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Archiver > Mariners > 2003-05 > 1052047326


From:
Subject: [Mar] Thunderboxes.
Date: Sun, 4 May 2003 07:22:06 EDT


In the late fifties Palm Line ships always had chippy build a thunderbox once
the ship arrived in West Africa. However this thunderbox was normally known
as an "African Ensign" and was designed for use by the Kroo Boys that we
carried with us around the coast.
It was not unknown for sabotage to take place i.e. during the night sawing
most of the way through the supporting timbers. This resulted in the first
poor perisher to use the bog the following morning finishing up in the dock
with the African Ensign wrapped round his neck. Unpleasant but comical.
Peter Baker.

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