Four P & O cadets of the 'Viceroy of India' on the starboard side of the Bridge Deck with their sextants (P85348)
Deck Officers of the
Viceroy of India were pictured in 1930 with ship funnels in the background, taking sights on deck with their sextants. This picture looks rather contrived, but certainly in the 1960s I remember that the Deck Officers on watch would take sights on the Bridge just before noon each day to measure the altitude of the sun and other angular distances to ensure they could pinpoint the exact position of the ship. All ships carried a supply of
Admiralty charts, kept in large drawers at the rear of the Bridge and of course the current one would be on the table on the Bridge. The compass course would be marked on it based on the orders of the Master (Captain) of the ship.
Also on the Bridge would be the most up-to-date radar and other navigational equipment to ensure the safety of all on board; all the Deck Officers would be fully qualified with (or working towards) their
Master's Certificate, which included not only the navigation of the vessel but also the loading and stowage of cargo into the holds. These were the days before containers of course, when cargo came in boxes, sacks or on four feet - and more of this another time.
When I was at sea with Union-Castle Line the ships were known as Mailships because the Company had always held the Contract to carry the British Royal Mail on each voyage, hence the letters RMS (Royal Mail Ship) in front of every ship's name.
Also on the Bridge would be the equipment enabling broadcasts to be made to perhaps First Class passengers only, or Tourist Class passengers only, or maybe the whole ship. As a Purserette I would sometimes have to make an announcement during dinner to remind passengers of the evening's entertainment. This scripted short broadcast always went well, until the night I went onto the Bridge, I think on the
Capetown Castle. Imagine my horror just after I started speaking when one of the junior Deck Officers on watch decided it would be funny to take the top off the floor-standing radar and put it on his head. The large cover looked somewhat like a bishop's mitred hat, and I had great difficulty in remaining calm and not sounding hysterical! I think I succeeded....