It was Wednesday the 16th August 1961, and my leave was coming to an end, so I started to pack and get ready to go back to sea.

One bright morning, I made my way into town on the local bus and then onwards to the train station, where I caught the train to Woolwich, and then the ferry across the Thames, and on to the docks.

I had reported to the Federation Offices in the Royal Group of Docks, where they gave me the ship Catalina Star of the Blue Star Line with the job of Cook’s Assistant. This job was much the same as a galley boy.

The ship was berthed in the Surrey Docks. so I made my way out of the docks where I caught the local bus to the docks. My cabin was situated on the main deck and was a four berth cabin, which consisted of two sets of bunks with storage underneath, four lockers and a settee, however only two of us occupied this cabin. This cabin seemed to be very cramped after some of the cabins on previous ships.

My job function was the preparation of vegetables, general washing up and cleaning in the galley and learning to cook.

I signed on, on Thursday 24th August and my wages for this voyage was to be £36-10-0 a month. We were due to sail to Avonmouth later that day.

Whilst working in the galley peeling potatoes, I got a sudden pain in my left side and passed out. The next thing I knew, I was in the Seaman’s Hospital at Greenwich, with an appendix problem.

The chief officer came from the ship, to bring my things to the hospital before the ship sailed. I was in hospital long enough to see the ship go down the river without me. It sailed right past the hospital.

Several days later my parents came to collect me from the hospital in time for my 19th birthday, on 30th August. I still have my appendix!

My engagement with the ship was cancelled the following day 25th August, before the ship sailed, but my seaman’s book went with the ship to Avonmouth, where I was officially signed off on 28th August. I had earned one week’s wages of £9-0-0, which was paid in cash.

My book was then returned to me by courier at home, which enabled me to return to sea again. So on receiving my book I made my way for another ship towards the London docks.

I reported to the Federation offices on the 1st September and was given the ship Newcastle Star of the Blue Star Line and the job of assistant cook. I had to join the ship in Liverpool, so it was over to Euston station for the train to Lime Street station.

When I got to Liverpool I found I had been booked into the Seaman’s Hostel for a couple of nights until the ship arrived. When the ship arrived I was contacted and I made my way to the docks and went onboard. All the crew then signed on, on Monday 4th September for the sailing to Glasgow. I was to be paid £36.10.0 per month. My cabin was on the main deck and was a double berth with two beds a settee wardrobe each, chest of drawers and a chair.

My job as assistant cook was to prepare vegetables wash up the galley pots and pans and keep the galley area clean and tidy. I also was able to learn more about cooking.

We left the dock system assisted by two tugs and a pilot who disembarked in the estuary.

Once out into the Irish sea the walkers patent log was put into use. This was a bronze rotator attached to a long line which when rotated by the ships forward movement forwards, measured the distance travelled and the speed.

This was used every time we left a port. No fire or boat drill was carried out during our time at sea. We arrived at Glasgow on the 5th September staying for two days, where I managed a few trips ashore.

We left on the 7th September for Cardiff. Where we arrived on Friday the 8th September we were to be here for almost three weeks for unloading and two weeks in dry dock for general maintenance and painting of the ship.

Whilst the ship was in dry dock we the crew were not allowed to use the onboard toilets so we had to use the ones on the dockside.

Various trips were made ashore, mainly for sightseeing, I would often walk around the docks observing all the other ships.

I also paid a visit to the Norwegian church within the dock area. We finally left Cardiff on the 27th September for Glasgow arriving the next day where we were to load various cargo for South Africa. We left there on the 3rd October for Liverpool arriving the next day where we were all paid off and I was paid £37-1-7.

As all the previous crew had returned from their leave there was no room for anyone on the next voyage, so we all had to go home.

I made my way to Lime Street station for the train back to London. However, I did not go home. I went straight to the Federation offices.

On arrival I was given the ship Dunedin Star and the job again of assistant cook. My cabin and job function were much the same as the last ship. All the crew signed on, on Thursday 12th October with the same wages as before.

We left the docks on Saturday 14th October on our way to Liverpool. Once out into the channel the Walkers log was put into use and as far as I can remember there was not a fire/boat drill.

We arrived in Liverpool on Monday 16th October late in the evening. We all signed off the next day and once again all the previous crew had returned so we all had to go home again.

I made my way to Lime street station. and the journey home. I was to be at home for about six weeks before I made my way to the London docks for another ship.