Oral History Recording with Newman Dubinsky Part 2
Digital sound recording in two parts
Subject: Ship's Chandler; Second World War
OHY/6//86/2 - 2.1 GB 01:37:20
Quality: 4/5
Newman Dubinsky was born in Ukraine in 1914. He moved to Sydney, Nova Scotia where he opened a business a ship’s chandler in 1938: Sydney Ship Supply. He supplied ships involved in the transport of coal from Sydney to Montreal. Dubinksy’s interview covers life in Sydney after the outbreak of the Second World War as the harbour was transformed into a slow convoy port. He says all ships heading east across the Atlantic ended up in Halifax before heading to the UK to unload. They then returned to Canada to reload.
Dubinsky and his wife lived above the office and started making food for the sailors coming ashore, inviting them to lunch, dinner and parties. He says they wanted to create a home-from-home atmosphere for sailors who were away for long stretches at a time. They would often be invited on board ships for social events in return. Sadly, Dubinsky recounts many friends lost when their vessels were hit. He discusses rationing and shortages in port, informers and saboteurs and even a Red-Light District that opened for the sailors. Notably, he expounds the importance of the Merchant Navy throughout the conflict, and expresses regret that their role has been so often overlooked.
Administrative / biographical background
Oral history with Newman Dubinsky conducted by Campbell McMurray
Subject: Ship's Chandler; Second World War
OHY/6//86/2 - 2.1 GB 01:37:20
Quality: 4/5
Newman Dubinsky was born in Ukraine in 1914. He moved to Sydney, Nova Scotia where he opened a business a ship’s chandler in 1938: Sydney Ship Supply. He supplied ships involved in the transport of coal from Sydney to Montreal. Dubinksy’s interview covers life in Sydney after the outbreak of the Second World War as the harbour was transformed into a slow convoy port. He says all ships heading east across the Atlantic ended up in Halifax before heading to the UK to unload. They then returned to Canada to reload.
Dubinsky and his wife lived above the office and started making food for the sailors coming ashore, inviting them to lunch, dinner and parties. He says they wanted to create a home-from-home atmosphere for sailors who were away for long stretches at a time. They would often be invited on board ships for social events in return. Sadly, Dubinsky recounts many friends lost when their vessels were hit. He discusses rationing and shortages in port, informers and saboteurs and even a Red-Light District that opened for the sailors. Notably, he expounds the importance of the Merchant Navy throughout the conflict, and expresses regret that their role has been so often overlooked.
Administrative / biographical background
Oral history with Newman Dubinsky conducted by Campbell McMurray
Record details
| Item reference: | OHY/6/86/2 |
|---|---|
| Level: | ITEM |
| Date made: | 1970 - 1980 |
| Creator: | Dubinsky, Newman; McMurray, Campbell |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |