Tramp Steamers crew.

[Spence]

I am in the final stages of completing a deck plan for a small tramp freighter. I have completed most of it and am tweeking the final layouts for berthing and the various messing. I have been using several references but cannot find a complete crew list for a ship circa 1935. The ship I am mapping is a small one of around 250ft.

 

Anyone know of any crew listings for small freighters in the period?

[Ian Mackinder]

Re: Tramp Steamers crew.

 

Based on my own (limited) knowledge:

 

(1) Tramp freighters try to minimize manpower as much as is practical (and that they can legally get away with). More crew means more expense, and profit is a priority here.

 

(2) A ship's pverall "situation" (as in ownership, registry, condition, activities, etc.) also bears on crew carried. A British or US flagged ship routinely visiting major ports would probably try to be as "legal" as possible as a matter of course. A disreputable ship in a particularly godforsaken corner of the world may well be more ... casual as regards assigned crew.

 

(3) Required crew:

 

Captain - natch!

 

1sr, 2nd, 3rd, etc. Mate (or Officers on naval craft or large ships) - The basic chain of command. Probably no more than 4 at most, certainly one for each watch. Often, the 1st Mate / Officer would be required to have a Master's Certificate, so he could take over command from the Captain in the event of the latter being incapacitated.

 

Radioman - At this time, this still tended to be a very specialized field. Larger ships would probably have at least one for each Watch.

 

Bosun - Kind of like a senior NCO. In charge of the lower rank crew and a trusted "advisor" to the upper ranks.

 

Cook - Often doubled as the ship's Medic if no Doctor was carried.

 

Doctor - Unlikely on smaller ships. Working on tramp freighters was not exactly considered the pinnacle of one's medical career.

 

Chief Engineer - Self-explanatory. Note that it is very unlikely that he would be qualified to take command on the Bridge in emergencies.

 

Deckhands, Messmen, Stewards (if any passengers), Engineers and (if the ship is coal-fired) Stokers. Barracks-style quarters for each, but the specialities were usually separated from each other.

 

(4) Figure three watches (/ shifts) per day in most cases.

 

Certain individuals do not stand specific watches, because they are basically "on call" - the Captain, Radioman (if just one). Bosun, Cook, Doctor, Chief Engineer.

 

 

Hope this is of some help.

[cleireac]

Re: Tramp Steamers crew.

 

Ian, would you mind if I adapted this information to the Pulp Project 1557 wiki's page on Tramp Steamers? I would of course give you proper credit....

 

[Spence]

Re: Tramp Steamers crew.

 

I was planning on basing things around the “standard” watch cycles:

 

First watch: 2000-0000

Middle watch: 0000-0400

Morning watch: 0400-0800

Forenoon watch: 0800-1200

Afternoon watch: 1200-1600

First dog watch: 1600-1800

Last dog watch: 1800-2000

 

I have found a lot of information on the big liners and the large Merchant Vessels (including modern). But very little on Cargo Liners of the 30’s or Tramps of the same.

 

For a scheduled Cargo liner or smaller Passenger Liner. These ships were owned operated by a shipping line and maintained regular scheduled services. There crews were more formalized. I was intending to use the following:

 

Captain (in charge)

1st Officer (in charge of the Deck and second to the Captain)

2nd Officer (in charge of Navigation and in charge of a bridge watch, in training to be a 1st Officer)

3rd Officer (in charge of emergency equipment, lifeboats etc. Would also most likely have a bridge watch)

 

Deck

Cargomaster (Ensures proper loading, weight and balancing issues as well as load order)

Carpenter

Bosun (in charge of all deckhands and Seamen)

Leading Seaman (senior Able Seaman aboard, second under the Bosun)

Able Seamen (proven and skilled Seamen)

Ordinary Seamen (new or unskilled seamen)

 

Engineering

Chief Engineer (in charge of all things relating to the Engines and Boilers. Reports to the Captain or 1st Officer)

Engineers Assistant (second to the Chief Engineer)

Boilermen

Motormen

Oiler

Wiper

Leading Stoker

Stoker

 

Specialists not Deck or Engineering

Wireless Telegraphy Operator (or Radioman for the sticks in the mud )

Ships Doctor

Purser (ships accountant, handles the money)

Cook

Steward

 

For a Tramp Steamer that would be cut down, as Ian Mackinder noted above. 2nd, 3rd Officer and Cargomaster duties would probably be performed by the 1st Officer and/or Captain. The Captain would perform the Pursers duties and so on. The engine room duties would probably be condensed a well.

 

I do wish I could find an old manifest to get some hard facts.

[Ian Mackinder]

Re: Tramp Steamers crew.

 

Ian' date=' would you mind if I adapted this information to the Pulp Project 1557 wiki's page on Tramp Steamers? I would of course give you proper credit...

 

No problem. I am flattered.

 

**********

 

Spence's rundown on the organization of bigger ships seems very thorough. There was one additional position used on the largest passengers liners worth mentioning, if just for completeness.

 

'Staff Captain', which was invented by the German shipping lines - and adopted, I think, by Cunard-White Star at least for a time. He was basically subordinate to "the" Captain and in charge of everything pertaining to the passengers.

 

So, why not just have the Chief Purser handle this stuff?

 

First off, consider the special demands of this position on the "big" liners of the 1920s-1930s - lots of passengers to contend with, and many of them VERY rich/influential (and all too willing toi let others know it!).

Secondly, I strongly suspect a certain subtle deception was inherent here - there would always be passengers who would much rather take their complaints / concerns to "the Captain" rather than a mere Chief Purser.

Thirdly, it enabled the "real" Captain to concentrate on such mundane matters as running the ship, rather than constantly dealing with the passengers.

Fourthly, it was an intermediate step towards command of the large liners - becoming the Captain of one of these usually required an iniitial stint as Staff Captain, to prove you had the PR and general social skills to deal with the big job.

[cleireac]

Re: Tramp Steamers crew.

 

No problem. I am flattered.

 

Thanks! Here is the link to the specific page: http://project1557.wetpaint.com/page/Tramp+Steamers

 

I would, also, love to incorporate Spence's information elsewhere in the wiki, as it does seem appropos.

[Spence]

Re: Tramp Steamers crew.

 

 

There was one additional position used on the largest passengers liners worth mentioning, if just for completeness.

 

'Staff Captain', which was invented by the German shipping lines - and adopted, I think, by Cunard-White Star at least for a time. He was basically subordinate to "the" Captain and in charge of everything pertaining to the passengers.

 

So, why not just have the Chief Purser handle this stuff?

 

First off, consider the special demands of this position on the "big" liners of the 1920s-1930s - lots of passengers to contend with, and many of them VERY rich/influential (and all too willing toi let others know it!).

Secondly, I strongly suspect a certain subtle deception was inherent here - there would always be passengers who would much rather take their complaints / concerns to "the Captain" rather than a mere Chief Purser.

Thirdly, it enabled the "real" Captain to concentrate on such mundane matters as running the ship, rather than constantly dealing with the passengers.

Fourthly, it was an intermediate step towards command of the large liners - becoming the Captain of one of these usually required an iniitial stint as Staff Captain, to prove you had the PR and general social skills to deal with the big job.

 

Very cool find. I had never heard of that position before but it makes complete sense, especially when you consider the adjusted cost of a first class ticket. The people who bought them were the filthy rich and powerful or the ultra well connected, especially on the big liners.

[Spence]

Re: Tramp Steamers crew.

 

Thanks! Here is the link to the specific page: http://project1557.wetpaint.com/page/Tramp+Steamers

 

I would, also, love to incorporate Spence's information elsewhere in the wiki, as it does seem appropos.

 

Let me get some more verified information before you link anything in. My list comes from several sources, many dealing with modern merchanters. The Pulp era may have used different terms for jobs. I need to visit a major library or book store like Powell's.

 

also let me say your wiki has some excellent info on it.

[Brajah]

Re: Tramp Steamers crew.

 

I don't know if this has been posted before but it may be of some help

 

http://home.earthlink.net/~djackson24/TrampSteamer.PDF

 

 

Here's another link with some deckplans

http://www.louislamourgreatadventure.com/PongaJimMerchantMarine3.htm

[Spence]

Re: Tramp Steamers crew.

 

I don't know if this has been posted before but it may be of some help

 

http://home.earthlink.net/~djackson24/TrampSteamer.PDF

 

 

Here's another link with some deckplans

http://www.louislamourgreatadventure.com/PongaJimMerchantMarine3.htm

 

Thanks

[Spence]

Re: Tramp Steamers crew.

 

A few initial notes:

 

This is intended as a primer for RPG’s. I have simplified and condensed wherever possible and in some cases adapted/modified based on my personal experience and what I have read. Because of this do not take everything below as absolute truth. Also I had to type in the charts showing work on the watches and they are not the best to read. But you should be able to make out the meaning.

 

Automation. Unlike modern times, automation was not a big factor on ships. There were very few devices that used any extensive forms of active feedback to maintain operation. Therefore when performing a job, standing a watch in nautical terms, the crewmember performing the task had to be activity engaged. A Boiler Tech who’s watch consisted of monitoring fresh water injection and boiler pressure would be constantly adjusting the controlling valves.

 

Watches. The ships day was divided into “watches”. They were the:

 

Afternoon Watch – 1200-1600 (Noon – 4pm) (4 hours)

First Dog Watch – 1600-1800 (4pm – 6pm) (2 hours)

Second Dog Watch – 1800-2000 (6pm – 8pm) (2 hours)

First Watch – 2000-0000 (8pm – Midnight) (4 hours)

Middle Watch – 0000-0400 (Midnight – 4am) (4 hours)

Morning Watch – 0400-0800 (4am – 8am) (4 hours)

Forenoon Watch – 0800-1200 (8am – Noon) (4 hours)

 

The crew will generally be drawn up into “sections”. If there are two sections they are generally called Port and Starboard sections. Here is an example of a two section duty rotation. Note that no one ever has more than 4 hours at any one task or sleep. Back when the watchstander had to be alert and did not have any automation to help, 4 hours was a reasonable length to allow a person to maintain alertness.

 

------------Duty----------------------First-------Second

----------Section-----Afternoon---Dog--------Dog-----------First------Middle-----Morning-----Forenoon

 

Day-------Port-------Work---------Leisure----Work--------Sleep-----Work-------Sleep-------Work

One-------Star-------Leisure------Work-------Leisure-----Work-----Sleep-------Work--------Work

 

Day-------Port-------Leisure------Work-------Leisure-----Work-----Sleep-------Work--------Work

Two-------Star-------Work---------Leisure----Work--------Sleep-----Work-------Sleep-------Work

 

Day-------Port-------Work---------Leisure----Work--------Sleep-----Work-------Sleep-------Work

Three----Star-------Leisure------Work-------Leisure-----Work------Sleep-------Work--------Work

 

 

If the crew is large enough they can go with additional duty sections. Back in the age of sail 3 sections were common on large civilian ships, 2 on warships with many of those standards carrying forward to the 40-50’s.

 

The modern US Navy tends to go with even numbers of sections. That allows the even sections to be designated as “standby sections”. If the tempo increases the ship can go to “duty and standby” with all the even sections becoming Port and all the odd section becoming Starboard. 4, 6 or 8 are the numbers of sections in commands I have served under. With 4 sections being usual, 6 being rare and 8 only occurring at very very large shore commands. Modern practices don’t really apply since it includes mixing of “regular working hours” and “watch standing” while underway. With “regular working hours” being a 12 hour work day and watches following the 4 hour periods for certain tasks, look out, etc. If interested PM me and I can send you an example of what I mean.

 

Getting back on topic, here is an example of a three section setup

 

----------Duty------------------------First---------Second

----------Section--Afternoon-----Dog---------Dog-----------First-----Middle-----Morning----Forenoon

 

Day-----One-----Work------------Leisure-----Work--------Sleep-----Work-----Sleep--------Work

One-----Two-----Work------------Work--------Leisure-----Work-----Sleep-----Sleep--------Work

----------Three----Leisure---------Work--------Work--------Sleep-----Sleep-----Work--------Work

 

Day-----One-----Work------------Work--------Work--------Work------Sleep-----Sleep-------Work

Two-----Two-----Leisure---------Leisure----Work--------Sleep-----Sleep-----Work--------Work

----------Three----Work------------Work-------Leisure-----Sleep-----Work------Sleep-------Work

 

Day-----One------Leisure--------Work-------Leisure-----Sleep-----Sleep------Work-------Work

Three--Two------Work------------Work-------Work--------Sleep-----Work-------Sleep------Work

---------Three-----Work------------Leisure---Work--------Work------Sleep------Sleep------Work

 

Under a three section setup a crew member would get eight hours sleep two nights out of three. Where a member has two consecutive “work” periods, they would usually entail different tasks to ensure alertness. Also it should be noted that not all Departments need to follow the same duty roster. Deck could be on a 2 section watchbill while Engineering could be on a 4 section bill.

 

Education: The rule of thumb here is that even up to the late 50’s, Ordinary and Ablebodied Seamen/Firemen were not universally literate. Many learned just enough to perform their profession and had little or no formal education. Officers on the other had been educated and were literate. After all a Stoker or a Deckhand practices manual labor and his performance wouldn’t be impacted by whether he can read.

 

Coal Fueled ships

 

And now on to the actual departments and their responsibilities. Generally you can divide a ship into three basic areas, Operations, Deck and Engineering. I will start with Engineering and work my way back.

 

Engineering is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ships major systems. A short but not all inclusive list is:

 

Boilers

Engines

Generators

Condensers

Cooling/Heating Systems

Fresh water/Desalination plant

Pumps

 

A list of common members of Engineering are:

 

Officers

(Engineers are technical officers and generally would not exercise any kind of command authority. Small ships would only have one engineer while larger ships would have additional engineering assistants; it is not uncommon to have one assistant per section. On large Naval vessels the Chief Engineer is called the CHENG.)

Chief Engineering Officer (the Chief Engineer will report to either the Captain or 1st Officer depending on the ship)

First Engineering Assistant

Second Engineering Assistant

 

Firemen

Firemen would be the general term used by the Navy when referring to crew that work in engineering. I cannot find a different term to reference the same on pre-1950’s civilian ships. The closest modern general term is QMED (Qualified Member of the Engineering Department), but I do not think it holds the same exact meaning.

 

Leading Boiler Technician (within a skill area it is common practice to place the senior and most skilled crewman in charge of the others. This is usually denoted by calling them the “Leading” whatever)

Boiler Technician (operates and maintains a boiler)

Leading Stoker

Stoker (coals the furnace)

Leading Machinist Mate

Machinist Mate (operates and maintains machinery such as the engines, condensers, etc. On large ships with large crews they will begin to specialize)

Oiler (machinery has moving parts and moving parts must be lubricated. An oilers task is to oil and lubricate everything that needs it from the main shaft bearings to the engines piston shaft. This is a constant and unending task especially when the ship is underway with the engine engaged and the shaft turning 24/7)

Wiper (wherever someone is applying lubricating oil and grease, old lubricant is being pushed out of the fitting, bearing or joint. If it accumulates it can be as damaging to the machinery as no lubrication at all. Hence, the lowliest member of the engineering gang, the Wiper.)

 

 

Deck is responsible for the operation and maintenance of pretty much everything not covered by Engineering or Operations. Underway they man the lookouts, sand and grind corrosion, paint bare metal. Maintain deck gear like winches, windlasses, capstans and hoists. Sanding and grinding corrosion, painting bare metal. Ensure watertight integrity by inspecting spaces and void, opening and closing hatches as needed. Sanding and grinding corrosion, painting bare metal. Ensure proper stowage of cargo. Sanding and grinding corrosion, painting bare metal. Ensure lines and cables are in good repair and ready for use. Sanding and grinding corrosion, painting bare metal. Their tasks in port include most of the same as underway. But in addition they moor/unmoor the ship, drop/raise the anchor, shift cargo, load/unload cargo, and operate ships cranes and hoists. Sanding and grinding corrosion, painting bare metal (this is beginning to be a theme).

 

Officers

 

Unlike Engineering the Deck falls directly below the Captain, 1st Officer and so on. They will be detailed under operations.

 

Seamen

 

These are the general crew of the ship and usually comprise the largest portion of the crew.

 

Bosun (The most senior non-officer on the crew. In charge of the deck and sometime may be the 3rd Officer)

Petty Officer (Only on larger ships with more formal structures)

Ablebodied Seaman

Ordinary Seaman

Seaman (Lowest and most unskilled of the crew)

 

Additionally there are specialists usually attached to the deck department. They are under the Bosun, but have privileges and are generally not a part of the same duty bills as the general crew.

 

Steward (if the ship carries passengers there will be a Steward. Larger numbers of passengers might lead to the addition of Chief Steward and Stewards Assistant to the list)

Cook (once again if the crew is large or there are many passengers a Chief Cook and Cooks Assistant might be added)

Ships Carpenter (large ships may need a Carpenters Assistant)

Cargomaster (concerned with proper stowage of cargo)

 

 

Operations is in charge of everything else. For lack of a exact term I picked one. This may not actually be a formal department.

 

Captain (in charge)

1st Officer/1st Mate/Chief Mate (in charge of the Deck and second to the Captain)

2nd Officer/2nd Mate (in charge of Navigation and in charge of a bridge watch, in training to be a 1st Officer)

3rd Officer/3rd Mate (in charge of emergency equipment, lifeboats etc. Would also most likely have a bridge watch, sometimes is the Bosun.)

Larger ships will also have a number of junior officers in training. Deck Cadets, Midshipmen etc.

 

Helmsman (Steers the ship. On smaller ships they will be drawn from the Ablebodied Seamen in Deck. On larger ships they will be a small group of specialists and tied directly to Bridge duty.

Signalman (in charge of operating and maintaining the ships flags, signal flags, signaling lights, flares and signal rockets. If the ship is large enough to have Signalmen, it will have a Wireless Telegraphy Operator/Radioman of which the most senior will most likely be the Signals Officer, see below)

 

In addition there were specialists that operated independently of the normal crew’s routine. They were ships officers, but did not carry any authority beyond their specialty. These were not always present and many smaller ships didn’t have them and the duties would be covered by the Captain and the ships officers.

Wireless Telegraphy Operator/Radioman (They basically were an independent duty. After the Titanic disaster larger ships were required to maintain 24hr radio watches. This could add Chief to the senior’s title and/or add an Assistant. They would also be in charge of visual signaling)

Ships Doctor (Larger ships would include a Doctors Assistant and on very large passenger ships he could be addressed as Chief Physician and be in charge of an entire medical staff to include other doctors, orderlies and nurses.)

Purser (ships accountant, handles the money, larger ships could have Chief Pursers)

 

 

On a passenger ship the Doctors, Stewards and Cooks will most likely be organized into their own department sometimes called Services Department or maybe Stewards Department. On really large liners they would be under a Staff Captain who would be responsible for the passengers and report directly to the ship’s Captain. Thanks to Ian Mackinder for finding and pointing out the Staff Captain’s existence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transitioning from Coal to other fuels

 

I wanted to touch on just a few things I have noticed when reading the available RPG resources that discuss shipping of the pre-50’s industrial age.

 

The first engine driven ships used boilers that drove steam engines which in turn turned either a paddle or screw. These early ships would use wood or basically anything that would fit the furnace and burn. Later coal was adopted as a standard because it was easier to handle and had a much better energy potential than wood. You needed less of it than wood. When the first conversions to oil for fuel were made, contrary to some sources the ships engine room didn’t change that much. In fact in many cases the engine itself didn’t change at all. The boiler was either replaced or modified to burn oil. Except for no longer needing Stokers, everyones job generally remained the same. Even when steam turbines replaced steam pistons, the jobs remained though the details changed. Only with the advent of large internal combustion diesel engines for ships did you see the boiler begin to disappear as a primary drive method. And you may be surprised to hear that steam driven engines and turbines were common all the way into the 1980’s and there are still some around today.

 

In the end though the names have changed, the jobs remain. Oilers still lubricate, wipers still wipe and everyone still sands and grinds corrosion and paints bare metal.

[cleireac]

Re: Tramp Steamers crew.

 

Spence,

 

If this is any indication of the work you do, please by all means, let me know when you are ready to port this stuff over to Project 1557!

 

This is the kind of information that is needed! If you need help, let me know and I'll get the article in place.

 

Please don't forget me!

 

Thanks