Here are the details of my time in Clan Line and British and Commonwealth:   

As Cadet : Clan MacKay October 7th ‘54 to October 9th ‘54 then with Chittagong crew and Les Morgan bused to Liverpool to join Clan Macleod October 9th to February 17th ‘56; then in order

Hesperides Feb. 23rd ‘56 to Sept 1st ‘56; Clan MacTavish Sept 2nd ‘56 to Sept 5th ‘56 ( a replacement for sick Cadet for the Liverpool to KG 5 Glasgow coastal run); Hesperides Sept 5th ‘56  to April 4th ‘57; Clan Cumming April 5th “57 to July 26th ‘57; Clan Malcolm August 30th ‘57 to November 20th ‘57 (her Maiden Voyage). This was the end of my Cadet days but did one more trip as Uncertifiated 3rd Officer on the Hesione December 21st “57 to May 3rd “58 after which I sat for my Second Mates.

Returning as Third Officer January 5th ‘59 on Clan Urquhart until May 9th “60; then going to study for my First Mates Certificate.

Returned November 7th “60 to Clan Maclaren  to December 28th ‘61; ; Clan Sutherland January 5th‘62 to December 10th ‘62; Clan Macgregor January 11th “63 to May 7th ‘63 ( Maiden Voyage). This was the end of my Third Mate time.

As Second Officer Stirlingshire June 14th ‘63 to September 23rd “63 when I left to take my Masters Ticket.

Joined Constance Bowater March 23rd ‘64 to December 22nd ‘64; Gladys Bowater January 22nd ‘65 to February 17th “65; Alice Bowater March 30th ‘65 to September 30th ‘65; Clan Robertson November 3rd “65 to June 27th ‘66 ( Maiden voyage and 2nd); Clan Ross September ‘66 to November 26th “66. This was the end of my time as Second Officer.

As Chief Offcer Constance Bowater December 16th ‘66 to March 16th “67; Clan MacInnes March 28th ‘67 to August 21st “67.

At this juncture in time I could see the writing on the wall in regard shipping of this type and eventually got a job with the Canadian Coast Guard, home of several “ Old Bowater’s Men” and my now wife.

I did the following hometrade and Baltic trips as Chief Officer before departing for Canada in July ‘68Clan Ramsay October 10th ‘67 to November 5th “67; Clan Robertson November 7th ‘67 to December 6th ‘67; Clan Menzies December 7th “67 to December 29th ‘67; Constance Bowater December 30th ‘67 to February 26th ‘68 and lastly Gladys Bowater March 28th ‘68 to May 6th ‘68.

I enjoyed a great life with Clan Line/ B and C, great ships, great shipmates and great times ashore, even playing cricket in Port Sudan in the summer. Alas those days are past particularly long port stays and the feeling you are part of a bigger family.

The Canadian Coast Guard gave me a wonderful 28 year career both at sea and later in management and a great breath of experiences and also working with some of my old shipmates from Clan Line.

I have, to date, had a wonderful life experience and don’t regret a day of it .

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Canada.

Bill Dancer.

When Chief Officer of Constance Bowater in 1967

Bill with his wife and niece in 2016