BANANA BOATS

The banana boats were nearly always good looking, some in a rather old-fashioned way, like Pecos, and some just handsome 'mini-liners' like Golfito and her sister Camito.

Leon and Lempa were an odd couple, I don't think being 'stretched' amidships helped their appearance.

Other banana boats that spring to mind include Patuca, Tinto, Chririqui, Tucaringa and the elegant 'C' class ships like Chuscal. Some were transferred within the United Fruits group and turned up with new funnel markings and new names. Omoa, Mardinia Importer and Mardinia Exporter were all ex 'C' class, I think.

I can remember towing a few of these in with Dad on the tug Meeching. Golfito and Leon, for sure.

A fine selection of photos of ships now long gone.  Note the counter stern on the Pecos - a really outdated feature on ships of her age. 

It was especially interesting for me to see the views of Golfito as I was lucky enough to go aboard her sister ship Camito at Southampton in 1972 when she, too, was about to reach the end of her days.  They were lovely compact and well appointed mini-liners with a lot of character.

We're Fyffes the only importer through Newhaven or did others, such as Geest also use the port please?

Great photos of the various Fyffes ships, as a young man I sailed on several of these ships. Do you have any photos of the interiors. 

There is a Facebook page called Elders & Fyffes they would welcome some of your excellent photos. 

Thank you again.

replying to Andrew (09/08/2016)- no record to my knowledge of any Geestline ships to Newhaven.

and to Colin (12/11/2016) sorry, no interior photos as never went on board the Golfito.  (There was a recent Sea Breezes article on the Golfito and Camito with more photos.) 

This is bringing back some good memories. As a (very) young man I sailed as a radio-operator in the Dutch merchant navy. In the 70's I made some trips with the  under Dutch flag sailing bananaship ss Calamares/PDHZ. I was twice in Golfito and it looked kinda different then ;-)

Calamares was also an occasional visitor, very distinctive with that tall funnel. I've added a photo of her. Andy-Editor

I remember standing on the Docks waiting to be chosen, from the many guys waiting for work, unloading the Bananas and Potatoes from the Hull of these ships. The cranes on the quayside that ran on railway tracks hoisting them out of the deep hulls. You stopped for tea at 10am noon and finished when the boats were off loaded.

if you worked hard you would be selected the next day. If not you can forget it for a few weeks.

I can't remember the pay as it was casual only.

Really hard sweaty work but it kept you fit.

Anyone remember unloading these boats and how much the cash was ? 

When I started work as a casual down the docks it was £11 per day plus bonus, that was in 1977. The Almirante was a banana boat I remember in addition to the Leon and the Lempa. Particularly enjoyed a ‘tickle’