John’s presentation this evening was very well received, with many of us present having served years as Engineers in the Merchant Navy and understanding well the fact that Ships engaged in long international voyages can, from time to time suffer machinery failures and breakdowns. 

It is at such times ingenious solutions to the problem must be found – (since it isn’t possible to simply run down to the nearest hardware store or engineering supply company for parts and materials!) In earlier days communication to the outside world was also not possible.

John highlighted a number of truly amazing ‘fixes’ carried out by ships officers and crew over the years: not only calling upon their brilliant ingenuity, but also their ability to endure a tremendous amount of hard work in order to deliver the vessel safely back to port. There are some fine examples of the above in the Discovery Museum Newcastle upon Tyne.