Any firm, whatever kind it is, is dependent on it’s leadership, and in the case of Falmouth Docks, the General Manager, Company Secretary etc were found in the Main Office as they are now.  The Main Office also housed the Drawing Office, Buyers Office, Estimators, Wages Clerks, Typists and other professions.  The photo shows the Main Office after refurbishment (circa 1946). At one time it had been a General Store and also, some form of generation station, probably before the 1st World War. One example of the office communications with customers is shown with a page from a Postage Book of 1936.

In past years the other Yard Managers, Ship’s Managers, Outside Foremen were to be found in a wooden two storied building known as the Works Office. Also sited there was the maintenance manager who was responsible for ordering all relevant machinery, tools etc for keeping the yard on an even keel. It was very occasionally discovered that he had bought 2nd hand material and therefore he  was affectionately known as  “2nd Hand Rose”  This office was demolished in the late 60's/early 70's. 

The photo shows a Plumber/Welder performing one of his many tasks  This shows the person burning a hole in a flange (circa 1946).  His skill and concentration helps him to perform his duties with perfection. He would have spent many hours developing his craft and then to pass on the same skills to people following, namely apprentices.  Being a plumber, or pipe fitter he would be expected to do other things appertaining to all types of pipe-work. The hole he is burning in the photo would be able to house a piece of pipe. This  flange would be connected to another flange joining two pipes together. These lengths of pipes would carry water or steam.

The art of burning is performed by using a gas flame being produced by the correct mixed  levels of Oxygen and Acetylene with the aid of a hand held torch. The same process can be used with gas welding except different torch nozzles and pressures are used. Both these types of work are still used today.

Pipe bending is another art of the plumber. The large pipe, as shown in the picture is bent in a special machine. The art is to make sure that the angles are correct and the right length. A plumber will use some form of template or guide to get these correct measurements.  Their principle is - “Measure twice and cut once”. Another job that was synonymous with the dept was the art of "White Metalling".  This was the coating of various types of metals, alloys (Zinc, Antimony etc) onto other metals - iron or brass,  as a surface for main engine bearings. These would then be taken to the fitting shop for machining.

In early Steam ship design the steel plates used in the construction of ships were riveted together. For many years this was the only way of shipbuilding. Here is a riveter using his skill. It was a very noisy and vibratory type of work. However, it was a comparatively well paid job and there wasn’t a shortage of people wanting to learn this skill. As the man is performing his task, another person would be behind the plate  “Holding up”. He would be performing the same type of feat until the rivet was correctly fitted and the plate in place.

Steel rivets were required to be heated to “Red Hot” before being fitted. They would be heated in a mini furnace and when reaching the desired colour and temperature, could be sent to the "holder up" to push through to the riveter. Sometimes the rivets would be sent via a pipe, and the  furnace was usually kept away from the working surface.

After the 2nd World War, welding came into it’s own. The ships that were developed by the USA, namely the Liberty, Victory and T2 type Tanker were all welded.  After the success of these, the riveted ship was gradually replaced. Some riveting was still maintained but it was the beginning of the end for that trade.

The welder is dressed in a  protective suit, a helmet with a special lens to protect the eyes from the arc that has been struck, and gloves to stop the sparks burning the hands. These are all things that are associated with the welder. There are many skills to learn in this trade. The picture shows Electric Arc welding, where the correct amount of electrical power and current to be used on each and every application needs careful calculation. That would determine the type of welding rod to be used. The high temperatures caused by the high currents could distort the metal and so that is another facet of their work.

Various confined areas caused the worker to need extra ventilation and there would be supply fans and extraction fans. In some cases, 2 welders would work in relay, and after a certain amount of time they would swap places to enable the work to continue successfully.

MOULDERS

The photo shows the pouring of metal into a mould that has been prepared. On the long supporting rod that holds the cupola, there is a turning handle.  It was taken in the 1940’s and  this is why  there is no sign of the wearing of gloves,  protective face masks or safety helmets. In previous years there was no Health and Safety Executive to protect workers. Everything was covered by Factories Acts and visits by the Factory Inspectors. 

Sand was always found over the floor of the shop as that was the main ingredient of moulding. Walking in the workshop was like a visit to the Sahara.

The photo shows a  machinist working on a piece of equipment which has had a broken stud or bolt in it and needs to be drilled out accurately. Awkward shapes and various sizes are all taken in the person's stride. He would have  served a regular apprenticeship as a Marine Fitter and  he would have done a certain time on various machines. After finishing his “Time”, would transfer to the Machine Shop. In the photo he is using a “Radial Drill”, which means that the job would be bolted down and the drill would be moved around it. Aligning up and correctly clamping  the job so it does not move, choosing  the correct drill or reamer, switch on and “Hey Presto”, the job is completed. Sometimes a variety of machines would be used.  Although, after a period of time, it was a known fact that each person would be effective on their "own machines". Apprentices would be expected to be able to perform all these tasks before their training was completed.

Whether the works concerned the building of a Dry Dock, putting up a new building, altering a road, a Civil Engineer was in attendance. He would have an office of his own and would be responsible for all  surveying and some design.  The photo shows the Engineer (using the Theodolite) with an Assistant helping him line up the end of one of the dry docks. We mustn't forget the man with the stick. Without him the surveyor would need extremely long arms. Civil Engineering  has been, over the years, a very responsible job and only an engineer of the highest type of qualifications would be employed.  In fact, the person shown in the photograph took over the job that was previously held by his father. When one considers the amount of civil engineering that has been carried out over the years, it is not a strange thing to learn that the job was held by one man for long periods. No 2 dock is the scene of the operation being carried out.

Whether it was the building of a wharf, working on a dry-dock entrance or various underwater tasks, the Diver was called upon for his assistance. Today, in the vestibule of the Main Office at the Docks, can be found some remnants of the Divers. The photo shows the helmet and boots that would be worn.

Cliff Roberts, Paul Franklin and Bobbie George were very synonymous with this job. Cliff, apart from being a very good diver was an excellent Rugby player- as most Welsh people are - as well as being  a very competent Rugby Referee.  Paul Franklin eventually became Foreman on the civil engineering side of Falmouth Dock Co. Bobbie George retired to his allotments.   Below is a list of equipment that a diver would use in addition to the helmet and boots.

• Lead soles 14lbs (6.4kg)

• Waterproof suit- Heavy Canvas

• Copper Corselet

• Lead Breast and back-plates- 28 lbs each (12.7kg)

• Leather diving belt with the all important knife.

At the moment any diving work is carried out by contracting firms.

LOCOMOTIVE PERSONNEL

A photo of a fireman and two loco drivers- Sam Rosevear, Jim Tarry and Cyril Thomas. These were very important men in the transport system. The men were employed by Falmouth Docks and Engineering Co. who were responsible for running the Locos and steam cranes. Jim was in the docks during the 2nd World War and tells stories of delivering Diesel fuel to so called "fishing boats" on the outer jetties ferrying people across to occupied  France. He also talks about  taking gold bullion to the Eastern Breakwater from a delivery from the Royal Mint. Then loading it onto a military vessel for an unknown destination. He was awarded with a newly minted Half Crown piece each time he performed this task.  Cyril went into the Royal Engineers but after the war came back and was one of the men responsible for the re-development of No 2 dock.  Sam, the Fireman was a popular figure- always seen running to unhitch wagons from the Locos and changing points- never out of breath. All retired and enjoying life.

This Department is responsible for Keeping the Lights On and a lot more than that. Any type of electrical machinery is looked after, repaired and maintained. Whenever a breakdown occurs in the yard, the phone will ring or in today's atmosphere, the Walkie Talkie will sound. There is an immediate response and soon the breakdown will be rectified. When the yard was in full flight, there were over 100 electricians in the Department. The yard, because of its complexity, was split into 2 parts for convenience and so 2 electricians would look after all the electrical systems on the Eastern side and 2 electricians would look after the Western side. It was something that worked very well. The workshop held a group of men who usually worked in there on a permanent basis, repairing equipment from the yard and also the ships. An apprentice spent the first year in the shop and then progressed to the vessels. Electricians  were responsible for all of the welding equipment around the yard, opening of the electrically operated dock gates and operating the winches in assisting the removal of a ship’s propeller. Temporary portable lighting on a ship for other trades and the installation of shore power was and still is a priority with the Department. Many more things are covered by the Department.  This is just to give the reader a brief idea.

The photo above shows a part of the Electrician's Workshop taken in 1999. This building was originally the Foundry but in the mid 1960's it was decided to relocate the electrical Department to a much larger premises without constructing a new workshop. The photo shows some of the electrical equipment being overhauled; namely motors of various sizes. These would be used in many applications e.g. pumping and ventilation.

This photo shows one of the electrical staff explaining the principles of steam and chemical cleaning. In performing this task, the operator would be wearing: a facial visor, protective gloves, waterproof overalls and boots. In this process, high pressure water becomes steam and cleans away the oil and grime that has accumulated in motors and generators. The equipment would then be stoved, (heated to a high temperature in an oven), to dry out.

Other departments include the Fabrication trades, Platers, Boilermakers, Caulkers, Drillers, and in the Wood trades would be the Joiners (Carpenters) and Shipwrights. The Shipwrights were the original Boat Builders in wood. They were responsible for building a boat - from the drawing until it had been fitted out.  Of course this all changed when the steel ship came into existence and the fabricators with their metal working skills took over.  Shipwrights are still involved in the docking of a vessel and the fitting of staging around the ship and the yard.

Riggers are another trade that  still exists. They look after all the wire ropes on ships, the ropes on the cranes, and  everything that is associated with lifting. 

The Labouring section in the yard has diminished over the years. Each department had a large force and these men were known as Mates or Helpers. Most heavy types of lifting jobs were taken over by them. The painting of a ship’s hull was one of their many tasks. Tank Cleaners and Boiler Scalers were two of the unenviable jobs - very dirty but necessary. Labouring even came down to the unusual sight of a person riding around the yard on a bicycle laying down poison to get rid of the rat population. There were so many different types of workers but this will give some idea of the complexity of running an efficient Ship Repair yard.

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