Joined
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970 Posts
One the Chinese crew ships with BSL the storekeeper was known as No. 1 Greaser, and he might have 2 dayworkers, plus 3 watchkeeping donkeymen and a greasers cook. He was the bossman.
Unbeknown to me as a 1st trip junior, I asked one of the dayworkers to give me a lift with something. He did, but a bit later the 2/E came to me and put me wise about the Chinese losing face, by not asking No. 1. It was never a problem later with West Indian or White crew.
When the clocks were changed No1. Would write on the ER blackboard in Chinese script. One time one of the engineers rubbed a bit out and added a few squiggles of his own to see the look on their faces when they came read it.
We also had two Chinese mechanics who had come out of Singapore dockyard and they used to look after the maintenance of the Ruston generators. There was always a set of cyl heads ready for the next overhaul. That ship used to run like clockwork. 2nd & Jnr on day work and standbys & 3 watchkeeping engineers.
Obviously the Chief Engineer never went near the ER, and only the 2nd spoke to him, unless he spoke to you.
Unbeknown to me as a 1st trip junior, I asked one of the dayworkers to give me a lift with something. He did, but a bit later the 2/E came to me and put me wise about the Chinese losing face, by not asking No. 1. It was never a problem later with West Indian or White crew.
When the clocks were changed No1. Would write on the ER blackboard in Chinese script. One time one of the engineers rubbed a bit out and added a few squiggles of his own to see the look on their faces when they came read it.
We also had two Chinese mechanics who had come out of Singapore dockyard and they used to look after the maintenance of the Ruston generators. There was always a set of cyl heads ready for the next overhaul. That ship used to run like clockwork. 2nd & Jnr on day work and standbys & 3 watchkeeping engineers.
Obviously the Chief Engineer never went near the ER, and only the 2nd spoke to him, unless he spoke to you.