John Watson
John belongs to: The Doxford Engine Friends Association
John was born in 1936 in Hendon. He started his apprenticeship at Doxford's in 1952 with the intention of going to sea. John has no regrets about the people he has met, and friends he has made.
John was interviewed by Carl Greenwood on 26 January 2006. The interview took place at Sunderland Museum and lasted 21 minutes and 13 seconds.
Being in a hurricane
"Well, being in a hurricane, like, you were just going down, keeping her ticking over, there was nothing to eat for three days"
Well, being in a hurricane, like, you were just going down, keeping her ticking over, there was nothing to eat for three days- the gallery and everything was just awash. Your bunk- you couldn’t sleep in it, you were braced either side of your bunk, if you get any sleep, and, you would just get thrown out. And everything was just all over the cabin- it was just a total mess- it was just flooded.
Of course we had a bad captain. He was a Canadian and he took to the drink, so we were going through a rough time- some ports they wouldn’t let us in- he was too drunk. Eventually I had to send up to Canada to get a different captain down to take charge of the boat, because he was just totally out of his mind with drink.
John has 14 memories in the memorynet:
John's memories with a Change theme:
John's other memories:
Apprenticeship at Doxford's- The value of a Doxford apprenticeship
- Sounds and atmosphere in the Doxford Works
- Asbestos
- Bill King
- First voyage, carrying dynamite through a hurricane
- Being in a hurricane
- Joining the Doxford Engine Friends Association
Doxford's reference- Diary
- Working on a lathe
- Catch of the day
This memory has these themes:
Adventure | Danger | Environment | Work
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