National Sea Training College at Gravesend Kent Uk

[@shipsedna62]

Was there 54yrs ago is was ok but I was impatient to get to sea and when I got my first ship I loved it brilliant life

[@paulelley4228]

I was there 1975 best time of my life met great mates hope they are all well .

[@maltyne1]

I was there July to Nov 1975 Deck Z Class and spent 12 years at sea. A wonderful career. Wished I could turn back the clock....

[@gdsuperstar5657]

God this brings back memories, i was in x class , September 1980, till the December 1980 ......... i bloody loved it , but was to young to know it ......... great times

[@johnsmith-bv2wc]

happy days when you look back, but at the time wanted to get on that train home

[@channelcottage]

My Hubby was there in 78 deck class X spent the next 26 years at sea . Respect to anyone who managed to survive NSTC !

[@imnotavingthat6813]

Did my sea training there in 1989, i can still remember saul one of the tutors, was a stickler of a man, didnt like it much at the time, but id love to go and help my 16yr old self, with what i know now.can still taste the beer from the worlds end pub too, many a good memory, met some great lads too all pre facebook etc so never saw many after the training.

[@stevenvamplew7145]

i was w class in 76 with quinny a geordie lad and had a brill time

[@brianfulton7443]

Great video brought back memories. Attended April 1975 10 weeks catering. Fantastic days. Joined my first BP Tanker In Italy some time shortly after leaving. Thanks for the video

[@carl24854]

I was there in 1971 z class . I went to sea for 17 years. First ship was the Hertford NZSC. Kiwi was a eye opener 😂🎉

[@SpireUtd]

Lucky lad. Did 6 fantastic years on the reefers to Kiwi & Auz. All those ships & companies. Remember Lamb was cheap in those days & Sunday dinner for many in the UK.

[@carl24854]

@@SpireUtd we are the lucky ones who saw the kiwi and Aussie coast at its best. Great ships and great lads

[@mrjohnop9657]

I went there aged 16 in 1976, trained as a deck hand, did 15 years at sea. I've forgotten how many times I went around the world.

[@charliemcgrain]

I was there is 76, bunked in Devon dorm. Signed on with BP upon leaving. Fabulous memories.

[@SpireUtd]

Same here, 76, Kiwi runners were the ruin or making of me, can't decide which 😂

[@neilturner6865]

Went there late 70s coming from Gravesend made it tough for me being a peanut. I had the last laugh sailing round the world whilst my mates were stuck in a rut. 41 years at sea & still going 👨‍🍳👨‍🍳

[@neilharrison7555]

I attended several courses at NSTC early '90s, when they still had trainees there. We used to sit down to a silver service evening meal, with a beady-eyed trainer hovering over the trainees who served us, this after a drink in the bar, usually with our lecturers. I also went there after "The Met" took over the majority of the college. You would be sitting in class when a "riot" or firearms scenario would be enacted next door, with lots of noise and loud bangs from the boys in blue getting stuck into each other. I always enjoyed going there, the lecturers knew how to lecture, and being exMN, knew how to interact with MN personnel. Happy Days, and hello to any ex-lecturers.

[@Mrtes3]

Yes over 40 years have passed since I was there. Memory flooding back. At 15 years old, first time away from home in 71. I remember we called the barbour Sweeney Todd ( I think he was also the Doctor ar maybe the dentist). Also recall a trainer nicknamed Mighty Mouse.

[@roytrunchion2355]

Remember them both well. I was there in 72.

[@TinfoilHat007]

I was there in 73, V class deck. Was terrified when first walking into the place but had the time of my life once settled in! Did 5 years at sea after the training, and so wish that the opportunity was available to the kids of today.

[@lambchambers4978]

I was there 1986/7. I really and truly enjoyed my time there. Most of the other lads were homesick, not me - I lived in London and popped home at weekends. Great bunch of lads. Anyone remember having to clear the snow from the road to reach the missions to seament in the winter of 1986/7. And, who could forget "Mary from the Dairy".

[@paulmclaughlin1856]

Attended May 1975, made some good friends remember Mad Jack too!! Only spent a year at sea before settling down!

[@peterrogers219]

Ex. Arethusa boy. I was at Gravesend in 67 training as a deck hand. Was in the documentary called "The Concrete Ship" First ship was one of Union Castles reefers, the Rowallen Castle. Ended my seagoing career in 86 as a Chief Officer on a North Sea supply ship. Fond memories of the school including those beautiful large scale ship models in reception.

[@stevekemp4191]

steve kemp i was there in 76 i have good memories of gravesend i remember a painting in the dining hall of p&o ORIANA i left gravesend one week later i joined ORIANA ans spent the next 21 years with p&o before moving to cunard i had a great life , i am originally from Hull but live in Cardiff

[@whispjohn]

My old man was the shore bosun for P&O in Tilbury and Southampton, George Simons, you may have met him.

[@ratuig1000]

who remembers rescuing fearless fred,the flying angel, and the girls who used to hang around :-) ginny green teeth must be about 60 now

[@jeffreycoe3875]

Attended the school in 1969, there must have been a least 400 boys, both deck and catering. I was catering, did my 10 weeks, then joined P & O, went round the world twice before I was 18. Purely by chance my son also did his training here in 1995. Went down to see him one weekend - there were only 10 trainees (think this was the last of them before it closed). Strange thing was that it had not changed, same paint, same rooms - only difference was they had sawn off the top bunks (still the same beds though)!

[@LeeRaldar]

I was a peanut in 1970 aged 14 and trained as a deckhand. By November early turn to was always freezing cold, there was boxing on Friday nights, the instructors were old hands who knew their stuff, the meals were filling and a packet of cigarettes could be nearly empty before you got the wrapper fully off lol. . I left with an EDH ( Efficient Deck Hand ) and a lifeboatman's certificate and a Seaman's discharge book, I think a lot of people threw there uniforms out of the train window on the final trip from there. A couple of weeks later I joined a Port line ship to Hobart at KGV dock on my 15th birthday. Wonderful times, pity they did not last.

[@robroywalker4802]

I went there also around 68/69 12 week course in catering never got to finish my training as I got medical discharged,also the lads I shared the dom with took up a wee collection to send me back to Belfast,I can still remember the early morning call wakey wakey rise and shine.

[@MrRw59]

Was there Sep to Nov 75 can still remember a few of the trainers ( Mad Jack , and a one called Mcgorran who took us for lifeboat drill and if you got anything wrong his words were( Brains like rocking horse shit) Still good times looking back on it

[@paulkazjack]

Ha ha remember mcgorren! Was he ever sober? This was in 1989.

[@copee2960]

I remember McGorran....made us take the lifeboat up to the pub...lobster pot...

[@copee2960]

I remember McGorran....made us take the lifeboat up to the pub...lobster pot...

[@ratuig1000]

attended from sep 73 to nov as a 15yr old 10 week course chef training, in my andy pandies, joined the esso clyde as galleyboy,spent 8 glorious years at sea i remember sweeny todd, cpt fry, the bishop :-) scared shitless by the dentist,memories came flooding back

[@ajlmirrormist]

Thanks for that... Memories of 1968

[@earthwalkerpc]

Thanks for putting this up... went to the college in 1971 and spent several years at sea after that.

[@charlesmorton8714]

Talk about iron ships,wooden men! I was at the school in 1946 when the main building was an ex naval detention barracks, all cells just like alcatraz. Food was still rationed and the best meal was kippers, or 2 slices fatty bacon and a rubber egg on Sunday. Did 9 years after that, sailed in 23 ships saw the whole world when it was a wonder to a a 16 year old. Enjoyed it all! Charles Morton.

[@alanroe4289]

There 1955 two trips to west Africa on the trot put me off joined the regular army as mechanic

[@jimcarmichael1641]

Thanks for the fantastic memorys I had at The national sea training college Gravesend Kent I was there September 1984 catering captain Hunter Mr Rashbrook Mr Titcome Mr little the chef I was the senior leading hand it was fantastic I had to make captain Hunters coffee every Mornn I always remember the wake up call Wakey Wakey Rise & Shine uve had Ure sleep so I want mine Ile never ever forget the time I had Always brings a lump to my throat use definitely definitely definitely go back tomorrow to do it all ovr again 😊🙏🙏🙏👍

[@jameshodgson5644]

I was there Feb 83 - July 83 V class, Still at sea - got my master's ticket in 2007!

[@whispjohn]

The "peanut" school we used to call it. I went to the HMS Worcester at Greenhithe, the posh nautical training ship.

[@belhudson71]

Great to see the old School again, Was there April 1971 to July. Great time there. Some good lads there.

[@ladhope]

I was there in 1975. Trained in catering. I remember a teacher caller Mr. Fry...he used to say "Its fry's day" each Friday. lol

[@billyhunt]

I was there aged 16/17 January to March 1982..did ok there, enjoyed it and made leading & senior leading hand. Didnt count for much though, as jacked it in by '83. Some great times there though, mad Morgan.

[@iankerr215]

Went there for deckhand training in 1977 I think it was. 10 weeks then back to Scotland for 2 weeks then another 4 weeks training. Completed all City & Guilds with credit. Remember we weren't allowed into Gravesend in civvies! Had to wear uniform!. Early mornings and lots of training but found it all ok but did miss home to start with. Went on to the Bencruachan at Grangemouth at Christmas time but it had engine failure so decided to return home. Ended up getting a van boy job and didn't return.

[@SpireUtd]

😮

[@christophermallon7642]

Was there sept 1990 as a junior catering rating for Cunard Ellerman, bit rough as I remember it, £10 a week from company but £1 taken off you for the mission

[@BrianWood-f7r]

I was there in November 78 march 79 a young 16 year old deckhand two of us arrived the other lasted two weeks, i got a lot out of the whole experience a good few memories. I last two years after that 6 trips 1 deep sea and 5 on the coast then broke my arm then that was it...!! Still think of the whole thing often 👍🏼

[@AnthonyVickersSoulJahTYah]

1 was there 78' :) spent 3 yrs in Merch . great memories

[@dozukime]

I was there in 64. It was like being in the army.

[@mecfs1]

I was there in 1968, around August/September/October. I can't remember exactly? It was a 12 week catering course. Went on to sail with P & O Orsova for 4 or 5 trips only. Didn't stay in very long.

[@Ladderswarehouse]

i was here back in 1990, I graduated as a chef and left to join my ship MV Geestbay in barry south wales and sail out her to the west indians and south america. Iplan to go back here and visit in the new year.

[@magnumm1969]

I was there in summer of 85. only there for 2 weeks as i was on a YTS, but still walked out with my fire fighting and sea survival certificates. Perhaps a good job i never went to sea as i noticed it says everyone else was there for 14 weeks. I doubt they crammed 14 weeks of training into our 2 weeks.

[@paulnicholls7821]

I went there in 1985 with townsend torsen, (p+o) as a junior catering rating, got some good memories.

[@davebond4924]

I was there in 1986 as a catering rating. Great days and remember "rashbrooke" I think his name was screaming at the lads first thing every morning to get out of our bunks. Recall the worlds end pub nearby lol.

[@grum6489]

Was there in the summer of 1980. Great memories; -)

[@TheChrisloot]

Here in 1974 summer in Catering had a Great 5 yrs travelling the world on passenger ship & containers.

[@fionajenkins5047]

I was there July 72 until november 72, good times indeed remember mad Jackson well ,and scotty ( first officer I think, 2rd in charge

[@mikecheeseman97]

Fiona Jenkins remember puffing Billy knots and navigation Mr. Ref fire instructor.

[@roytrunchion2355]

I was the class before you. Y class deckie.

[@johndolan4738]

@@roytrunchion2355 i was in y class june to sept 1972

[@johndolan4738]

have class photo

[@notrelevant2256]

I was a Peanut in 79 didn't get any pay as I recall, Galley boy on MV Cape Ortegal and SS Methane Progress but left after they closed the pool in Manchester. All I got offered after that was ferries so did 26 years in the Army instead.

[@lewisfirth6502]

Was there Nov 1969 then onto the Royston Grange for the best year of my life.

[@SpireUtd]

Tragic end for the Royston 😢

[@mal18ful]

Was there 1967. May till August maybe. It was 12 weeks training. Had to go home for 2 weeks for the 'August fortnight'. Then go back and finish training.

[@johnselbie1220]

+Malc Allen hi malc i take it you were catering as i was same thing sent back to scotland for 2 weeks in aug , i finished end of august ,looking down parde ground from dinning hall my dorm was block strait ahead far left think 3rd floor ,2 mates from scotland also one a week ahead of my self ian mitchell nickname eeny,the other was tam hughes 3 weeks behind ,i joined a shell tanker (hemifusus)7th sept at tillburry ,i live in hope of some one posting some photos of sea school when we were there ,hope lifes been god to u

[@mal18ful]

John, I was training for deck work. Class T. Looking in the same direction my dorm was on the right, 2nd floor, I think, last but one from the right wall. I joined a shell tanker at tilbury as well. SS Voluta.

[@neilturner6865]

Malc Allen Hi Malc I remember the peanut school opening when I was a kid

[@pckeving546]

Was in W class in 1982, great time joined BP British Test in the thames at Tilbury. Thankfully got to more exotic places during my 8 years with BP Shipping.

[@brianfulton7443]

BP myself mate, joined in 75 left 80. First ship British Progress. Fantastic

[@riviera833]

+Kevin Gaffney Was there in 82 as well. Z Class. Jock Geddes and some arsehole Snr Leading Hand called Paul Dowse are the names that spring to mind..

[@pckeving546]

Unfortunately i cant remember many names, old age. Made friends with classmates from all over the UK, it was good fun though.

[@trevorharris2291]

I is was in Z class too with Paul Dowse in 1982 remember it well along with 7 others in our class .We were very good friends I took him to my home in Wales for a weekend when we were there at the college. Few years later I was visiting Newcastle and called on Paul where he was skipper off his fishing trawler it was great to catch up. Didn't think Paul done many trips in the merchant navy if I can remember he was destined to take over his father's fishing trawlers. Myself I mainly worked for Shell tankers for a while then finished on Container ships of which the best was the ACT8 running down to Australia and New Zealand. Fond memories

[@mickayres3978]

Looks like the Ritz compared to the Vindicatrix at Sharpnes

[@MrRockyjet]

I was there in 1971 enjoyed every bit of it NOT Lol, then spent six years at sea fantastic times.

[@riviera833]

Peanuts! One more wakey wakey....., bedwrecking, paraffin wax polishing the dorm floor most mornings at 06.00. Daaaaayyyyoohhhhhh!!!!!

[@CLERJYMAN]

I was there, W class 1982. Still going to sea. In Australia now though.

[@mollysgerry]

was there 79/80 ..v ,,class ,,noodles slan anios mo charras ,,spent 12 years at sea ..loved it ,wish i was bac ,,

[@keithfarren6201]

I was in the old one for a week , learned to march Nov 61.

[@grahamakerman3034]

graham akerman i was there in 1974 went on to work for trinder anderson and p+o great memorys

[@channelcottage]

Daaaaaayyyyyyyooooooo ! lol ....hubs says he'd like to find who ever that was shouting that out across the courtyard at 2 in the morning .Happy Days!

[@davedaly1216]

Born in Salford made in the Merchant Navy.67-77

[@michaelhastie9729]

The Vindi (Sharpness) was the best!!! It was the start of a great 28 years at sea for me. I would do it all again in a heartbeat, I felt alive every day for those 28 years. Then came along the eu which destroyed the merchant navy when our corrupt government got rid of us and replaced us with eu foreigners.

[@lennymitchell6818]

Well lads I remember it all as a deckhand AB I was in y class in 1977 I enjoyed every minute of it and still today I have a good job off the back of it be working as a rigger super in the MiddleEast thanks for the memories 😎

[@michaelhastie9729]

Richard Carpenter I still sailed on containers for many years. But when the POOL closed down in September 1990 shipping companies stopped employing British deckhand, stewards and firemen, but kept the mates and engineers though. I tried for ages to get back to sea, but because we were in the eu shipping companies were allowed to hire Europe seamen instead of British seamen, which they did because they were cheaper. Ship owners got the best of two worlds, they got cheap crews, AND our government gave them tax exemptions to bring their ships back under the Red Ensign.

[@eifionjones559]

@@michaelhastie9729 actually EU seamen were dearer, what finished the MN was Thatcher destroying the coal industry so no outward cargo for the Tramps. That as well as trying to compete with other fleets with old outmoded ships. So please keep your politics out of this

[@Cornishaich]

I was there from May till August in 1967 Deckie.

[@copee2960]

went in 88 and did two weeks basic training and then went too sea on a coaster for 3 months then back for 6 weeks for EDH and lifeboat cert had a good time there, I can still remember the older lads taking me too the lobster pot pub ......had me drinking "micky mouse" pints of larger and bitter I think .....know I spewed my guts up by the pool table. HA

[@Wanderingwombats]

I was there in 1960, rotten place, cold, lousy food, training officers that got you of bed with stick in hand,standing in the courtyard freezing, worst six week of my life, glad to get to sea with Port Line, best company around.

[@neilturner6865]

Paul Beresford Paul you must’ve been in the old peanut School on the promenade the Lifeboat Davies are still there the last remnants of the days gone past

[@markfiges999]

Can someone help me please, Is that the ''new college'' at Greenhithe? (Upstream of Gravesend) ……..if so I worked on it when it was being built (Willets Construction rings a bell??) ……..and IIRC the ''old'' college was at Denton (downstream of Gravesend)

[@channelcottage]

Hello , This one was the National Sea Training College that closed in the 1990s and is now a Police Place . The Merchant Navy College was up at Greenhithe , between Gravesend & Dartford that closed in 1989 and has since been pulled down and replaced by a posh housing development . Shame because it was only built in 1976 . Hope this helps

[@markfiges999]

Thank you Channel Cottage, it does ……………..so it was the Greenhithe Merchant Navy College that I worked on, and 1976 fits perfectly ………….getting hazy now, but IIRC Jim Merrington was Willets General Foreman on that job.

[@copee2960]

When I was a peanut at Gravesend they let us go up to Greenhithe...did it have a heated swimming pool....they were emptying it then...the skips were full of sextants..model ships ..all thrown in a skip...heartbreaking...but that just about summed up the British government towards the British MN.

[@agadoodoodoo2981]

My uncle worked there. Werent they called peanuts?

[@YEWGYZE]

Yeah new boys were peanutsssssss.

[@SpireUtd]

Due to the severe uniform haircut. We all looked the same!

[@BAMBI243]

this building is the Met police firearms training college

[@brianfulton7443]

Thats a shame always wanted to return and see my name in Gold that was placed on the awards board. Great memories and sadness that it's not there anymore.

[@nigelackland9547]

Same same :(

[@malcolm9650]

Now it is.

[@mehcol]

I was there 1976 and was chosen to be a leading hand, which drove others nuts. Horrible times, like a borstal but I guess you need discipline. I remember a weirdo instructor called penguin and beans and eggs for brekky and possibly porridge with a cup of tea. Also remember the Andy Pandy catering uniform.

[@paulkazjack]

Penguin spent years there then as i remember him in 89.

[@davedaly1216]

There in 67 10 years at sea what can I say born in Salford made in the merch!!! Dave Daly Blackpool

[@davidgrimshaw2179]

I was H class catering June July 1977

[@neilturner6865]

Guys check your MNPF it may be worth a few bob

[@laurencemann4952]

I don't know where these other people are getting their dates from but, I was there in 1972 and it closed down in 1973 and it was a good job because it was run by question mark professionals who was always in the bar.

[@The2follow]

i was there in 78 k class still got my id card and discharge book with the date in

[@JohnE1960]

I was there in 76/77 not closed then

[@tomo256]

I was there in 78 V class

[@mikecheeseman97]

Laurence Mann 😂😂that's true and I also remember that Irish butcher called a dentist every one had something done to their teeth regardless whether they needed it or not.

[@nigelackland9547]

I was there May - Sept 75. V-Class (Sweaty Decky !)

[@peteswaysland4978]

Class D, left Feb 1970.

[@cod4modsv2]

Thats the police acadamey lol we got on there jetti once and there little orange submarine door was open

[@trevorharris2291]

1982 Z class. Taffy Harris

[@neilturner6865]

First trip to sea MV Federal Clyde Harrison’s of Clyde LTD Greats lakes to Europe

[@glenzoid999]

I was there in 69 12 weeks (felt like 20)crap food crap atmosphere ...far cry from life on the boats One of the trainers was known as Puffin Billy ..big smoker wore half his dinner on his uniform..

[@davidstevenson4238]

M Class Nov 80 - Feb 81. M Class M class Ra Ra RA!!! at the Angel, come on you peanuts are never going home!!

[@TobyKipper]

Peanuts !!!!!!!!!!!!.

[@Chris_W_Ingram]

I was there 1979 Feb to June Catering D/E class. I got held back with chicken pox but at least I was at home not stuck in sick bay. Musters in the snow and rowing on the Thames with McGorran (Brains of a Rocking Horse) in sub zero temperatures wearing andy-pandys but it defiantly toughened me up a bit Only one thing I can say about the place . Daaaaaaaayoooo!! Peanut you ain't never going home! Looking back I wouldn't have missed it for the world.