Posted in Ships Nostalgia Aril 2011

My first trip as engineer in MN was as 8th on TSS Umgeni. She was total crap below, aloft engineers had a small combined mess/saloon, only chief eng. allowed in officers dining room but all the mates could use it!

Had joined Clan Line but got shanghaied to BK as they could not keep engineers.

One joined at London and did a midnight flit after he had a look below, padded out our coastal engine room watches with a septegurian shore donkeyman and an electrician. Bailed out after first trip to join a real company, T & J Brocklebank, Elder Dempster were welcome to her.

Not sure what parent company Union Castle was like but BK definitely a poor boy outfit.