Retired Admirals, Navy Men May Become Bargees

Northern Advocate, 28 May 1941, Page 9

Retired Admirals, Navy Men May Become Bargees

Admirals and other naval men, now retired, may soon sail again—as bargees on Britain’s inland waterways. They will “ship” 'at the rates of pay ruling on the canals—£3 a week for mates and £3/10/- to £6/10/- for skippers and engineers. The Minister of Transport has asked the Little Ship Club, whose 2000 members range from admirals to workers in offices and shops, to help him to meet the transport difficulties caused by the shortage of skilled canal bargemen. He believes the work of a bargee can be performed by yachtsmen, especially those with knowledge of Diesel, semi-Diesel and internal combustion engines, which many of their small craft carry. Mr. T. V. Mercer, solicitor, who owns a 13-ton auxiliary ketch and is a member of the Little Ship Club committee said: “I am forming a preliminary roster of members willing to take over a bargee’s job for the duration. Most of our members are expert seamen and understand engines. Many of our members have gone into the navy, but we still have a large number who sail and crew their own small craft.’

In the early days of the war members of the Little Ship Club formed a Thames patrol to keep a day and night watch on piers, wharves, factories and friverside buildings. The patrol has since been disbanded.