Abstract
Simon Hall probably would not classify his third book as an autobiography, although there is a strong personal narrative in his writing. The book is a description of his life as a deck officer in the merchant navy in the period 1980–1984. Wewak incidentally, is a small port on the northern shore of Papua New Guinea.
There is an honesty and authenticity about this book, which is remarkable. Your reviewer served in the merchant navy during the 1970s and can vouch for the accuracy of the various shipboard routines and incidents that are described. However, it is Hall’s observations on what were the final stages of the traditional British merchant navy, which should make this book extremely valuable for maritime historians.
This phenomenon, which probably peaked after the Falkland’s crisis of 1982 has been examined from many perspectives. From a technological viewpoint the advent of containerisation is cited. Consideration is also given to economic factors, as for example globalisation. It is rare to get the perspective of the merchant seaman caught up in this situation. At this time, Hall was in mid-career sailing as mate while holding a master’s certificate. However, the reality was that his employment prospects were getting more and more restricted. He came ashore at the age of 30. This decision was a result of the above mentioned circumstances, and how he judged the incompatibility of deep-sea going with family life. His thought process regarding this decision is a major strength of the book.
In this book, Hall who was working for a Hong Kong shipping company records service on three cargo vessels, and on two rig boats. The latter, either working in a service or safety capacity serve the exploration side of the oil industry. The majority of his service is based in the Far East, with the exception of his time on the MV Funing, an S.D. 14 which is engaged in world-wide tramping. He left this vessel when it was sold to Chinese ownership in Moji in western Japan.
Hall is crystal clear on aspects of ship management that are often ignored in books that have a focus on merchant shipping. This is very evident when he examines the problems associated with ship stability and the various interventions used to overcome them. In relation to this, he describes the difficulty encountered with the weight of heavy steel in the bottom of the holds in the Funing (92:93) and equally so, the substitution of heavier cocoa instead of lighter copra as deck cargo on the m.v. Coral Chief a small container vessel on the Eastern Australia – Solomon/Bismarck Sea service (122). The same insight and clarity is found in his descriptions of how bad weather can affect ship handling and passage times. In this regard, he examines the influence of the monsoon in the Malacca Straits (101) and a category four typhoon in the eastern side of the South China Sea (166–167).
Another feature of the book which gives considerable interest and subsequent readability is the historical background Hall provides on the areas his vessels are in transit through, or are alongside at. This can be cited in relation to Port Harcourt and the Warri river in Nigeria (40–1, 47–8). These mini-histories are interesting, particularly when he writes on the pre- world war one German settlements in the modern Papua New Guinea (126, 128).
Hall in company, with the majority of people who have had sea-going experience has had difficulties swallowing what he very aptly calls the ‘indigestible’ anchor. This book and it is the last part of a trio in which he records his time at sea and his various observations on many matters is well worth a read. As previously mentioned its authenticity is refreshing and sometimes staggering, yet it is a succession of verifiable and interesting insights, moving along under the delicate touch of a very clear narrative.