Overview of David John Tomlinson’s Life with the British and Commonwealth Shipping Company

To this day, I still don’t really know why I went to sea.

My only previous experience at sea was an educational cruise when I was fourteen aboard the British India ship, SS Dunera. I was seasick the entire time and quickly learned that vomiting into the wind is a terrible idea. All I wanted to do was go below deck and disappear.

By February 1970, I had completed my apprenticeship and was working in Southampton as a motor mechanic, specialising in heavy-duty lorries and diesel engines. The company was based near the central railway station, not far from the docks.

I once had to repair a lorry that had broken down next to what I believe was the Pendennis Castle. I often drove repaired lorries along what I think was Dock Road—possibly Canute Road—and still had no desire whatsoever to go to sea.

Every Friday, I could hear the unmistakable sound of the whistle as the Union-Castle mail ship departed.

By November 1970, I was earning a decent salary with plenty of overtime and thought I was content. Then, for reasons I still can’t explain, on the 9th of November I walked into the Mercantile Marine Office to enquire about joining the Merchant Navy.

Looking back, I’m still amazed at how efficiently things moved. I had my photo taken, was issued a Seaman’s Book and a Discharge Book, and was advised to apply directly to a company rather than go into the general pool. The man there suggested I try Union-Castle Line, which he said was hiring engineers, and gave me directions to their office.

I found the office and met a Mr. Broomfield, who told me he had just begun training the final intake of the year. If I was serious about going to sea, he said, I should come back in January.

I still remember my exact words: “Oh, I’ll be back.”

And sure enough, in January 1971, I joined Union-Castle Line and began training at what we affectionately called “Broomfield’s Academy.”

I may hold a record of some kind for the number of mishaps I had.

While aboard the Edinburgh Castle, I dislocated my shoulder and had to be sent ashore to a hospital in Cape Town to have it treated before rejoining the ship for the return voyage. Later, while working on the Reina before she sailed for Cape Town, I dislocated the same shoulder again.

I was eventually promoted and assigned to the Windsor Castle, and was aboard for her 100th voyage. During that time, I had the chance to meet and speak with Bernard Cayzer. I realised then that the end of an era was approaching. It was clear the company couldn’t be run on sentiment alone, and most of us understood that.

On one voyage aboard the Windsor, the day after leaving Las Palmas en route to Cape Town, I thought I had food poisoning. It turned out to be appendicitis. I spent the remainder of the journey in the ship’s hospital and was admitted to Die Volks Hospital upon arrival for surgery.

Despite the setbacks, I have never regretted my time at sea. If anything, I wish it had lasted longer.

I still have fond memories of my first ship, the Rowallan Castle, and like so many others, I’ve got a trove of stories to tell.

To this day, I still keep mementoes: my lifeboat and firefighting certificates, and even my farewell invitation when I left the SA Vaal to go shore-side in Cape Town.