Although those who served in the M.N. during both World Wars were eligible to receive a V.C. no-one was ever recommended for the award The 14th November 1885 saw the arrival at London of the first bulk oil tanker. The barque (642 tons) CRUSADER, which had been converted to carry oil in bulk, arrived carrying 177000 gallons of oil which she had loaded in New York . On the 13th December 1907 the first large oil tanker sank off the Isles of Scilly. The U.S THOMAS W. LAWSON carrying 2500000 gallons of paraffin from Pennsylvania to London sank with the loss of 7 lives. . It was not uncommon, during both World Wars, that once a merchant ship was sunk the crew had their pay stopped. During the Second World War Royal Navy and Army personnel sailed out on merchant ships as gunners. They had to sign on the ship's articles and consequently were under the orders of a civilian - the Master - who decided if they were to engage the enemy . The Royal Navy are gentlemen trying to be sailors whilst the Merchant Navy are sailors trying to be gentlemen - the R.N.R are neither trying to be both . September 3rd has been assigned as Merchant Navy Day - please remember! 03/08/1914 SAN WILFRIDO (6458 tons) 1st ship sunk by a mine off Cuxhaven 20/10/1914 GLITRA (866 tons) 1st ship sunk by a U-boat (U.17) whilst on passage Grangemouth for Stavanger with coal and general. 01/05/1917 GENA (2784 tons) sunk by a seaplane (cruiser borne) off Southwold. 14/06/1917 KANKAKEE (3718 tons) sunk by an aeroplane off Sunk Light Buoy whilst on passage from Newcastle to London with coal. German merchant ship OLINDA shortly after leaving Montevideo for Hamburg sunk by H.M.S AJAX Retired Admiral of The Fleet, Admiral West, stated on the 16th November 2007 that he was "A simple sailor". Does it mean therefore if he, as head of the Royal Navy, is simple, that everyone else in the Royal Navy are simpletons? Can you add any further anecdotes? Please contact the webmaster if you can Blank form Auto: Manual: