[kauvaka]

I did 5 voyages as an 18 year old fireman/greaser on the British Valour from 14 October 1959 until 15 May 1960. My discharge book alleges the horsepower was 22500 SHP. My understanding was the shafts were on an angle. Big step up in the boiler room from my previous ship a 800 ton steam recip with two scotch boilers and change of tips every watch. Tips changed weekly on the Valour. I must have been on the 12 to 4 as I recall tube blowing by the gingerbeers every night. That watch would have suited me with time for plenty of bronzy and use of the pool. Two cans of beer twice a week so not much chance of the crowd going beserk on that though a couple of old timer ABs drank their laundry biprox once in mistake for their whisky bottle. Captain Flamstead was master and his wife was sailing with him. I later did 3 trips on the Br Aviator and like the Valour she was a good feeder.