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Post Info TOPIC: Sight Testing in the British Merchant Navy
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Sight Testing in the British Merchant Navy
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Please find below recent correspondence from a member of the public. I have replied and informed Miss ODriscoll that I will place her request on the forum for the information of our members and in the hope that someone may be able to assist. I have checked the PWSTS records as best as I am able and I have only managed to confirm that in May 1927 PWSTS boys had to pass an eyesight examination. However, we do not know what this assessment entailed and we do not know if this was a requirement since the school opened in 1920. Any thoughts in general?


50 Nodsoll Court,
Hodson Crescent,
Orpington, Kent,
BR5 413T.

Dear Sirs,

I have written an article on the history of Sight Testing in the British Merchant Navy for the industrial history journal Archive. One fact has been very difficult to establish, and I wonder if a sea training establishment might be able to help. I have already approached the MN Training Board, with no success.

MN officers have had to take the Board of Trade Bight Test in form and colour vision since 1877. As long ago as 1885 Lloyds List has advocated the extension of this test to men before the mast, especially for lookouts.

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency has told me that this requirement has existed, on an international basis, since November 1946, as decreed by the I.L.0. However, it was believed to be the case in British ships at an earlier date.

In February 2009 a letter of mine in the nautical magazine Sea Breezes produced a number of replies, which suggests that the requirement dates from about 19401.

I have checked Lloyds List and Fairplay for this period without
success. I also approached the National Union of Seamen and the National Maritime Museum. Neither could help.

Presumably it was necessary for a sea training establishment to have such information to ensure that those being trained were able to pass the Sight Test when they joined the MN. Do you have this information on file? I would like to add it to my article at the proof stage if it comes to hand in time for me to do so.

I worked afloat myself (195970), trading coastwise, but was unable to study for the Mate (Home Trade) Certificate as this involved taking the N.C.T. Sight Test and the fact that I wear glasses then ruled this out. Stamp enclosed for reply.

Yours truly,

Miss Patricia ODriscoll



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JOHN LOCK


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Andy, As I remember I didn't have any sort of eyesight  test prior to going to P.W.S.T.S. or while I was there. On passing out I was sent to a board of trade building in the Commercial road, East London, for very intense eyesight test.
One lad in our class (I found this out at a later date) failed this test, so after having done four months training for the deck side was told sorry no job deckside. Although other employment was arranged, & he still went to sea.

Regards  John.

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Andy


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Thanks John I will pass that info on (poor lad must have been gutted)

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Dave1947


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I have just dug out my Ministry of Transport sight test certificate
for Merchant Navy & Fishing service...
It consisted of a letter test & a lantern test which I took in Hull
prior to attending PWSTS...
I would assume that everyone entering the Merchant Navy on deck
would have required to do this test prior to attending a pre sea training
establishment....

Regards Dave confuse confuse confuse



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stuhogg


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Yes, me too, similar to Dave. The darkened room and combination of pin point lights of red, white and green that were shone through what in those days was called a "magic lantern" on to what I think was a mirror at the end of the room. This was to check if you could tell if a ship at night was approaching from port or starboard or dead ahead. Very important from the crows nest. I took my eye test at Tilbury. I thought passing the test was required before being accepted at PWSTS. I also vaguely recall having a medical and being tested for colour blindness before acceptance at PWSTS, but it was all a very long time ago. I think there was a book with a whole bunch of coloured dots and you had to pick out the numbers within the dots on each page. Stu

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glancon


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I note from my PWSTS Discharge Report that I passed the Ministry of Transport Sight Test on the 16/07/1949 which was prior to joining the school 26/01/1950.

I can just about recall having to travel to Liverpool to take the test and it was as Stu described it.

Glancon



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Vintage Port


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I had the same eyesight tests as the other lads, and I do remember having to have a full medical, including the usual tropical jabs, while still at school before joining PWSTS. This had to be sent in with the application forms. I had to go to Ramsgate Harbour for the eyesight test, and after a while, I couldn't tell one colour dot from another!

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mikeholberton


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in my day we had have 20/20 eyesight,to be accpted i went to somewere in london and took mine. but we had a urin test before we left school for diabetes ,i rember giveing my sample to at least 2 other guys who were suspect ,we all passedbiggrin maybe it was you pat?       mike

-- Edited by mikeholberton on Saturday 18th of April 2009 02:36:08 PM

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Andy


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An update from Patricia .....

Dear Mr Gale,

Thank you for your prompt and helpful reply to my letter of the 8th.

During research in L1oyds List I saw short pieces about the Prince of Wales Sea Training School in the issue of 11 February 1920 which also mentioned that boys showing the qualities needed to become officers would be given special tuition at the King Edward VII Nautical School a good reason for boys to have their sight checked at an early stage.

Thank you for adding my original letter to your online forum. It could well reach somebody able to help.

Earlier this week I heard from a reader of Sea Breezes who joined the M.N in May, 1944. His form vision was checked at the outset, and in August of the same year, when about to be examined for his EDH certificate, he was also required to pass the Board of Trades lantern test in colour vision.

Its surprising how difficult this has been to establish, whereas the question regarding officers is quite clear.

Yours sincerely,
Patricia ODriscol



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