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there was a catering shore gang at oddessey .there always seemed to 3 ships in victoria docks at the same time .one ready for sea. one from gladstone and one from coasting.after leave we reported to mr sparrow.jobs were soogying the alleyways after the chinease catering had left the ship.changing mattresses..that to get called in after he had looked at you reports from the last trip re the chefs and chief stewards also to see who had been at sea at christmas and give you one that would be back or vice versa.once you had been assigned a ship the days before sailing .it was store loading .the the shore gang would load it on deck in slings if poss .but spuds were always on ya back.small kegs of beer which we never saw again ,was always for the upper bar ,bond was loaded under the eye of the black gang and first mate and chief steward .no chance of a swiped one.when i was told to sign on the first day before sailing was to go thru the food and fridge lockers to check the stores lists with the chef .always had a good meal tho.while on the gang .and see mates that were also signing on.never remember sailing in daylight was always in the dark .got my head down soon as aboard knowing it was a 6am call the first day and get back into a sea going routine...do it all again great gangs of lads
5 years got my education on blue funnel..cheers
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