TED DAVEY - BOILERMAN

Old Style Apprenticeships Ted Davey remembers life as an apprentice and the type of jobs he once did. Ted tells the amusing tale of nearly being sacked when he crashed a mechanical vehicle into the shipyard gates.

Inside the Boiler Room Go inside the boiler room and get dirty and dusty with boilerman Ted Davey. Ted recalls the health hazards such as asbestos and the lack of health and safety provision.

Hard and Dangerous Times Ted Davey remembers the difficult and dirty working conditions and the hard, frustrating nature of the work. He recounts the story of a serious engineering accident when a man died as a result of his injuries.

Clothing Ted Davey remembers how shipyard workers used to dress for work. There was little protection from the weather or treacherous working conditions, and as a result many men later suffered from arthritis and other health problems.

A Shipbuilding Career Ted Davey followed his father into the yards, and talks about his early career progression. He talks about how men cried when the shipyards closed.

Unhealthy Work Ted Davey talks about the noise and dangerous working conditions in the yards. He also remembers what happened when the men went off on sick leave.

The Frozen Tyne Ted Davey remembers when blocks of ice floated down the river Tyne during one particularly cold winter. He talks about the braziers and burners that had to be used to keep warm and melt the ice.

Mishaps As before. Repeats story told in studio version. Tractor and gates story. How he nearly got fired.

Sold Down the River? Ted Davey talks about employer and worker relations including strikes and the job of a shop steward in the shipyard. He also describes how he felt the yards were sold down the river by the Government.