According to David Gregory's article in the Canadian Journal for Traditional Music (1997) A.L. Lloyd and the English Folk Song Revival, 1934-44 Bert sailed from Liverpool on board the Southern Empress for a seven month whaling voyage in 1937, and on his return he shipped aboard a freighter out of Liverpool in 1938.

I can't recall where I read that Bert joined the ship in Birkenhead Docks and found it crewed mainly by Welshmen who sang hymns. It may be somewhere in his sleeve notes.

Matthew