Memories of Philomena

In 1966 on Capetown Castle I was one of the cadets.

When the Crossing the Line Ceremony (Southbound) came around I was asked to be one of the bears tasked with making sure the victims were well and truly dunked when they were tipped into the water.

One of the victims was a German professional bodyguard and he decided to put up a bit of a fight. He struck me on the left ear while it was full of water which caused my left ear drum to be completely carried away.

I was confined to my bunk for the rtest of the voyage to Cape Town under the care of Philomena and Dr John Byles (nephew of Capt Billy Byles).

Their care and nursing ensured that my ear drum healed and I still have excellent hearing in the ear.

Chris Isaac