Fitting out a new apprentice

 

Apprentice uniform: Humber Maritime College

Only 2 weeks to get all the necessary clothes and equipment together. Good job Grandpa went to sea and can now help me as Dad is back on his ship.

What gear do I need Grandpa?

Well, the company will send us a list of clothing for both northern climates and tropical areas plus a cap badge.

So, you will need a uniform, jacket, trousers, white shirts, tie, shoes and a uniform cap with the company badge on it. It should have a replaceable white cover to be used in summer. You will have the apprentice fletches on the lapels.

The best uniform is made of doeskin but this is very expensive so I guess we will go for Barathea. What is Barathea, Gramps. It is a wool based weave giving a material that is hard worthy, good for apprentices!

You’ll need a battledress, said Grandpa through a cloud of tobacco smoke. This is your working uniform.

Battledress

A battle dress, isn’t that something soldiers wear? Yes, remember Montgomery in the 2^nd. World War? No! Well he had one. It is a very practical uniform when you are working on deck or with cargo. Of course, yours will be black not khaki.

Then you will need oilskins.

Oil skins, what are they?

Oilskin: Militaria zone

It is a waterproof coat to stop your uniform becoming wet. It comes with a sou’wester for your head. Be careful it is sticky as it is canvas soaked in linseed oil and wax to make it waterproof. You will need rubber boots or wellington boots for those days when it is wet underfoot.

White shirts and a black tie complete your uniform for normal temperatures.

For tropical areas you will need “whites”. That is short sleeve shirts that can take your epaulets on the shoulder and short white trousers accompanied by long white socks and white suede shoes.

That is your “dress” uniform. For working you will have “khakis”, same outfit but in khaki colour.

Grandpa, how much more gear do I need?

Well, we are doing well but there are some small but vital pieces of kit yet.

You will need a ditty box to hold your personal mending gear. Normally it is a small wooden box. In it you will need needle and thread as you won’t have mother to sew on your buttons when lost or darn your socks. You will have to do it. OK, not really looking forward to that!

sewing palm:sailmakers supply

You will also be expected to sew canvas so you will need sail needles that are much stronger than ordinary needles and a palm. What’s a palm? It is often called a sewing palm as it is used to push yarn through tough canvas or rope. This you will learn at sea. You will need a left-handed palm as you are a “leftie”

Green river knife:Walmart

Then you will need a sheath knife. All seamen need a sheath knife and the Green river knife is best. Although of American origin it is a good all-round seamen’s knife.

  

Finally, you need a duffle coat for those cold winter days across the North Atlantic and a duffle bag to carry all your clothes.

OK so where do we go to buy all this stuff?

Duffle coat:London tradition

We will  need to find a marine outfitter, a sort of tailors shop for both the Royal and Merchant Navy. I think there is one in Newcastle so we will have a trip up by train to get all you need.

 That sounds like a plan Gramps.