View Full Version : STOKER with out anything to stoke ?
ivorthediver
09-02-2009, 18:40
Right my new found friends I'm going to open a new can of worms for you !
I fully understand from items read....and from comments passed on this site
what a STOKER did on a "conventional " coal furnace/boiler set up ,,so why did the name get transfered when these fit young men hung up their shovels and maintained oil fired furnacies/steam turbines and alike as the technology unfolded and developed ...or do thy still have Stokers on Nuclear powered craft ?
Stokers first and second class were superceded in `46 by renaming them Stoker Mechanics first and second class. I think in 1953/4 they became Mechanical Engineers. I was A petty Officer Stoker Mechanic and it was Changed to P.O.Mechanic(E) Not sure what they are now>????
ivorthediver
09-02-2009, 19:19
Thank you StanJ ....I obviously havn't read enough then.
What do 1st and 2nd class Stoker Mechanics mean and was it a tech/rank demarcation or both [ I think I can feel Old Salts breath on my neck]
Regards Ivor
As far as I remember in the 60s/70s Stokers were called Marine Engineers (M.E.) and later had Mechanic added (M.E.M.). But as far as averyone was concerned they were still "stokers".
As with the other branches the classes were as follows
M.E. (Basic) No Star and was Juniors/Ord rates
M.E. (3) One star Able Rates
M.E. (2) Two stars Leading Rates (One star over the branch badge and one under)
M.E. (1) Crown over the branch Badge P.O.s and C.P.Os
In the seaman branch there was the Instructor (i.e. T.A.S.I./ G.I./P.R.I.) which had a Crown over the branch badge and two stars under
If there were divisions in the branch i.e. T.A.S (U.C.) and T.A.S.(W) Underwater Control (Sonar) and Weapons (Mortars). The U.C. or W was under the branch badge or under the star for U.C.2 etc.
You could be promoted with the lesser badge but had to either leave the ship early or be drafted to your respective trade Establishment to do the course and receive the high grade branch badge at the end of the commission.
jbryce1437
09-02-2009, 21:19
I suppose it is a matter of "old habits die hard" and, although many branches changed their identities over the years, most preferred to be know by their old titles. If you asked a lower deck engineer in the 1960's/70's what branch he was, he would invariably say he was a stoker, just as electricians would say they were Greenies or Pinkies.
Not sure what their proper title is these days, but I have seen a stokers badge with the electrical flashes around it - maybe a user/maintainer. Eventually, there will probably be no branches as one man/woman will be required to do any job;)
Macadian
09-02-2009, 21:40
I suppose it is a matter of "old habits die hard" and, although many branches changed their identities over the years, most preferred to be know by their old titles. If you asked a lower deck engineer in the 1960's/70's what branch he was, he would invariably say he was a stoker, just as electricians would say they were Greenies or Pinkies.
Not sure what their proper title is these days, but I have seen a stokers badge with the electrical flashes around it - maybe a user/maintainer. Eventually, there will probably be no branches as one man/woman will be required to do any job;)
I think you have the rights of it Jim. In today's modern Navy I suppose the term is probably seen as an oddity to say the least. I think the advent of Gas turbines as the primary means of propulsion in much of today's Navy initiated the demise of the term 'Stoke's'...and for all I know may only be used by the old hands in the Pussar these days. As has been stated, I joined as a M(E) in '64' and later in my service it was changed to MEM ...god knows what the status is now. I was told not long ago that much of the electrical and engineering department duties are shared by a single designation....sort of stoker/greenie hybrid?
Times change but I like to think of myself as a steam driven Stoker PO when I left the mob in '74'...life must be boring not being able to lift the safety's now and again and make the odd whiff of black smoke....
ivorthediver
10-02-2009, 05:28
Thank you Gentleman..Stanj, qprdave, jbryce1437, MACADIAN, for your help on this subject.....and for any others who wish to add some detail..please do
I find the information held on this site priceless as no one has a definitive answer but collectively the answer unfolds.....brilliant...not to mention the characters telling the storey......are oldsalt/benbow/etc on shore leave?
With the passage of time these vital bits get misplaced and with them the reasons for why it happened in the first place.......so again my thanks
Don't forget lads STOKERS RULE OK
Regards Ivor
Robert London
10-02-2009, 15:31
My Grandfather,Great Grandfathers,and Great Great Grandfather were all stokers,chiefstokers,and three badgersand all Chatham rats. Cyril Tawney describes" Chiefy" as signifying either the Chief Engine Room Artificer or Chief Stoker. While the former was a senior artificer the latter was responsible for the rest of the engine room personel,this meant on the old coal burners he reigned supreme in the stokehold. In the modern navy engineers, of various ilks,are often combined both electrical and mechanical. eg my son is an electrical engineer mechanic and is described either as WAFU or "wet and f,in useless. Hope this helps to clarify?
Here are my original badges.Still have them. I consider myself an ex Stoker P.O. As we all know all Ex.Chief Stokers when they cross the bar end up as those great big S.....e hawks flying about the coast.
tonclass
10-02-2009, 16:41
In the 80's they were MEM(M) & MEM(L). 'M' being Mechanical & 'L' being eLectrical. I suppose that has since been changed again in the last 25 years.:confused:
I joined in 1949 as a Junior Stoker, I became a Stoker Mechanic in 51, I was a Petty Officer Stoker Mechanic until 1957 when I became a Mechanician 3rd class , Mechanician 2nd class, next Mechanician 1st Cass ( Chief Petty Officer) then in 1963 , Chief Mechanician. I hav'nt a clue what the branches are these days or what the rating titles mean.:confused::confused:
ivorthediver
10-02-2009, 18:14
Thanks for that Rik....it all helps me to see the greater picture...
Robert London......I admit to being a bad speller but surely you know that it ends in ..G.. not..".in".....surely you meant to say ....."Wet and Flipping useless" didn't you ? ......I thought so ...as we all know how kind and benevolent Stokers are don't we ?...............quite in the ranks lads !
Salt of the earth and everyone a Gentleman... I'm told
I think the reason "everyone" refered to you as Stokers was so that they did not cause offence or try to slight you I have also been told that in the Navy
"NO ONE" ever tried to be offensive to anyone else and everyone was a friend to the next person........by the by .......the guy who told me this was not a Stoker
I think I'll go now while I still can....
Macadian
11-02-2009, 00:49
My Grandfather,Great Grandfathers,and Great Great Grandfather were all stokers,chiefstokers,and three badgersand all Chatham rats. Cyril Tawney describes" Chiefy" as signifying either the Chief Engine Room Artificer or Chief Stoker. While the former was a senior artificer the latter was responsible for the rest of the engine room personel,this meant on the old coal burners he reigned supreme in the stokehold. In the modern navy engineers, of various ilks,are often combined both electrical and mechanical. eg my son is an electrical engineer mechanic and is described either as WAFU or "wet and f,in useless. Hope this helps to clarify?
In my day, it was the Fleet Air Arm personal who were known as Wafoo's...even met a Chief Air Frame thingy who had over 20 years service and boasted he had never had a sea going draft!!! :rolleyes:
And they called themselves 'sailors'....we used to joke that they should have their own uniform so people would not confuse them with 'real sailors'....:D
On the Eagle (back in the days when we still had a few 'proper' carriers) we used to enjoy hitting some rougher's now and again...was the only time their was not big line up in the dinning hall...cause the Wafoo's were all turned in sea-sick...:D...was not their fault they did not get in much sea time I suppose...:p
Better batten down the (would they know how to open one?) hatches now...no offense intended towards past FAA personnel..I know some of you got your feet wet on occasion :cool:
A thought has just occured through the black smoke, we ie Stokers preferred that title because Leading Stoker sounds much better than Leading Stoker Mechanic. Certainly Stoker P.O. sounds better than Petty Officer Stoker Mechanic ( what a mouthful). Most certainly if you scraped the fuel oil off us, you would find a very gentle, gentleman.
Macadian
11-02-2009, 18:36
Most certainly if you scraped the fuel oil off us, you would find a very gentle, gentleman.
You obviously shared a different class of Stokers Po's mess than me....:D:cool:
tonclass
11-02-2009, 18:43
25+ years ago the Stoker PO was known as 'The POM' or 'POMMY (insert his name)' as his official title was POMEM. Although the LMEM was still known as the killick stoker.
Macadian
11-02-2009, 20:00
In conclusion, it would be a poor day indeed when a member of the 'black hand gang'' could not fine some party to stoke....:cool::
ivorthediver
11-02-2009, 20:11
Welcome back OLDSALT ....thought you were on leave.
Can I assume you had a quiet air of authority......with the threat of all hell breaking lose if we did not comply with your demands...i.e.A Gentleman ?
It would seem from the response so far that just like life the "chief" could be an ogar or a firm leader....yes it is spelt correctly....
As always an interesting response .
Regards Ivor
I must have been in a different navy to some of the above. Are these "Angelic" figures of manhood the same ones that used to walk down the Burma Road after doing "Black Magic" rituals deep in the bowels of the ship, where they covered each other in soot and grease and spread it all along the bulkheads to their mess deck. Were these the same "Angels" that used to fill up our mess deck with fresh water while attempting to fill up the water tanks. Was it an "Angel" that had a false eye (Ship not named to protect the guilty) and used to drop it into his oppos pint of beer when his own was empty?
Having said that. Some of the best runs ashore that I have had was with the stokers. Being a seaman, I only went with them as a guiding light, making sure that they returned back on board before the got drunk.
Macadian
11-02-2009, 22:07
Having said that. Some of the best runs ashore that I have had was with the stokers. Being a seaman, I only went with them as a guiding light, making sure that they returned back on board before the got drunk.
Which is why many of them ended up being 'lashed up' with 7 days No 9's....so much for the 'guiding light'...:cool:
ivorthediver
12-02-2009, 05:13
Its characters like you that "Grease the slipway of life" and help to educate ignorant soules like me............
As always [a very greatful] Ivor
As an ex stoker, when I managed to get promoted my first ship was the Tiger, the ER compliment of officers was 1 Commander, 1 Lieut. Commander, 3 general List Lieutenents 2 SD Sub Lieuts. My part of ship was the two engine rooms plus all the bits to the propellers, the other SD S/Lt had the boiler rooms. After 18 mths I asked the Commander E for a change. His reply " I have two SD engineers, one has the boilers, the other the engines and I have peace of mind and restful nights" So maybe old stokes comes in useful sometimes. We stokers were also Uckers champions and could give the best sods opera, oh nearly forgot we could also down our tots fastest.:eek::eek::eek::):p:p:p
ivorthediver
12-02-2009, 20:00
Keith, your my kind of guy
If nothing else I have learnt on this site its STOKERS RULE OK
Kind Regards Ivor
Macadian
12-02-2009, 20:25
Keith, your my kind of guy
If nothing else I have learnt on this site its STOKERS RULE OK
Kind Regards Ivor
Thought this might be of interest....
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/kk431/macadian/crestpic.jpg
Don't get me wound up with messdeck games. Knowing what we know now they would be accused of taking enhancement materials.
On one or two occasions we had an O.D. Stoker coming down our mess and asking us for help in getting our "team" out of their mess as they had crashed out. On arriving in the stokers mess our brave lads were surrounded by cans of Tiger beer. that had been "forced " down their necks.
When asked what the score was it was always 5-0 to the stokers.
When we decided that it would be a good idea to send in a "T" team we had a problem. We could not find enough to make a team up. Also complaints came from our "team" demanding that they should represent the T.A.S. mess. and should have the chance of getting revenge. Alas we had another visit from the O.D. Stoker again.
I am not sure if the other departments had to contend with the same underhanded, crafty tactics. I know that the stokers won nearly everything.
We even decided to send down a neutral with our boys to make sure that there was no foul play. He was eventually found in the forward heads fast asleep.
Macadian
12-02-2009, 21:04
Methinks your protestation's are too much oh 'Scratcher of the Sand'...sounds to me that its simply a case of 'not accepting of the inevitable'...:cool:
Crafty? Underhand? tisk, tisk What a suggestion! We were over generous with the 'other' branches on board, swabbing out their mess decks with valuable freshwater, without even being asked! Some even got a drop of fuel oil to...just to put a 'shine' on the mess deck tiles....:p We even let you make Ky on OUR steam drains. What an ungrateful lot you were....:D:D:D
John Odom
12-02-2009, 22:16
I have always had great respect for the engine room/boiler room crew. In a battle, they stayed at their posts, way below decks, keeping pumps going and electricity on while the others were in a much better position to escape if abandon ship were called. I wouldn't have volunteered for that duty, even though the boilers and engines were of great interest to me.
You're right, of course, John. I was fortunate enough to be in the navy when all we did was exercising and having good runs ashore.
I was also in the Military when everyone thought that having Ships, Aircraft and Tanks was just a waste of taxpayers money.
I left four years before the Falklands Campaign when the next generation did the country proud and some died doing it.
Unfortunately Governments and the public at large have very short memories and it didn't take long before the cuts started again.
When is it going to be, that everyone comes to the conclusion that cuts in the armed forces puts our boys and girls in danger when they are needed.
Some might not agree with me when I say that Politicians and the apathy of the general public are nearly as guilty of the deaths of our boys and girls as are the enemy.
ivorthediver
13-02-2009, 05:12
Macadian .....where did you find our" Royal Coat of Arms".?........
ivorthediver
13-02-2009, 05:16
qprdave....you have my vote on that issue
Macadian
13-02-2009, 13:20
Macadian .....where did you find our" Royal Coat of Arms".?........
Ivor, are you referring to my avatar? If so its a variation of the standard gold wire branch blazer badge....the difference being on the one shown is the '1964 - 1976 on either side of the crown. The standard badge is identical without the inclusion of the 64 - 76 bit...
See:
http://www.shoppersworld.co.uk/templated/darlington/rfinnegan/product.asp?s=199&d=1008&p=6585&c=36&s1=148&s2=184&s3=0
And
http://www.shoppersworld.co.uk/templated/darlington/rfinnegan/product.asp?s=199&d=1008&p=6584&c=36&s1=148&s2=184&s3=0
ivorthediver
13-02-2009, 19:27
Whilst its to be envied I was talking about post 24 on page 1 of this thread
Where did you find it?
Regards Ivor
Macadian
13-02-2009, 20:37
Whilst its to be envied I was talking about post 24 on page 1 of this thread
Where did you find it?
Regards Ivor
AAhhhh....all is now clear! Found it here:
[url]http://www.stokers.ca
See link near top of page viz: "Prelude To Action Is The Work Of The Engine Room Department"
Cheers
Ivor.
With Ref. to our previous posts about branch grades.
You might be interested in this
http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Pers-Warrant%20Rank.htm
ivorthediver
14-02-2009, 06:04
Thank you very much , thats exactly what I have been looking for !
Never cease to amaze me .....the friendship ,....and camaraderie found on this site... and the friends I have had the privilage to meet and chat with
Kind regards Ivor
Ivor, I think you will like this true story (really). In Vigilant during one boring middle watch, we decided on a little merry prank. When the AB on the bridge came down to boil up their Kye on a steam drain as usual, instead of telling him to put the fanny under a steam drain cock, we got him to put it under the small boiler compound injection pipe on the aux. feed pump. The look on his face when we opened the cock and his Kye disappeared into the boiler was a sight to see.:D:D:D:rolleyes::rolleyes:
Ivor, I think you will like this true story (really). In Vigilant during one boring middle watch, we decided on a little merry prank. When the AB on the bridge came down to boil up their Kye on a steam drain as usual, instead of telling him to put the fanny under a steam drain cock, we got him to put it under the small boiler compound injection pipe on the aux. feed pump. The look on his face when we opened the cock and his Kye disappeared into the boiler was a sight to see.:D:D:D:rolleyes::rolleyes:
See?
I rest my case about the sneaky, crafty underhand treatment that the stokers persued against us gentle, God fearing, generous, well mannered seaman.
Macadian
14-02-2009, 20:52
See?
I rest my case about the sneaky, crafty underhand treatment that the stokers persued against us gentle, God fearing, generous, well mannered seaman.
Yea right! Blame us cause you sand scratchers could not tell the difference from what 'sucks' and what 'blows'....:p (other than certain pubs that is)...:cool:
Yea right! Blame us cause you sand scratchers could not tell the difference from what 'sucks' and what 'blows'....:p (other than certain pubs that is)...:cool:
Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!
Macadian
15-02-2009, 00:04
Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!
:)...Type 15's rule....:cool:
:)...Type 15's rule....:cool:
And Undaunted over all of them
The fighting ghost of the Portland Coast
ivorthediver
15-02-2009, 05:44
NOW GENTLEMEN, remember ......this is the Senior Service that has Tradition behind it ........not bad habits .... like the flyboys......
All Navel ratings are Rational, Benevolent , God fearing ..souls....who honour their QUEEN and Country..... no matter who their.." queen "...is
Have a TOT of rum , stand easy and look at page 3 of the Sun and you will feel much better.................see!
Kevin Denlay
15-02-2009, 11:39
My Grandfather,Great Grandfathers,and Great Great Grandfather were all stokers,chiefstokers,and three badgersand all Chatham rats................
Sir, would one of your relations have been the Jack London that served on HMS Exeter at the Battle of the River Plate?
Kevin
:)...Type 15's rule....:cool:
Vigilant was, as far as I know, the only Type 15 where the ERA's mess had a porthole on the aft bulkhead, looking onto the port Limbo. It was rumoured that during her conversion when the porthole positions were marked out by the yard a Tiffy standing by the conversion marked out the scuttle. I served in Wrangler before she was converted and I can vouch that having the Burma road and extra upper deck was a God send. Getting along what we called the iron deck ie upper deck,before conversion,was a real hazard in rough weather.
Macadian
16-02-2009, 18:47
Vigilant was, as far as I know, the only Type 15 where the ERA's mess had a porthole on the aft bulkhead, looking onto the port Limbo. It was rumoured that during her conversion when the porthole positions were marked out by the yard a Tiffy standing by the conversion marked out the scuttle. I served in Wrangler before she was converted and I can vouch that having the Burma road and extra upper deck was a God send. Getting along what we called the iron deck ie upper deck,before conversion,was a real hazard in rough weather.
The Type 14's (Blackwood Class single screw Frigates) were equally hazardous in rough weather......:eek:
The Type 14's (Blackwood Class single screw Frigates) were equally hazardous in rough weather......:eek:
The best thing about being on a type 14 is having a messdeck forward. Always felt sorry for the Stokers and Greenies who were messing down aft. Especially at mealtimes. The Iron Deck would have been put"out of bounds" on a mill pond..
Macadian
16-02-2009, 19:45
The best thing about being on a type 14 is having a messdeck forward. Always felt sorry for the Stokers and Greenies who were messing down aft. Especially at mealtimes. The Iron Deck would have been put"out of bounds" on a mill pond..
Correct Dave, We used to say that the Type 14's would roll on a wet lawn...:)
Robert McDougall
19-02-2009, 06:05
Can I add my bit to this? As I was in the RNZN and our system followed the RN. I as a JM(E) in the seventies, Junior because I was under seventeen and a half. I was told that we were engineering mechanics, and it was M(E) not EM so as not to clash with EMs electricians, thats the reason for bracketing the E. We were always known as Stokers, the CM(E) always the Chief, no one else was called the chief. The head tiff was the Warrant MEA.
Unfortunately being a small country our Defence HQ is run by the combined forces and those from other services couldn't understand the naval ranks and rates. So to cut the confusion that these people had they changed our rate titles and aligned these to the seamen style. That is an M(E)1 became AM(E), CM(E) became CPO M(E), and to add confusion to the mix when I joined the RNZNVR during the eighties I was a LDEF (Leading Diesel Engine Fitter), that was because we manned patrol boats with diesels.
I'm a traditionalist, I prefer Stoker, even though I punched sprayers and didn't swing on a banjo. I don't call myself an engineer as they have degrees and wear white overalls.
As it is I refer to myself as being a Fitter, despite our government and non-trade yobs stuffing up the trade training in this country, and thats another gripe.
Macadian
19-02-2009, 14:35
I always felt basic descriptions were best...the new way of doing things of this nature only tends to confuse. A bit like a Bin Man (not that their is anything wrong with that occupation) being described as a WT(R) As in 'Waste Technician (Rubbish)' opposed to WT(RCR) Waste Technician (re-cycle rubbish) 1st or 2nd Class etc adds a whole new dimension...
:D
On the Unicorn's return to Guzz after the Korean war, the D/Y supplied two coal fired donkey boilers. Yours truly a L.S/M was one of the elite selected to look after these beasts. The steam was being used mainly to steam clean fuel oil tanks. The D/Y had placed the boilers one behind the other but both facing the same direction, meaning the furnace doors were not facing each other, which would have been easier because the coal had to be wheelbarrowed from a tip some distance from the boilers. It was hard work & we quickly learned how to fire them & how to clean tubes. A Dockie gave me a tip about the slag that forms on the fire bars which has to be removed. The tip was keep the ash tray beneath the furnace clear & with water in it. You could see from the reflection of the furnace floor where the slag had accumulated, which made it easier to remove. All a bit technical I know but the point is I was later , when a Ch. Mech. in Ark Royal , foolish enough to say I had the previous experience when the Senior Engineer asked if anyone knew anything about these coal fired dockside boilers. I was then volunteered to teach the L/MEs who had been detailed for the job. Those boilers were eventually converted to oil burning, thats progress.:mad::mad::(
On the Unicorn's return to Guzz after the Korean war, the D/Y supplied two coal fired donkey boilers. Yours truly a L.S/M was one of the elite selected to look after these beasts. The steam was being used mainly to steam clean fuel oil tanks. The D/Y had placed the boilers one behind the other but both facing the same direction, meaning the furnace doors were not facing each other, which would have been easier because the coal had to be wheelbarrowed from a tip some distance from the boilers. It was hard work & we quickly learned how to fire them & how to clean tubes. A Dockie gave me a tip about the slag that forms on the fire bars which has to be removed. The tip was keep the ash tray beneath the furnace clear & with water in it. You could see from the reflection of the furnace floor where the slag had accumulated, which made it easier to remove. All a bit technical I know but the point is I was later , when a Ch. Mech. in Ark Royal , foolish enough to say I had the previous experience when the Senior Engineer asked if anyone knew anything about these coal fired dockside boilers. I was then volunteered to teach the L/MEs who had been detailed for the job. Those boilers were eventually converted to oil burning, thats progress.:mad::mad::(
You obviously forgot the cardinal rule. Name, Rank and Number only
Macadian
19-02-2009, 18:21
On the Unicorn's return to Guzz after the Korean war, the D/Y supplied two coal fired donkey boilers. Yours truly a L.S/M was one of the elite selected to look after these beasts. The steam was being used mainly to steam clean fuel oil tanks. The D/Y had placed the boilers one behind the other but both facing the same direction, meaning the furnace doors were not facing each other, which would have been easier because the coal had to be wheelbarrowed from a tip some distance from the boilers. It was hard work & we quickly learned how to fire them & how to clean tubes. A Dockie gave me a tip about the slag that forms on the fire bars which has to be removed. The tip was keep the ash tray beneath the furnace clear & with water in it. You could see from the reflection of the furnace floor where the slag had accumulated, which made it easier to remove. All a bit technical I know but the point is I was later , when a Ch. Mech. in Ark Royal , foolish enough to say I had the previous experience when the Senior Engineer asked if anyone knew anything about these coal fired dockside boilers. I was then volunteered to teach the L/MEs who had been detailed for the job. Those boilers were eventually converted to oil burning, thats progress.:mad::mad::(
I had the pleasure of looking after the converted type a number of times during refits at Pompey...the Galley on board was still in commision....much easier to look after...then an AWK stoker sufficed....:cool:
ivorthediver
19-02-2009, 18:21
Well Done Keith ,
Keep the stories comeing we who did not have your experiance find all this very educational
Regards Ivor
Unicorn, again, I was refrigerating plant watch keeper for a while ,we fridge watchkeepers were the only ratings in the ship to have ice cream, heres why. Every weekend the wardroom had ice cream made in the officers galley, the ice from the brine tank was made in metal containers about 10" wide , 24" long & 36" deep. The ice could be turned out in one lump, the chinese cook would collect the block in a sack, the ice was easier to handle & carry in one piece. The arrangement with the WR cook was , we get ice cream, you get a complete block, no ice cream ice comes in lots of lumps! Incidentally for the enginer types, the fridge plant gas was CO2, compressed to 1000lbs/sq. inch. it was very hot in the fridge compartment, which explains our desire for ice cream.:p:p;);):cool::cool::cool:
ivorthediver
20-02-2009, 17:49
To use a modern expression if I may......COOL MAN COOL....
ivorthediver
24-02-2009, 17:52
What other little embellishments were you able to obtain as a Stoker ?
What other little embellishments were you able to obtain as a Stoker ?
In Sluys, 1951, at the age of 19 yrs 3mths, I was made up to Acting, Temporary Leading Stoker Mechanic. We were berthed in the destroyer pens Gibraltar, I was the ship's fresh water tanky, Sunday afternoon, having a ZZZ. The Quartermaster comes down the mess , gives me a shake, & says the shoreside freshwater docky was ready to supply us with FW( pardon the abreviation). My reaction was, please go away and tell him to come back monday, or words to that effect. Monday arrives, me waiting on the dockside for the fresh water, I waited, waited, checked the ships tanks, getting very tense, as our reserve of water was getting down to the last bucket. Then relief, up turns the FW docky, gurgle, gurgle, tanks all filling nicely, the last tank filled nearly to the top, then basic error, I did'nt tell the Docky I was shutting off my filling valve. The air was filled, with what could have only been Spanish naughty words, because when I shut my valve the back pressure blew the shoreside hose clean out of the connector. From then on the thought of losing my new temporary status, made me much more careful.:eek::eek::o:o
ivorthediver
25-02-2009, 19:25
We have all been there shipmate
Any more tails of Stokers being victimised, by above deck culprits
Scene - Chatham Barracks, winter 1948. Stokers to 'tick off' in the drill shed at 0800. Shore leave expired at 0800.
Several turned up in No 1s to be greeted by a certain Chief Stoker with the words, 'Why are you in your 1s?' The replies were, 'Just come off shore, Chief.' This was followed by the order, 'You are now Just Party. Wait over there.'
On completion of ticking off he would then turn and say, 'Just Party is now renamed Barracks Coaling Party. Get on the wagon and get going.'
You only did it once.
Ken
ivorthediver
26-02-2009, 18:17
IN your No 1s
Moron........
alanbenn
26-02-2009, 20:49
When I joined the Ark in Gib, it was my birthday, she docked around 1600 hrs, eventually got on board and was told my billet would be in the stokers mess until the next day when a permanent mess would be found for me.
I put all my gear away and of course the place was buzzing as they all looked forward to the run ashore. I told the lads it was my birthday, so numerous stokers all threw a can of beer over to me and we had a good drink before everyone went ashore,The lads went their way and I joined up with mates from Hms Rooke, where I'd been for the last 3 months.
Next morning after showering started to put my No8's on and the look on all the stokers faces when they saw my badge....Radio electrical REM1
If looks could kill.......made the beer taste even better.
Regards
Alan
harry.gibbon
04-01-2011, 00:02
Right my new found friends I'm going to open a new can of worms for you !
...or do thy still have Stokers on Nuclear powered craft ?
Hey up Iffor 't diver
I never knew this thread existed, mainly because Texas Dave(now a Mod;)) and I were too busy trying to stop you spreading your stoker stories all around:)
... the answer is simple; where there is steam there are stokers by whatever name ... the communicators 'get the message(s)':) and the stokers get 'steamed up', either for sea - or because their run ashore has been cancelled:D:D
Conclusion; it all happens after the Communications Dept have executed their duty.
Little h
ivorthediver
04-01-2011, 08:18
Hey up Iffor 't diver
I never knew this thread existed, mainly because Texas Dave(now a Mod;)) and I were too busy trying to stop you spreading your stoker stories all around:)
... the answer is simple; where there is steam there are stokers by whatever name ... the communicators 'get the message(s)':) and the stokers get 'steamed up', either for sea - or because their run ashore has been cancelled:D:D
Conclusion; it all happens after the Communications Dept have executed their duty.
Little h
Hmmmm only just read this ....well that's a case of the lack of communication if ever there was :rolleyes:
By what are they referred to in the modern day parlance then on Submarines :confused:
'Stokers' and 'Greenies' are now 'Engineering Technicians' (Mechanical Engineer) or (Weapons Engineer):
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd235/omanip/etme.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd235/omanip/etwe.jpg
ivorthediver
04-01-2011, 18:03
'Stokers' and 'Greenies' are now 'Engineering Technicians' (Mechanical Engineer) or (Weapons Engineer):
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd235/omanip/etme.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd235/omanip/etwe.jpg
Ohhh that's going to upset Little H:mad: and QPR Dave :mad: as they have been trying to get rid off us for years ...claiming they are the best afloat!
Thank you for that Omanip :D
Seriously though thank you for that as I often wondered what they were called now that their roll has evolved from true Stockers to Mechanical Engineers
Regards Ivor
Far from it Ivor.
It shows, what Little h and I have been saying all the time. Stokers needed class and common sense to make it in the modern navy. By adding the Electricians they now have got the missing links.
Dave
One of Gods Gifted few
ivorthediver
04-01-2011, 18:59
Far from it Ivor.
It shows, what Little h and I have been saying all the time. Stokers needed class and common sense to make it in the modern navy. By adding the Electricians they now have got the missing links.
Dave
One of Gods Gifted few
And they said you had died Dave :eek: welcome back my stalwart adversary.... :rolleyes:still warring that orrible after shave to try and pull the girls from us manly Stokers:confused:
Well not sure that you are right here.......... but full marks for the misappropriation of our own tools ...............good smoke screen :D
John O'Callaghan
05-01-2011, 00:42
As you said Dave now that Greenies are to become Honoury Stokers the Engineering Branch has found the Missing Links. On a (slightly) more serious note however.It is interesting to note that the term Stoker is coming to refer to the entire naval engineering world. Somewhat akin to the Army Engineers all being Sappers.I wonder how the old school 'Tiffies &Chippies would take it. And do modern day Engineering Officers see themselves as Stoker Officers? (ducks head and awaits incoming!).
Cheers JohnO'C.
ivorthediver
05-01-2011, 08:52
As you said Dave now that Greenies are to become Honoury Stokers the Engineering Branch has found the Missing Links. On a (slightly) more serious note however.It is interesting to note that the term Stoker is coming to refer to the entire naval engineering world. Somewhat akin to the Army Engineers all being Sappers.I wonder how the old school 'Tiffies &Chippies would take it. And do modern day Engineering Officers see themselves as Stoker Officers? (ducks head and awaits incoming!).
Cheers JohnO'C.
Well it gives you something to be proud of being referred to as a Stocker surely :D
And the guys with GREEN sleeves can now clean their act up and the chippies can do a proper job since carpentry on a steel ship I would have thought was not so time consuming now days ...go on learn to weld instead :rolleyes:
Remember No Stokers / Engineering ......No power and nothing to power up the Dabtoes toys ...and we get you safely to your destination and back again to spend your pay :D
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