anyone out there know of the whereabouts of one Willie Slatery, he was the cook on the british tenacity in 1978 sometime .HEwas a right caracter who got pissed up by friday lunch and sober by monday night week in week out.Iwas gally boy and got promoted to secondcook on that trip.How we ever got the meals out Ill never know, cuase most of the time Willie was hanging on to a table trying to stay upright.Ithink he took redundacy when the pakare was offered around that time.
Think i sailed with him on British Security in 1975 sailing around africa. Was he a Scottish guy, ginger hair, red face and a man who liked his Gambling as well as the odd dozen tins of beer.
thats him but you forgot the wiskey chasers which l had to go get from the chief steward wrapped up in a t-towel and delivered to his cabin.Also was very into the scots did this first/invented that /best at this/and so on .What a state he used to get into.Ithink he took the redundancy offer and was going to open his own food place ,that l would have liked to see-a blank menu and an unconcious host
I think I might have sailed with him on the Britsh Pionner in 79.He always had cans of beer in different draws in the galley and on my way down to my cabin at 4 in the morning as you walked past his cabin door he would be drinking beer, dont think he was ever sober
I sailed with Willie on the La Estancia (Buries Markes) just after the strike of '66.
He joined as 2nd Cook with 2 other Glaswegians (one was his cousin or brother in law). We left Belfast for Brazil then back to Emden in Germany where all 3 jumped ship.
He used to sit in his cabin drinking & send some eedjit (usually me) up to the galley to stir the soup or chop 'a wee bit of veg'. The Chief Cook (Clive T. Mowforth) from London was sh*t scared of him & never told him off.
He was very rarely in the Galley. What a character.
McG
It seems to myself, all seem to be attacking W.Slatery, in various ways.
What about some kind thoughts.
I also sailed with him when he was chief cook.
A decent man, he did not have a bad word about anyone did he. cans of beer all over the place in drawers, little overdone, don,t you think so......... yes he enjoyed a can of beer, did you lads not also sometimes.
second cook, I may have sailed with you, maybe.
We all have faults, I also, but not to **** off a former ship mate like this in a public sight.
Should not use names as you all have. could say the ch.cook sometimes had a little too much to drink. You may also have families now, and would not wish some of the things you got up on ships made public to your families.
A little respect sometime is needed for each other.
These days of sailing on BP tankers are gone for most of us,
Think of the good memories you have of that time.
I found most of the lads on BP ships were good and hard working not so many problems, they got sorted onboard if any.
Wots the problem ?? I called MYSELF an eejit & called W. Slattery a character. And in public too ! Willy will not go down in history as a cherub & I dont think he would regard himself as an angel, and in fact I quite liked him.
Sorry if I rubbed you up the wrong way, but I dont think Mr Slattery would give a s**t either way. I suppose this thread is now closed in case anyone speaks the truth.
McG
Anybody from BP remember a 2nd Steward called Thomas Beverly Walls ... or 'Mother' as he/she insisted on being called?
I was second trip Deck Cadet on the Br Unity back in early 1971 with him/her....best steward I have ever sailed with...first words to me were..."I'm Tom your Second Steward, but you will always call me Mother" .... and I did!
Fresh flowers on the dining tables every port, and in Capt Gilman Barber cabin!
If you went round to the poop for a dirty meal when in port, 'Mother' would always have to 'feel your muscles' first to see what sized helpings you deserved that day....no time to feel homesick or fed up....!!
Officer/Crew bar nights were organised by 'Mother' regularly, along with midday bingo, darts tournaments etc....'Mother' always turning up in a skirt or the likes!!
Looked after everyone like a perfect gent....well, I suppose he/she wouldn't mind me calling him/her that now.
Fantastic character and a fantastic member of the crew!!
Sailed with Mother on the Unity 1972. Real pleasant person, used to hold a quiz just before lunch every day while at sea, it was the highlight of the day even if you did'nt win the prize usually a can of coke or chewing gum.
Must have just missed you....I left the Unity in August 71 at Southampton when Frank Preece was the Captain, 'Mother' was still there then, organising quizes and bingo etc!
Had a great trip, joining at IOG down to my home port of Plymouth, then we went to Port of Spain d/d and stayed in the Chagacabana Beach Hotel!!!...then Freeport, Port Everglades etc...then back home to UK/Scandinavia.
we are all very responsable for our own actions whether in the past or present .Mr slattery was a very big charater and no doubt known by many people onboard bp ships,that said it is still a fact that he was a chronic alcoholic who was prepared every week to let everyone else do his work and spend 3 days a week so pissed he had to hang on to the nearest bench, and then have a two day hangover . So he had a very good time just working two days a week. But if l mustnt mention any truthful happenings from my time at sea then whats the point of this site ,is it just lets pretend time.Nowe didnt sail together
What's all the fuss about?, during my nine years at sea, I met many characters who enjoyed their beer, not only cooks either, captains, mates, engineers, deck & engine crew members. There is nothing wrong being able to enjoy a beer. The problem is knowing when to stop, and that it does not interfere, or stop you from completing your duties competently. If it does, then it is the duty of your immediate Senior Crew Man, or Senior Officer to "pull your into line", advise you of your responsibilies, and to stop you causing problems with your fellow shipmates, and to ensure the safety of the ship. Regards, Terence Williams. R538301.[=P]
British Valour late 50s, Br Aviator early 60s, 2 cans twice a week, no spirits. Good cooks on both.
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