Essential Kit for the sea-Apprenticeship.

 

From Dufferin to the Sea --as an Apprentice
WE had very good officers and instructors who briefed us all so well - before we passed out of T.S.Dufferin. Sound advice even on survival by the Capt Superintendent  and good instructions from Capt Krips and Capt Fernandes on Essential Kit to buy inc. Warm clothing -gear and in addition, to plan in due time  to purchase our own kit viz:

The Essential Kit in 1960s to join a ship was just this --

1) Boiler suits (white) -3 sets (now is called cotton overalls)

2) 4 sets of No 8's  viz.Cotton Drill White uniform-(shirt & half tropical short),

3) Full sleeves shirt, Blue Blazer & woolen pant, --

4) Black shoes & socks, Winter cap, gloves, Rain coat--

So  that was it as minimum requirements.  

The subject of thermal wear -insulated warm wear etc was unknown and not affordable then-I managed by taking some of my  Father's 2 Linen shirts, an old sweater and his  coat to take me through the Cold season---that was all.

NOTE: We just could not afford much then -as most of came from middle income families and home running took away most 

To start our career we had only our basic kit but managed .There were no VIP or Samsonite type branded suitcases then --Baggage was all packed in a very large  "Steel trunk"- painted black, with Name , Ships name, Company Initials and contained mostly Uniforms & Books and for me two sets of Civvies  --The trunk looked ghastly..er Ghostly ...like a coffin and  by todays standards a sad sad sight. Some of us had  a Kit bag (duffel bag) also  for some clothes- ( esp working clothes like 3 Boilersuits, a sweater and blanket--)

BOILER SUIT--this was our main dress all day--except at meal times or when elevated to work on  Bridge watch to learn --and initially as the Look out Man Record Weather readings for AMVER and misc inc Telegraph & Bell book  

The steel trunk we packed all our clothing and books into was lovingly  hand painted each year by us, using the ships" black enamel" paint as was done then by all ship's cadets and even  Junior Officers and crew ....(No luxuries).         

We made up for all shortcomings  with Enthusiasm--

A typical steel trunk from source pic is given below-- this was it:

 

The Uniform of  an Officer and a good quality blue coat, with  some benefits, decent clothing to go ashore and especially  a woolen coats etc all came long after passing our  2nd mates examination and usually took 5 years time  from joining Dufferin to 2nd Mates (-and signing on as a 3rd Mate..in many case as a 4th mate)
                                                    Pic: As 2nd Mate in 1970

rgds,

TR