Interview with Steve Carey

Steve Carey was born in Port Chalmers, in 1921. Outlines marine education as an engineering apprentice at Port Chalmers Marine Repair Works and King Edward Technical College. Talks about Hillside Engineer work apprentices and private tuition with Mr Kendall of Cossens and Black. Describes extra work due to war time conditions and leisure trip to Bluff on the Muruhiku, the Southland Harbour Dredge towed by the Awarua. Touches on problems with seasickness. Recalls trip on the Tamatea, used by the United States Forces in the Pacific. Talks about the Akaroa Mine Testing Station.

Describes introduction to the Union Steam Ship Company and position on the Maunganui hospital ship in 1942, travelling to Freemantle. Talks about the Middle East, maintenance and repair work, troop numbers, Perla Gibson, repatriating Italian and Yugoslavian prisoners of war, smallpox isolation and recuperation in the Marlborough Sounds. Recalls the high regard of New Zealand nurses during the war. Details repair and use of coal burners, piston rods, octane petrols and weir pumps onboard. Compares working practices in New Zealand and Britian. Remembers details of the Glasgow docks and tramcars. Outlines number of wounded carried by the ship, the 1949 Victory Parade in England, the New Zealand Club in London, yachting and sailing activities and return home.

Recounts the refitting of the Maunganui, renaming to the Arina and upgrading mechanics including freezing facilities. Talks about freezer workings on ships. Outlines employment as the assistant marine engineering superindentant in Wellington and time with the National Mortgage and Agency Co. on the Taiaroa and the Otago Harbour Dredge Otakou. Talks about the Chatham Islands and the National Mortgage and Agency factory built there. Touches on war and peace time wage scales, and the influence of the unions.

Interviewer(s) - Stan Kirkpatrick

Accompanying material - Includes photocopied article 'Lady in White to 'sing' again', from R.S.A. Review February 1995 regarding the unveiling of the Perla Siedle Gibson statue on Durham's North Pier.

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4445.

Search dates: 1994