Merchant Navy query

[wheeldon]

I haven't been lazy as I've had a look at some of the brilliant links that the Rcers have already put on.

However, a couple of quick questions, that will help with my search?

1) I'm getting confused with the NA site, as usual, can I only find merchant navy records if I travel down and visit?

2) If a lad was only 14 when he joined, do you think he would have used his real name ( 1923 ish) ?

3) If he was running away from Cheshire do you think he would have probably boarded a boat in Liverpool?

Many thanks for your time

Fiona

[trellisick]

firstly m.n. records are not very good,
next (I don't think?)  he would have been allowed to officialy join a ships crew at that age but possibly done a pier head jump i.e. joined a ship as it was leaving port and was signed on as crew. (a regular occurence)
 and I would imagine he would do this from the nearest port to his home town.

[goggy]

Fiona.
Have you looked through the Armed Forces page?Some good info;,hint's and tip's etc; in there.
Liked Kali's pier head jump phrase,that's surely from someone that has done it?Also applies to young stowaway's,who worked their TICKET on the trip,wherever or for how long it lasted.
Scullion was the job they all got to srart with,but willing+uncomplaining lad's were looked after,and eventually made the grade as ship's crew.
Sorry to babble on,but some of it may help!
              Goggy.

[wheeldon]

Thanks so much Kali and Goggy.

I'm trying to get a picture of my Grandads life.  I know he ran away from an orphanage in Styal when he was 14 and joined The Merchant Navy.

Gosh, pier jumping sounds exciting but also very desperate.

I'll have tinker on the armed forces site.

Many thanks again

Fiona

[trellisick]

1958ish I was a young lad wanting to see the world but my parents had it all planned out for me to become a compositor ( printer), this wasn't for me so yes I did a pierhead jump & spent a few years traveling around the world mostly the far east, when I married & the first child was due I decided it was time to settle down, so became a train driver but I will never ever regret the times (good & bad) that I spent in the merchant navy, who knows were life will take them.
p.s. a large number of boys in the town I live done the same & it was never regretted.

[wheeldon]

What an exciting life Kali, how brave were you 

I think my Grandads years in The Merchant Navy were the best years of his life.  Like you he also left to settle down with his family.

I saw a documentary, not so long ago, and an ex-seaman said that most of the crew were very desperate men, a different type of person and were very proud of this.  I want to include a few pages in my 'family book' about the merchant navy as it was obviously a very important part of Grandad's life.

Thanks for sharing your experience

Fiona

[trellisick]

if you can look at tne lloyds lists of ships  and there movements  for whatever year / week you are intereresed in , they where published weekly and distributded to librabries you may get some satisfaction.

[wheeldon]

Thanks for the advice, Kali - I'll have a look at that.

Thanks again

Fiona

[Summers76]

Message for Kali........
Please can you offer any advice, guidance on the following.

A good friends grandfather  was a Merchant Seaman, he sailed on the SS Greenbatt, lots of the family have tried to get a photo of the ship...ahhhh!! no luck, all they can get is the ship but it has had its name changed to 'Valira'  this came from    ( www.sea-and-ships.com).

One amber nectar and sarni of your choice sent via e-mail ......truly if you can help that would be fantastic....regards, Summers76