How To Be a Ship's Steward

Posted by Sue Bryant Nov 16, 2007

Do you want to know how to lay a table in rough weather, or how to get a glass sparkling clean? Then the Ship Steward’s Handbook by E. C. Plumb and J. J. Traynor could be for you.

This charming little book, recently reissued by Conway, a division of Anova Books, was first published in the 1950s as an aid to ship stewards in the British Merchant Navy. With an emphasis on pride in one’s work, and a thoroughness and dedication to the highest level of service, it sets out precise instructions on a steward’s duties from table etiquette to cabin service and is packed with all sorts of fascinating facts, tips and hints.

Evoking the heyday of the passenger liner and the emerging cruise industry, there are authentic examples of breakfast and dinner menus from first class and tourist class, definitions of French culinary terms, sauces to accompany meat dishes, basic cocktails and lots of homilies. In Personal Appearance and Behaviour, for example, wannabe stewards are advised: Remember, tattoos do not make you a sailor!

Some of the household tips are useful still today. Glasses should be washed in warm water, rinsed and dried with a linen cloth, as linen does not leave fluff on the glass. If water jugs have a ‘waterline’, clean it off with potato peelings.

What’s interesting about this book is that the foreword is written by the Right Hon John Prescott MP, Britain’s former transport secretary under Tony Blair. Yes, Mr Prescott started life as... a ship’s steward.