David Hebden
Seafarer & Story Teller
David Hebden is a retired Solicitor who specialised in Shipping Law and Marine Casualties. He is the holder of a Masters Certificate of Competency for a Foreign-Going Steamship. He served at sea as a Deck Apprentice, under a three-year indenture signed in 1954. David left the sea and entered the legal profession in 1964 as an articled clerk in the City of London.
He now tells yarns for a living.
To Fair Winds and Following Seas
by David Hebden
The British Merchant Navy of the 1950’s was a strong and vibrant service, trading to every corner of the globe. The crews were drawn from all over the British Isles - from Shetland to Scilly and Guernsey to Galway; there were Geordies, Scousers, Cockneys, Paddies, Stornowegians and Glaswegians, all serving under the Red Ensign, usually harmoniously, with tolerance, acknowledging the considerable range of skills and sailor’s knowhow they brought to the ship.
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Sadly, by the early 60’s it was clear that a rapid and deep decline was taking place. There were several causes; these included the loss of the comfortable trade with the Commonwealth, containerisation, the rise in the number of flags of convenience, with their lower taxes, cheaper crews, and possibly the growth in air travel. Redundancy was taking place across the board. This book is a nostalgic look at what, clearly, were the last of the good old days.