1962 I was Third Mate on Esso's new supertanker Esso Hampshire
and we were having the Guarantee Dry Dock in Verolmes, Rotterdam.
The Master, Captain Palmer Felgate ( who had lived in Robin Hoods Bay)
came to me and said "Pack your bags, Esso are moving you" but would
not say where to. Anyway after I had started he said they are moving
you to next door, the Second Mates cabin!!!. So at 22 I was made second
mate on what was one of the biggest tankers registered in UK.
On those ships at that time we also carried 3 fourth mates. These
doubled up the bridge watches with us and were usually AB's or
other deck ratings who wanted to take tickets and Esso made them
uncertificated fourth mates to get bridge watchkeeping experience
before going for second mates. The fourth mate with me on the 12-4
was a quiet lad from Belfast, Tom R, even though a few years older than me.
You must be asking "What the hell has all this to do with the Tees" !!
Many years later I met Tom again. He was Master and I was Pilot on
a sister county ship "Esso Warwackshire" which came a few times to
load at Phillips.
Tony