19 August 2013
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Memories of a sailor in the Sixties
James Atkins of Stirling recalls his years spent sailing the oceans of the world, beginning from his home port on the River Clyde. ...
James Atkins of Stirling recalls his years spent sailing the oceans of the world, beginning from his home port on the River Clyde.
I will be 64 this year and I remember as a kid the steam train arriving at Singer's Railway Station in Clydebank, going to Wemyss Bay, then on to the steamships sitting at the quay.
I've have been in the Persian gulf, India, South Africa, Italy and many more, but I'm always drawn back to my native soil, Scotland,
I always come back to the River Clyde, many a ship has been launched from the John Browns slips. Singer's Sewing Machines are all gone now, why does it sometimes seem like time's moving too fast for us? Of course, there are still those who remember the flat caps, boiler suits and the lunchtime whistle at yards along the Clyde. Also the Glasgow Fair Friday and holidays on steam ships leaving the Clyde to faraway shores.
In the 1960s, I like many others, had the offer to go to Australia or New Zealand. It was the New Zealand Engineering Company that I had on my mind as I'd just finished my apprenticeship as marine engineer with British Polar Engines. And all it took was £10 faifayre to Christchurch. I was all set to go, but my wife said: 'No, I'll miss my mum.' So I decided to set sail on Ellerman Shipping Line as engineering officer. First on the City of London cargo ship and then on to the City of Guildford ship on deep-sea voyages.
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I will be 64 this year and I remember as a kid the steam train arriving at Singer's Railway Station in Clydebank, going to Wemyss Bay, then on to the steamships sitting at the quay.
I have a bucket list now. Of all the thing I need to do and could not do back then – I've never learned to swim, yet I've sailed the seven seas.
I've have been in the Persian gulf, India, South Africa, Italy and many more, but I'm always drawn back to my native soil, Scotland,
I always come back to the River Clyde, many a ship has been launched from the John Browns slips. Singer's Sewing Machines are all gone now, why does it sometimes seem like time's moving too fast for us? Of course, there are still those who remember the flat caps, boiler suits and the lunchtime whistle at yards along the Clyde. Also the Glasgow Fair Friday and holidays on steam ships leaving the Clyde to faraway shores.
In the 1960s, I like many others, had the offer to go to Australia or New Zealand. It was the New Zealand Engineering Company that I had on my mind as I'd just finished my apprenticeship as marine engineer with British Polar Engines. And all it took was £10 faifayre to Christchurch. I was all set to go, but my wife said: 'No, I'll miss my mum.' So I decided to set sail on Ellerman Shipping Line as engineering officer. First on the City of London cargo ship and then on to the City of Guildford ship on deep-sea voyages.
Read more memories of bygone Scotland in every issue of Scottish Memories magazine, available now. Sign up now for our FREE e-newsletter for more news stories, sneak previews, exclusive content and special offers.
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