On SS Orcades July 69 - Jan 70
Photos to illustrate the novel SeaSickness by Peter Tate
MV Otaio (SS Cochin) 1971
Crossing the Line
SS Orcades 71-2
The Berge Istra
Sandra
Seasickness reviews on Amazon:
5.0 out of 5 stars A cruise ship surgeon's tale
14 April 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This is an excellently written story of behind the scenes on a Cruise ship of years gone by. The many characters seem to be a large family each supporting each other
5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD
7 December 2018
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
COOL
Grady Harp Top Contributor: Children's Books
HALL OF FAME TOP 100 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 stars ‘Doctors go to sea for a variety of reasons and at that time I could not have articulated my own.’
March 21, 2017
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Author/physician Peter Tate republishes his ‘novelized autobiography of his tenure as a ship’s doctor from 1969 – 1972.’ Peter has published several books about doctor/patient relationships – THE DOCTOR’ S COMMUNICATION HANDBOOK, THE OTHER SIDE OF MEDICINE, THE CONSULTATION: AN APPROACH TO LEARNING AND TEACHING, MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR DOCTOR and IF YOU KNEW SUSIE, and another book SEANACHAI: THE STORYTELLER’S STORY in 2015 under the moniker Padraigh Etat – a book so superb that this reviewer wrote ‘Irish author Padraigh Etat appears to be bowing into the literary scene with this exquisitely crafted short novel that embraces all that is quintessentially Irish in stories and writings. Reflect for a moment on some of the strongest writers of the past and many of them are Irish – James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Yeats, Synge, Swift, Bram Stoker, Brendan Behan, William Trevor, Samuel Beckett, and on and on. And it would appear that if the tunes remain as singable as they appear in this work, Padraigh Etat may be joining them! We have little biographical information to judge his platform and that may be the better way to open this little book of marvels: it speaks for itself. As the author states, ‘This is an intelligent modern fairy/ghost story in the tradition of the Brothers Grimm. Quintessentially Irish and based loosely on a collection of Irish Myths, ancient and relatively modern. There is an overall mythic schema of the failings of mankind being linked to the failings of the old Gods who made them in their image.’
Peter’s SeaSickness is also grand, if a bit difficult to step into as a book. Perhaps a run-through of his synopsis will help: ‘Seasickness, a funny tragedy, is a recollection of a happier time as a young doctor when newly employed as a ship’s surgeon on a P&O cruise liner. These memories describe a humorous journey of escapism released by hovering near death after major cardiac surgery. The life on board ship gradually leads to a love affair and finally marriage to a beautiful alcoholic. The flashbacks relate the tragic ending that takes 30 years to reach a conclusion with an embittered death and his continued lack of understanding despite his professional expertise. The flashbacks increase in frequency, intensity and meaningfulness as the novel progresses. There is a secondary love affair with the ship itself.’
Peter reflects on his father’s life as a General Practitioner (‘He qualified as a doctor at the age of 21 at Durham University in 1938. He did not want to be a doctor, but his father, a frighteningly good mathematician and headmaster of St Hilda's School South Shields, insisted. My father really wanted to be an Egyptologist and roller skating champion of England; instead he spent his life as a GP in a damp basement surgery in Beach Road South Shields. He only saw Egypt once and that was from the deck of The SS Theseus as it went through the Suez Canal in 1939 just as the Second World War broke out. When I was a boy he used to read The Book of the Dead, in original hieroglyphics on the stairs, he found it comfortable to read like that. He also liked Sherlock Homes. He took his postgraduate MD by examination early in the war; he passed but told me of the most difficult question he was asked….In 1946, the year I was born, General Practice was very different from now in so many ways. Perhaps the most important difference was the lack of clear split between hospital doctors and GPs. My father was a Consulting Physician to the Ingham Infirmary; he admitted patients there and looked after them in the hospital. He was also a surgeon if the need arose, and routinely took out tonsils at home. He used to do his own anaesthesia too. A terrifying thought to modern doctors and especially to his own son.’
At any rate, back to the plot – no, bests to amble through the delightful book yourself. ‘There is reasonable evidence that Medical School can severely damage your personality. Here you are very young, bright eyed and bushy tailed, full of hopes and dreams. You like people and you want to help them. You have chosen a caring profession and you do care, but you may not come out at the end of the five years quite the same. Firstly, this is not unreasonable; dreams need tempering with reality…etc’. Peter’s wry sense of humour makes the time and the pages fly by. This is a diversion of the very best kind. Grady Harp, March 17
5.0 out of 5 stars SeaSickness
28 June 2015
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
A great read every emotional. There always was a different lifestyle on the passenger ships and I think this has been very well described in this book A great read for anyone.
Lizzie
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent read.
29 June 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Excellent book. Peter Tate use to be my doctor. A lovely man. From Liz Sanderson
russ
5.0 out of 5 stars
26 January 2014
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
GOOD WRITER GREAT BOOK WELL WORTH READING I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN THANK YOU PETER FOR A GOOD READ 5*****+++++
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
4 January 2013
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
One of the best books i have read in a long time, funny and moving. Could not put it down. Paints an excellent picture of life at sea on passenger vessels.
5.0 out of 5 stars Done it.
3 January 2013
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Cruised on Orcades same time as Peter Tate 68,69, spot on, in every way.
Loved the book and the cruise memories.
One person found this helpful
Paul Jones-King
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
7 April 2013
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Was really interesting but with a very sad ending! Would have love to have had some pictures in the book as well. although mainly set around officers it still brought back great memories of my second ship while working as a seaman for the Orient Line. Story line and locations should bring back memories to all who remember when Britain had a merchant fleet to be proud off.
One person found this helpful
JoJo Maxson
5.0 out of 5 stars Seaboard romances are almost as scary as surgery!
21 March 2017
Format: Paperback
Peter Tate pens an amusing story about a young surgeon who goes to sea on an old cruiser. As an assistant doctor, Tate learns quickly that there are many illnesses that text books didn’t cover the cure. One example was the crew member who was deathly ill because of fear. Fortunately, an older co-worker recognizes the symptoms and recommends a cure. Some of Tate’s patients weren’t able to be saved and their deaths were quite sad.
As Tate was able to travel to different countries many of his stories are filled with colourful individuals and cultures. In three short years just a few of his adventures included a Smallpox scare, bank robbery, typhoon, love, and aiding the largest ship on the seas.
As the ship has its final trip, so does Sandra have her desired end. No matter how many lives Peter could save, he was never able to fully deliver Sandra from her demon.
J. Armstrong
3.0 out of 5 stars You might think that this would lead to a boring read, but Tate’s writing style and wry humor ...
March 23, 2017
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Peter Tate, gives us a delightful autobiography of himself and his experiences as a young doctor. You might think that this would lead to a boring read, but Tate’s writing style and wry humour help guide the reader through a delightful set of characters and locations. With the host of characters, this book has a slight edge of the fantastical about it as well. The 1970’s were an impressionable time for the young doctor Tate, and although he did not choose this profession (his father did), he made the best of his cards and applied himself to learning the cure for ills that his medical texts did not cover.The many flashbacks do make this book a tad bit more complicated in the beginning to read and orient yourself within the story, but around the 6th chapter, I had the author’s rhythm down and was zooming through the pages. Well written, articulate without any editing errors make this a good read.
mint tea
4.0 out of 5 stars Funny and detailed!
April 2, 2017
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
The first thing I noticed about this book is that it is extremely descriptive, even when you aren’t sure what the author is talking about. He uses metaphors and imagery that can’t be mistaken, which also help you understand the type of place he’s coming from. It seems like it is something depressing or sad from the beginning, but you will want to keep reading to be sure. Essentially, it is the tale of a man who was a doctor and his reasons for becoming one. It also explains how he got to the present moment in time, and some of the people he met along the way, as well as the ship that he spent a chunk of his career on. Lastly, it is a story about love and loss; something that is central in most of our lives. It isn’t hard to relate to this one at times and it is written in an interesting style which flips back and forth in time quite often.
Laurence Gore
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting historical and comical narrative.
June 10, 2014
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Fascinating story of a British ship doctor during the height of P&O era of long "down under" voyages. Rich in characters and storylines. You will wish the doctor never gave up his cruise practice and a sequel would follow. If you enjoy social and maritime history from a very human perspective, you will love this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars A cruise ship surgeon's tale
14 April 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This is an excellently written story of behind the scenes on a Cruise ship of years gone by. The many characters seem to be a large family each supporting each other
5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD
7 December 2018
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
COOL
Grady Harp Top Contributor: Children's Books
HALL OF FAME TOP 100 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 stars ‘Doctors go to sea for a variety of reasons and at that time I could not have articulated my own.’
March 21, 2017
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Author/physician Peter Tate republishes his ‘novelized autobiography of his tenure as a ship’s doctor from 1969 – 1972.’ Peter has published several books about doctor/patient relationships – THE DOCTOR’ S COMMUNICATION HANDBOOK, THE OTHER SIDE OF MEDICINE, THE CONSULTATION: AN APPROACH TO LEARNING AND TEACHING, MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR DOCTOR and IF YOU KNEW SUSIE, and another book SEANACHAI: THE STORYTELLER’S STORY in 2015 under the moniker Padraigh Etat – a book so superb that this reviewer wrote ‘Irish author Padraigh Etat appears to be bowing into the literary scene with this exquisitely crafted short novel that embraces all that is quintessentially Irish in stories and writings. Reflect for a moment on some of the strongest writers of the past and many of them are Irish – James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Yeats, Synge, Swift, Bram Stoker, Brendan Behan, William Trevor, Samuel Beckett, and on and on. And it would appear that if the tunes remain as singable as they appear in this work, Padraigh Etat may be joining them! We have little biographical information to judge his platform and that may be the better way to open this little book of marvels: it speaks for itself. As the author states, ‘This is an intelligent modern fairy/ghost story in the tradition of the Brothers Grimm. Quintessentially Irish and based loosely on a collection of Irish Myths, ancient and relatively modern. There is an overall mythic schema of the failings of mankind being linked to the failings of the old Gods who made them in their image.’
Peter’s SeaSickness is also grand, if a bit difficult to step into as a book. Perhaps a run-through of his synopsis will help: ‘Seasickness, a funny tragedy, is a recollection of a happier time as a young doctor when newly employed as a ship’s surgeon on a P&O cruise liner. These memories describe a humorous journey of escapism released by hovering near death after major cardiac surgery. The life on board ship gradually leads to a love affair and finally marriage to a beautiful alcoholic. The flashbacks relate the tragic ending that takes 30 years to reach a conclusion with an embittered death and his continued lack of understanding despite his professional expertise. The flashbacks increase in frequency, intensity and meaningfulness as the novel progresses. There is a secondary love affair with the ship itself.’
Peter reflects on his father’s life as a General Practitioner (‘He qualified as a doctor at the age of 21 at Durham University in 1938. He did not want to be a doctor, but his father, a frighteningly good mathematician and headmaster of St Hilda's School South Shields, insisted. My father really wanted to be an Egyptologist and roller skating champion of England; instead he spent his life as a GP in a damp basement surgery in Beach Road South Shields. He only saw Egypt once and that was from the deck of The SS Theseus as it went through the Suez Canal in 1939 just as the Second World War broke out. When I was a boy he used to read The Book of the Dead, in original hieroglyphics on the stairs, he found it comfortable to read like that. He also liked Sherlock Homes. He took his postgraduate MD by examination early in the war; he passed but told me of the most difficult question he was asked….In 1946, the year I was born, General Practice was very different from now in so many ways. Perhaps the most important difference was the lack of clear split between hospital doctors and GPs. My father was a Consulting Physician to the Ingham Infirmary; he admitted patients there and looked after them in the hospital. He was also a surgeon if the need arose, and routinely took out tonsils at home. He used to do his own anaesthesia too. A terrifying thought to modern doctors and especially to his own son.’
At any rate, back to the plot – no, bests to amble through the delightful book yourself. ‘There is reasonable evidence that Medical School can severely damage your personality. Here you are very young, bright eyed and bushy tailed, full of hopes and dreams. You like people and you want to help them. You have chosen a caring profession and you do care, but you may not come out at the end of the five years quite the same. Firstly, this is not unreasonable; dreams need tempering with reality…etc’. Peter’s wry sense of humour makes the time and the pages fly by. This is a diversion of the very best kind. Grady Harp, March 17
5.0 out of 5 stars SeaSickness
28 June 2015
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
A great read every emotional. There always was a different lifestyle on the passenger ships and I think this has been very well described in this book A great read for anyone.
Lizzie
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent read.
29 June 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Excellent book. Peter Tate use to be my doctor. A lovely man. From Liz Sanderson
russ
5.0 out of 5 stars
26 January 2014
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
GOOD WRITER GREAT BOOK WELL WORTH READING I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN THANK YOU PETER FOR A GOOD READ 5*****+++++
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
4 January 2013
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
One of the best books i have read in a long time, funny and moving. Could not put it down. Paints an excellent picture of life at sea on passenger vessels.
5.0 out of 5 stars Done it.
3 January 2013
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Cruised on Orcades same time as Peter Tate 68,69, spot on, in every way.
Loved the book and the cruise memories.
One person found this helpful
Paul Jones-King
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
7 April 2013
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Was really interesting but with a very sad ending! Would have love to have had some pictures in the book as well. although mainly set around officers it still brought back great memories of my second ship while working as a seaman for the Orient Line. Story line and locations should bring back memories to all who remember when Britain had a merchant fleet to be proud off.
One person found this helpful
JoJo Maxson
5.0 out of 5 stars Seaboard romances are almost as scary as surgery!
21 March 2017
Format: Paperback
Peter Tate pens an amusing story about a young surgeon who goes to sea on an old cruiser. As an assistant doctor, Tate learns quickly that there are many illnesses that text books didn’t cover the cure. One example was the crew member who was deathly ill because of fear. Fortunately, an older co-worker recognizes the symptoms and recommends a cure. Some of Tate’s patients weren’t able to be saved and their deaths were quite sad.
As Tate was able to travel to different countries many of his stories are filled with colourful individuals and cultures. In three short years just a few of his adventures included a Smallpox scare, bank robbery, typhoon, love, and aiding the largest ship on the seas.
As the ship has its final trip, so does Sandra have her desired end. No matter how many lives Peter could save, he was never able to fully deliver Sandra from her demon.
J. Armstrong
3.0 out of 5 stars You might think that this would lead to a boring read, but Tate’s writing style and wry humor ...
March 23, 2017
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Peter Tate, gives us a delightful autobiography of himself and his experiences as a young doctor. You might think that this would lead to a boring read, but Tate’s writing style and wry humour help guide the reader through a delightful set of characters and locations. With the host of characters, this book has a slight edge of the fantastical about it as well. The 1970’s were an impressionable time for the young doctor Tate, and although he did not choose this profession (his father did), he made the best of his cards and applied himself to learning the cure for ills that his medical texts did not cover.The many flashbacks do make this book a tad bit more complicated in the beginning to read and orient yourself within the story, but around the 6th chapter, I had the author’s rhythm down and was zooming through the pages. Well written, articulate without any editing errors make this a good read.
mint tea
4.0 out of 5 stars Funny and detailed!
April 2, 2017
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
The first thing I noticed about this book is that it is extremely descriptive, even when you aren’t sure what the author is talking about. He uses metaphors and imagery that can’t be mistaken, which also help you understand the type of place he’s coming from. It seems like it is something depressing or sad from the beginning, but you will want to keep reading to be sure. Essentially, it is the tale of a man who was a doctor and his reasons for becoming one. It also explains how he got to the present moment in time, and some of the people he met along the way, as well as the ship that he spent a chunk of his career on. Lastly, it is a story about love and loss; something that is central in most of our lives. It isn’t hard to relate to this one at times and it is written in an interesting style which flips back and forth in time quite often.
Laurence Gore
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting historical and comical narrative.
June 10, 2014
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Fascinating story of a British ship doctor during the height of P&O era of long "down under" voyages. Rich in characters and storylines. You will wish the doctor never gave up his cruise practice and a sequel would follow. If you enjoy social and maritime history from a very human perspective, you will love this book.