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I was having a chat with Gerry Rooney�who as many of you will know�is avid chronicler
of our times gone bye�as he said�I made many trips�but this had to be one of the
best�
There I was on the "Carinthia"�which was at the time�December 1956 on the Liverpool
to New York run�Due to overstaffing�the Cunard requested myself�and two others
to sail to New York on the "Mauritania" as passengers�and on pay�So along with
KnockerWhite�and Dereck Hughes�we boarded the Maury in Southhampton�Nice one�as
my oldest friend and indeed my best man�Vinnie McCardle was on board�along with
three other good shipmates�Dick Campion�Don Parkinson�and Pinky Purcell�Good because
Dick and I could get together again on guitars�with Pinky on his bongos�
Among the passengers traveling first class where some very famous people�Alfred
Drake�star of the hit Broadway show "Kismet"� Dirk Borgarde�a big star on the
British screen�Clifton Webb�star of the film�"Hiram Holiday�and last but not least�the
man himself�Alan Ladd and his lovely wife�star of so many films and the classic
western of all time "Shane"�
Knocker and myself had the good fortune to speak to him and his wife while strolling
on deck one day�As was the custom we were having a pre Christmas party for the
crew before the cruise�so we went and invited those famous people to come to the
party� And amazingly�they all accepted the invitation�Alan Ladd and his wife joined
our table for the entire evening�Vinnie kept calling him Shane�which they found
very funny�and said how much they had enjoyed our company�Dirk Borgarde made himself
at home with some of the other lads�The evening went off very well�so to round
it off�Dick and I did a whole session on guitars �and bongos�couldn't keep Pinky
out�Dick had to borrow a guitar from Colin Hicks�Tommy Steele's younger brother�so
after a long night�and plenty to drink we went down to the cabin�Dick threw the
guitar to land on the bunk�but missed�it hit the side of the bunk fell on the
deck�and the arm flew off�
Next morning we explained to Golin what had happened�he was not a happy chappie�as
the guitar belonged to Tommy�I told them of a good Guitar maker in Brooklyn who
could fix it�if he got it fixed or took it home in bits� I don't know� So docking
in New York�the three wise men went to get clearance off the ship by the immigration
officer�and found that through a legal loophole we could stay in the states�or
join the "Carinthia" Knocker and I signed on�but Dereck went trotting up to Broadway
with his suitcase�and stayed in the states for the rest of his life�
Now we had another pre Christmas party�so we brought the piano up from the midships
pig�to the after deck�plus the guitars� and another good night was had by one
and all�Someone�a big fella French I think�threw the piano over the wall�he said
it was out of tune�must have had cloth ears�But those were he days my friends�.those
were the days�
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You know...lately I have bumped in to a number of the lads??? It's funny we all
seem to remember the good times...old age...maybe... considering that we often
worked ten...sometimes twelve hours a day...for weeks on end...and if you were
on the Bermuda ships...ten or twelve months...all without a day off...strangely
it seems that we always managed to squeeze some good times into those few hours
when we were off duty....I was reminded of this in the last couple of weeks...when
I received pictures of the lads in Birdland...Gibraltar...the Parthenon in Greece...Hawaii...Capetown
and other ports of call...it brought back memories...and I bet every one of us
can share these...happy days...
Memories
Memories are like shadows in the sun...
Look away...and the moments gone...
However,close your eyes for a second...and they come flooding back...
Havana...in the cool of a summer evening...young girls walking in the square...
skin like amber...eyes as black as coal...
Elbow beach at midnight...looking up at a sky covered by a curtain of stars...the
waves a whispered lullaby to the young...the dreamers...
Mist creeping over the top of Table Mountain...as it waits for the kiss of the
early morning sun...
The bright lights of Broadway... a thousand neon rainbows...painting the passer
by...in a harlequin's hue...the sounds...a symphony to the city...
Bondi beach on a sunny afternoon...watching as the boys and girls race the surf...
the smell of sun lotion... the taste of salt on your tongue...
Montreal...on Old Mount Royal...lying under a tree... feeling the warmth of the
sun through a canopy of green...and the touch of her hand...
The Mersey at night...anchored in the river...looking out at the Three Graces...the
longing to be back home...
The floating city of Hong Kong...in the early fifties...before the rise of the
of the glass and concrete jungle...
Snow covered streets in Halifax...Nova Scotia...bundled up against the icy winds...
Barren docks at midnight...Naples...Valparaiso...Accra...Rio...and all the many
others...guarded always it seems...by cranes...gaunt sentinels of the shadows...
The magic of the night sky...from the ships rail...you watch a falling star...
with wonder... and make a wish...
The sun...in the morning...pushing away the night with fingers of gold...in the
evening...leaving a palette of colours for any artist's brush...
The sound of music from the Juke Box in the Diner...songs and singers...as familiar
as old friends...often one's only companions...and always...the keepers of memories...
Some of my Yesterdays... and yours too...
A couple of weeks ago I put some pictures of the lads on the "Franconia"...I knew
the names of a couple of them but was looking for information on the others...I
had a email from John Smith...he recognised one of the pictures in the Diner as
Ricky Smithwick and himself...but would'nt tell me were they bought those shirts...Wonder
why...I hope he is going to get back to me with some more pictures... By the way...
has anyone got pictures of themselves in The Grafton or Locarno or any dance hall
in Liverpool...or any where else...I would love to see them...go on...dig them
out...they got to be great for your memories...R.B.
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Hi Ritchie...Jackie Samuels again... just seen the picture taken in Birdland...with
Stan Waters and his mates...what a great memory...I was on the "Queen Mary"..."Queen
Elizabeth" and the Britannic sailing out of Southampton in the late forties..
early fifties...I was only a bell boy at the time...but I remember the boys in
the band...you know...they were called Geraldos navy...a great number of them
joined Cunard to get to New York... I remember Johnny Dankworth...Benny Green...Stan
Tracy...Ronnie Scott...Max Harris...and a lot of other guys whose names I can't
remember now...I only remember these guys because they where top musicians at
home... they played witk Ted Heath...Geraldo of course ...and you could see them
in our local Dance Halls...I was always into Jazz and swing...and although I didn't
get to Birdland myself for a few years...the precious dollars I earned was spent
mainly on clothes...and things that you couldn't get at home... later on in the
mid fifties I went to Birdland...could never get a drink in the early years as
I was under twenty-one ...you will remember how strict the licensing laws were
at the time...they still are today...But I saw most of the big bands of the day...Kenton...Basie...Ellington...Buddy
Rich...Quincy Jones big band...Gerry Mulligan...Miles Davis...Coltrane...Brubeck...I
could go on and on...It used to be great coming home to the local dance and regaling
all the boys with exploits...wasn't it...again...thanks for the memories...there
where so many good times amongst all that graft...thank God...best wishs...hope
I hear from you again...Jackie Samuels...London...
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Hi Stan...just seen you pictures in the Gallery...your right...you always where
a Cunard Yank...even with C.P.R....I remember you in the mid fifties...I think
it was on the Empress of Scotland...though I cannot be sure...Like you...I was
on most of them in the mid fifties and early sixties...the Empress of France...the
England... and the Britain... and also with Cunard...I remember Ritchie Barton
in the Scotland...cannot remember the exact date as I was on and off her many
times during those years...there�s another poser...I know he will have to agree
with me...don�t you...You ...Johnny Walker...John Gilmore...Vinnie McCardle...Pinky
Purcell... I believe most of them are still around...but I have lost touch with
them living out of town...Boy...that picture of you in Birdland brought back some
great memories...I looked at some of the forth-coming attractions on the wall
behind you...I was lucky enough to see most of them at one time and another...
they were fantastic times...weren�t they...I left early in the late sixties...ended
up in Fords...You end up Hotel Manager on the top Liners...where did I go wrong...Seriously
it great to know you did so well and still look good...best wish�s...Davy Cross...P.S.
I will have to get myself a computer...otherwise its down to the library to check
you guys out...D.C.
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You know...running Cunard Yanks site I get some tremendous pictures
and stories...I have just come into possession of several items...wage
accounts...Vaccination card...insurance card...crew medical card...I
don't remember having one of these myself... of a lad named Harold
Stevens..it is quite fascinating...I wonder if there are any relations
of Harold Stevens around.. he was born 10th Feb 1882...was in the
army through the great war...joining the Merchant Navy on leaving
the Army... In 1919... In 1947 he was living at 12 Oakdene Rd. Liverpool
4...the next address I have of him is 152 Brodie Avenue Mossley
Hill in May 1954...when at the age of 72 was given the princely
sum of 40shillings a month pension... with a note to inform the
Royal Seamen's Pension Fund to say that if he obtained employment...
and if his income exceeded �4.10.0. a week if married or �3.10.0.
a week if single or a widower...his pension would be suspended...
I have the actual letter... Sounds familiar today...doesn't it...
Of the several Accounts of Wages from the many ships he sailed on...
the earliest I have is March 17th 1939 from the Scythia...wages...�8-17-6
a month...this was as a catering staff member... and the Scythia
in Sept 1939 again �8.17.6. he was 57yrs old at the time...
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He
was with Elder Dempsters early on... and returned for a
while...I have a Vaccination Card for him when he did three
trips on the"Accra...March... May... and July 1937...
But it seems from 1933... except for those three trips till
he retired he was with Cunard...I have his old Crew Medical
Card...he was on the "Lancastria" ..."Andania"..."Carinthia"
..."Franconia"..."Scythia" and the Queen Elizabeth" through
the War years.. and the last ones the "Franconia in 1947...
Here are copies of some of the Account of Wages...
Six pay slips from the Queen Elizabeth in 1940 Wages �11.0.0.
a month...58yrs old 1943...June Queen Elizabeth �14.12.6.
1943...November..Queen Elizabeth...�15.10.0. These were
the war years...
1947 April...August...September...Franconia...�23.0.0. The
last one I have is August 1952 Night Steward...again I think
on the Franconia...�27.0.0.a month and I think then it was
a calendar month... Amazingly...Harold Stephens would have
been 70 yrs old...
Amongst the pay slips is a envelope from Ocean Pictures
on R.M.S. Lancastria...Cunard White Star Ltd New York...unfortunately
there is nothing in it just his name on the front...but
it looks as if he may have had some pictures taken by the
ships photographer...I wonder... if they are still around...it
would surprise me....for seamen never seemed to have many
photographs of there days at sea...of course so few of us
had cameras...I know that I never owned one all yhe years
I was at sea...
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Anyway here is a little bit of history... Liverpool history...for
the history of seamen is the history of this city...when it was
one of the greatest seaports in the world...it makes you wonder
about the man...well I know it makes me wonder...So if anyone can
shed some light on Harold Stephen I would be delighted to hear from
them...
You can email me through the contact page
Thank you Richard Barton
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A
few weeks ago Stan Waters �. an old shipmate from way back found
our website � his story of Deverauz and Whiteside joining the American
Airforce was remembered with a smile by many � particularly � as
Freddie was wont to parade around Liverpool in his uniform �� every
time he came home �. Even when he had retired �� typical Freddie
� Stan also sent me a great Bunch of Photographs �.. you can see
them in the Gallery � they start in the early 50s as a waiter �.
with Cunard �.. until he retired in 2000 as Hotel Manager no less
with Norwegian Cruise Lines �. didn't the boy do well �� there will
be quite a few guys you will recognize in these pictures .. Thanks
Stan �. R.B.
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Here is a great story from Stan Waters...a lot of the guys he mentions
will remember it well...and a few other tales...great days...great
memories...R.B.
Hi Richie
I always thought this was a hell of a tale. Most of us survivors
will remember Freddie Deveraux. He was always a larger than life
character and one great guy. He was one of our crowd of cunard yanks
who would congregate in the,Crown. Corner of Skelhorne St.Remember
Rich?It was the meeting place for so many. Vinnie,Pinkie, John Gilmore,Gerry
Dunning,Nickie Ward,Billy Henderson Harvey Lane,Johnny Moran Derek
Hughes and Mike murray to name a few.All great guys.
Freddie and Jacky Woodside were two more.
We had the U.S.airbase at Burtonwood and the yanks from the base
used to drink in the American Bar on Lime st and the Duck House
at the back of St Johns market. On occasion Freddie would enjoy
going down to the Duck House.To [argue]with some yanks.
We were on the Brittanic in new york.Freddie and Jackie Woodside
went ashore. They came back later in the day.Went to the crew purser
and told them they wanted to sign off the ship. You can imagine
the reaction in those long ago days.All hell broke loose.Especially
when Freddie and Jackie told them that they had enlisted in the
U.S.airforce at the recruitment office on Times square. They were
told that they would not be signed off and would go back to liverpool
with the ship.
They then left the ship again and when they came back they had with
them an immigration officer. In no uncertain manner the purser was
told that these men now belonged to,uncle sam.Sign them off and
they did.
After training Freddie was posted to france.Where he excelled.He
would come over to liverpool from time to time and always came to
the Crown to see his old mates.One time he was pictured in the Echo
after he had been named airman of the month.He married a french
girl.Something he always said he would do.
Freddie retired from the airforce and I think went to the states
to live. I also heard he had a home over here.Of course this was
many years ago.
Jackie I heard didnt do so well.He didnt like the service and came
back home.
Do you ever hear anything of these two good guys rich?
Stan Waters
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Been There...Done That...Got the Sore Feet...
Hi Richie...Now here is my little story of my adventures during
the Liverpool lay-ups on the Caronia...
I first joined the Caronia in Glasgow November 1948 as a cabin waiter...eighteen
years old...having been transferred after two years on the Queen
Elizabeth. We left Glasgow in early December to go into Gladstone
dock in Liverpool. Those days every year we had our annual lay-up
in Liverpool...We Mushs always looked forward to the lay-ups...
but never got used to having to bung the doormen in the dancehalls
to go out for a drink. Most of the Mushs never got to know Liverpool
properly...we knew The Carradock...Royal Oak...Bootle...The Overhead
Railway...to get into the city...and of course The Grafton.
On this particular occasion...about 1950...we are all at the Grafton....Having
had a few dances with a pretty young girl...and also a few drinks...having
bunged the doorman...it was time to go...I asked the young girl...who's
name was Helen Braithwaite...if I could take her home...she said
yes...When we got in the taxi...she gave an address in the Dingle.
Now I don't know were Dingle is...Dingle is Dingle.After spending
almost a Weeks wages on a taxi I let it go...I did get invited in
for a coffee...She was however a very nice girl...
Ho-hum...now its back to the ship...I did'nt have enough money to
get a taxi to Bootle...not only that...I never even saw one...So
it was shanks pony...I think it was just getting daylight...and
my feet were killing me...walking on those cobblestones...by the
time I got to the Caronia...
Whenever I went to the Grafton...I always asked thr girls were they
lived...and checked with a Scouse shipmate... before I asked to
take one home... But even then you had to be very careful...knowing
the Scouse sense of humour
Pete Jelley Southhampton...
Great story Pete...one many of us can relate to...R
P.S. If anyone knows the fair Helen...there is a picture of the
young Pete in the Gallery...just below The Peacocks and Posers...I
don't know how he slipped out of that crowd...and today...check
out Where Are They Now...R
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Hi Ritchie...just been looking through your Tall Tales column again,
some great stories. But no one seems to have mentioned Montreal.
That was a great city, and sailing there in the early 50s as a young
commi-waiter, it was magic. I remember coming out of The King Edward
dock, crossing the railway lines straight on to the St Laurence
Boulevard. It seem to go on forever to me,but when you're sixteen
it was quite impressive.
There were so many shops, with it seemed, every shopkeeper was from
a different country. You expected to hear French in Montreal, but
going up the St Laurence you would her a dozen languages. German,
Polish, Spanish, Danish, and Yiddish. When you got to St. Catharine
the whole area changed.You went from local stores and deli's to
a broad avenue filled with upmarket shops and huge department stores
like Eaton's . This was in 54 things at home were nothing like the
goods your could get there.
Then the city itself was beautiful,not to big,so you could get around.The
Old Mount Royal park was a great place for picnics,or just strolling
around,it also had some great cafes.
And the music scene in the 50s was tremendous. Jazz and Country
and Western, Blues ,could all be found off the St Laurence and St
Catharines Boulevards... I sailed into Montreal dozens of times
in the 50s, with Cunard and Canadian Pacific. Great days, great
memories.
Alan Tubbs... Newcastle.
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Here's a letter I received from Jacky Samuels....a London boy living
now in Chichester...R.
Hello there...Just found your...no..our website...I really am enjoying
it, but boy, does it make me feel old. Looking at the picture of
Joe Blundell and his Mr. B. shirt. It brought back some great memories.
I bought mine in New York about 1953. I had seen Billy Eckstine
in a Esther Williams movie,, in a night club scene. And went out
and got a couple. I later saw him on Basin St. East, he was fantastic,
a great singer. I think I sailed with Joe on the Britannic in the
late 50s. Being a London boy I sailed mainly out of the George 5th
or Southampton with Cunard. there were a lot boys from The Smoke
sailing out of these two ports. The only time I got to Liverpool
was when I was on the Caronia...we went there for a refit...London
boys were always snappy dressers, but going to New York particular
in the early 50s. we were that little bit different...as you know...
We like the boys in Liverpool brought home all the latest American
fashions...do you remember The Grey Flannel Suits...always worn
with a pink shirt... fingertip drapes...the Ivy League Jackets with
those brown stripes...and the button-down shirts... boy did we think
we were sharp...
I know in the early 50s Cecil Gee...and Kenneth Pitt...two of the
most fashionable mens shops around both sold Mr B shirts...they
knew a good thing when they saw one...
I'm sorry to say but like most of the lads in the late 40s...50s...I
never owned a camera... so what few snaps I had at the time other
fellows had given me...but 50 or more years on...can't find any...I
keep looking through The Gallery hoping to see myself in the crowd...but
up to now...no such luck...anyway...its great seeing some of the
old faces...and I look forward to seeing more...best wish's to all...
Jacky Samuels
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I was told of the website just today,by a friend.
On going into the site,which brought back many fond memories.
I thought that I probably fit the criteria to be called.Cunard Yank.
My name is Stanley Waters.Joined the merchant navy in 1951.
Cunard about a year later,as a 16 year old on the shore gang.
I think that Ritchie Barton is the same one that I knew in those
long ago days.
I also believe the same one who knew my sister,Doreen.?
In the picture galleries.I see so many guys who were all good friends
of mine.
In particular.John Gilmore,Vinny McArdle,Harvey Laine(Went to many
a good
doo at his mums house in Rocky Lane.)
Derek Hughes.So many more.
Like everybody else I am of course retired and living in Kent.
I stayed at sea after the demise of the industry in the U.K.
I went to Florida with a few more cunard yanks and there we made
our fortune,so to speak.
Names like,Les Riley.Tony Fitzsimmons.Paul Kenney among them.
We all went to work for Norwegian cruise Lines.
With no experience.We all started in bar management and did O.K.
On retirement I had made it to Hotel Director.You could go no higher.
Les and Tony are still out there.They were a little younger.Tho
getting ready for retirement.
I heard that Mick Kellett recently died.In fact his funeral was
a few days ago in s,ampton
I hear he was given quit a send off.
Shall have to go thro the old photo albums.I know that I have a
lot of old
pictures.
Regards
Stanley Waters
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I know that most of on this site have been around...quite a bit...and
sailed on a great number of ships...But I don't know of any other
seaman...at least one who is still around...who sailed with "The
Cunard"..."The White Star Line"...and "Cunard White Star"...Sounds
a bit far-fetched...but here's the story...
Billy Cooks dad jumped ship in New York...but couldn't settle...Billy
was born there...a citizen of the U.S. of A... but came back to
England I think...or at least he thinks...he was two or three years
old...so he has always had dual nationalty...
The ship he sailed home on...was "The Majestic" a White Star Line
ship...this would be around 1934-35..
In 1948 Billy joined Cunard...sailing on "The Britannic"..."Georgic"..."
Caronia" with what was then "Cunard White Star"...he was with Cunard
for quite a few years...his
Billy got tired of the sea and using his American nationality joined
the American Army...I mention this little episode...as it has a
great deal of humour...Billy was based in Texas...in 59...and they
were making the movie "The Alamo...the big one...with John Wayne...Richard
Widmark...Laurence Harvey...and a cast of thousands...That is were
young Billy and his mates come in to the picture...they needed hundreds
of extras to play the Mexican army...step forward the U.S. army...
a few extra bucks and one or two cans of beer...and time off from
the dull routine...no shortage of volunteers...but a few days under
the Texas sun really took the shine off it especially as there were
take after take of the battle scenes... In one particular scene
the lads were supposed to be rushing the fort...and on a signal...
so many at a time were supposed to fall...as casualties...every
two or three hundred yards...after quite a few takes..Billy who
was one of the last to be told to fall had a good idea...when the
signal came he would drop with the first lot...great idea...but
he should of kept it to himself...as on the next take...on the first
signal... Billy and 50% of the army died...the Director was not
amused...It just goes to show...no body can find the easiest way
to do a job...than a Cunard Waiter... Billy came back to Southampton
in the 60s...and is still around today...there is a picture of him
in the gallery...a few really...under Cooks Corner...I think they
are some of the best picture on our web...I think every seaman will
relate to the photos of a very young Billy Cook...like me...you
will probably say...boy...were we ever that young... We were...and
thankfully can still remember those yesterdays...but don't ask me
what I had for breakfast...R.B.
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Things have been slow this year...I have a few pictures and one
or two stories...I am still trying to put names to them...Quite
e few people have said they would try to find things for the Gallery
and Tall Tales...but with the exception of Stan Waters...nothing
much...so please...if you have any memories...pictures...stories...let's
have them...this is your web-site...your past...your history...I
know that there are a lot of us still around...but for how long...so
come...lets have a name and a picture...so that your kids and their
kids can say...oh so he's to blame...it was ever thus...wasn't it
R.B.
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