[Goanet] Topass - Goan Seamen of yesterday's ships At our time, it was an offence to ask any ‘tarvotti’ about his type of job on the ship. For many of them working as ‘topoz’ or’ Topaz’ or topass. I think, initially as a new recruit, everybody had to pass that stage Later on, we started of hearing very few Goans working as ‘Bottler’ (Steward?). I still remember those P & O ship or cruise names such as SS Oriana, SS Arcadia, SS Canbera, SS Orsava etc (Oriana is/was the biggest) How do I remember these names? Tarvotti often talked amongst themselves about their work and the ship. Also, I used to write letters to my father (a tarvotti) with address like this.. e.g. Mr. Rock Fernandes c/o Agent SS Arcadia (often changed every year to other names as above) Mazgaon, Bombay 10 And we wrote it on an inland letter (not airmail or aerogramme). It was costing only 15p each inland letter (some said ‘England Letter’) Postcard was 5p only. I think, the agents were then forwarding the mail to the ship. Now a days, no one writes letters, instead, they use phones or may be email. Also, we now hear new names such as Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Aurora etc. I think, Topass, is now coming under ‘Utility workers’ or ‘General Assts’.
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