Hi Dusty, the lads did say never give a stoker a rope. Any idea what they meant? This is the things people do when they manage to get you to sea after not seeing you for years. The boat is an old PAS boat which I have no doubt many of our "colleagues" on the mailing list steamed around Pompey harbour over the years. She now belongs to a mate of mine (Ex two & half) and we have a get together normally about 6 or 7 ex matelots and steam around the Cornwall coast for a week. We normally call into Falmouth, Fowey, Mevigissey  etc and as you will no doubt understand never a drop of alcohol passes ones lips. To be perfectly honest its a blast. If I manage to dig up some older photos I will forward them on. My missus seems to think that we have one of me taken when I was around sixteen "in rig" If it ever falls into your hands would you please dispose of it safely?   

IS THIS SAFE ENOUGH COLIN

he he

I recall my first "big responsibility" was to watch keep a drum of light oil and a little pump all f*****g night while just about everybody else had gone ashore. All I had to do was ensure this little pump kept going and shout help if it didn't. The second part of this major task was to also ensure the oil drum didn't run out.

I gave my assurances to the Pome it wouldn't be a problem. Needless to say I fell asleep due to the physical exertions of watching the pump and drum. Anyway the watch came on duty and the Pome asked if everything was okay obviously it was. The only bit I forgot to tell him about was the sleep and no oil going through the pump. No problem I thought the pump's still going after I changed the barrel.

Not thinking what was the oil pumping for. So I duly left the engine room thinking all was rosy. I couldn't have been any farther from the truth!!!!!!!The oil was only pumping through the main engines or not as had been the case for most of the night.

I never had the balls to ask if our delay in sailing that day was down to some baby stokers cock up. If Big Mac McMillan or Tanzie Moore ever Join this web site.

Please accept my humble belated apologies