Each worker stood before a tub of gear that consisted of five hundred
hooks spaced every two fathoms. Each hook was attached to a snooden one
fathom long. Each hook was to be baited and coiled in the tub so that
it would pay out freely and not tangle. For this labor we were paid
twenty-five cents for each tub baited. One tub of gear was the best I
could do in an evening.
One day as we were all bent over our work with cold fingers and snot
running out of our noses there was a loud bang as the door opened and
clapped shut. In walked Mickey-Aye-Aye the Deep Water Sailor.
Mickey was home on leave from a sea-going dredge. He was sporting a
brand new black corduroy jacket with his name on the front and the U.S.
Army Engineers decal on the back. We all huddled around the wood stove
to hear Mickey's latest tales.
Later, I asked Mickey-Aye-Aye if I could get a job on the big ship.
He said, it just so happens they are in need of a mess boy. He would
take me onboard and I could ask for the job. I was only fifteen at the
time and you had to be eighteen to work for the government. But that
was okay; I would just lie a little bit.
Early in the morning we were on the train bound for the port of
Philadelphia. The ship had just left its anchorage and was pulling into
the dock to take on stores. I watched as the heaving line was flung
ashore and the spring line was hauled to the bollard on the dock.
The gangplank was lowered to the pier. I followed Mickey on board. He
introduced me to the Chief Steward. I was sent to the main office in
downtown Philadelphia. After a lot of red tape, physical exam and shots
I was back on board serving food in the fireman's mess and sailor's
mess. In my spare time I had to make up officers bunks, shine brass
spittoons, peel potatoes and grind coffee beans.
As the dredge plied up and down the river I watched in envy as the sleek
cargo ships steamed up and down the river. In the port of Norfolk I
decided to quit the dredge and get my seamen papers and ship out. The
War Shipping Board put me on an old coal burner as ordinary seamen. We
made a trip to Bermuda and back to Norfolk where I quit the non-union
ship.
I went to the National Maritime Union hall and registered to ship out.
Shipping was slow at the time and I went broke. Hanging around a pinball
joint the owner got me a place to sleep in a house of prostitution. The
madam informed me I was to sleep in the living room next to the stove.
It was my job to keep the fire burning. A steady stream of the U.S.
Navy was in and out all hours of night.
Finally one day the Port Agent informed me that a big new tanker was
just launched. He told me to get a mess boy endorsement on my seamen
papers. When the job came up I threw in for it. A Union member threw
in for the same job. The Port Agent told the Union member: "you have
every right to this job, this kid here is starving on his feet. If you
take this job, it will be you and me out on the street". The Union
member withdrew his card and I went on board the ship. It was the SS
Pan Massachusetts. The owner was the National Bulk Carriers.
I immediately made friends with three crewmembers that went by the names
of "Johnny the Finn", "Jack James" and "Screwy Louie". I informed them
about the madam having my sea bag under her bed and she would not give
me my belongings unless I paid her money.
WELL NOW! With fists crashing down on the table they all loudly
proclaimed that this was one matter that they will surely take care of.
We got on the trolley car and rode up to the house. I led them straight
to the madam's room.
There she was. Lying in bed with all of the ladies milling about,
tending to her like she was a queen. I dashed down the stairs to the
street. Soon, all three guys emerged from the house with my sea bag.
The tanker sailed down through torpedo junction to Aruba and up to the
port of New Your City. At the Manhattan Center there was a NMU Union
meeting. I, with four other seamen was called to the stage where I took
the oath. The date was May 10, 1943. I was now a proud member of the
NMU. This was truly one of my greatest moments. At age sixteen I was
now an equal among men.
Thank you, dearest Richard, for sharing stories of your life
and also special moments of the history with me.
Hugs,
Eva
