John Burn
John belongs to: The Coble and Keelboat Society
John grew up in Tynemouth. He spent his spare time as a child sailing. John followed his father into piloting ships on the Tyne.
John was interviewed by Kylea Little on 3 March 2006. The interview took place at Discovery Museum History Office and lasted 1 hour, 0 minute and 12 seconds.
Touching the bottom
"In the Tyne, as far as piloting was concerned, there were many places where, either because dredging mightn’t be what it was"
In the Tyne, as far as piloting was concerned, there were many places where, either because dredging mightn’t be what it was, or what it should have been, but generally it was, but other times, ships using the Tyne might be expected to actually touch the bottom in places really because it was very soft mud. And this was a situation that didn’t suit all, a lot of people. It was a normal thing that a ship might touch the bottom, but in other ports it wasn’t it, it certainly wasn’t in pilotage authorities, because it was a thing, a case where Trinity House was concerned, so I understand from my father who was working in London, but to touch the bottom was frowned upon more than probably touching another ship and, but of course, sometimes in the river it would have been impossible to move ships without being, touching the bottom.
John has 11 memories in the memorynet:
John's memories with a The North East theme:
Pilot apprenticeship- The pilot watch house
- Touching the bottom
John's other memories:
This memory has these themes:
Danger | The North East
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