1944 Merchant Navy - abbreviation query

[HMac]

The ship was the ss PALMA official number, 168085,  torpedoed and sunk by U-183 on 29 February 1944.

Just my opinion but I think M.N.O.W.T means Merchant Navy OnWard Transportation.

*Looking at it again, I am not so sure.

Regards
Hugh

[vapcq45]

Thanks Hugh, interesting to know about Palmer sinking. Researching my Merchant Navy ancestor has opened my eyes to how dangerous it was transporting especially the fuel and all other cargoes during the war. Shocking really that Merchant Seamen were not entitled to war grave status and so number of losses were not recorded as accurately.

I can’t find any info on FT 14’s movements. Any idea where I could look. Ive tried Nat Archives Ship Movements.

[seaweed]

 
Better than my guess Hugh!

The contents of a "seaman's Pouch" vary from single registry cards to ID Cards, photographs, letters, applications forms and other ephemera. It will not give you details of his MN service. What you need to find is his Form CRS10
If it has survived. His form CRS 10 will tell you every ship he served on from early 1941. Together with dates and places of engagement and discharge.

Without a name I cannot give you a direct link. CRS10's are stored alphabetically in blocks of 60 names. TNA reference BT382

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_cr=bt382&_dss=range&_ro=any&_st=adv

[HMac]

I can’t find any info on F.T. 14’s movements. Any idea where I could look. Ive tried Nat Archives Ship Movements.

I don't think you will find movement details as F.T. 14 appears to have been a Fleet Tender in situ in Columbo. They would appear to Royal Navy craft commanded by a Lt. Royal Naval Reservist and it may be the MN crew were on T124 Agreements. It would be interesting to see how this vessel is described in his Form CRS 10 when you get it.

There is not much out there about these craft. They were originally APc craft built by the USA and some were transfered to the RN and renamed F.T. Under the Lend/Lease scheme.
Here is a photo of USS APc-68, later (HMS FT-25). https://shipscribe.com/usnaux/APC/apc68a-08.jpg
F.T.14 was originally the US APc-72 and returned 29 May 46 at Subic Bay, destroyed by sinking 5 Aug 46. https://shipscribe.com/usnaux/APC/APC01.html

Regards
Hugh