[CEYLON220]

Came across this book in the library and was attracted to the title
"THE JAIL HOUSE THAT WENT TO SEA" an untold story of the Battle of the Atlantic 1942-42 by Peter Haining it tells the story of when the MN were getting very short of men to man ships because of the loss by U Boats of ships bringing vital cargoes of food etc to the UK during WW2.
It tells of the government at the time giving police in the ganglands of
Glasgow to carry out 1941 style "Press ganging" of prisoners in Barlinnie jail
and transporting them to the USA to man old merchant ships handed to the UK government for troop carrying, its worth a read and I won`t go into it more to spoil the plot----points out of 10-----9.

[billyboy]

Now that looks an interesting read. Not so sure I can get it out here though. Will try in the city at the weekend. Thanks for the tip

[janbonde]

Try Amazon Billyboy

[KenLin39]

3 available @ a Penny each + P & P on Amazon. Ken.
<----------------------------------->
£0.01
+ £2.75shipping
LOW ITEM PRICE
Used - Very Good Seller: whalester
Rating:98% positive over the past 12 months (1673 ratings.) 5143 lifetime ratings.
Delivery: In stock. Dispatched from United Kingdom. International delivery available. See Delivery Rates. See return policy.

£0.01
+ £2.75shipping
LOW ITEM PRICE
Used - Very Good Seller: philbooks1
Rating:94% positive over the past 12 months (1939 ratings.) 2115 lifetime ratings.
Delivery: In stock. Dispatched from United Kingdom. See Delivery Rates. See return policy.
Comments: ex library but very good condition

£0.01
+ £2.75shipping
LOW ITEM PRICE
Used - Good Seller: wmacvean7
Rating:100% positive over the past 12 months (696 ratings.) 759 lifetime ratings.
Delivery: In stock. Dispatched from United Kingdom. See Delivery Rates. See return policy.
Comments: bend marks from reading

[cboots]

Well I must admit that I sailed with a few crooks in my time but I always believed that the real gangsters were the ones who owned the wretched things.
CBoots

[Binnacle]

Thanks for that Ceylon220. There are three copies of the book available in this town's public libraries. Got the info thro Jails Nostalgia. lol.

[Binnacle]

Borrowed the book this morning, beginning to have doubts about it as by page 80 the ex jailbirds have not gone up any gangways yet. Very interesting if you have any interest in prewar Sheffield and Glasgow "neds" and the police tactics to bring them in line. It's rather confusing to read on page 78 when describing the sinking of the Cameronia "as the Cameronia steamed across the Persian Gulf bound for Port Said", yet later we read "after the survivors of the torpedo attack had all been landed at Malta" ??? Presumably the destroyers that had rescued them had arrived via the Suez Canal. ???. He also describes Captain David Bone as "being at the "helm" of the Transylvania when war was declared". Enjoy the book, don't spend too much buying it though. My points may be a small nigggle but they grated on my ears.

[Billy1963]

Read it years ago and to be honest it is one of the worst books I have read. Starts off well and ends up going no where.

[Quiney]

Originally Posted by Billy1963

Read it years ago and to be honest it is one of the worst books I have read. Starts off well and ends up going no where.

Have to agree. The amount of 'time at sea' was no more thana few pages.

[Bob Murdoch]

Quite possibly the worse book I have read. The Captain having his chief stoker, supposedly an old pal, up on to his cabin to discuss the use of the 'neds' A likely story.
Bob