LARGEST SEA SCHOOL

[@irvingwood]

Me too, but on the Vindicatrix in 1964. Isn’t that crazy old Scouse Jackson showing the boys how to work derricks in union purchase. On the Vindi he would order Bosun’s Mates like me to “”fetch me 6 naughty boys”. I ask for volunteers, and Scouse would tell them “you are all naughty boys”. Mad as a hatter. Saw him one night standing in a lifeboat involved in some sort of moon ritual. Another was Squezy Jackson, who came around at Reveille and squirted freezing Cold Water out of a Squezy bottle in the face of any boy who was slow getting out of his bunk. Half the staff were mad, some wonderfully kind and helpful to the boys.

[@charliemcgrain]

I was there in 76. Devon dormitory. Went around the world for BP afterwards. Deckhand peanut! Finished up as a delivery skipper on sailing vessels. Precious memories. Sending best wishes to all of the peanuts who commented here.

[@xjrman1]

I was there in early 1969 as a deck trainee. Walked on board my first ship in KG5 (Ulster Star) on my 16th. Birthday in August. I remember the names Rashbrook and Mighty Mouse. Dorm inspections, hand polishing the parquet floors and white gumptioning the marks on the white walls. Hand operated davits for the big wooden lifeboat and rowing it on the river. Late night dares of going out and climbing the Sampson posts in the yard. (Getting caught). Occasional aggro from the local lads in the town. There was a Police I.D. Parade held at the school one day after a local lad was badly beaten. Two got picked out and were arrested.

[@peterrogers219]

I was their in 1968 and was in the recruiting documentary "The Concrete Ship". First ship at 16 was deck boy on "Rowallen Castle" out of Southampton. Stayed in the Mob until 1979 and left as Mate on North Sea supply ship.based in Aberdeen. Great life.

[@lewisfirth6502]

I was there in November 1969 thenjoined my first ship the beautiful Royston Grange and was lucky enough to have a year on her, best year of my life.

[@waverleybusinesscentre3697]

Great stuff. Was there April 1971. Did 10 week catering course, made it to Bamboo Room, did two trips as catering boy then swapped to deck. Great time there. Rashbrook, Mighty Mouse, Maguran?? Row up the river and tie up near the pub. !!! Think last name Allen was in charge then

[@neilturner6865]

I remember the old peanut school when I was a kid the only thing left of it now are the lifeboat Davits. I went to the new peanut school in 78 it’s a police training centre now the flying tab nab is still there but just left to rot such a shame of our history only 3 years left and I’m retiring 👍👍 had some great trips met some great guys and girls along the way and had some fun all over the world sailed on some brilliant ships and got into trouble a few times. Life of a merchant Seaman Eh!! wouldn’t have swapped for anything

[@ajlmirrormist]

I was there the year after it opened... You know you must be old if Pathe filmed it :)

[@tommyferrigan8485]

i was there in 1969 may till september great time

[@skinhead1975]

I was one of the last to do my time at gravesend in 1991 before it shut

[@mickayres3978]

Luxury compared to the Vindi

[@kingneptune8937]

I was there in November 1984 yo February 85 as deck rating. Still at sea 😊

[@trevorharris2291]

Taffy Harris Z Class 1982

[@emmachavarria9361]

0:14.

[@mikecheeseman97]

Ah yes thanks remember that place well peanuts. 😂

[@kennethgrindrod6438]

Sept 69 to Dec 69 deck

[@bobblakey1246]

i was also at Gravesend in wow where as time gone

[@davidwratten7728]

Was at the old school for about a third of my time then into the new place !!!! Big difference from one to the other. Paddy Mc Gordan a Mr Titcomb our instructor was Webster Smith must not forget the medical guy Gooseneck !!! What a laugh. Old place was rough but great fun, food abismal showers/ablutions crap place was falling apart. God the world has changed first trip away on a tanker Derby, then tramp ship to hell, got shanhied on that one, thought we were going to East Africa untill we had signed on ended up in Dairen Tsingwangato right in the middle of the cultural revolution!!!!!! Then to Australia Townsville Sydney very slow trip home with a knackered Sulzer engine. Next trip back Oz been living here in Melbourne for 36 years now. Thank heaven British by birth Pay by choice

[@jasperrasper2392]

Peanut...