Sometimes it seems but a short while ago when I joined my first ship, Carnatic, in the Gladstone Dock, Liverpool on 28th December 1964.  Before then I had spent three years on the Training Ship “Mercury” but, even so, hadn’t realised how lucky I was to be accepted as a deck apprentice with such a prestigious company as Shaw Savill & Albion Line. This was a shipping company that whose ships traded with Australia and New Zealand. Not only were the voyage destinations excellent, but the ships all had classic good looks.  I returned with my 2nd mate’s certificate for a further two years before joining the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. …