Family history helps shape author's new seafaring tale

Former Bristol Post journalist DAVID CLENSY’S new novel was inspired by his family's wartime experiences, he explains

- 

(David Clensy)

WHAT is storytelling, if not simply passing on memories down the generations?

One of my earliest memories is of getting my head stuck between the railings on the Pier Head in Liverpool. I must have only been three or four years old. My grandad would often take me down to Woodside where we would catch the ferry over to Liverpool.

We would climb the boat's steep steps to find a bench on the top deck - our perch carefully chosen for the best views while avoiding the sooty flecks coming from the funnel. He would tell me stories as the ferry made its way across. | had no idea then of how these early experiences on the river would one day influence my writing.

Once at the Pier Head, on the Liverpool side, I could look along the river to the Royal Albert Dock in one direction and Princes Dock in the other. Beyond for as far as I could see, there seemed to be docks all along the Mersey. I could imagine my other grandfather - my dad’s dad ~ climbing aboard the great oceangoing ships he worked on asa chief engineer for the Liverpool shipping line John Holt & Company throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

Even at that early age I was fascinated by the old waterfront buildings and the view across the Mersey.

I sensed the history - the generations who had walked in the shadow of the buildings before me. I wanted to be part of that story. Which, presumably, is how I came to have my head stuck firmly between the railings.