1902 The switch to steam
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We arrived in Cardiff in due course Captain's wife was on board - on arrival in Cardiff the crew were paid off and I went home for a short holiday and then went to London to go to School and prepare for my Master's Certificate, I went up after about three weeks at School and passed at first attempt (1902 - July). After spending a few weeks holiday at home I went to Liverpool after having having been offered a mate's job on the "Cambrian Warrior" which I refused to accept, I was offered 10/- more per month but I rejected the offer. My intentions were to go to Steam - however I went to Liverpool with a letter of introduction from Captain Richards son-in-law to the Harrison Line Co. Ltd. which was a first-class line. I interviewed at the office and they promised me a 3rd officer's job in a week's time (3rd Office.) I intended to wait but there was such a demand on young officers in Liverpool at that time there were offers from everywhere. In a couple of days I accepted a 2nd Mate job in a Steamer named the "Darlington" and sailed in her for Cardiff, on the way to Cardiff I regretted joining her with a chance of losing my position in the Harrison Line, which was a good Company, so as soon as we arrived with her at Cardiff I left her and went back to Liverpool. On arrival in Liverpool I appeared at the M.M.S.A. and they wanted a 3rd officer for one of Hall Line Ltd, they pressed on me to take it which I did s/s "Rydal Hall".
We loaded Cargo in several places on the coast and finally finished loading in Liverpool (Birkenhead) and sailed for ports in South Africa Durban being our first port I think - a fairly good Company but being straight from Sail there seemed to be nothing to do on a Steamer (a shame to take the money). From the coast of Africa we went to Calcutta and loaded there general cargo and sailed for Liverpool was transferred to the s/s “Horsley Hall" as Chief Officer. I made one voyage only I could not get on with the Captain he was a very old man and could not get about much, he several times nearly put his ship on shore due to his bad navigation and he would have no help so sooner or later we expected disaster in consequence I was given a couple of weeks holiday so I went home and refused to return to the ship.
They engaged another Chief Officer gave me a reference for the time I was in the Company and I joined the White Star Line of Liverpool as a junior officer my 1st ship being the s/s "Victorian" carrying cargo and cattle from New York and Liverpool Beautiful Steamer. From Victorian I joined R.M.S. "Oceanic" afterwards the s/s "Runic" on the Australian run.
