Pranks played on 1st trippers at sea

[Lucy Knight]

I'm sure there were many of us who fell for a few and gave others a good laugh. I had been warned about several but still fell for the Long Stand. I had been warned about long waits, sky hooks, hay for the mules giing through Panama, Jesus shoes and a few others. However when the transmitter drawer being removed managed to engage with deck and edge of chassis got bent, I was told there on as a tool called a long stand that could lever it out. Needed to go down engine room to fetch it. Found fourth who told me fiver had it on job and would have to wait. After about twenty Mi ute found home. Oh I've given it to so and so. So having toured the engine room and waited found myself back to control room waited. Fourth started laughing 'I think you've stood around long enough now'

I've heard of others eg sending someone out yo buvy bubble for spirit
level etc.

ithought everyone was put through it back then. I was direct employed Shell for my 6 months trainee/junior time, but since found out many radio company ones didn't go through that sort of initiation.

I'm not sure people going to sea now are so gullible these days.

[Richard]

One I remember , and fell for, was to stand upright holding a broom in the left hand, with its head on the deck. Then kick the broom away using the right leg from behind the left leg. I went sprawling.

[Bill Greig]

First trip second sparky, at the tender age of 18, Uk to NZ, buoys to mark the equator 2 miles apart seemed quite a good idea to me. Never did see any.
Bill

[BobClay]

I suppose most will remember the electricity bill duly handed to you by the Lecky after your first month.

[Varley]

Only did that once. Maltese cadets with Texaco. It took some effort and a three part tariff but they all signed up. Our own bills were very modest but theirs were substantial due, we explained, to the power factor penalty for leaving the fluorescent cabin lights on during the day.

[JGPilot21]

We had one Junior engineer used to come up at smoko to make sure the steward had not plugged in his vacuum cleaner in his room but in the alleyway outside. Went ballistic when he found his radio had been turned on. He got his bill on 1st April and started to pay !

[Roger B]

On my first trip on the trooper Lancashire as 4th RO October 1950, I was told that one of my jobs was to go up on a bos'uns chair and urinate on insulators to remove salt! The 8th Engineer was also on his first trip, he was told to turn on cooling water for the engine room handrails when we reached the Red Sea. Cheers, Roger

[martin]

When employed by R&ES on the Mahout the assistant Purser (degree training phase of Cunard) asked if there was anything we would like to be ordered in New Orleans. I replied that the Black Ham was very good. He ordered it. He took it very well= sort of!

[Marconista]

Not all first-trippers were dumb, even Deck Apprentices.

I heard tell of one who was sent down the engineroom for a bucket of steam.

He returned with a bucket with an inch of water in the bottom & explained that the steam had condensed on the way back . . . . . .

[lakercapt]

On a first trip cadet at the end of the first month we presented him with a bill for the period.
It included electric bill, Water bill, food bill, laundry bill, and they all added up to the exact amount of his months wages. He was upset to think he had worked for a month and had nothing to show for it!

[Tom Alexander]

When training, several cadets fell for going to the bo'sun for some glass nails and a rubber hammer to hang a picture on a temporary bulkhead so the pictures on the other side wouldn't fall off.

[Dave McGouldrick]

Some older guys might remember searching for the golden rivet

[McCloggie]

On a trip offshore I saw a group of young lads playing around with the fire hoses. I assumed they were testing them, but as we passed them again about half an hour later they were still at it so I asked my guide what they were doing.

I was told quietly that they were new cadets and had been told to top up the moonpool.

McC

[Tom Alexander]

Then there was the green oil for the starboard side light.

[Dartskipper]

Deckie learners on small trawlers would be told to go and find some holes to repair the nets.

[M29]

Originally Posted by BobClay

I suppose most will remember the electricity bill duly handed to you by the Lecky after your first month.

Yes we caught out a new cadet with this one. We were all in the bar when lecky came in and handed out all the envelopes. Everyone immediately cottoned on to what was happening and starting cursing about the size of the bill etc. The poor lad was completely convinced it was real!
I had the long wait gag backfire on me. We were in port and I explained to a new cadet that I needed a long wait to stop a radio receiver from falling on the deck as I balanced it on the desk for maintenance. I sent him down the engine room and tipped off the second engineer.
A while later I went in the radio room and was faced with a 4 foot lump of metal that weighed a ton, just then the phone rang and the 2nd engineer said "bring it back when you've finished with it Alan" I could hear the engineers in the background laughing


Best Wishes
Alan

[IJC 38]

Then there was the metric shifting spanner

[Duncan112]

Originally Posted by IJC 38

Then there was the metric shifting spanner

You mean one of these?

[BobClay]

One time I'd just gone on the first morning watch and I was trying to put my eyeballs back in (they were hanging out on the springs) when a first trip deck cadet opened the bridge door and told me: "The Old Man told me to tell you that the radar scanner is squeaking."
"OK" I replied. "You're sure it's the scanner ?"
"Yes, the Old Man had me climb the mast ladder just to check, and it's definitely the scanner."
At this news I perked up, and spotted an opportunity.
"You mean he sent you up the mast ladder while the radar was still on !!" I exclaimed. "You've been exposed to microwave radiation … very dangerous … it's likely you've been sterilised and will never be interested in sex again." I told him.
He look startled and scurried away.
He came back about 10 minutes later and told me he couldn't have been up there long enough to do damage, as everything was working.

Believe me I didn't ask …

[Farmer John]

Be thankful he didn't bring proof.

[Les Gibson]

Had a first trip junior on the Iron Crown who caught what are euphemistically referred to as crabs during a visit to Vittoria. We convinced him that the only cure was to make a mix of toothpaste and aftershave and massage it vigorously onto the nether regions just before turning in for the night.. His screams could be heard everywhere in the accommodation all night.

[M29]

On my very first trip as 2nd Sparks on "Coventry City" I was given a cabin intended for 2 deck cadets, but as they had never carried cadets, the furnishings etc. were all unused. I was having difficulties getting the draws in the desk and under the bunk to move in and out whilst stowing my gear.
I became aware of a benign looking character in a boiler suit looking in the door, "draws a bit stiff" he observed, "hang on I've got something for that"
He came back with furnisher polish and a couple of yellow cloths. "Take all the draws out and give the sides and runners a vigorous polish." I thanked him and proceeded as instructed. I later learned in the bar that he was the 2/E Will Hay, who I am glad to say I sailed with on several other voyages.


Any way, sailed from Avon mouth into a good Atlantic gale and all my draws shot onto the deck!


The 2/E came past my cabin again and said "you might need this" and handed me some sand paper.
Best Wishes
Alan

[BobClay]

Nice one !!

[IJC 38]

Originally Posted by Duncan112

You mean one of these?

Are you sure that that is the metric one, looks like a whitworth to me!!

[Malcolm G]

What you need to ask for is one of these - This, of course, is a right handed shifter when the job really needs a left handed version.