Jack’s the maritime man wit
THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF WEEKLY FEATURES IN THE RUN-UP TO THE 2018 TALL SHIPS RACES IN SUNDERLAND
If it’s matters nautical that you’re interested in, Jack Curtis is the man to ask.
The Tunstall 86-year-old has been a freelance writer for 52 years and has a family history closely linked to Sunderland’s port.
He is also the man behind a great piece of research on a majestic ship called The Torrens.
The mighty Torrens might well have been the greatest tall ship to ever sail the oceans. Thanks to Jack, we will be serialising his works in the weeks to come.
But what about the author behind the tale? His own history is just as interesting.
Jack Curtis has a real affinity to Sunderland and its nautical past.
His grandfather Ralph Scott - on his maternal side - was a professional diver who was intrinsically involved in the building of Sunderland’s two piers.
“He helped to lay the underwater foundations,” said Jack.
Ralph cut quite the charismatic figure with his distinctive moustache. He lived on the docks for 28 years and became the Superintendent Diver on the south pier.
He reached official retirement age of 65 just as the world went to war in 1939.
But as Britain’s fit younger men went to battle in the Second World War, Ralph made a decision. He would keep on going as a diver for the foreseeable future.
Ralph only called it a day as a diver when he was 71. “It’s a heck of a shift,” said Jack.
Ralph’s part in Sunderland’s history has never been forgotten and his diving suit remains at Sunderland Museum.
But as well as diving, this all-action Sunderland grandad was involved in another piece of Wearside history.
He was captain of the Sunderland Royal Rovers Football team which won cups galore in 1900. Its achievements were never matched until Ryhope achieved the same number of trophy victories in 1960.
“He was quite a character,” admitted Jack who seems to possess many of the same qualities.
As well as writing, he is a member of the board of trustees with the Sunderland Maritime Heritage group.
He is a member of the Living History North East group, and of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society.
And he has every reason to keep looking to the future.
“I am a busy man,” he added.
Jack’s own history shows he served a full apprenticeship at the Old Sunderland Corporation Electricity Undertaking group. He served with them until he did his National Service with the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers).
In later years, he became an engineer, at first serving t Hesleden area and then ba in his beloved Sunderland.
He did consultancy wo and found himself consulti at Roker Park for 19 years.
He finished his time at t North Eastern Electricity Boa and had worked for 47 yea before he took a well-earn