Purser or Supercargo

[Tony Taylor]

I went for years calling it a Stillson and never thought once about why it was called that-I mean,why would you? It was years later and after the introduction of t'internet that I learned it was named after the original patent holder-yes you got it-,a Mr.Stillson. I then became bogged down in looking at the etymology of sundry tools,until I had to leave it and do some work,but let me tell you, having to leave those pages of wonderful ,often weird looking tools-was such a wrench!Attachment 34927

A shameful episode on my first trip cadet year ship was working in the lifeboats and being sent down to the engine room for a 'long stand' by a senior cadet.Me,quite innocently assuming it was a specialised bit of equipment dutifully went down into the bowels of the engine room and pestered the duty engineer for a long stand. He glared at me,then just about chased me up the ladders,telling me exactly what I could do with my long stand-something about putting it in a secret place in the senior cadet's anatomy....

Good job you didnt ask for a bucket of steam (another old favourite)

[J Gowers]

Or a Skyhook

[Graham Shaw]

Good job you didnt ask for a bucket of steam (another old favourite)

or ask the Lamptrimmer (or Tindal on an Indian crew vessel) for some red oil for the Port sidelight,and green oil for the Starboard Light.
The rating of Lamptrimmer was well obsolete by the time I went to sea in 69,probably he became Bosun's Mate-although of course there was still the requirement to carry oil lamps for emergency use,even though the electric lanterns had a secondary emergency circuit. As a cadet I often climbed the mast in daytime or in port to change a failed bulb if Lecky was otherwise engaged.

'
Then of course there were 'holidays' in painting,and 'Irish pennants' in untidy ropework.....

[George Bis]

In 1976 Sugar Line chartered on of their ships, the Sugar Trader for a voyage to the Persian Gulf for Cast Shipping
A supercargo called Charley appeared in Antwerp and smoothed our progress
Arriving in the Gulf a far more determined character, a Captain Baradie appeared, an Egyptian who seemed able to solve every problem imaginable. I enjoyed working with him, some of his stories I can remember yet

[John Cassels]

In 1976 Sugar Line chartered on of their ships, the Sugar Trader for a voyage to the Persian Gulf for Cast Shipping
A supercargo called Charley appeared in Antwerp and smoothed our progress
Arriving in the Gulf a far more determined character, a Captain Baradie appeared, an Egyptian who seemed able to solve every problem imaginable. I enjoyed working with him, some of his stories I can remember yet

I think the Charley you refer to in Antwerp was ship planner Charlie Delobelle who worked for Hessenatie which was the Cast stevedore in Antwerp. I joined Cast
in 1980 and don't remember a Charley .