The golden days of British shipping great ship good runs and great lads & lassies on board. I’ve been at sea for 41 years we had 1400 odd ships when I first went away in 78 now we’ve got just a handful so sad but what a blast we all had. Only 7 trips left then I’m coming ashore but will sadly miss the call of the sea and my mates saying when you going back just as I walk through the pub door on my first night on leave
I was at sea for 40 years and sailed on 68 ships between 1968 and 2008. I did three round the world trips before I was 18: Liverpool through the Panama, Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa and back to the U.K. The first few years was the best before the accountants and safety brigade took over. Great Video John
Tony Jones Me too Tony. Got my books in Liverpool July 68.No R 865025 I did my last 4 years in the North Sea and hated every minute.Not my idea of "going away" at all.Have a nice retirement"rest".
I spent 10 years on the open seas and traveling the world on ships carrying stuff such as grain to crude oil. The life of a merchant mariner was the greatest thing that ever happen to me. Thank you brother for pictures and God bless.⚓
I joined the Merchant Navy for exactly the same reason as you and was a Cadet on the NZS - M V Rakaia. Prior to that I and my family sailed to and from Kenya (for my Fathers job) on the Llandovery Castle, Warwick Castle, Durban Castle ans SS Leicestershire. Thanks for uploading this video. So many memories of happy times. Regards Michael Chartres
Did my first trip to sea on the Bloemfontien Castle , 16 yrs old bridge boy , went as far as Beira Portuguese Africa - still have the Diary I kept and one photo
. Nice one, John. Brought back many great memories. I joined Port Line aged 16 as a galley boy in 1960 through to 1971. Best years of my life, without a doubt! Wouldn't have missed it for the world. Port Sydney, Port Launceston, Port Wyndham,Port New Plymouth...some terrific memories. Ahh...nostalgia!
@kavi18in It was a different world when Joh Ham and I went to sea. We DID see the world and worked hard. Now, with container ships you work hard but don't see the world. In and out of port in a day.
Well done, especially the pictures of the 'Castle Ships' My father joined the Union Castle Line and returned to shore for good in 1963, when I was 4, after making it to chief engineer. As a kid I spent many holidays on The Isle of Wight so often saw ships in Southampton. My father never lost his interst in shipping, so would always point them out to me. My favourite though, although I never saw it in real life was The United States. Last year I started filming a few ships coming into The Tyne. Maybe take a look !
i joined in 1960 till 1965 first ship Edinburgh Castle; and then Ivernia ; Andes ;Waipawa ;Port Napier ;Otaki ;Cedric ;Ionic ;British Honour ;British Mallard ;Saxonia;;Cairnforth Mendoza Star ; Rangitoto my fav one was the Rangitoto did 3 trips last port in navy BERMUDA end of 65 loved every minute of it got to some out of the way places whaling centres like South Georgia; and Walvis Bay also Pitcairn Island and Port Wyndam abatiour where the road trains of cattle from Alice Springs etc were processed
It certainly was a great way of Life John. I did seven years myself on everything from Elder Dempster to RFA'S . jUST NEVER GOT AROUND TO TAKING AS MANY PHOTO'S AS YOU DID. Thanks for bringing back many memories. MC ...North wales.
I worked for the British and Commonwealth shipping company on both Bowater and Castle line had some great times possibly the best in my life love the video.
Dunotter Castle built 1936 was finally scrapped after 66 years at sea -you certainly got value with anything built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast -Canberra lasted almost 40 years and Southern Cross 50 .!!!
Hi John. great video. As a matter of interest was the letter in the clip 'paquebot' mail. I remember posting one in Brazil with all the usual designs but no postage stamp. It eventually arrived home 17 months later having being stamped in 23 countries.
Hi to all those people who may remember me, I just found all these things on RUclips I’m amazed my daughter and grandkids will have a great time watching some of them, I was a Vindi boy in 1961/2 , l came from Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, my first trip to sea was on the MV AFRIC SHAW SAVILE LINE, Out Panama back sues, Ha Ha what great day’s now 75 years old but still have a connection with the sea re a Nauticat37 on the Algarve. Regards Ian Tring.( as in the town)
Good job that people like it out there. I couldn't stand it. I'm glad I got out. I liked the navigation and watch standing and what not, but that was like 1/3 of my job and the rest was BS, and I was just 3rd Mate. There was no way I could have stomached 40 years of increasing BS going up the ladder, as increasing BS as they just add more BS for people to do. Driving a truck now and am much happier.
loved it spent my time on tankers including falklands originally frum oop norf I actually lived in Windsor and Eton for a few years so would have passed John in the street methinks?.........................twenty lashes with a bit'o' seaweed ahoy!
@sdun86 if you live in UK i recommend applying to clyde marine, to train in the glasgow collage of nautical studies. there are several collages in UK that train for this job but i thing GCNS is the best, and clyde marine is an organization that get you sponsorship and help you out alot. are you thinking about it?
Hi John. I'm writing on behalf of my uncle Richard Glassup, who served with you on the Rhodesia Castle and has seen your video online. He'd love to get in touch. If you email me I can pass his details on. Thanks Andy Jones
Oh Happy days up the Great lakes on board the Constance Bowater from Milltown, Corner Brook up the Welland Canal & through the Great lakes. Thanks for the memories I am sure I know that Girls face lol
Been going to sea since 78 Miss the great ships of our famous Merchant Navy 😥😥
The golden days of British shipping great ship good runs and great lads & lassies on board.
I’ve been at sea for 41 years we had 1400 odd ships when I first went away in 78 now we’ve got just a handful so sad but what a blast we all had.
Only 7 trips left then I’m coming ashore but will sadly miss the call of the sea and my mates saying when you going back just as I walk through the pub door on my first night on leave
I was at sea for 40 years and sailed on 68 ships between 1968 and 2008. I did three round the world trips before I was 18: Liverpool through the Panama, Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa and back to the U.K. The first few years was the best before the accountants and safety brigade took over. Great Video John
Tony Jone
Tony Jones that is awesome!!!
Tony Jones Me too Tony. Got my books in Liverpool July 68.No R 865025 I did my last 4 years in the North Sea and hated every minute.Not my idea of "going away" at all.Have a nice retirement"rest".
@@davidboardman8590 And the container ships are pig ugly.
I spent 10 years on the open seas and traveling the world on ships carrying stuff such as grain to crude oil. The life of a merchant mariner was the greatest thing that ever happen to me. Thank you brother for pictures and God bless.⚓
I joined the Merchant Navy for exactly the same reason as you and was a Cadet on the NZS - M V Rakaia. Prior to that I and my family sailed to and from Kenya (for my Fathers job) on the Llandovery Castle, Warwick Castle, Durban Castle ans SS Leicestershire. Thanks for uploading this video. So many memories of happy times. Regards Michael Chartres
Best days ever ex vindi 1954-1964 ships were ships then loved the video J.millard
Did my first trip to sea on the Bloemfontien Castle , 16 yrs old bridge boy , went as far as Beira Portuguese Africa - still have the Diary I kept and one photo
Should add - 1954 ,straight from the Prince of Wales Sea Training School Dover -
Thank you for the great video. It brings back lots of great memories!!!!!
. Nice one, John. Brought back many great memories. I joined Port Line aged 16 as a galley boy in 1960 through to 1971. Best years of my life, without a doubt! Wouldn't have missed it for the world. Port Sydney, Port Launceston, Port Wyndham,Port New Plymouth...some terrific memories. Ahh...nostalgia!
@kavi18in
It was a different world when Joh Ham and I went to sea. We DID see the world and worked hard. Now, with container ships you work hard but don't see the world. In and out of port in a day.
Great video, really enjoyed seeing the old Castle and Blue Star ships. Thanks for sharing your memories.
Well done, especially the pictures of the 'Castle Ships'
My father joined the Union Castle Line and returned to shore for good in 1963, when I was 4, after making it to chief engineer.
As a kid I spent many holidays on The Isle of Wight so often saw ships in Southampton. My father never lost his interst in shipping, so would always point them out to me.
My favourite though, although I never saw it in real life was The United States.
Last year I started filming a few ships coming into The Tyne. Maybe take a look !
i joined in 1960 till 1965 first ship Edinburgh Castle; and then Ivernia ; Andes ;Waipawa ;Port Napier ;Otaki ;Cedric ;Ionic ;British Honour ;British Mallard ;Saxonia;;Cairnforth Mendoza Star ; Rangitoto my fav one was the Rangitoto did 3 trips last port in navy BERMUDA end of 65 loved every minute of it got to some out of the way places whaling centres like South Georgia; and Walvis Bay also Pitcairn Island and Port Wyndam abatiour where the road trains of cattle from Alice Springs etc were processed
Thanks for the memories me and my brother sailed in the Pendennis Castle in 1969 when we arrived in England from South Africa.
you are a great seamen lucky guy to have had such a wonderful time.billions dream to have a life like yours.
My grandfather was a stoker on winnifred in the 30s and 40s
those were the great golden years of shipping and seamen times.now flooded with lnexperienced pilipino cheap labor.
It certainly was a great way of Life John.
I did seven years myself on everything from Elder Dempster to RFA'S .
jUST NEVER GOT AROUND TO TAKING AS MANY PHOTO'S AS YOU DID.
Thanks for bringing back many memories.
MC ...North wales.
Did my training on the Vindicatrax in 1958, and the biggest regret was leaving the merchant navy far too soon.
I worked for the British and Commonwealth shipping company on both Bowater and Castle line had some great times possibly the best in my life love the video.
Thanks for the good memories. I was on the "Pendennis" 68/69 , great times!
HI JOHN, I WAS A STEWARD ON BRAEMAR CASTLE IN 1963 AND SAILED ON WINDSOR CASLE AUGUST 1970 FROM SOUTHHAMPTON TO Cape Town AS AN IMMIGRANT
Life at sea isnt the same now as it used to be, all quick turn rounds. Anyone out there ever work on the Rotherwick Castle? I was on her in 1970.
great video john,i had the chance to join the nerchant navy 30years ago and never went, its the biggest regret i have
Dunotter Castle built 1936 was finally scrapped after 66 years at sea -you certainly got value with anything built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast -Canberra lasted almost 40 years and Southern Cross 50 .!!!
I hope you're at sea and having wonderful adventure. Miss you and love you🌏💝❄
From 1973 and still at it....no regrets.
Hi John. great video.
As a matter of interest was the letter in the clip 'paquebot' mail.
I remember posting one in Brazil with all the usual designs but no postage stamp.
It eventually arrived home 17 months later having being stamped in 23 countries.
My grandfather was a fireman in the New Zealand merchant navy during WW2.
Swing the lamp eh! Many thanks
so good to see it man u rock
please describe the life of a marine engineer coz i hav just completed my engg and want to join merchant navy
Joined MN after leaving Gravesend Sea College in 1975 ,Got a film of the Ships I worked on :) take a look .Would do it all again :)
I still spotted some of your ships in Singapore during the 80s
you are great person i ve had my fatherin italian merchant ship in the past i remember all when i stay whit him on board
Brings back memories MN 1966 - 74
Merchant navy best days 1964 to 1967
The same years as me. I sailed from Liverpool.
Great stuff john, enjoyed that!
Hi to all those people who may remember me, I just found all these things on RUclips I’m amazed my daughter and grandkids will have a great time watching some of them, I was a Vindi boy in 1961/2 , l came from Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, my first trip to sea was on the MV AFRIC SHAW SAVILE LINE, Out Panama back sues, Ha Ha what great day’s now 75 years old but still have a connection with the sea re a Nauticat37 on the Algarve. Regards Ian Tring.( as in the town)
Good job that people like it out there. I couldn't stand it. I'm glad I got out. I liked the navigation and watch standing and what not, but that was like 1/3 of my job and the rest was BS, and I was just 3rd Mate. There was no way I could have stomached 40 years of increasing BS going up the ladder, as increasing BS as they just add more BS for people to do. Driving a truck now and am much happier.
Great video, John.
Ron Kerr ex-Vindi
this inspire the most
Happy Days
clan line 74 -79 junnior and 4e great life proud to wear the uniform
loved it spent my time on tankers including falklands originally frum oop norf I actually lived in Windsor and Eton for a few years so would have passed John in the street methinks?.........................twenty lashes with a bit'o' seaweed ahoy!
Hi to any Prince of Wales old boys, me Dover, Curry Sark, 68,
Chiefy Mr Hadley class master, 45 years as chief Engineer,
Good job
purnima roy IP
@sdun86 if you live in UK i recommend applying to clyde marine, to train in the glasgow collage of nautical studies. there are several collages in UK that train for this job but i thing GCNS is the best, and clyde marine is an organization that get you sponsorship and help you out alot. are you thinking about it?
Memories! Happy daze!
I will join the merchant navy too.....
Really good thanks
do you have to be clever to join the merchant navy
It would be better without the crap music!
Hi John. I'm writing on behalf of my uncle Richard Glassup, who served with you on the Rhodesia Castle and has seen your video online. He'd love to get in touch. If you email me I can pass his details on. Thanks Andy Jones
Hammy is that you m8
Stiff
Oh Happy days up the Great lakes on board the Constance Bowater from Milltown, Corner Brook up the Welland Canal & through the Great lakes. Thanks for the memories I am sure I know that Girls face lol
@tommysharples2009 Not all., u dont have to be clever.,
Like navy😘😘
not really..
Nave SECURITY duty
Sarfraj malik
كلو زق
My sincere advice to you dont join merchant navy.
please dont join and ruin ur life
dreadful annoying background noise, unwatchable