| Ref No | MS 4000/5/1/10/6 |
| Title | Sound recording of Captain Alfred Ernest Horton of Poole, Dorset (1883-1974) describing his childhood in Kent and beginning of his career on the seas c1880-1900 Tape 6/7 |
| Level | File |
| Date | 10 - 11 December 1972 |
| Description | Recording of interview by Charles Parker of Captain Alfred Ernest Horton (AEH) (1883-1974) where he describes his childhood and going to sea aged 14 years.
Track 1: Duration (min/sec): 6.49 Description of track: AEH describes how rural life could be lonely particularly for his mother; when the other children had left home the family moved to Sandwich c1891 and his father worked on Dover breakwater; AEH became attracted to the sea here and shipyards
Track 2: Duration (min/sec): 3.27 Description of track: describes how the boats and shipyards fascinated him
Track 3: Duration (min/sec): 4.46 Description of track: AEH notes that he left school aged 12 years as was usual then [1895]; he worked as an upholsterer for 18 months before going to sea at 14 years [1897]; AEH mentions church going
Track 4: Duration (min/sec): 3.49 Description of track: describes the beginning of his work at sea and the first barge he was in 'The Emma'
Track 5: Duration (min/sec): 1.44 Description of track: describes the barge and its crew
Track 6: Duration (min/sec): 2.48 Description of track: describes the types of cargo they would carry on the barges and his first feelings of being at work on the sea
Track 7: Duration (min/sec): 2.01 Description of track: describes his cooking duties at sea [noise part way through track]
Track 8: Duration (min/sec): 2.59 Description of track: talks about starting work on 'The Emma'; ownership of the barges
Track 9: Duration (min/sec): 0.58 Description of track: says his first trip from Rochester to London [long pause]
Track 10: Duration (min/sec): 8.41 Description of track: describes his work as a third hand on London river; general duties and technicalities of the boats
Track 11: Duration (min/sec): 11.4 Description of track: continues describing the technicalities of barges and how he got his first job on a larger ship, a 'brigantine'
Track 12: Duration (min/sec): 2.38 Description of track: describes how a 'brigantine' was built
Track 13: Duration (min/sec): 5.02 Description of track: recalls boarding the 'brigantine' for the first time; describes the crew who were international [recording continues on 11 Dec]; AEH shows CP some related newspaper cuttings about sailing and brigantines
Track 14: Duration (min/sec): 4.24 Description of track: AEH continues showing related newspaper cuttings about sailing and brigantines to CP; AEH compares work on barges to the brigantines
Total duration: (min/sec): 61.47 |
| Related Material | See MS 4000/1/7/9 for correspondence and songs connected with the interviews of Captain Horton by Charles Parker and notebooks kept by Captain Horton of his voyages (written material). See also the Philip Donnellan collection (MS 1938) for Horton's contributions to his film work |
| Physical Description | Listening copy: 1 x CD-R serial number PF235 S108 3074
Original tape:
Size: 5" tape reel
Gauge: 1/4" tape (0.625cm)
Speed: 3.75ips (9.5cm/s) and 7.5ips(19cm/s); tape speed changes during recording
EQ Curve used: IEC
Track configuration: Half Track Mono
Dubbing Date: 11/02 |
| Access Status | Open |
| Language | English |