“Are you ready to go now” and so we marched off at a brisk pace to where the “SS Embassage” lay at anchor. Sometimes when starting a new job there is a sense of uncertainty or foreboding as to the reception one may get or how one will square up to the work. With me that evening, there was none. There she lay 4,950 tons of British riveted steel to form the most beautiful ship I had seen, with flush deck and cruiser stern, painted in wartime light grey. She seemed to be a proud ship that was saying to me “Where have you been this long time?” Tom gave a loud holler: “Embassage Ahoy ” and soon a rowing boat came out to us and took us over to the looming vessel high above. On deck I was thrilled, it was another world with a totally different disciplined atmosphere. I followed Tommy amidships and into a spacious cabin to meet the Chief Steward a tall well built Welshman, who had been expecting me and set me to work immediately washing dishes from the Officers Dining room. I worked in a frenzy and later the Steward said that he was very pleased with my work, but he added that I was filling in for the cabin boy who had gone on leave and they were not sure if he was returning or not. That upset me and for three days I was in suspense hoping against hope that he would not turn up. Then on the third day the steward came to me and said “The job is yours now”. I smiled a broad smile, finished my task and took the boat that ferried me ashore . I leapt on to the wharf turned round and looked at the lovely vessel with her proud bows that henceforth would be my home for as long as my work pleased my employers, and to think I was going to be paid for it and housed and fed. I turned home to Granny Barker and told her I had a job and was signing on next morning. The whole family were amazed that I had made the grade and after all their admonitions against going to sea, all rallied to give me a good send off. Gran filled my sea bag with clothes and in her trembling voice said: “ You don’t have to go to sea you know, you are well below the age for going into the armed forces” Gran could not cry, but she was not the only one. The Tynesiders were the roughest and yet the most determined folk that one could ever meet. Yet in extremities they were the biggest softies and would go out of their way to help out, and meet any well deserved need. Next morning with my kit bag on my shoulder I turned and had one last look at Gran and home, she turned and went inside to have a private weep. I signed on, and the Steward welcomed me back on board and showed me my cabin amidships to share with the mess-room boy who turned out to be one of my old schoolmates. We had no idea where we were heading or even the sailing date and the Captain only had sealed orders to be opened at the last moment prior to departure. Suddenly as I cleared the dishes orders were shouted in all directions, as lines were cast, the bridge telegraph rang out to the engine room, and then the whole ship trembled as she was under way. Powerful tugs heaved her round into midstream, then gave three short blasts, as the Pilot took the helm and the Captain stood aside on the Bridge . There was a feeling of adventure and adrift into a new world, the piers slipped by, the Pilot launch came and took off the pilot, and then the anchor chain was loosened and rattled down once more. We were to remain there to await other ships from the south to make up a convoy that was to head for the West of Scotland and join others for the unknown. I stood on deck with my pal Ken and watched fishing trawlers that had been converted to minesweepers dragging the mouth of the Tyne. Suddenly as we watched there was the most tremendous explosion that sent up tons of mud and rock from the sea bed. They had detonated a mine that had probably been dropped by the German Air raid the night before. It was our first introduction still in sight of land, of just what sea warfare was all about…….We were to learn a lot more

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