The Perception of a Stoker.

[tblo163]

For those land-lubbers,who have never got their feet wet,their perception of a stoker,is a dirty,sweaty individual,shoveling coal into the ship's boiler.This is NOT so:-Having perused my late father's Stokers' manual and his own personal log,these men knew every valve,piston and nut and bolt,of the engine room and boilers.In fact their knowledge was so comprehensive,that they could have probably built one from scratch ! Amazing men. It must have been a night mare down there,not knowing what was happening on deck,when the ship was engaging the enemy.

[John Odom]

This was particularly true after oil burners were introduced. I found when I was a business owner that the best employees I could get were Ex-USN Machinists Mates (the USN equivalent of RN stokers).

[John O'Callaghan]

Hi tblo163! We stokers being the quite unassuming people we are don't like to boast BUT..........
Cheers John O'C,

[ceylon220]

At last we have shipmates who recognise the quality of the STOKERS in the navy,where would you be without them---second to none in yesterdays navy and in todays modern navy--Bless them all.

[JarrowDave]

For those land-lubbers,who have never got their feet wet,their perception of a stoker,is a dirty,sweaty individual,shoveling coal into the ship's boiler.This is NOT so:-Having perused my late father's Stokers' manual and his own personal log,these men knew every valve,piston and nut and bolt,of the engine room and boilers.In fact their knowledge was so comprehensive,that they could have probably built one from scratch ! Amazing men. It must have been a night mare down there,not knowing what was happening on deck,when the ship was engaging the enemy.

In the Merchant Navy they were not only dirty and sweaty, they wore singlets 50 years before Robby Williams or Bruce Willis were born, they perfected the permanent 3 day growth before George Michael even woke up before she went went. ( Special Board of Trade Issue - 7 o'clock shadow razors ).

In the days of coal fired ships, the job of a Stoker was to shovel coal, and it was hard work.

JD

[tblo163]

My Dad was a miner before he joined up in 1921, I can see now why they made him a stoker,however, he got most of his education from the navy and looking at his old stokers' manuals and log books there was a lot to learn if you wanted to get promoted.He joined up not even able to count,and by the time he reached SPO he was brilliant!!

[JarrowDave]

My Dad was a miner before he joined up in 1921, I can see now why they made him a stoker,however, he got most of his education from the navy and looking at his old stokers' manuals and log books there was a lot to learn if you wanted to get promoted.He joined up not even able to count,and by the time he reached SPO he was brilliant!!

It was probably the smell of the coal.

Crewmen were always, and probably still are, expected to be thick.

Most of the ones that I sailed with were well able to work out how the kit worked, or didn't, but they didn't have the formal education or qualifications, and that's what counted.

Make no mistake, looking after the thick ones was a lot harder work, than looking after the unqualified ones.

Most of the ordinary stokers' kids are now at university, wearing vests, drinking and swearing like a stoker. Their sons are probably just as bad.

JD

[oldsalt]

In the days of coal fired warships Stokers were paid more than ABs.

[Theletterwriter]

The perception I have had always had of the RN battlecrusiers of WW1 was that they were coal fired. Is this correct?

Thanks

Douglas

[mik43]

How come Ivor the Diver hasn't found this thread yet, not like him to miss commenting on a 'stoker' thread???!!! Must be love or sumfink!!!

Mik

[Scurs]

I shouldn't admit this, but ................one of my best oppos was a stoker.:eek::o:o

[harry.gibbon]

Scurs ... they wos everyone's bezzie mate on the decommisioning run home with the pennant flying;);)

Then there was 'finish with engines', aaah nice but ... no dockyard power so get ships donks flashed up ... consequence - oops stokers do watches alongside;)

Always wondered why me and others would like a mooch in their part of ship BUT when did a stoker ever express an interest in anybody else's Dep't ???

shhh - they weren't bad lads really:cool:

Little h

[John O'Callaghan]

Ladies and Gentlemen! I refer you to post 3 of this thread. The fact that others are now being forced to admit their ESTEAM!!! for for the noble Branch is long overdue.
Cheers John O'C.

[ceylon220]

Little h , Scurs said that his best mate was a Stoker,that lad had his head screwed on,once you make friends from the elite branch ie:Engineers, you can bet your life the runs ashore were times to be remembered,and woe betide anyone picking on your mate the ranks closed in. I was matey with a lad from the Comms branch in one of the frigates,still keep in touch today .
Sorry but got to leave you for the time being,AOL is mucking about a bit.

[harry.gibbon]

Here we go again ;)... with even the tiniest hint of civility towards them ... they're off, sirens blowing, safety valves lifting, making smoke and generally demonstrating over excitement at people knowing of their very existance:D:D

Little h

[John O'Callaghan]

Harry! Harry! Harry! Be calm me lad! It's no big deal ! Just stating the obvious!
Cheers John O'C.

[harry.gibbon]

and a good morning greeting to you John:)

Now you are off watch, if you would like a tour around another part of ship anytime mate, just visit the Comms thread.:)

Any questions on our trade we will be pleased to try to answer!.

As always Comms staff here to oblige:)

Have a nice day:)

Little h

[John O'Callaghan]

Hi Douglas! Re your post 9. I believe almost all capital ships of WW1 were coal fired.Smaller ships such as destroyers were oil fired. Cruisers and bigger shoveled coal.It wasn't until the 1920s that the navy started to change to oil for major warships.Even then there was a long delay owing to the depression which delayed a lot of ship modernisation.Which was often paid for during WW2
Cheers John O'C.

[John O'Callaghan]

Hi Harry! It's evening where I am. I've looked at the various parts of ship. Dits and dahs are a foriegn language. It's luverly to snuggle up to a nice warm boiler.
Cheers John O'C.

[Theletterwriter]

Hi Douglas! Re your post 9. I believe almost all capital ships of WW1 were coal fired.Smaller ships such as destroyers were oil fired. Cruisers and bigger shoveled coal.It wasn't until the 1920s that the navy started to change to oil for major warships.Even then there was a long delay owing to the depression which delayed a lot of ship modernisation.Which was often paid for during WW2
Cheers John O'C.

Hi John

Thank you for the information. I have thought a WWI stoker's life on board the big ships as being a mixture of hard physical labour, dust and sweat. It could not have been an easy posting.

All the best

Douglas

[John O'Callaghan]

Hi Douglas! As with most jobs much of hard physical labour has been reduced.Working in engine and boilerooms in those days would have been hard, dismal labour.Storing, moving and trimming tons of the black stuff. Even with the advent of mechanical coal handling equipment it would have been hard .The Stokers and 'tiffies worked in that environment most of the time.When coaling ship it became an all hands task with Stokers, Seamen and virtually everyone on board who could be spared from their other duties getting stuck in.As usual the navy turned the job into a competition to see who could move the most coal in the shortest time.The fastest ship was the an award to be held in esteem. The entire ship would be filled with coal dust and then would have to be washed down to make it habitable again.Having worked in boilerooms in the tropics on oil I wouldn't want to think of coal.
Chees John O'C.

[oldsalt]

One of the worst jobs for a Stoker during coal ship,a Stoker would be placed in a bunker to trim the coal, making sure the bunker was filled, imagine laying on top of coal the air space full of coal dust, making sure you didn't get trapped in a corner as the bunker filled up.

[Theletterwriter]

Hi John and Keith

Thanks for your interesting replies regarding the life of a stoker. It does not sound a cushy number, that for sure.

Best wishes

Douglas

[Maurice Howkins]

My father was a stoker on the second world war submarines HMS Visigoth and HMS Thule. Having visited HMS Alliance at Gosport recently I now have some incite into that noisy, claustrophobic world of the submarine stoker. Nothing but admiration for them all.

[Maurice Howkins]

http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/images/hmsthulempl2384.jpg

HMS Thule

[oldsalt]

Why did submarine engine staff call cylinder heads, breach ends ? I think thats right.

[ap1]

Why did submarine engine staff call cylinder heads, breach ends ? I think thats right.

Did you ever find out, Keith?

[clevewyn]

If you wanted a guess.

The loading door of a torpedo tube is referred to as the breech end, the end where the compressed air charge is applied to fire the torpedo.

You could say the cylinder head is the end where the charge ( compressed air and a squirt of fuel ) is applied to fire the piston.

As I said, just a guess.

[oldsalt]

Answer was there none. Another of life's little mysteries , origin is possibly lost in time.

[johnny07]

For those land-lubbers,who have never got their feet wet,their perception of a stoker,is a dirty,sweaty individual,shoveling coal into the ship's boiler.This is NOT so:-Having perused my late father's Stokers' manual and his own personal log,these men knew every valve,piston and nut and bolt,of the engine room and boilers.In fact their knowledge was so comprehensive,that they could have probably built one from scratch ! Amazing men. It must have been a night mare down there,not knowing what was happening on deck,when the ship was engaging the enemy.

Stokers were the salt of the earth, they were good hard working lads who worked in sometimes appalling conditions, but as regards knowing every nut and bolt and valve and piston, lets be realistic , they did'nt. Lets not get carried away and pretend that they were what they were not.

[Old Salt]

As a team building exercise I started 'Óperation F+++ Up' whereby all ship's company had a go at everyone elses job. I got some strange looks at first, :eek: but after the first run, everyone benefited, and mostly enjoyed the experience ! This thread is about stokers, so I will stick to their department.

I did not do very well in the Boiler Rooom :o , hats off to everyone who ever worked down there. I did somewhat better in the Engine Room swinging off the port throttle :confused: whilst the Engineer Officer on the bridge :cool: telegraphs gave me a very hard time.

Everyone's perception of a stoker improved after a spell at their jobs, and rightly so.

Brian

[NSR]

Brian,

It worked the other way as well. As a brand new Mechanician on Corunna in 1953 I found myself with other members of the 'Black Gang' on the bridge with the Captain giving us a talk. We were acting as leader to the rest of the flotilla and he explained, with practicle examples, how station keeping was important and the points that the OOW had to keep in mind. One item that still sticks in my mind after all these years was seeing the cox'n starting a turn by putting a wiggle in the wake so that the following destroyers had a sighting point to follow and keep the line ahead formation.

After that we appreciated that the constant 'up four revs' followed a minute later by 'down six' was important and not the OOW just being a nuisance.

Ken

[johnny07]

Ken,
A wiggle in the wake reminds me of when carriers would create a "duck pond". In rough weather when the safety destroyer was having a hard time the captain of the carrier would build up to a fast speed and then go hard over. For miles this would create a flat calm on the inboard side of the turn and give the following destroyer a break.

[Old Salt]

Thanks Ken, it was important rhat both branches trusted each other.

I was OOW one day when the MEO came rushing up the bridge ladder shouting " What stupid f+++++++er keeps ordering maximum revs ? " I said nothing but pointed close astern where a carrier was doing 34 knots to fly off aircraft. Big gulp and raced away, thr CO and myself smiling as a further 5 rpm was sqeezed out.

Brian

[bert-261]

A picture is worth a thousand words, or so they say. So this is just to show what a fine upstanding bunch we Fife stokers were, circa 1975!!

[ceylon220]

How come Ivor the Diver hasn't found this thread yet, not like him to miss commenting on a 'stoker' thread???!!! Must be love or sumfink!!!

Mik



DON`T ENCOURAGE HIM --no doubt he is sitting somewhere writing down what comments to make:D:D

[ceylon220]

I shouldn't admit this, but ................one of my best oppos was a stoker.:eek::o:o

Scurs, you could`nt have picked a better oppo,some one had to look after you upper deck wallas ashore,always ready to defend you in a fight, carrying you back aboard drunk and unseen from the DO etc etc,:cool::D:D

[Bonzo]

Stokers mess URSA 56 around TOT time. A very intelligent looking bunch don't you think.
Brian

[bert-261]

These Phoebe specimens could possibly give you a run for your money. bert.

[harris]

Thanks for the photo of HMSM Thule, I was "outside wrecker's mate" (LME) to ERA Frank Legg on her in 1960. She was then refitted and sold to the Israeli navy. Happy days.:):):)

[johnny07]

These Phoebe specimens could possibly give you a run for your money. bert.

I have never heared of Tavern beer Bert, where were you when that was issued.

[johnny07]

Ceylon220.
I hope you received my PMs Dave. I'm still interested to know when you were in Orwell. It would be too much of a coincidence that you would have been there at the time of the incident I mentioned.
John.

[bert-261]

It was the West Indies 71/72 Johhny, probably Hamilton at the time and judging by the cockerel on the tin the beer was some form of Courage Brewery concoction. bert.

[Dave Hutson]

I have never heared of Tavern beer Bert, where were you when that was issued.

Tavern Ale , brewed by Courage. Kegged to Snr Rates until replaced by Courage Export which was probably the strongest brew ever supplied to RN Ships. Later Courage was acquired by Whitbreads. Era - 70's

[eskimosailor]

Tavern Ale , brewed by Courage. Kegged to Snr Rates until replaced by Courage Export which was probably the strongest brew ever supplied to RN Ships. Later Courage was acquired by Whitbreads. Era - 70's

I recall we used to take small barrels of Courage Export on board Engadine when she was an RFA at Portland. We used to call it "Suicide Soup".
Steve

[johnny07]

I could be wrong but I seem to remember that we had Whitbread Keg on the Falmouth in 1962.

[Dave Hutson]

I recall we used to take small barrels of Courage Export on board Engadine when she was an RFA at Portland. We used to call it "Suicide Soup".
Steve

That's the brew Steve , many a visitor left our Mess with their feet in a tangle :D:D

Dave H

[Dave Hutson]

I could be wrong but I seem to remember that we had Whitbread Keg on the Falmouth in 1962.

It was "kegged" but was it not "Whitbread Tankard"?

[johnny07]

It was "kegged" but was it not "Whitbread Tankard"?

That's right Dave, I remember now.

[ap1]

Why did submarine engine staff call cylinder heads, breach ends ? I think thats right.

I've found out some information on this, Keith.

In B.R. 2007, 1952, the Tiffies and Mechs' bible at the time; In part V, on page 430 there is an appendix of standard terms to be used in the R.N.
It states;
"The folowing terms are to be used in connection with internal combustion engines."
It then gives two columns. The first column gives the 'Term'. The second column gives the 'Explanation or Remarks'

Under the term 'Cylinder Head', it says in the remarks:" -not 'breech' end or 'cylinder lever'."

It also says 'Large End', -not 'Big end' for Large End Bearing.
Gudgeon Pin, - not 'wrist' or 'piston pin'

So there was a whole range of slang for these and various other parts, which they tried to standardize.

[oldsalt]

Thanks Andy, my BR 2007 disappeared long ago, I still have a BR3000 & 3001, I'll have a look in them.

[ap1]

Thanks Andy, my BR 2007 disappeared long ago, I still have a BR3000 & 3001, I'll have a look in them.

I'd love copies of those two books. (BR3000 & 3001)
I have searched for them recently, but they are as scarce as hens' teeth!:(

If anyone knows where there are copies going, I'd appreciate the tip-off!

[oldsalt]

Andy, checked my BR3001 & aticle 1617 says the same as the BR2007. The info. that these terms were used doesn't explain where they came from .I suppose stretching ones imagination, cylinder heads do look a little like gun breeches. When I was in Mobil tankers, American company, they were called cylinder covers, injectors were called fuel valves. Branches from pipework were called off stickers, adjustable spanners were shifters, took a little while to get used too.

[Old Salt]

I must admit that I nodded wisely at any engineering terms ..... and waited for "how long to fix it" If that sounds awful, I could never get a stoker to do starsights for me ! :D:D

[oldsalt]

Star sights! you would be lucky to see stars through the funnel smoke. :p

[johnny07]

Star sights! you would be lucky to see stars through the funnel smoke. :p

You would see them on the Eagle Keith---Economical haze at all times.:p

[Destroyerman]

I wonder, as the title of the thread suggests, if stokers had a perception of stokers?

My perception of stokers (having been one for twenty five years) was of a stalwart breed. A very clean and fastidious rating, "stokes" probably consumed more than his fair share of fresh water by showering more than regularly. His overalls were washed (dhobied) immediately after being worn for four hours (not four days as in the case of No 8's in other less fastidious departments). He could not wear his working dress in the modern-day dining halls, yet the mangy four-day-old smelly No 8's could.:mad:

Stokes formed friendships predominantly with chefs and Royal Marines, those who shared the "outcast" tab on board RN ships. (But curiously enough, not with the real outcasts; the regulators).:rolleyes: Stokes therefore had a little savvy.

Stokes would venture where others feared to tread (on a daily basis on board ship and on a slightly more adventurous basis when ashore.:o His choice of nightime companion was broad and never selective. But when it came to settling down with the one he loved, she was generally quite stunning and never percieved to be in Stokes' class.:D

Stokes was invariably outstandingly loyal to his messmates and the ships company as a whole. If it was necessary to sort out some problem shoreside, who was first over the gangway........ Stokes (closely followed by the Gunnery Department).;)

And when the keeping of animals on board was abolished in RN ships, who was first to step up to the mark to substitute for them???? ................ good old Stokes.:D:p

Over to you Ivor .............................. and maybe Scurs too.

Sandy.

[Destroyerman]

You would see them on the Eagle Keith---Economical haze at all times.:p

Hear hear Johnny.

Only Italian warships could not see where they were going because of economical haze.

That's because the funnel was generally in front of the way they were heading ........................................... :D

(If that is offensive in this day and age ........................... shame!).:rolleyes:

Sandy.

[johnny07]

Hear hear Johnny.

Only Italian warships could not see where they were going because of economical haze.

That's because the funnel was generally in front of the way they were heading ........................................... :D

(If that is offensive in this day and age ........................... shame!).:rolleyes:

Sandy.

And the smoke would make their battle ensign dirty ( a white cross on a white background :D

[johnny07]

I wonder, as the title of the thread suggests, if stokers had a perception of stokers?

My perception of stokers (having been one for twenty five years) was of a stalwart breed. A very clean and fastidious rating, "stokes" probably consumed more than his fair share of fresh water by showering more than regularly. His overalls were washed (dhobied) immediately after being worn for four hours (not four days as in the case of No 8's in other less fastidious departments). He could not wear his working dress in the modern-day dining halls, yet the mangy four-day-old smelly No 8's could.:mad:

Stokes formed friendships predominantly with chefs and Royal Marines, those who shared the "outcast" tab on board RN ships. (But curiously enough, not with the real outcasts; the regulators).:rolleyes: Stokes therefore had a little savvy.

Stokes would venture where others feared to tread (on a daily basis on board ship and on a slightly more adventurous basis when ashore.:o His choice of nightime companion was broad and never selective. But when it came to settling down with the one he loved, she was generally quite stunning and never percieved to be in Stokes' class.:D

Stokes was invariably outstandingly loyal to his messmates and the ships company as a whole. If it was necessary to sort out some problem shoreside, who was first over the gangway........ Stokes (closely followed by the Gunnery Department).;)

And when the keeping of animals on board was abolished in RN ships, who was first to step up to the mark to substitute for them???? ................ good old Stokes.:D:p

Over to you Ivor .............................. and maybe Scurs too.

Sandy.




I've always said that Sandy.

[oldsalt]

Well said Sandy, totally agree.

[ap1]

Here's a view from the early 1960's, discussing titles for Stokers:

SIR,

Engineering Branch Titles

We have had a long struggle to find a suitable style for the ratings of the
Engineering Branch. The traditional word ' Stoker' has been out of favour
for at least sixteen years and all manner of suggestions have been considered
and rejected.
In 1942, the Home Fleet plumped for ' Powerman '. However,
we escaped that one and now we have the fine and dignified title of 'Engineering Mechanic.’

Unfortunately, 'Engineering Mechanic' has not proved a practical title for
colloquial use. It may be that it has too many syllables-although it has only
one more than ' Ordinary Seaman ' which seems to present no difficulties-or
perhaps ' Engineering ' twists the tongue just a little too much.
However, whatever the cause, our ratings have become ' Emmees ', ' Ellemmees ' and ' Pommees ' which, as titles, are neither descriptive nor dignified.

Should we not try yet again ? My own suggestion would be simply to drop
the ' Engineering ' and call our ratings ' Mechanics ' or, when we need to be
precise ' Mechanics (E) ', and when we need to write briefly ' M (E) '.

(Sgd.) F. C. W. LAWSON,

Commander, R. N.

[Destroyerman]

Y'know Andy, I still have an affection for the term "Stoker".

It seems to hit the nail right on the head. And what's in a name??:D

Most of our generation were priveleged to serve in an RN which still maintained a little throwback to the days of coal fired boilers and powerful steam turbines. Having served on three WWII greyhounds of the sea, (and many more) I was particularly proud of my time in the RN.

Sometimes the term "Stoker" was used in a derogatory sense, but stokes would always rise above that safe in the knowledge of his importance in things Naval. He was critical in a ships ability to carry out its duties.

I wonder if, in todays "push button" Navy, whether the term "Stokes" still applies, or, (given the advent of female M(E)'s), that the pre-concieved apparition of yer architypical hairy-*rsed three badge stoker still registers in the minds of the remaining ships companies we are left with.

Nope, I still consider it an honour to be colloquially referred to as "Stokes".

I have attached an image of an ode to "Stokes" entitled "The Men Who Serve Below" which I prepared for an old stoker colleague of mine.

If you want, I can copy the text here.;)

Sandy.

[clevewyn]

Well I have regarded my humble self as a Stoker for fifty odd years now and I`m not about to change no matter whatever fancy title they come up with.

[ap1]

Y'know Andy, I still have an affection for the term "Stoker".

It seems to hit the nail right on the head. And what's in a name??:D

Most of our generation were priveleged to serve in an RN which still maintained a little throwback to the days of coal fired boilers and powerful steam turbines. Having served on three WWII greyhounds of the sea, (and many more) I was particularly proud of my time in the RN.

Sometimes the term "Stoker" was used in a derogatory sense, but stokes would always rise above that safe in the knowledge of his importance in things Naval. He was critical in a ships ability to carry out its duties.

I wonder if, in todays "push button" Navy, whether the term "Stokes" still applies, or, (given the advent of female M(E)'s), that the pre-concieved apparition of yer architypical hairy-*rsed three badge stoker still registers in the minds of the remaining ships companies we are left with.

Nope, I still consider it an honour to be colloquially referred to as "Stokes".

I have attached an image of an ode to "Stokes" entitled "The Men Who Serve Below" which I prepared for an old stoker colleague of mine.

If you want, I can copy the text here.;)

Sandy.

I heartily agree, Sandy. I love being called a Stoker too.

I would appreciate the words to the ode. I can't really make them out from here. That's if it's not too much trouble.:):):)

[ap1]

Well I have regarded my humble self as a Stoker for fifty odd years now and I`m not about to change no matter whatever fancy title they come up with.

Same here, Clevewyn!:D:D

[bert-261]

Printed out you should be able to read this. bert.

[Destroyerman]

Thanks Bert.:)

The origin of this ode is not certain.

A colleague of mine (ex Stoker PO) found the hand written text in the back of a wardrobe he bought when he moved from Ipswich to Weymouth.

His wife asked me if I could copy out the ode and supply the graphics as a surprise "leaving the Navy present".

The text was not 100% prosaic on the original, but I felt (at the time) that I was familiar with the document, the verse and the rather crude Gothic style text. It took me back to my first draft, HMS TEAZER, 1958 as Captain F2 at Portland.

When I did the calligraphy, I amended the text where necessary, but tried to keep the original drama in the verse. I added my line drawing of HMS CAVALIER at speed; my drawing of a boiler room scene (no, the furnace is not a beefburger!) and the decorative outlines and badges.

My oppo was delighted with the result. And for me, the project was loaded with coincidence. I seemed to know the document and the writing.;)

Sandy.

[ap1]

Great job you made of it too, Sandy!:)

[ap1]

Some other's view.......circa 1950.:)

"THE M IS A CAPITAL"

by COMMANDER G . A. HEWETT, D.S.C., R.N.

At the Mechanical Training Course, Leading Stoker Mechanics and Specially
Selected Stoker Mechanics are given practical instruction in the following :-
Use of hammer, chisel, file, hacksaw, hand and power drills, stocks and dies,
taps and wrench, shears and rolls, soldering iron.
Renewing gauge glasses, repacking glands, grinding in valves, repairing and
tempering chisels and riveting.
Bricklaying, including knowledge of pattern numbers of bricks, bonding and
plastic lagging.
This appears to be quite a formidable list, but it must not be supposed that
in a three months' course the ratings become expert in any or all of these
crafts. Given the opportunity, however, they can subsequently practise their
skill and gradually become more expert.
We therefore come to the twin questions :-
" Do we all give the Stoker Mechanic branch the opportunity to become
Mechanics ? "
" Do we all realize the amount of maintenance and refitting work such
Mechanics can successfully undertake? "
Maintenance and refitting work can be divided into several categories, from
highly skilled work requiring the attention of an E.R.A. or Mechanician, down
to donkey work like bilge cleaning. In between, there are a large number of
jobs on which it is customary to employ an E.R.A. but which do not justify
using his high degree of skill.
These are the jobs on which the Stoker Mechanic rating can be used, thereby
releasing the fully skilled man for more suitable work and increasing the
effective strength of the Maintenance force.
There is one inevitable rejoinder to this argument. It runs : "This is all
very well, but where do I get the L.S.M.s and P.0.S.M.s to do all this refitting
work ?-I need all mine for watchkeeping or looking after the hewers of wood
and drawers of water."
There is no comprehensive reply to this objection but there is an answer
in each individual case provided the questioner is really trying to find it.
The following are two examples known to the writer :-
Question l. A fire-main corrosion piece perforates. Who takes it down,
drills the new one and remakes the joints ?
Answer : The pump party stoker mechanic under the guidance of his
L.S.M. or P.O.S.M.
Question 2. The gearing of a turbo-generator is due for examination. Who
lifts the cover and takes the caps off the bearings ready for the
dynamo E.R.A. ?
Answer : The spare dynamo watchkeeper.
And so on.
These examples are not quoted as exceptional, but rather as typical cases.
It is thought that other Engineer Officers may be able to suggest a more
interesting and comprehensive selection of
" Jobs that don't need an E.R.A. or a Mechanician."

If so, send them to the Editor.;)

[Pat in Halifax]

The term 'stoker' is still used with fondness (or disgust!) in the RCN. As well, for any Ret'd RCN stokers or any stokers for that matter who are unawares, there is an 'unofficial' Canadian stoker website at http://www.stokers.ca/.
Though not updated as aften as the volunteers would like, there are announcements for twice annual get togethers at the Fleet Club in Halifax. Fellow stokers of any nation are more than welcome too if they happen to be in town!
I believe Esquimalt has one once a year as well but am not sure. Even those of us 'trapped' in Ottawa steaming a desk have one or two "Stoker Bashes" a year!

[johnny07]

Some other's view.......circa 1950.:)

"THE M IS A CAPITAL"

by COMMANDER G . A. HEWETT, D.S.C., R.N.

At the Mechanical Training Course, Leading Stoker Mechanics and Specially
Selected Stoker Mechanics are given practical instruction in the following :-
Use of hammer, chisel, file, hacksaw, hand and power drills, stocks and dies,
taps and wrench, shears and rolls, soldering iron.
Renewing gauge glasses, repacking glands, grinding in valves, repairing and
tempering chisels and riveting.
Bricklaying, including knowledge of pattern numbers of bricks, bonding and
plastic lagging.
This appears to be quite a formidable list, but it must not be supposed that
in a three months' course the ratings become expert in any or all of these
crafts. Given the opportunity, however, they can subsequently practise their
skill and gradually become more expert.
We therefore come to the twin questions :-
" Do we all give the Stoker Mechanic branch the opportunity to become
Mechanics ? "
" Do we all realize the amount of maintenance and refitting work such
Mechanics can successfully undertake? "
Maintenance and refitting work can be divided into several categories, from
highly skilled work requiring the attention of an E.R.A. or Mechanician, down
to donkey work like bilge cleaning. In between, there are a large number of
jobs on which it is customary to employ an E.R.A. but which do not justify
using his high degree of skill.
These are the jobs on which the Stoker Mechanic rating can be used, thereby
releasing the fully skilled man for more suitable work and increasing the
effective strength of the Maintenance force.
There is one inevitable rejoinder to this argument. It runs : "This is all
very well, but where do I get the L.S.M.s and P.0.S.M.s to do all this refitting
work ?-I need all mine for watchkeeping or looking after the hewers of wood
and drawers of water."
There is no comprehensive reply to this objection but there is an answer
in each individual case provided the questioner is really trying to find it.
The following are two examples known to the writer :-
Question l. A fire-main corrosion piece perforates. Who takes it down,
drills the new one and remakes the joints ?
Answer : The pump party stoker mechanic under the guidance of his
L.S.M. or P.O.S.M.
Question 2. The gearing of a turbo-generator is due for examination. Who
lifts the cover and takes the caps off the bearings ready for the
dynamo E.R.A. ?
Answer : The spare dynamo watchkeeper.
And so on.
These examples are not quoted as exceptional, but rather as typical cases.
It is thought that other Engineer Officers may be able to suggest a more
interesting and comprehensive selection of
" Jobs that don't need an E.R.A. or a Mechanician."

If so, send them to the Editor.;)

In all my years as an ERA I never came across a spare dynamo watchkeeper.
Is it a submarine term?, :confused::confused:

[ap1]

Dynamo watchkeeper is olde speak for generator watchkeeper; as originally, 'electric light engines' powered the dynamo which was the only kind of electrical generator on board at one time.:)

Here's a picture of a dynamo engine from BR 2007 1952.

[johnny07]

Dynamo watchkeeper is olde speak for generator watchkeeper; as originally, 'electric light engines' powered the dynamo which was the only kind of electrical generator on board at one time.:)

Here's a picture of a dynamo engine from BR 2007 1952.


Would that be a DC generator? :confused:

[ap1]

Would that be a DC generator? :confused:

Absolutely correct, John!

[johnny07]

One responsibility that was definately stokers only domain was the lub oil seperator or purifier. Normally situated in the gear room, every night a stoker would strip it down and clean it and reassemble it. It was a crucial piece of equipment and had to be done properly. There were 33 (I think) separate plates and they all had to be replaced in numerical order. Stokes was very proud of his seperator and woe betide anyone else who went near it.

[ap1]

Aptitude test: "Call a spade a spade":)

The Technical Writer of the attached peice, has described this as a 'Test Container'; (used in testing our nuclear boats' seals.)

Can you think of another word which describes it?..:D

[johnny07]

Aptitude test: "Call a spade a spade":)

The Technical Writer of the attached peice, has described this as a 'Test Container'; (used in testing our nuclear boats' seals.)

Can you think of another word which describes it?..:D

A yellow bin with a thingy in it.

[bert-261]

To go back to Sandy's ditty about those who serve below, if you check the Stoker's Talk Only thread, post #53 has the words supplied by Macadian. bert.

[bert-261]

For those not familiar with the item, here are a couple of diagrams of johnny07's DeLaval oil centrifuge. bert.