Merchant Navy - Donkeyman?

[Kyt]

Whilst going through my local listings on the CWGC I came across this:

Name: FLEMING, PETER
Initials: P
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Donkeyman
Regiment/Service: Merchant Navy
Unit Text: S.S. Samvigna. (London).
Age: 61
Date of Death: 09/03/1946
Additional information: Husband of R. Fleming, of Knowle, Bristol.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. B.B. Grave 214.
Cemetery: BRISTOL (ARNOS VALE) ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY

I've found out that the Samvigna was Liberty ship but nothing else. But what really intrigues me is the rank - what was/is a donkeyman? I've found a number of casualties with this rank but no explanation for their role. Hugh, any idea?

[Hugh]

Kyt,

Have a look on this thread on one of the sites I work on. A donkeyman was an engine room rating who attended to the Donkey boiler amongst many other duties. Have a look here: Donkeyman - Mercantile Marine

ss SAMVIGNA Liberty ship built 1944, official number 169914
Lease lend to Britain
1944 MOWT (Hain SS Co, London)
1948 USMC, laid up Mobile.
1960 Scrapped Mobile

Regards
Hugh

[Kyt]

Thank you Hugh.

It seems that the role required experienced men, hence the age. I actually had this image of some poor chap in charge of some stubborn animals on board (don't ask, I have a strange imagination )

MOWT?

cheers
A

[Hugh]

No worries, Kyt.
I served in the RN and and some of the names are different. So when I started to get into MN research I had some learning to do as well.

Regards

[Kitty]

Mind you haven't merchant ships always been referred to as donkeys/mules?

[Hugh]

Hi Kitty,

Not sure about being called donkeys/mules but some were definately called tramps. In fact just read a book about them: "The Fighting Tramps". Good read.

Regards
Hugh