Captain Arthur David LINKLATER 1879 - 1955

His Life Afloat and Ashore: British India Steam Navigation Co. (i)

Prospective employers or masters looked askance at any man lacking either ‘papers’ or an unblemished record. While Captain Scott's remarks as previously cited were therefore potentially prejudicial to a man embarking on a career at sea, they seem not to have done any lasting harm, as Arthur progressed steadily up the ladder till he himself became Master of a ship. It is worth adding that in every other reference that I have of Arthur's, he received nothing but unstinting praise both for his personal conduct and his professional skill. The ‘Continuous Discharge’ tells us also that Arthur was 5 feet 11½ inches tall, had blue eyes, brown hair and no tattoos or other distinguishing marks - and so fails to record the "scar on nose" mentioned under "Personal Marks and Peculiarities" on his Board of trade ‘Examination as to Form Vision, Colour Vision, and Colour Ignorance’ dated 23 November 1895.

An ‘Appointment’ confirmation dated 10th July 1901 and countersigned by Arthur was sent to the Commanding Officer, S.S. Rewa, Central Station, Royal Albert Docks, London stating;

The bearer Mr A.D. Linklater has been appointed 4th Officer of your steamer (and he is to serve on the Coast or Home Line as the exigencies of the service require him) at a salary of Five Pounds - Shillings sterling per month. He will begin duty today.

So there was no hanging about! His Board of Trade Certificate grade is stated on the ‘Appointment’ as "Second - No. 036001" and below the words "I accept this appointment and undertake to serve in any British India Steam Navigation Coys. or British India Associated Steamers Coys. Steamers in Indian Coast, Home Line or elsewhere should it be required of me at any time." appears the signature of A.D. Linklater. After leaving the British Princess all the ships he served in were steam ships. They were as follows;