Being a new boy to this site I have focussed my interest to reading as many threads as I can about the Blue Funnel as that is possibly where my nostalgia is rooted. For the first 6 years of my working life I was in the 'Blue Funnel' referred to as 'the China ' when I was there and on obtaining Second Mates (FG) left immediately knowing what was in store. Fourth Mate with a Second Mates (FG) Third Mate with a First Mates (FG) Second Mate with Masters (FG) then five years as Second Mate and then approx 12 years as Chief Officer. If you were prepared for that then the lifestyle was good. However, it does not help when passing Second Mates (FG) as a 21 year old AB to be told by Capt Ronnie Symons that if I kept my nose clean I would be Master when I was about 50. The high standards of the Blue Funnel officers were found in many British Companies to varying degrees but nothing to make an issue of. Apart from similar companies the promotion was faster elsewhere. So, I hear you asking what is this all about. The point I am making which set Blue Funnel apart from the rest of British Shipping was the training of their deck crew whether they were trained in Aberdovey (like me) or subsequent to 1958 in the Odyssey Works ( Mick Brabender & Dennis O'Brian). The training was excellent on board their ships and administered by Bosun's who were like no other Bosuns found elsewhere.
The Bosun really was a VIPs in 'the china'. The chain of command was Master, Mate and Bosun. I believe it was this structure that supported the officers and made the ships what they were. The years following departure from the Blue Funnel left me comparing the Bosun and crews in various companies againt their contempories in the Blue Funnel. None came near. It was the BF Bosuns and Deck Crew's that I miss and held the key to my nostalgia.
The Bosun really was a VIPs in 'the china'. The chain of command was Master, Mate and Bosun. I believe it was this structure that supported the officers and made the ships what they were. The years following departure from the Blue Funnel left me comparing the Bosun and crews in various companies againt their contempories in the Blue Funnel. None came near. It was the BF Bosuns and Deck Crew's that I miss and held the key to my nostalgia.