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[Big Budgie]

Jim C's memories of Eric Usher and his interview, got me thinking about mine, all those years ago. It was in June or July of '71 and I wasn't 16 until August. I'd only been on the mainland once before, on a school trip when I was 12 so it was a HUGE adventure! I got the boat from Shetland (The old St Clair of the North of Scotland Orkney and Shetland Shipping Company) one night and the sleeper train from Aberdeen the next night.
I arrived in London somewhat dishevelled, as you can imagine, unlike Jim! I arrived in London about 0630 and had a bit of time to kill so I found a cafe and had a bite to eat. Bacon & Eggs never tasted so good!
I arrived at Leadenhall St and the first Blue Star person I met was Bob Cook. He promptly started giving me money (expenses) and took me to see Eric. I had my interview and noticed he had a Ben Line Calendar on his wall. I mentioned that my father had sailed with Ben line and Salvesens as engineer before coming ashore to work at the power station at RAF Saxavord, the Nato early warning station on Unst. It broke the ice for me and it must have gone well as he said I would do as long as the college interview went well. So Off to Southampton where I stayed (With some other hopefulls) at Talbot House that night before the interview at Argyle Road in the morning.
The interview at the college was with Alan Seddon, "Knocker" Norris and others who I can't remember. They asked me what I knew about engines, and seemed quite impressed when I said that the fitter in the power station had showed me how to scrape in the bottom end bearings on the Mirlees JS8s they had there. Stood me in good stead years later when I went to the Romney! After that it was back to London for the night train back to Aberdeen and the boat to Shetland. The whole thing took about a week all told!
For anyone that's interested, Shetland Museum photo Archive is worth a look. [url]http://photos.shetland-museum.org.uk/index.php[/url] If you do a search for Saxavord power station, you'll find some pics of the old engines. Also the St Clair. Happy days!

[tom sommerville]

This logbook is getting beyond me. I know that Jim McAdam passed away recently and I see something to do with it in the logbook but where is the actual obituary, or is there one?

[667974_bluestar]

Hi Tom,

Click on the link below:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10

It will take you straight there.

Hope this helps!

Jim Blake

[David Fox]

Talk about being young and naive!!

Well Jim you were lucky to have an interview.
After sending a letter to Blue Star and informing them of my BOT Grading they asked me to ring up. Down to the phone box for a 'transfer charge' call, not sure who I talked to, probably Our Albert, who said I had the job and would I like to coast the Rocky, joining in Avonmouth.
Hypen Brown was the Snr 2nd with Paul Talmage J/2. Just before the voyage round to Liverpool Hypen Brown asked what engines I had experience with, so I named a bunch of 4 stroke engines I had worked on as an apprentice, mainly repairing them. Don't think he'd heard of these engines, plus steam recips.
Anyway we get to Liverpool and a few days before the ship is due to sail deep sea, the Aussie junior had not reported back (obviously gone 'walk about' as they do), so I asked if I could go deep sea ( possession is 9/10's of the law), after a bit of ooing and arring by the office they said yes. I think they were wanting me to go one the Adelaide or Welly (the Junior Breakers). Great ship, great first trip and an introduction to the Kiwi coast, two great Seconds Paul and Fred Frech.
Well they got me on my 2nd trip, Fitzy, 'Wellington Star Eh!, KG 5, TFA!' And what a trip, 4 juniors, athwart tiny cabins (after the palatial cabin on the Rocky, including woken up with a cup of tea at 6.30 by the Chinese steward), a 4th whose drinking habits left a lot to be desired (not a BSL man I hasten to add), top pistons popping out, side rods letting go, Ted the Bed as 2nd. Nights watches in port. Though one interesting aspect, got to scrape in the bearings on a couple of the generators ( unfortunately the good one got smashed up by the ME side rod hitting it) whilst on day work deep sea.
The other J/s were all first trip and a bit green and two were not even from a marine background. They took a while to become watchkeepers.
When we finally arrived back in the UK, it was there I finally met Eric Usher for about 5 minutes. He said I would be made up to 5th Engineer next ship. Not even an interview.
That next ship is where we met. B.A Star Eh! another cracker, but after the Welly nothing was ever worse.
I could have joined Bibby Line as I went for an interview in Liverpool with them, but after finding what type of ships ( Gas carriers, tankers and OBO's ) going to undiscovered places on the planet, 'I don't think so'. Pay was better than BSL/Port Line/P&O but the social life was none existant.

If only getting a job was so easy now!

[A.D.Frost]

All this talk about Eric Usher, is a blast from the past.He was the best personnel officer BSL ever had (sorry Stan the MAN man) I remeber being told to go to the BRASIL as 2nd Freezer and I refused (no sea time) but after being interveiwed by Eric & Fitzy as an aternative of going 4th.on the MELBOURNE,IMPERIAL or EMPIRE I thought no contest so I done a trip on the BRASIL.(for the experiance?) I may be a head banger not a "Double Banger"

[Fraser Darrah]

A spoof advertisment from Eric Usher to E. Evans when he was ordered to find more Junior Engineers!

A RARE OPPORTUNITY

has occurred for a sartorially elegant, teetotal, clean shaven young man, accustomed to bathing twice daily. He must enjoy first class health, be free of all domestic commitments and of exceptional all-round character.
The successful candidate will hold B.Sc.(Mar. Eng.), 1st Class Combined D.T.I. Certificate of Competency and the Diploma of Etiquette.
His manners must be impeccable and he must be kindly disposed towards all his superiors however disagreeable.
He will not wilt under pressure of hard manual work and must not be afraid of the dark as he is likely to be on continuous night work.
It is essential that he is not accident prone lest the Company be inconvenienced by his hospitalisation and he must undertake to remain with the Company until retirement
Salary subject to negotiation but within N.M.B. and government Phase 3 Agreements.
Generous holidays of 2 weeks per year for the first ten years with an extra week thereafter subject to exemplary service and at our Senior Assistant Superintendent’s discretion. The Company reserves the right to dictate the timing of holidays and under circumstances will more than 3 days be allowed consecutively (including weekends).
As we expect an overwhelming response, applications will be treated in strict rotation.
THE POST? (Oh! We almost got carried away by the anticipation of exercising our little used scientific selection techniques).

JUNIOR ENGINEER OFFICER

With a world famous shipping Company (Sorry we cannot divulge the identity at this stage as for fear of blocking our switchboard with calls from over-eager applicants).
Those optimistically hoping to be considered should submit a comprehensive curriculum vitae in the first instance to Mr. E.R. Evans, Box No. ERE 2481212 who after initial sorting, will present a short list for further processing by our underworked Personnel Department.
Hurry, do not delay – get your application off today!

[David Fox]

The difference between a Personnel Manager then and now is that Eric, Fitzy, Bert, Stan and others in that department had been Engineers or Captains, on some of the ships they were sending us (and possibly worse ships in their day) so they knew the job and conditions and there was respect both ways: now it is an industry called HR who ask stupid questions as they don't know any better. They are a cross between salesmen and buyers and the commodity is a box called a person, they don't know what the box is for but try and sell it to somebody. And so we get square boxes for round holes.
Am I bitter ?
Companies ran much better in days of yore before they all became shareholder owned.
When the chairman of a company visits his ship from foc'sle to shaft tunnel, bridge to store rooms he must be a person to respect and do you best for.
Unlike now.
DCF

[David Fox]

A scan of a photo of a slide of the Port No 4 Aft side Top piston side rod (not the connecting rod, that was Northbound). You needed to wear your rose tinted spectacles on that ship alright.

[lockerman]

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lockerman

[David Fox]

Frank Stinchcombe, known to us all as "The Saint" was in his element – and it was here that I was to see him at his best when it came to creating the perfect Cuba Libre.
After a day down below, working on whatever task needed doing while we were in port, big Geoff the 3/E and I would meet in the Saint’s cabin at about 1600 hrs. “Come in, m’dears,” he would say in his rich west country accent. “Time for a drink.”
Nothing before, or since, has ever tasted so good. Cheers to you Frank!

Now there's a name from the past, old Frank. I had the pleasure of working (not quite) but standing by the Booth ships at Emaq in Rio. He was quite a character, and knowing the lingua franca he would tell the yard personnel to sort it out and also speak to waiters in the evening and sort them out. Hope he is doing ok.
DCF