Throughout the 1950s, as well as having the wonderful vista of the working River Mersey, I had three ways in to the world of real ships. My Grandfather was a long-term Brocklebanks man – a senior clerk in their “bills of lading” department, and he seemed to have a “free pass” to everywhere in Liverpool Docks – and knew all the right people. As a result I was able to go on board ships with him, whilst he negotiated possible loading patterns, often with the ship’s master. However, only being a youngster (he died when I was ten) I don’t remember which ships – Brocklebank, Cunard (and weirdly Blue Star) all seemed to be within his remit. Must be some LJs in their somewhere.
My second, more tenuous, connection was my father’s cousin, whose husband was a cabinet maker at Camell Lairds, and provided tickets to launches. I had been taken out on a ferry to see the Ark Royal launched in 1950 - but being too young, don’t remember a thing about it. However I can remember the launches of Zenatia, Hubert, Windsor Castle and HMS Oracle.
No LJs there then.
My third contact was my mother’s cousin who was Chief Engineer on PSNC’s “Potosi”. I don’t know if it was a PSNC quirk, or more general across shipping lines, but he seemed to be on her for many years, rather than rotating around the fleet like other officers. He loved that ship, and knew every nook and cranny of her. I was on board her a good number of times, mostly with him, sleeves rolled up crawling around deep down below - so that’s my one definite LJ.