Deep Tanks!

Trip Start Jan 01, 1970

Trip End May 27, 2009

Loading Map

Map your own trip!

Map Options

Show trip route

Hide lines

Where I stayed

On the beach!

(Galveston hotels)

Flag of United States Galveston, Texas
Sunday, February 1, 1970

In the tween decks directly abaft the funnel lay six holds which had bolted down steel 'hatch' covers. Each cover had approx 240 nuts and bolts to hold them in place. Around each perimeter was a channel into which was placed a rope based 'grommet' soaked in some sort of fat or tallow perhaps. The smaller upper tanks provided access to the lower tanks. Each of these tanks had to be cleaned enough so as not to contaminate the lubrication oil that would fill them. Each lid had to be pressure tested so as not to leak oil when full and when the ship was moving around in bad weather! Not to leak the other way allowing saltwater ingress.
The job of preparing these tanks for service was deemed to be the Apprentices! What a job! First we needed to clean them after their last cargo of coconut oil, much of which had solidified inside them. Then the steam pipes had to be seen to be leak proof so as not to get water in the oil. Then the tanks had to be steamed adding caustic soda to get really clear of residual oil and filth. Then when all that was done and the tanks were dried out we then had to get the tank lids fitted and pressure tested! Doing up each nut and bolt with a monkey wrench top and bottom because the 'firm' was to mean to provide proper fitting spanners or in fact uniform nuts and bolts and washers was the worst part of all this long hard job.
On top of all the graft, we had to contend with one of the company's superintendents overseeing us. Making us take the fastenings off for the umpteenth time! Doing them up again in a uniform pattern so as to obtain watertightness and withstand the pressure test the carriers insisted upon!
After 42 hours of non-stop work on the final days we thought we had finished a good job well done! No, it wasn't to be! Capt B.... the Super.......... decided we needed to do it all again! At which point Charlie came to see us and told us to make ourselves scarce! Go ashore and not be available for the b...... any more! So off we trotted in all our filth and as tired as could be, to find a quiet place along the beach for an al fresco sleep! Totally whacked, we were!
We don't know what ensued after we left, but when we eventually decided to return to the ship we found, much to our delight, that with the lack of 'slaves' to perform for him Capt B.... had called in a shore gang with pneumatic spanners who got the job done in no time at all, but, we were told, at great expense! Maybe Capt B.... didn't get his 'bonus' that trip! Who knows what his motive was for his treating us so!