This small, but fascinating book documents Ron Tubb’s experiences as a Merchant Seaman both before and during the Second World War. He communicates his passion for all aspects of seamanship, giving details of the ships, their ports of call, crews and varied cargoes. He also describes the perilous conditions encountered – such as the Liverpool Blitz, the U-boat menace and attacks at sea by enemy aircraft – but punctuates his story with plenty of amusing and original anecdotes.

Born in Bridgend (Wales) in 1916, Ron attended the Smith’s Nautical Training School, Cardiff, enrolling as a cadet when he was twelve years of age and obtaining his Apprenticeship at the age of fifteen.

Prior to the oubreak of World War II, Ron served on the SS Nohata and SS West Wales and in 1938 gained his First Officer’s Certificate, subsequently serving on the SS Algol and MS Glengarry. Whilst on a brief leave he was summoned by urgent telegram to return to the MS Glengarry -- World War II had begun.

In 1940 he joined the TSS Nestor, carrying evacuee children and their escorts to Australia. On the ‘Euryades’ in 1941, Ron was involved in a hazardous rescue in Suez Bay only minutes after a deadly attack by German aircraft. After gaining his Master Mariner’s Certificate in 1942 Ron joined the troop ship, ‘Antenor’ on which he experienced a tragic incident involving ‘friendly fire’. Despite such horrors, life aboard was certainly not all gloom and doom -- a grand piano and a ship carrying sunbathing nurses played a significant part in maintaining morale. Ron then transferred to tankers, serving on the MV Cymbula and MV Dipladon. Here, his account conveys the dangers involved in carrying such volatile materials in wartime and is full of interesting detail, incident and tension.

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