I signed on the Southern Cross several days prior to departure on Friday 13th November 1970 (not a good omen).
The voyage was out to Oz via the Panama Canal, then 3 cruises out of Sydney and return to the UK in March 1971.
Being young and naive, I discounted tales that you didn't so much 'sign on' as 'weigh in' on the 'Suffering Cross'.
However the cracks began to appear on sailing day when most of the 'Belfast contingent' of the deck department were in various states of intoxication, thus causing extra work for the rest of us.
Things went from bad to worse during the Atlantic crossing, I was so relieved to plant my feet on terra firma upon arrival at Trinidad.
I stuck the trip out, though not sure how. During the trip there where 3 deaths, a crew member 'disapeared' one night, a passenger died of a heart attack, and there was one other death of which I dont know the cir***stances.
I was attacked myself whilst sleeping, the attacker was unaware of the attack the next day due to being on various 'substances'.
During a visit to Suva (on one of the cruises), the catering staff walked off the ship. The band played on for sometime until the Ozzie passengers were no longer waving, the band eventually packed up and went home, as did the stevadores, I never did find out out why they walked off.
During 30 years service at sea I never witnessed anything like the level of violence and drunkeness on that ship, I still have the odd nightmare of this experience.
Having survived the 'ship from hell', I signed up for a correspondence course for 2nd Mates ticket.
Captain Wheatley was the Master on this voyage, a really nice man. What he did to deserve the Cross I really dont know, I hope things were better in his latter career.
When I saw pictures of the ship being scrapped, I had a glass of wine - quite an occasion as I am teetotal!
I'm sure someone somewhere must have a happier experience of the Suffering Cross, but it wasn't me!
The voyage was out to Oz via the Panama Canal, then 3 cruises out of Sydney and return to the UK in March 1971.
Being young and naive, I discounted tales that you didn't so much 'sign on' as 'weigh in' on the 'Suffering Cross'.
However the cracks began to appear on sailing day when most of the 'Belfast contingent' of the deck department were in various states of intoxication, thus causing extra work for the rest of us.
Things went from bad to worse during the Atlantic crossing, I was so relieved to plant my feet on terra firma upon arrival at Trinidad.
I stuck the trip out, though not sure how. During the trip there where 3 deaths, a crew member 'disapeared' one night, a passenger died of a heart attack, and there was one other death of which I dont know the cir***stances.
I was attacked myself whilst sleeping, the attacker was unaware of the attack the next day due to being on various 'substances'.
During a visit to Suva (on one of the cruises), the catering staff walked off the ship. The band played on for sometime until the Ozzie passengers were no longer waving, the band eventually packed up and went home, as did the stevadores, I never did find out out why they walked off.
During 30 years service at sea I never witnessed anything like the level of violence and drunkeness on that ship, I still have the odd nightmare of this experience.
Having survived the 'ship from hell', I signed up for a correspondence course for 2nd Mates ticket.
Captain Wheatley was the Master on this voyage, a really nice man. What he did to deserve the Cross I really dont know, I hope things were better in his latter career.
When I saw pictures of the ship being scrapped, I had a glass of wine - quite an occasion as I am teetotal!
I'm sure someone somewhere must have a happier experience of the Suffering Cross, but it wasn't me!