the same run a few times , then a change of orders . Go too Sweden for a cargo of Paper Pulp , in bales.This we picked up in Harnosand for Bow waters Paper Mills on the River Thames. Done this once more then she was due for a survey and bottom scrape and paint, (painful)so I left her in Everards ship yard at Greenhithe on the Thames.Headed home to Hull once more, and take some leave due to me.

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Byland Abbey, Between 24 Sep 1959 and 30 Nov 1959. I am getting to know Goole docks by now, as I board the M.V. Byland Abbey,this one and her sister ship the Kirkham Abbey were known as the Butter Boats.On a regular run to kobenhaven in Denmark to bring back Butter and Pork carcasses in the freezer holds. Four trips and I was away again looking for another birth. Am I a sea gypsy and cannot settle?

• Occupation: Able Seaman onboard M.V. Selby, Between 2 Dec 1959 and 20 Jul 1961. Back to Associated Humber Lines and putting my Seabag onboard the M.V. Selby. You might think hold on , he was on this one before, but this is a new Selby, the old one was scrapped. I am afraid it was the same old trek, across to Breamen and Hamburg and back.But I was home every ten days. July 1960 I was promoted to Bosun and stopped with her for another year. I had been thinking it was time to drop the Anchor at home, and find a shore job. And this I did. Here endeth my seagoing career on the 20 july 1961.
Almost four years, but a week,to when I was married .

• Residence: Process Worker at Capper Pass, May 1968, 10 Cherry Court, Gilberdyke, E.Yorkshire, England. After eleven years living in Hull, we saw an advert in the local paper for a new Bungalow Development twenty miles west of Hull, in a small village called Gilberdyke. On a day off work we whent to have a look.It was as stated, a small village, so small we could not find it .Another day and another ride out we found it Looking around it seemed a good location, railway station five minutes walk, on a bus route, school,two shops,one was part general store and part post office.Last but not least a fish and chip shop in a wooden building, with a coal fired range.May nineteen sixty eight, saw us moveing into our brand new semi-detached bungalow, price, two thousand,five hundred & ninety five pounds.Open fields to the back of the propety, and still is forty years on. Gardens to front and rear, which Hazel tends and always has a good show of flowers and shrubs all year round.( I do the heavy work)Distance to work for me had not alterd,(by this time I had a shore job,) the same eleven miles of travel, but not haveing to get through the trafick of Hull.Main A 63 road straight to work.March nineteen seventy two saw our second child born, a girl, we named Heather Elaine.When my job came to an end in nineteen eighty eight, and at the age of fifty four I thought what next.The labour exchange sent me for other jobs, but a younger person would be taken on.One night whilst haveing a pint of liquid refreshment in a local tavern,someone I knew asked if I would drive a person down to London in their car as one of his drivers had gone sick.Yes,was my ansewer,and off I went next day , taking this gentleman to his meeting in London and bringing him back afterwards. From this one job I ended up takeing people all over England to meetings and Airports in their own cars, you name a make of car and I have driven it.Three yearsof this and I thought I need a change, so I whent on a one week eight hour day,driveing course for bus and coaches. Started on a monday and passed my test the following monday.A local coach firm took me on , and because of my age they thought I had been driveing coaches for some years. I did not enlighten them. My first trip out was to Scarbrough, seventy miles away on the Yorkshire coast, with fifty one pensioners.All went well ,but on arriving back , one lady ,as she was getting off, turned to me and said, I expect you must get fed up with driveing these big things about and will soon be retireing. Little did she know it was my first time out with passengers. At the age of seventy four I had to give up my coach licence due to a health condition.I still ride my 1959 650c.c. Panther motorcycle and tow a trailer with it, to camping weeks in this country and France, Germany and Holland, with the Panther Owners Club.

Kenneth married Hazel Garnett, daughter of Henry Garnett and Ivy Cousins, on 27 Jul 1957 in Hull, E.Yorkshire, England. (Hazel Garnett was born on 21 Nov 1935 in Hull, E.Yorkshire, England.)