Takoradi in Ghana (formerly the Gold Coast) is a port situated 84 km distant from the Cape Coast. Once berthed, we looked forward to a few days of unloading, especially as our interesting cargo included an on-deck railway locomotive.

The following morning the foredeck could hardly be seen for swarms of African dockhands preparing to use the ship’s heavy lifting gear to hoist and lower a British-made locomotive we dubbed the ‘Flying Scotsman’.

In charge of the demanding operation was an overseer who was obviously British. Loud and foul-mouthed and not inclined to take fools gladly he metaphorically whipped into the shape scores of stevedores manning the freighter’s heavy lift derricks and winches with many blocks and steel lines.

Finally, there was success as the railway locomotive was gently lowered and secured to a giant lorry suited to its purpose.

By this time, we onlookers gathered that the bawling overseer was from Liverpool. Afterwards, when settled at a seat in the crew’s mess he told us how he had made the switch from Liverpool to Takoradi.

For years, the gang boss worked as just one of many thousands of dockers working the vessels using the port of Liverpool.

One afternoon, whilst heeding a call of nature by using one of the dock toilets his eye caught sight of a copy of the Daily Telegraph. Bored, he flicked through the newspaper’s pages as he waited to discharge his cargo.

On reaching the newspaper’s Situations Vacant pages the docker caught sight of an advert inviting enquiry from a person experienced in the heavy lifting gear of freighters.

The job advertised was situated in Takoradi Ghana. The post offered management status with a high salary and perks.

As many British dockers are familiar with heavy lift deck gear he reasoned that there would be many applicants for this. It was a job to die for. With little hope of a successful outcome, the idling docker completed the slip and posted it to an office in London.,

Frankly, he thought that was the end of the matter. When several forms were sent in return, he again completed the application but he ‘didn’t give up the day job.’

Nor did he do so after attending an interview in London but he did give it up on hearing his application had been successful. Within days, the ordinary British dock worker had received flight tickets to Ghana for himself and his wife.

On arrival, the couple were taken by company limousine to a jaw-dropping African hacienda. Surrounded by an acre of carefully cultivated gardens he was presented with a company car.

Furthermore, he had the services of a housemaid and servant. His salary and perks would be beyond the imagination of any British working-class hero.

The docker and his wife were offered three months paid annual holidays with free flights to and from the United Kingdom.

Is there a lesson to be learnt? Yes, never underestimate your worth because somewhere you will be the one-eyed man in the land of the blind. THIS IS ONE OF 70 FIRST-HAND ILLUSTRATED SEA STORIES IN ‘THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL by EX-SEAMAN MICHAEL WALSH.

THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL  ex-Liverpool seaman Michael Walsh. Bestseller: 70 stories and over 100 pictures. A first-hand account of the British ships, seafarers, adventures and misadventures (1955 – 1975). A tribute to the ships and seamen of the then-largest merchant marine in history. BOOK LINK    https://tinyurl.com/3kuja2s5