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a Career at sea
BRIT I SH I N D I A S TEAM NAV IGAT ION C O. LTD.
S I N C E
1 8 5 6 Our heritage . . .
LIST OF CONTENTS
Page 4 A career with ‘B.I.’
Page 5 Amenities ashore and afloat
Page 8 Where we trade
Page 15 Deck Cadets
Page 22 Deck Officers
Page 34 Engineer Cadets
Page 40 Engineer Officers
Page 46 Electricians
Page 48 Pursers
Page 50 Tanker service
Page 52 Fleet list
Folders containing Rates of pay
and Lists of outfit required may be found in
the pocket at the end of this book
page 3
The British India Steam Navigation Company
Limited – perhaps more often referred to by the
affectionate abbreviation ‘B.I.’ – is one of the
largest shipping concerns in the world.
Its modern ships provide a network of regular
services across the many thousands of square
miles of ocean that separate Britain from Africa,
India, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Today its gross tonnage exceeds 470,000 tons
in which passenger and cargo ships, specialised
vessels and tankers are all represented.
Since the Company was founded in 1856 and
introduced the steamship to the coastal traffic of
India, it has played a most important part in the
development of Far Eastern trade.
Its place in history, and its ever expanding
future, is assured.
The Company is one of the principal members
of the P & O Group which comprises some
hundred subsidiaries and associates. The ship
owning interests of the Group comprise a Group
Fleet of some 320 vessels of a gross tonnage of
2,500,000 tons
page 2
page 5
A CAREER WITH ‘B.I.’
For the young man with a taste for adventureor the experienced Officer looking for greateropportunity, a career with ‘B.I.’ has everythingto offer.
Pay and working conditions are very good,promotion is based on service and merit andevery effort is made to see that well-foundedambition reaps a proper reward.
Conditions in the ‘B.I.’ fleet are excellent.Vessels are modern and much thought andattention is given to the comfort and well-being of the men who serve in them.
For a richly satisfying career, interesting initself, with scope for companionship, a fullmeasure of security in later years, with goodworking conditions, ample leave and all theexcitements of what is still, even in thisprosaic age, a romantic calling, a career withBritish India Steam Navigation Company canhardly be equalled.
page 4
AMENITIES ASHORE AND AFLOAT
There are many amenities available to Officers ofthe ‘B.I.’ and these include free air travel betweenthe East and the U.K. and free medical servicewhilst serving abroad. Company transport isavailable at all main Eastern ports and for theofficer proceeding on leave annual free returnrailway vouchers between U.K. ports and his homeare provided
Whilst serving in the East, Certificated officersare able to take advantage of the variousrecreational and social functions provided by the B.I. Marine Service Clubs in Calcutta and Bombay.
Married officers abroad are provided with agenerous accommodation allowance when theirfamilies are temporarily resident in the East and inEastern waters senior officers’ wives are permittedto accompany their husbands in certain ships on around voyage each year.
Television receivers are placed on board theCompany’s ships whilst in U.K. ports.
The ‘B.I. News’, published quarterly, keeps allretired and serving officers in touch with eachother. This house magazine is very popularamongst the Afloat Staff, who write the majority ofthe contributions.
Details of the various other amenities availableare described more fully in the following pages.
where we trade . . .
Ours is a modern fleet of steam and motor ships. From theBay of Bengal up through the Suez and into Home Waters,from the westernmost point of the Indian Ocean and acrossto the North Pacific you will find the black ‘B.I.’ funnel withits two white bands.
One third of the fleet is employed on regular service fromU.K. and Continental ports to Australia, East Africa andIndia. Our Company also owns the troopship ‘Nevasa’which, under permanent charter to H.M. Government,carries troops from this country to the Far East andelsewhere.
Of the remaining two-thirds of our fleet of cargo andpassenger liners the large majority run regularly fromAustralia and New Zealand, East and South Africa and theFar East to India and Pakistan.
The Company also operates a number of tankers and youwill find a separate chapter on these vessels beginning onpage 50.
page 8
PERTH Australia RANGOONBurma
KOBE Japan
DURBANSouth Africa
SYDNEYAustralia
BOMBAY India
MOMBASAEast Africa
It is the Company’s custom for the name of each ship to endin ‘A’. All the names are of Eastern, Australian or African originand many have been handed down more than once from ship toship in the hundred years during which the Company has beenoperating.
Perhaps, too, this is a fitting place for mention to be made ofthe Asian crews, Indian, Pakistani and Goanese, who haveserved the Company faithfully since its earliest days. As anOfficer you will always be assured of their respect and attentiveservice.
page 10
HONG KONG
Deck Cadets
Deck Cadets are engaged on four year Indentures, and areselected from youngsters between the ages of 16 and 18 yearswho should be in possession of at least ‘O’ level passes inMathematics, English Language and Physics of the GeneralCertificate of Education. Pre-Sea training is not essential.
Boys who are in possession of passes in five subjects in theGeneral Certificate of Education of which two, including eitherMathematics or Physics, are at ‘A’level are granted nine monthsremission of sea time. Such boys may, therefore, be accepted upto the age of approximately 18 years and 6 months withoutsuffering any disadvantage as compared with others of the sameage without such qualifications who commence their Indenturesearlier.
A worthwhile career is worth working for. The Deck Cadetwho completes his Indenture service satisfactorily and passesthe Ministry of Transport examination for Second Mate findsample reward. He will be offered re-appointment as ThirdOfficer and, having merit, can ultimately rise in order ofseniority to Commander. Comfortable quarters, personalservice, excellent messing and an interesting life with regularpay increases are all part of a career with ‘B.I.’
For the boy with a sense of adventure, who likes the open air,travel, sport and good comradeship, life as a Deck Cadet hasmuch to offer.
In all our ships the Cadet’s activities are carefully watched.
CLASSROOMm.s. ‘Chantala’
page 17
We place a great deal of importance on health and physicaltraining. Studies are supervised by one of the ship’s seniorofficers.
We have two Cadet Training Ships, m.s. ‘Chantala’ and m.s.‘Chindwara’of 7,556 and 7,602 gross tonnage respectively, eachhaving accommodation for a total of 52 Deck and EngineerCadets. Their training is under the personal supervision of Company’s Officers specially selected for these duties. A fully qualified Doctor is carried in each Training Ship.
Sport and physical training receive attention, the two trainingships having their own football (soccer and rugger) and cricketteams. It is therefore suggested that you take your football bootsand other suitable sports gear with you to sea.
During the period of their apprenticeship all Cadets completethree sets of examination papers prepared at regular intervals bythe Merchant Navy Training Board. For those Cadets who arenot attached to cadet ships we arrange for them to follow acomprehensive and personal correspondence course.
By special arrangement with the Ministry of Transport, Cadetswho complete three years’ satisfactory service in the CadetTraining ships are granted six months’ remission of sea-service,which entitles them to be examined for a Second Mate’sCertificate of Competency after three-and-a-half years’indentured service instead of completing the normal four years.
Now a word about pay and leave.
Cadets are paid wages during their apprenticeship at theNational Maritime Board rates, details of which are included inthe rates of pay pamphlet in the pocket at the end of this book.
After satisfactory completion of the Indenture a bonus of £75is paid on resuming duty with a Second Mate’s Certificate.
As to leave, under present arrangements Cadets are grantedleave at the scale of 48 days per annum during which theyreceive full pay and subsistence allowance of 5s. 4d. per day.
page 16
m.s. ‘CHANTALA’7,556 tons
CADETS’DORMITORYm.s. ‘Chindwara’
CADETS’ DININGSALOON m.s. ‘Chindwara’
Assuming you are physically fit and have perfect eyesight hereis what you should do if you wish to become apprenticed to us asa Deck Cadet.
Write in your own handwriting, a letter giving us particulars ofyour age, schools and studies. You must also include, and this ismost important, a Ministry of Transport eyesight certificate (yourlocal Labour Exchange can advise you as to this).
Your application should be addressed to:-
British India Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.,
Personnel Department,
One Aldgate, London, E.C.3.
Provided you are being educated up to the standard referred toat the commencement of this section, we shall reply by sendingyou an application form to complete and return to us togetherwith your last three end of term School Reports, and testimonialsfrom your Headmaster and Housemaster.
The Selection Board meets in the Company’s Head Office inLondon each month and if you live in the United Kingdom weshall ask you to appear before the Board about three monthsbefore you expect to leave school. At the same time you will bemedically examined by our Surgeon Superintendent to ensurefitness for service in the Tropics. A recent chest X-ray Certificatemust be produced at the medical examination.
Approved Cadets will require to be successfully vaccinatedagainst Smallpox, Yellow Fever, Typhoid and Cholera. Youshould also ensure that your teeth are in good order.
On going to sea you will require to obtain a Company’suniform and other suitable items of outfit. A full list, includingnautical books necessary for your training will be found in the“Lists of Outfit” pamphlet in the pocket at the end of this book.
The Marine Society, Hanway House, Clark’s Place,Bishopsgate, London, E.C.2., is prepared to consider applicationsfor financial assistance towards the purchase of Cadets outfit incases of hardship.
page 18 page 19
LEARNING TO STEER WITH GYRO REPEATER
MAKING FAST
WIRE SPLICING
Deck officers
page 23
Deck Officers are engaged under two-and-a-half yearContracts, during which they are appointed to either HomeLine or Eastern Service vessels or Tankers as required by theCompany.
We shall be pleased to consider your application if youhold a Second Mate’s (or higher) Certificate of Competencyand satisfactory references.
You will be required to have a medical examination toconfirm fitness for the Tropics, and, of course, besuccessfully vaccinated against Smallpox, Typhoid, YellowFever and Cholera.
One other thing which comes under ‘conditions ofservice’:-
Uniform is worn on board the Company’s ships inaccordance with the rules laid down in the booksof regulations and instructions.
Now to details of the prospects and advantages of makinga career with this Company.
There is nothing whatever to stand in the way of yourpromotion. Promotion with us is based on service and merit.Obviously, it is to our advantage to have efficientexperienced officers and we will assist you in every way wecan to study and sit for Certificates of Competency.Correspondence Courses are provided by the Company andyou will find generous facilities for study leave available inIndia, Australia and South Africa as well as in U.K. ports.We are glad to have you use them.
In the matter of leave, here are the arrangements at present.
For officers serving in the Home Line annual leave at therate of 48 days is granted. (This is in accordance withSection ‘A’ of the National Maritime Board Agreement.)
Should you be on Eastern Service arrangements are
page 22
different. In this case you qualify for paidleave in the United Kingdom (or elsewhere) at
the rate of two months per year at full EasternService rates of pay on the termination of yourcontract of service.
There are special arrangements forcertificated officers to fly home at theCompany’s expense for 30 days of their leave
during each tour of Eastern Service.
A subsistence allowance of 5s. 4d. perday is paid when you take earned leave.
There are, of course, family privileges too.Supposing you are a Deck Officer, married, but do
not wish to take advantage of leave by air during EasternService. In that case your wife and any of your family under16 years of age will be entitled to a free return sea passage(to and from India, Pakistan, Burma or East Africa).
The only condition is that you should have at least 12months to serve of your current contract by the date of yourfamily’s arrival at the selected port of residence in the East.
As soon as your family arrives at the port of residence youqualify for an accommodation allowance. The present scaleof allowances at Eastern ports ranges between Rs. 750 (£565s. 0d.) and Rs. 1,000 (£75 0s. 0d.) per month. In Singaporewe maintain a block of flats for Afloat Staff families, theaccommodation allowance being adjusted
page 24 page 25
s.s. ‘KENYA’14,464 tons
3rd OFFICER’SCABINs.s. ‘Kenya’
OFFICERS’LOUNGEs.s.‘Kenya’
SERVICES OF THE
B.I.S.N. CO. LTD
accordingly. For ports in East Africa the allowance variesbetween Rs. 525 (£39 7s. 6d.) and Rs. 700 (£52 10s. 0d.).
In addition to the above we allow the wife of aCommander who is temporarily residing in the East toaccompany her husband on Eastern Service cargo vessels forone round voyage each year.
Those wives living in the East who are unable to take avoyage with their husbands as outlined above may availthemselves of a free holiday passage in one of theCompany’s ships of up to one month’s duration once in everyyear of their husband’s Eastern Service. In U.K./Continental,Australian or New Zealand waters the Company permits thewives of all senior officers (and junior officers by rotation)to accompany their husbands on the coastal voyage.
The concessions stated in the foregoing two paragraphs arealso extended to children under 16 years of ageaccompanying their mother.
Details of pay for Deck Officers are shown in the rates ofpay pamphlet in the pocket at the end of this book. Alsoincluded is an outfit list for junior Deck Officers.
In addition you will receive double pay for every fullSunday spent at sea or working in port. This also applies toChristmas Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday.
In most cases 2 years and 6 months continuous EasternService exempts you from U.K. tax for each completefinancial year spent away from this country. The Companypays Indian income tax in respect of its officers employed onEastern Service.
There is also the B.I. Employees Deposit Fund whichenables you to deposit with any of the Company’s Agents inthe East or with the Fund in London any savings from wages.Interest is paid at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum.
On joining the Company’s service officers must become amember of the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund.
page 28 page 29
OFFICERS’ SMOKE ROOMm.s. ‘Bulimba’
COMMANDER’SDAY ROOMm.s. ‘Bulimba’
m.s. ‘BULIMBA’6,796 tons
On being promoted to the rank of Commander you becomea member of the British India Sea Staff Pension Fund. Whatthis means is that without you paying extra contributions theCompany provides additional pension, and (in the event ofyour death) an allowance for your wife and any childrenunder 16 years of age – subject to the provisions of thePension Fund Trust Deed.
Commanders’ pensions are made up to £500 per annum at50 years of age with not less than 25 years’ service, andincrease to £900 per annum at 57 years of age with 30 years’service. Where an officer is retained in service until 60 yearsof age a maximum pension of £1,150 can be attained.
Now for some general items: -
Free medical treatment is provided abroad by theCompany and Medical Superintendents are maintained inLondon, Calcutta and Bombay.
Transport is available at all main ports in the East tofacilitate shore leave.
In Calcutta and Bombay there are B.I. Marine ServiceClubs. If you choose to become a member – and you will bewelcome – you may avail yourself of many amenities whilstashore in these ports.
Air-conditioning is provided in all new ships and in certainolder units of the fleet trading in the East.
Finally, a word about finances. Should you need it,financial assistance of up to £50 will be given to help youpurchase uniform and outfit. Repayment is made from yourwages over a period of five months after you have signed onArticles.
To assist those officers who have difficulty in setting uptheir homes in the U.K. we make loans in approved cases tomarried officers of not less than fives years’ continuousservice with a view to facilitating the purchase of a house fortheir own occupation.
page 30
ONE ALDGATELONDON, E.C.3
THE COMPANY’S FLATS AT SINGAPORE
BRITISH INDIAMARINE SERVICECLUB, CALCUTTA
Engineer Cadets
Engineer Cadets are engaged under Agreement for four-and-a-halfyears. We prefer to hear from applicants of between 16 and 18 yearsof age who have obtained or who are studying for the GeneralCertificate of Education at the ordinary level in Mathematics, English,Physics and Chemistry. As an alternative applicants may haveattended a full-time course of at least three years at a Technical Schoolleading to S.I exemption.
We would also be interested to hear from suitable applicants of notmore than 19 years, who have already obtained or who are about toobtain the Ordinary National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, butwithout specializing in Marine Engineering. Such applicants, ifapproved, may be required by the Ministry of Transport to serve extracompensatory Workshop training.
The first two years of the apprenticeship are spent at one of theTechnical Schools throughout the country approved by the Ministry ofTransport and Civil Aviation, undergoing an Ordinary NationalDiploma Course in Mechanical Engineering specially adapted forMarine Engineers. These courses generally commence in Septemberof each year. During this period we shall arrange for you to undergofurther practical training at a selected Workshop during the summervacation at the end of each of the two years of the Course.
After you have obtained your Diploma you will be sent to sea as anEngineer Cadet in one of the Company’s ships for about eighteenmonths. Whilst you are at sea your training will be arranged by theChief Engineer Officer of the vessel in which you are serving, and willprobably include service in a cadet ship. The Company providestechnical text books and Marine Engineering periodicals in all itsships, but it is recommended that Cadets possess their own copies. Weshall also arrange for you to follow a comprehensive and personalcorrespondence course for this portion of your apprenticeship.
The remaining year of training will be spent in a Marine EngineWorks, or Ship and Engine Repairers’ Works which will be speciallyarranged for you by the Company.
During this time you will attend day release classes in NavalArchitecture, Electrotechnology and Power Plant Operation andManagement – passes in these subjects are also recognised by theMinistry of Transport as part (i) of Part ‘B’ of the 1st and 2nd ClassCertificates.
page 34
INSPECTION OFCYLINDER TOPSm.s. ‘Chantala’
MACHINE TURNINGm.s. ‘Chantala’
CADETS’ LOUNGEm.s. ‘Chindwara’
ashore, the Company will pay him an allowance towards subsistence of5s. 4d. per day whilst living at home or 10s. per day if required to liveaway from his home. The subsistence allowance of 5s. 4d. per day isalso paid to you when on leave from your ship.
Here is what you should do if you wish to join the Company’s serviceas an Engineer Cadet. (You must, of course, be physically fit andprepared for a very thorough medical examination.)
Write in your own handwriting, a letter giving us particulars of yourage, schools and studies.
Your application should be addressed to:-
British India Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.,
Personnel Department,
One Aldgate, London, E.C.3.
Provided you are being educated up to the standard referred to at the commencement of this section we shall reply by sending you anapplication form to complete and return to us together with your last three end-of-term School Reports, and testimonials from yourHeadmaster and Housemaster.
If your papers are satisfactory we shall ask you to attend theCompany’s Head Office in London about three months before thecommencement of the technical college course, for an interview and written examination. At the same time you will be medicallyexamined to ensure fitness for service in the Tropics. A recent chest X-ray Certificate must be produced at the medical examination. You should also ensure that your teeth are in good order.
Whilst attending College for the first two years of your training you will be expected to wear a navy-blue blazer with the Company’s badge.
On proceeding to sea for the second stage of the apprenticeship youwill require to obtain a Company’s uniform and other suitable items ofoutfit. A full list, including engineering books necessary for this part ofyour training will be found in the outfit list at the end of this book.
You will also require to be successfully vaccinated against Smallpox,Yellow Fever, Typhoid and Cholera.
The Marine Society, Hanway House, Clark’s Place, Bishopsgate,London, E.C.2, is prepared to consider applications for financialassistance towards the purchase of Cadets outfit in cases of hardship.
page 37
An added advantage of this training is that subject to you obtainingthe Ordinary National Diploma you will qualify for exemption fromPart ‘A’ of the examinations for both the 2nd and 1st Class Ministryof Transport Certificates of Competency for Engineer Officers. Thisreduces your qualifying sea-time by three months in addition to thethree months remission normally granted by the Ministry ofTransport under this training scheme.
Boys whose academic qualifications do not fulfil the conditionsrequired for entry under this scheme can also be considered fortraining if they have received full time education up to the age of 16and have reached a standard of general education suitable for aTechnical College Course. The sequence and length of training underthis course are similar to that set out above. However, in view of thenecessity to devote additional time to less advanced studies in orderto compensate for the fact that this ground has not been covered priorto entry, it is not expected that Cadets on this course will sit for theOrdinary National Diploma. They would, however, be encouraged toattempt the Ordinary National Certificate, success in which givesexemption on a subject for subject basis from Part ‘A’ of theexamination for the Ministry’s 2nd Class Certificates and also earnsthree months remission of the qualifying sea service required for Part ‘B’.
Two further items you will want to know about – leave and pay.
During the first two years and the last year you will be grantedleave in accordance with the arrangements of the School and/orworkshop which you may be attending. It is usual, in addition toother statutory holidays, for the workshops to close for two weeks ofthe Summer, either before or during your vacational training.
Sea-going Cadets receive leave at the scale of 48 days per annum.
Cadets are paid wages during their apprenticeship at the NationalMaritime Board rates, details of which are included in the rates ofpay pamphlet in the pocket at the end of this book. After satisfactorycompletion of your training a bonus of £75 is paid on resuming dutywith the Ordinary National Diploma endorsed in respect ofELECTROTECHNOLOGY and NAVAL ARCHITECTURE.
In addition, when the Cadet is attending a Technical College,Training Establishment or Engineering Works
page 36
Engineer Officers
Company’s expense for 30 days of their leave during each tour ofEastern service. A subsistence allowance of 5s. 4d. per day is paidwhen you take earned leave.
There are, of course, family privileges too. Supposing you are acertificated Engineer Officer, married, but do not wish to takeadvantage of leave by air during Eastern service. In that case yourwife and any of your family under 16 years of age will be entitled toa free return sea passage (to and from India, Pakistan, Burma or EastAfrica). The only condition is that you should have at least 12 monthsto serve of your current contract by the date of your family’s arrivalat the selected port of residence in the East.
As soon as your family arrives at the port of residence you qualifyfor an accommodation allowance. The present scale of allowances atEastern ports ranges between Rs. 750 (£56 5s. 0d.) and Rs. 1,000 (£750s. 0d.) per month. In Singapore we maintain a block of flats forAfloat Staff families, the accommodation allowance being adjustedaccordingly. For ports in East Africa the allowance varies between Rs.525 (£39 7s. 6d.) and Rs. 700 (£52 10s. 0d.).
In addition to the above, we allow the wife of a Chief EngineerOfficer who is temporarily residing in the East to accompany herhusband on Eastern Service cargo vessels for one round voyage eachyear. Those wives living in the East who are unable to take a voyagewith their husbands as outlined above may avail themselves of a freeholiday passage in one of the Company’s ships of up to one month’sduration once in every year of their husband’s Eastern Service. InU.K./Continental, Australian or New Zealand waters the Companypermits the wives of all senior officers (and junior officers by rotation)to accompany their husbands on the coastal voyage.
The concessions stated in the foregoing paragraph are alsoextended to children under 16 years of age accompanying their mother.
Details of pay for Engineer Officers are shown in the rates of paypamphlet in the pocket at the end of this book. Also included is anoutfit list detailing the kit which you will require on going to sea as aJunior Engineer Officer.
In addition you will receive double pay for every full Sunday spentat sea or working in port. This also applies to Christmas Day, NewYear’s Day and Good Friday.
page 41
Engineer Officers are engaged under two-and-a-half yearContracts, during which they are appointed to either Home Line orEastern Service vessels or Tankers as required by the Company.
We shall be pleased to consider your application if you havecompleted not less than four years’ apprenticeship in Engineeringand have been graded by the Ministry of Transport Examiner ofEngineers. Preference in selection is given to those applicantsholding at least the S.2 Certificate of the Ordinary NationalCertificate in Mechanical Engineering.
There are also vacancies for Engineer Officers with previous seaexperience who have obtained a First or Second Class Certificate ofCompetency.
You will be required to have a medical examination to confirmfitness for the Tropics and, of course, be successfully vaccinatedagainst Smallpox, Typhoid, Yellow Fever and Cholera.
One other thing which comes under ‘conditions of service’:-
Uniform is worn on board the Company’s ships in accordancewith the rules laid down in the books of regulations and instructions.
Now to details of the prospects and advantages of making a careerwith this Company. There is nothing whatever to stand in the way ofyour promotion. Promotion with us is based on service and merit.Obviously, it is to our advantage to have efficient experiencedofficers and we will assist you in every way we can to study and sitfor Certificates of Competency. Correspondence Courses areprovided by the Company and you will find generous facilities forstudy leave available in India, Australia and South Africa, as well asin U.K. ports. We are glad to have you use them.
In the matter of leave here are the arrangements at present.
For officers serving on the Home Line annual leave of 48 days isgranted. (This is in accordance with Section ‘A’ of the NationalMaritime Board Agreement.) Should you be on Eastern Service,arrangements are different. In this case you qualify for paid leave inthe United Kingdom (or elsewhere) at the rate of two months peryear at full Eastern Service rates of pay on the termination of yourContract of Service. There are special arrangements for certificatedEngineer Officers, including those holding, or exempt from, Part ‘A’of the Second Class Certificate to fly home at the
page 40
In most cases 2 years and 6 months continuous Eastern service exempts youfrom U.K. tax for each complete financial year spent away from this country.The Company pays Indian income tax in respect of its officers employed onEastern Service.
There is also the B.I. Employees Deposit Fund which enables you to depositwith any of the Company’s Agents in the East or with the Fund in London anysavings from wages. Interest is paid at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum.
On joining the Company’s service officers must become members of theMerchant Navy Officers Pension Fund.
On being promoted to the rank of Chief Engineer Officer you become amember of the British India Sea Staff Pension Fund. What this means is thatwithout you paying extra contributions the Company provides additionalpension, and (in the event of your death) an allowance for your wife and anychildren under 16 years of age – subject to the provisions of the Pension FundTrust Deed.
Chief Engineer Officers’ pensions are made up to £400 per annum at 50years of age with not less than 25 years’ service and increase to £800 perannum at 57 years of age with 30 years’ service. Where an officer is retainedin service to 60 years of age a maximum pension of £1,000 can be attained.
Now for some general items: Free medical treatment is provided abroad bythe Company and Medical Superintendents are maintained in London,Calcutta and Bombay. Transport is available at all main ports in the East tofacilitate shore leave.
In Calcutta and Bombay there are B.I. Marine Service Clubs. If you chooseto become a member – and you will be welcome if you are a certificatedofficer – you may avail yourself of many amenities whilst ashore in theseports.
Air-conditioning is provided in all new ships and in certain older units of thefleet trading in the East.
Finally, a word about finances. Should you need it, financial assistance of upto £50 will be given to help you purchase uniform and outfit. Repayment ismade from your wages over a period of five months after you have signed onArticles.
To assist those officers who have difficulty in setting up their homes in theU.K. we make loans in approved cases to married certificated officers of notless than five years continuous service with a view to facilitating the purchaseof a house for their own occupation.
page 42 page 43
s.s. ‘NOWSHERA’8,516 tons
CHIEFENGINEER OFFICER’SDAY ROOM s.s. ‘Nowshera’’
JUNIOR ENGINEER OFFICER’S CABIN s.s. ‘Nowshera’
Electricians
Electricians are recruited by the Company in limitednumbers and we are always interested to hear from the righttype of young men in this field, who wish to the join theCompany. You would be required to show that you havecompleted a full Electrical Engineer apprenticeship,including the manufacture and maintenance of heavyelectrical equipment (both A.C. and D.C.).
Preference in selection is given to those applicants whohave obtained the Ordinary or Higher National Certificate inElectrical Engineering.
Conditions of service are similar to those for EngineerOfficers, viz. a 2 years and 6 months contract for serviceeither on Home Line or Eastern Service vessels or Tankers asmay be required by the Company during the period of theContract.
Requirements with regard to medical examination,vaccinations and uniform also apply to these officers.
Details of pay and uniform are shown in the pamphlets inthe pocket at the end of this book.
Leave scales are similar but an Electrician is required tocomplete five years satisfactory service with the Companybefore qualifying for either flying leave or free passages forhis family to the East.
Electricians must become members of the Merchant NavyOfficers Pension Fund. On completing 20 years’ service theyare also admitted to the British India Sea Staff Pension Fund.This latter Fund provides (without additional contributions)an increased pension and (in the event of your death) anallowance for your wife and any children under sixteen yearsof age – subject to the provisions of the Pension Fund TrustDeed. Pensions are made up to £340 per annum at 55 yearsof age with not less than 25 years’ service, to a maximum of £400 per annum at age 57 with not less than 27 years’ service.
page 46
S.S ‘UGANDA’14,464 tons
JUNIOR OFFICER’S CABINm.s. ‘Bulimba’
CYLINDER HEADS OF ADIESEL GENERATING SET
Certificate of Education at the standard indicated above.
Details of pay for Pursers are shown in the rates of pay pamphlet in the pocket at the end of this book. Also included is an outfit listdetailing the kit which you will require on going to sea as a juniorAssistant Purser.
Should you need it, financial assistance of up to £50 will be given tohelp you purchase uniform and outfit. Repayment is made from yourwages over a period of five months after you have signed on Articles.
The majority of Pursers are employed in Home Line vessels either inpassenger ships, tankers, the troopship ‘Nevasa’ or in the fast cargoliners trading from the U.K. In the larger ships it is possible to rise to therank of Deputy Purser (Catering) and Purser (Catering) withresponsibility for the victualling and comfort of passengers or troops,comparable to that of the Manager of a first-class hotel.
All applicants must, however, appreciate that at any time it might benecessary to transfer to an Eastern-based vessel for a period of up to 2years and 6 months. This would qualify you for leave at the rate of 60days per annum instead of 48 days as granted for service in the HomeLine. As a Purser (Catering) employed in an Eastern-service vessel youwould be entitled to a free passage for your wife and family to the Eastunder similar terms to Officers of other Departments, and to anaccommodation allowance for your family of Rs. 850 (£63 15s. 0d.) per month. For ports in East Africa the allowance is Rs. 595 (£44 12s. 6d.).
Pursers are required to become members of the Merchant NavyOfficers Pension Fund. On completion of 20 years’ service Pursers areadmitted to the British India Sea Staff Pension Fund. This latter Fund isa non-contributory Fund established by the Company to provideadditional pensions for its members and (in the event of death) anallowance for your wife and any children under 16 years of age – subjectto the provisions of the Pension Fund Trust Deed.
At age 58, with not less than 28 years’ service, pensions are made upto £530 per annum for a Catering Purser, and £400 for a Clerical Purser,rising to £650 (Catering) and £480 (Clerical) at age 60 with not less than30 years’ service.
To assist those officers who have difficulty in setting up their homesin the U.K. we make loans in approved cases to married officers of notless than five years’ continuous service with a view to facilitating thepurchase of a house for their own occupation.
page 49
Pursers are recruited in limited numbers for entry into theCompany’s Pursers Department. There are two methods of entry.Under the first method approved applicants aged 18 undergo a two-year course of training in the Company’s London Office. This timeis spent in the Departments concerned with Officers’ and Crews’wages, Passenger bookings and other aspects of ships’ business.
Preference is given to those applicants who apply to join theCompany direct from school and who have obtained the GeneralCertificate of Education at the ordinary level in Mathematics,English Language and at least two other subjects, and have pursuedtheir studies at the advanced level for at least one year. On thesatisfactory completion of the training course the next step isappointment to a ship as a Junior Assistant Purser.
The alternative method of entry in this Department is between theages of 20 and 23 for appointment direct to ships of the fleet as a Junior Assistant Purser.
Applicants who must have either had previous experience as a Purser or have obtained sufficient banking or commercialexperience to fit them for a career at sea in a ship’s bureau, willreceive prior consideration if they have obtained the General
page 48
Pursers
Officers serving or training in these vessels receive basicHome Line rates of pay plus 10 per cent. additional pay.Leave for service in the Company’s tankers is granted at therate of 103 days, with full pay and subsistence for each 12months of such service.
No Officer will be expected to serve indefinitely in tankersexcept those who volunteer solely for tanker service. Ouraim is that tanker service should not exceed two years,volunteers excepted, although junior officers will, of course,be readily interchangeable between dry cargo ships andtankers as may be required.
The Company gives favourable consideration toapplications from Commanders, Chief Engineer Officers,Chief Officers and Second Engineer Officers for permissionto have their wives accompany them at any time during theirservice in these vessels. Junior Officers are also entitled tothe above privileges should suitable accommodation beavailable.
It is necessary, however, to restrict the number of wivescarried on a tanker at any one time to a maximum of five,although the wives of all officers will be allowed to stay onboard in port and make coastal voyages while vessels are inU.K. or in near Continental ports.
Each of these vessels has a swimming pool and otherfacilities including arrangements for regular cinema showson board.
page 51
Following the decision of the P & O Group to enter theTanker business, the B.I. Company now operates five tankersand one more, the 48,000 ton ‘Talamba’ is due to bedelivered in 1964.
These vessels are all on long term charter to oil companiesand operate on a world-wide basis.
page 50
Tankers
AMRA 8,314 KENYA 14,464
ARONDA 8,396 LANDAURA 7,289
BAMORA 6,745 MOMBASA 2,213
BANKURA 6,793 NARDANA 8,511
BARPETA 6,736 NEVASA 20,527
BOMBALA 6,750 NOWSHERA 8,516
BULIMBA 6,796 NUDDEA 8,596
CANARA 7,024 NYANZA 8,513
CARPENTARIA 7,268 OBRA 5,695
CHAKDARA 7,132 OKHLA 5,732
CHAKDINA 7,267 OLINDA 5,424
CHAKRATA 7,265 ORDIA 5,449
CHANDA 6,921 ORMARA 5,444
CHANDPARA 7,274 ORNA 6,779
CHANTALA 7,556 OZARDA 6,895
CHILKA 7,087 PUNDUA 7,295
CHINDWARA 7,602 PURNEA 5,340
CHINKOA 7,102 QUEDA19,042*
CHUPRA 6,957 RAJULA 8,496
CHYEBASSA 7,043 SANGOLA 8,647
DARESSA 5,180 SANTHIA 8,908
DUMRA 4,867 SIRDHANA 8,608
DUNERA 12,620 UGANDA 14,430
DWARKA 4,851 UMARIA 6,835
ELLENGA 37,140* URLANA 6,835
ELLORA 37,120* WARLA 3,668
GARBETA 5,323 WAROONGA 8,753
KAMPALA 10,304 WARORA 3,668
KARANJA 10,294 WOODARRA 8,753
SHIP GROSS TONNAGE
SHIP GROSS TONNAGE
FLEET LIST
* TONS D.W.
TANKER BUILDING
TALAMBA 48,000TONS D.W.
A C A R E E R F O R Y O U
Application to:PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT,
BRITISH INDIA STEAM NAVIGATION CO. LTD.,ONE ALDGATE,LONDON, E.C.3.
(Telephone Royal 4535)
Printed by Brown Knight & Truscott Ltd., London and Tonbridge
B R I T I S H I N D I A S T E A M N A V I G A T I O N C O LT D
Rates of pay
Deck Officers
HOME LINE
Per month
TANKER
SERVICE
Per month
EASTERN
SERVICE
Per month
£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.
3RD OFFICERS 63 0 0 69 6 0 75 12 0
to 65 0 0 to 71 10 0 to 78 0 0
3RD OFFICERS
(With 1st Mate’s Certificate)
extra 3 0 0 3 6 0 3 12 0
(With Master’s Certificate)
extra 6 0 0 6 12 0 7 4 0
2ND OFFICERS
(With Superior Certificate) 77 15 0 85 10 6 93 6 0
to 88 15 0 to 97 12 6 to 106 10 0
2ND OFFICERS
(With Master’s Certificate)
extra 6 0 0 6 12 0 7 4 0
CHIEF OFFICERS
(With Superior Certificate) 105 0 0 115 10 0 126 0 0
to 133 5 0 to 146 11 6 to 159 18 0
COMMANDERS 151 5 0 166 7 6 181 10 0
to 221 10 0 to 243 13 0 to 265 16 0
COMMODORE
extra 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0
[P.T.O.
4-Year
Indenture
Per month
3-Year
Indenture
Per month
£ s. d. £ s. d.
1st Year 13 3 4 15 16 8
2nd Year 15 16 8 18 6 8
3rd Year 18 6 8 21 0 0
4th Year 21 0 0
HOME LINE
Per month
TANKER
SERVICE
Per month
EASTERN
SERVICE
Per month
£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.
ASSISTANT PURSERS
(Clerical) 47 5 0 51 19 6 56 14 0
to 50 10 0 to 55 11 0 to 60 12 0
ASSISTANT PURSERS
(Catering) 50 0 0 55 0 0 60 0 0
to 54 0 0 to 59 8 0 to 64 16 0
PURSERS (Clerical) 61 0 0 67 2 0 73 4 0
to 79 15 0 to 87 14 6 to 95 14 0
DEPUTY PURSERS
(Catering) 68 5 0 75 1 6 81 18 0
to 94 10 0 to 103 19 0 to 113 8 0
PURSERS (Catering) 100 15 0 110 16 6 120 18 0
to 172 5 0 to 189 9 6 to 206 14 0
NOTES:
(1) These figures include a 5% increase granted as compensation for Saturday afternoons
spent at sea.
(2) In addition to the rates of pay officers receive a bonus granted at the rate of 54 days pay
per annum served.
(3) Rates of pay effective from 26.6.61.
C A D E T S
Pursers
HOME LINE
Per month
TANKER
SERVICE
Per month
EASTERN
SERVICE
Per month
£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.
JUNIOR ENGINEER
OFFICERS 48 5 0 53 1 6 57 18 0
JUNIOR ENGINEER
OFFICERS
(With Part ‘A’ of 2nd Class
Certificate) First 6 months 51 0 0 56 2 0 61 4 0
After 6 months 52 5 0 57 9 6 62 14 0
4TH ENGINEER OFFICERS
(Uncertificated) 53 0 0 58 6 0 63 12 0
(With Part ‘A’ of 2nd Class
Certificate) 57 0 0 62 14 0 68 8 0
to 58 0 0 to 63 16 0 to 69 12 0
3RD ENGINEER OFFICERS
(With Part ‘A’ of 2nd Class
Certificate) 67 15 0 74 10 6 81 6 0
3RD ENGINEER OFFICERS
(Certificated) 77 15 0 85 10 6 93 6 0
to 88 15 0 to 97 12 6 to 106 10 0
2ND ENGINEER OFFICERS
(With Superior Certificate) 105 0 0 115 10 0 126 0 0
to 133 5 0 to 146 11 6 to 159 18 0
CHIEF ENGINEER
OFFICERS 135 10 0 149 1 0 162 12 0
to 197 10 0 to 217 5 0 to 237 0 0
COMMODORE CHIEF
ENGINEER OFFICER
extra 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0
[P.T.O.
B R I T I S H I N D I A S T E A M N A V I G A T I O N C O LT D
Rates of pay
Engineer Officers
4_-Year
Agreement
Per month
£ s. d.
1st Year 13 3 4
2nd Year 15 16 8
3rd Year 18 6 8
4th Year 21 0 0
5th Year 23 13 4
HOME LINE
Per month
TANKER
SERVICE
Per month
EASTERN
SERVICE
Per month
£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.
JUNIOR ELECTRICIANS 55 15 0 61 6 6 66 18 0
to 58 5 0 to 64 1 6 to 69 18 0
ELECTRICIANS 65 0 0 71 10 0 78 0 0
(Single handed) to 68 0 0 to 74 16 0 to 81 12 0
FIRST ELECTRICIANS 70 5 0 77 5 6 84 6 0
to 88 5 0 to 97 1 6 to 105 18 0
SENIOR ELECTRICIANS 75 0 0 - 90 0 0
to 95 0 0 - to 114 10 0
NOTES:
(1) These figures include a 5% increase granted as compensation for Saturday afternoons
spent at sea.
(2) In addition to the rates of pay officers receive a bonus granted at the rate of 54 days pay
per annum served.
(3) Rates of pay effective from 26.6.61.
C A D E T S
Electricians
NOTE: These lists show the minimum requirements on joining; additional items may be acquired as
convenient, extra tropical gear being best obtained in India.
Our recommended Outfitters are
Messrs. Miller Rayner & Haysom Ltd.,
110, Fenchurch Street, London, E.C.3.
B R I T I S H I N D I A S T E A M N A V I G A T I O N C O LT D
Lists of outfit
Junior Deck Officers
2 Blue Uniform Suits with Com- 4 pairs long White Stockings
pany’s Buttons and Braid 4 White Shirts
1 Uniform Bridge Overcoat
(optional)
4 White Shirts, Naval type (collar
attached)
2 Uniform Caps with Company’s
Badge and White Plastic Cover
4 pairs White Drill Shorts, Naval
type
3 White Drill Patrol Jackets and 2 suits Pyjamas
Trousers 1 doz. Collars
1 pair Epaulettes with Company’s 1 doz. Handkerchiefs
Braid 2 Black Ties
1 White Boiler Suit 1 pair Sea Boots
1 Oilskin Coat 1 pair White Uniform Shoes
1 Sou’wester 2 pairs Black Uniform Shoes
3 suits India Gauze Underwear 1 Cabin Trunk or Uniform Tin
6 pairs Black Socks Trunk
3 pairs White Socks 1 Sextant
1 Blue Uniform Suit with Com-
pany’s Buttons and Braid
3 White Uniform Shirts
(collar attached – short sleeves)
1 Uniform Cap with Company’s
Badge and White Plastic Cover
2 suits Pyjamas
1 doz. Collars2 White Drill Patrol Jackets (with-
out pocket flaps) and Trousers 1 doz. Handkerchiefs
1 pair Epaulettes with Company’s 2 Black Ties
Braid 1 pair Black Uniform Shoes
3 pairs White Shorts 1 pair White Uniform Shoes
6 White Boiler Suits 1 pair heavy Engine Room Shoes
3 suits India Gauze Underwear 1 Cabin Trunk or Uniform Tin
4 pairs Black Socks Trunk
2 pairs White Socks 1 Raincoat, blue without belt
3 White Shirts 3 pairs Long White Stockings
Junior Engineer Officersand
Junior Electricians
4 White Shirts1 Blue Uniform Suit with Com-
pany’s Buttons and Braid 4 White Shirts, Naval type (collar
attached)1 Uniform Cap with Company’s
Badge and White Plastic Cover 4 pairs White Drill Shorts, Naval
type3 White Drill Patrol Jackets and
Trousers 2 suits Pyjamas
1 pair Epaulettes with Company’s 1 doz. Collars
Braid 1 doz. Handkerchiefs
1 Blue Raincoat (without Belt) 2 Black Ties
3 suits Underwear 1 pair White Uniform Shoes
6 pairs Black Socks 2 pairs Black Uniform Shoes
3 pairs White Socks 1 Cabin Trunk or Uniform Tin
4 pairs long White Stockings Trunk
Junior Assistant Pursers
1 pair Blue P.T. Shorts1 Cloth Uniform Suit with Com-
pany’s Buttons 1 pair Blue Football Shorts
1 Blue Battle Dress 4 pairs Blue Working Shorts
1 Blue Duffel Coat 3 pairs White Stockings
1 Blue Raincoat (without belt)
2 Uniform Caps with Company’s
5 suits Underclothing
(3 Summer, 2 Winter)
2 suits PyjamasBadges (crown to be made of
white plastic material) 1 doz. Handkerchiefs
1 Blue Basque Beret 1 Wool Muffler, Blue
1 Oilskin and Sou’wester 1 White Cashmere square
4 pairs Dungaree Trousers 1 pair Tan Gloves
1 Blue Jersey 2 Black Ties
1 White Drill Jacket, Naval type 1 Black Bow Tie
2 Wing Collars1 pair White Drill Trousers, Naval
type 1 pair Bathing Trunks
4 pairs White Drill Shorts, Naval
type
1 Blue Blazer with Company’s
Badge
1 pair Grey Flannel Trousers4 White Shirts, Naval type – collar
attached and short sleeves 1 White Shirt, with collar
4 White Shirts attached
6 White Collars, stiff or semi-stiff 1 Company’s Cadet Tie
4 Blue Working Shirts, with collar
attached
2 pairs Black Uniform Shoes
W.P. Sponge Bag and Sponge
Clothes, Tooth, Hair and Nail
Brushes
2 pairs Black Working Shoes
1 pair Sea Boots
1 Housewife with mending gear,
i.e., wool, cotton, needles and
assorted buttons
1 pair White Uniform Shoes 1 doz. spare Company’s Buttons
(without toecaps) (uniform jacket size)
1 pair White Gymnasium Shoes 1 Boot Cleaning Outfit
4 pairs Black Socks 1 Knife and Belt
2 pairs White Socks 1 Metal Uniform Trunk, with
1 pair Plain Blue Epaulettes lock and key
1 White Mess Jacket 1 Holdall Grip, with zip fastener
1 Black Cummerbund and lock and key
Deck Cadets
Brown’s Signalling 1 set Mathematical Instruments
Nicholls’s Concise Guide: Volume I Admiralty Manual of Navigation:
Bonwick’s Lifeboat Handbook Volume 2
Nicholls’s Seamanship & Nautical 5 Foolscap Books, close ruling
Knowledge Clough-Smith’s General Science -
Munro’s Navigation Notes for M.N. Apprentices
Norie’s Nautical Tables Pursey’s Merchant Ship Construc-
Hindustani Manual tion
NAUTICAL BOOKS ETC.
1 Cloth Uniform Suit with Com-
pany’s Buttons
5 suits Underclothing
(3 Summer, 2 Winter)
1 Blue Raincoat (with belt) 2 suits Pyjamas
1 doz. Handkerchiefs1 Uniform Cap with Company’s
Badge (Crown to be made of 1 White Cashmere square
white plastic material) 1 pair Tan Gloves
1 White Drill Jacket, Naval type 2 Black Ties
1 Black Bow Tie1 pair White Drill Trousers, Naval
type 2 Wing Collars
1 pair Bathing Trunks3 pairs White Drill Shorts, Naval
type 1 Blue Blazer with Company’s
3 White Shirts, Naval type - collar Badge
attached and short sleeves 1 pair Grey Flannel Trousers
3 White Shirts 1 White Shirt, with collar
6 White Collars, stiff or semi-stiff attached
2 pairs Black Uniform Shoes 1 Company’s Cadet Tie
2 pairs Black Working Shoes W. P. Sponge Bag and Sponge
1 pair White Uniform Shoes (with- Clothes, Tooth, Hair and Nail
out toecaps) Brushes
3 pairs Black Socks 1 Housewife with mending gear,
2 pairs White Socks i.e. wool, cotton, needles and
3 pairs Heavy Grey Wool Socks assorted buttons
for Engine Room use 1 doz. spare Company’s Buttons
1 pair Plain Blue Epaulettes (uniform jacket size)
6 White Boiler Suits (short sleeves) 1 Boot Cleaning Outfit
3 pairs White Stockings 1 Metal Uniform Trunk, with
lock and key
1 pair Blue P.T. Shorts 1 Holdall Grip with zip fastener
and lock and key
Engineer Cadets
Hughes Applied Electricity
Running and Maintenance of Marine
Machinery
Electricity applied to Marine
Engineering
Naval Architecture and Ship
Construction
ENGINEERING BOOKS ETC.
Longmans Green
obtainable form Institute of Marine
Engineers