Yarrow, John George

July 15th, 2005 by JCB
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John George Yarrow

It is with regret that I report the death of John Yarrow on the 3^rd of January 2005. John was born in South Shields on the 5^th of May 1933.

After a year at the South Shields Sea School John followed his brother into Eagle Oil to serve his time. He remained with Eagle Oil and Shell up through the ranks to Chief Officer. He joined London & Overseas Freighters to gain a Masters Berth and finally transferred to Rowbothoms for coastal experience to help his ambition to become a London Trinity House Pilot. John was called to the North Channel in February 1968.

John was licensed in June 1968 and became a well liked and popular member of the Station.

We nearly lost him early in his career when he had the misfortune to fall into Harwich Harbour. He had shipped from the Sunk Cutter into a job for Felixstowe, which he seemed to do with great regularity, and once alongside called for the launch. As the launch approached John swung his bag and himself over the bulwark and into the harbour! Fortunately the launch crew soon had him on board. The launch Skipper reported that John had surfaced still wearing his cap and clutching his bag. Must have been something of value in his bag! He was soon on his way home.

John was a PLA Berthing Pilot at the “Havens” for the last 12 years of his career before he retired in 1998 and so became very well known to all the Pilots in the London District. He was held in high regard by all the Masters of the larger tankers which were in general regular traders into the London refineries.

Once on board John would, with the Masters permission, light a cigar and survey the ship and conditions and announce that it looked like a one cigar job, or a two cigar job, and he was usually right.

John lived in Little Oakley with his wife Lilian, also from South Shields. They were married in 1957 and have four children. John was a good example of what we understand by the term a family man. In addition to family duties John had a large garden to cope with but still found time to give help to many of his neighbours. The whole family were very active in the Parish Church and John was the Church Warden. He also took on some of the more mundane jobs in looking after the fabric of the church and the Churchyard.

Singing was an important part of John’s life. Besides being in the Church Choir he sang with the Harwich Choral Society and latterly with the De Capo Choral Singers which has a more modern repertoire.

John is going to be sorely missed by many, and for those who knew him we send our deepest sympathy to Lilian and her children: Claire, Helen, Catherine, and

As one who joined the pilotage service as a “new” Port of London Authority pilot in 1989 I and my colleagues remember John as a real Gentleman who was always willing to share his knowledge and experience during our training. A fine colleague sadly missed.