A monthly newsletter published for marine staff dshore and afloat

JUNE 1978 Issue No. 14

MAGDALENA COMPLETES FIRST FIVE YEAR CYCLE

MAGDALENA ,,

Grit blasting ofanchor fleets and soft stem.

FQ.ur new blades fitted. Two were brought from Japan, the spare landed from Manzanares and Magdalenas

ON 25TH 'APRIL "MAGDALENA" ENTERED DRYDOCK IN BREMER, HAVEN FOR HER ANNUAL REFIT AND COMPLETION OF FIRST SPECIAL SURVEY. Entering service .in 1973 she was the seventh of eight ships built for the Company by Kawasaki Heavy Industries at Kobe, Japan, and has since been in service on routes throughout the world.

The periodic drydocking, refit and survey of a ship is always a special occasion for the Marine Transportation office as well as the ship's company. Final work lists have to be prepared by Deck, Engine and Catering Depart­ments on board and submitted to

own spare.

Queen's Way for inclusion in the Specification.

The importance and accuracy of this document can never be overstressed as it is the basis on which the Ship­repair yards will make their tender. Preparation, typing, checking, printing, collation and despatch involve a large percentage of the office, and an under­tone of mild excitement prevails for the next few weeks as the bids are awaited. Where will she dock and how much will it cost us?

The quotes are analysed and discussed before the final decision is taken on which yard has won the contract. Then it's all stops out to organise the many

parts, supplies, service men, etc., who must be at the repair yard on time.

We are pleased to report that every­thing went well with "MAGDALENA". She completed on time sailing for Central America looking like a new pin.

Fyffes Line News: Distribution Arrangements We are now sending your copy direct to your home address, so that wives and families can see what you get up to.

Additional copies will continue to be sent direct to all ships.

I

Fyffes actIVitIes, also photos for use in our branch of World Ship Society. Interest From Down Under

The following has been received from Brisbane, Australia. Seems like Captain Leslie has competition from the New World!

-f' Dear Sirs,

Noting your advertisement featuring "MANZANARES" in "Marine Week" June 17th 1977, I am a Maritime Historian for several Australian News­papers, Author of "Commonwealth Line 1916-1928, Foundation Member of Queensland Branch World Ship Society and Queensland Maritime Museum.

I have some of your Company's History, but in some doubt of the Tropical Fruit Company of Glasgow which appeared to pioneer the West Indies and Central American Banana Trade, in the first decade of this century - they owned 22 ships, the oldest "ORLEANIAN" 2293 tons gross - built 1880 - to "TIVIVES" 5017 tons gross, built 1911, "GREEN­BRIER" 3332 tons gross, built 1893, is also on the Fleet List.

The nomenclature was later taken up by United Fruit Company - i.e. "METAPAN" 5011 tons - 1908, E & F gave the name "G REENBR IER" to the German built "PONGO" - later "MOEWE" 4595 tons - in 1921. So

Milestone

25 YEARS AGO: The Coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey. Overall organisation by the Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk. The ceremony was televised and T.V. coverage was extended for the first

it would appear a merger of some kind took place prior to 1914, when E & F had a Fleet of 16 ships - the largest "PATIA" 6103 tons built 1913 - down to "MATINA" 2870 tons built 1904. Looking through one of my discharge books I note I joined "BARRANCA", the only one of the E & F Line to be registered at my home town Manchester on 13th July 1925at Garston for Tela I did 8 voyages as Deck Boy & W.T. Watcher - promoted to ordinary seaman 16th August 1926, 2 more runs to Jamaica, and one to Santa Marta, paying off at Rotterdam, 28th February 1927.

Some months later I joined "PORT ANTONIO" United Fruit Company, also "METAPAN", but did not take U.S. Citizenship. Depression and the checking of papers of Crews on U.S. ships brought my career with United Fruit Co. to an end. I was pleased to see "MANZANARES" in U.F. Co. colours, her predecessor registered at Glasgow 1911, was sister ship to "BAR RANCA", both were built by Alex Stephens of Glasgow. I have photos of many of the ships of the 1920's, including the post war tonnage, "PATIA", "TETE LA", etc., and would be most grateful if you could forward to me a summary of today's fleet and

time to Northeast England and Northern Ireland. The Souvenir Issue of "Illustrated" (63 pages) cost 3p. Other items advertised in the magazine were:­Toothbrush 8p. Basildon Bond Writing Pads 5p. Envelopes 3p pkt. Vaseline Hair Tonic 12Y2p, large 19p. Nailbrushes 19p_ Jantzen shorts £1.75. Parker Pens from £2.15. Sandeman Sherry 90p_ Wolsey socks 33p. M & D Biscuits 22p per lb. box. Rail travel 1p per mile. Men's shoes £2.48. Ladies shoes £2.28 pair. Toilet soap 3Y,p tablet. Ford Consul £470 + P.T. £196.96. Rainooat £8.50. Shirt £1.37. Bois Advocaat £1.25 bottle. Pkt. of 20 cigarettes 19p. Robertson's Marmalade 7Y,p lb. Smith's Watches - Pocket £1.18, Wristwatch £2.75p.

The 1953 Cup Final saw Blackpool beat Bolton Wanderers 4-3 - the game was 3-3 up to the final moments when Stanley Matthews laid on Blackpool's winning goal.

50 YEARS AGO: Captain Kingsford­Smith flew the Pacific. Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith 11897-1935) Austra­lian airman and one of the greatest

It is possible that I may be able to give you, stories of "MATI NA", "NICOYA", "BARRANCA", etc., which I recorded at the time. Though all coal burners, which didn't go with wooden decks, white hulls and super­structures they were good ships, I wore out many holystones to get the ships ready for the Marine Superintendent's inspection at Garston or Avonmouth, tall masts, varnished derricks, teak bridge work belong to the past, but I feel proud to have had some association with such graceful ships.

Yours fraternally, FRANK BRENNAN Graduate - 1925 - Gravesend Sea School.

High Speed Trains To Edinburgh

On 8th May 1978 six Inter City High Speed Trains started service at up to 125 mph on the east coast main line linking London, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

The new trains will cut the journey between Edinburgh and London from 5 hours 28 minutes to 4 hours 50 min· utes and between York and London from 2 hours 26 minutes to 2 hours 8 minutes.

long distance fliers. He broke many records in the tri-motor Fokker 'Southern Cross' until he was lost over the Bay of Bengal.

General Nobile, Italian aeronautical engineer and Arctic explorer, reached the Pole in the airship "ITALlA" but crashed on the way back. He survived for a month in the Arctic before a Swedish plane rescued him.

75 YEARS AGO: King Alexander I of Serbia and his Queen were assassinated by a military gang.

Serbia, one of the constituent republ ics of Yugoslavia. is a mountainous ter· ritory in the east of the country, Belgrade being the capital.

100 YEARS AGO: Cyprus was ceded to Britain under the treaty of Berlin; this was an international congress con­sisting of Great Britain, Germany, France,Austria-Hungary, Italy, Turkey and Russia. The German Chancellor Bismarck was President - the main aim of the Conference was to split up the Balkan States to ensure peace amongst the big powers.

Manistee Mania

The last race meeting run on the Ups­and Downs, with Ludo Knight presiding as Clerk of the Course, had a definite Ascot-like flavour, with maybe the slightest touch ofTrincomalee, Transyl­vania, and even the Trossachs. In fact the Royal Enclosure has never been graced with such a cosmopolitan. clientele in its entire history.

The inspiration for this sartorial disaster was, we suspect, the "MANISTEE" Young Wives Club, whi Ie crouched round a steaming cauldron of boiler suits in the Laundry Room. Be that as it may, twenty-four hours of feverish activity culminated in a Fancy Dress Race Meeting (this must be a new slantl. It has to be said that the racing came a poor second. along with all the horses that the author backed.

Among the glittering, exotic horde of punters were:· Quasimodo, an horrific ghoul. suitably bloodstained and drag· ging the last gigantic bone filched from the galley stockpot; 'Hoots Man', the poor man's Kenneth McKellar, wearing a jabot suspiciously like a pair of frilly knickers; Maid Marian and Will Scarlett, the latter exhibiting the best legs of the evening - get you!; The Phantom Flasher, of whom the less said lor seen) the better; Captain Birdseye, whose borrowed garb worried a couple of senior Officers considerably; a very cheeky pirate; a couple - we think ­representing the Wise Men's gifts ­Frankenstein and Mer-lin; and a host of others.

The Phantom Flasher, Merlin, Tutankhamen, Sultan and Sultana

Sultan and Sultana, Captain Birdseye and Hoo ts Man

The winners receiving their prize

-

Two of the aforesaid Wise Men had the unenviable task of judging the exhibitors - which in one or two cases was the mot juste - and the winners were the Sultan and Sultana, a seedy couple who had obviously just finished a crankcase inspection.

Despite Ludo's efforts as a whipper-in, the evening disintegrated comfortably, along with Tutankhamen's swaddling and other extraneous garments. The beer cans mounted, eight bells struck, silence fell, and peace reigned supreme.

TONY WHITEHOUSE Master (of hounds?1

..."..

°fl fl. ,~~" '.'. " ~:.\ ,} ..'

, '1 '. j 'i,-,.

\-t,

Frankensteins Monster, The Vicar, Ouasimodo and Merlin

Maid Marion, Will Scarlett and the Chain Gang

Guess Who?

Last Months Guess Who

Sgt. J.N, Clarke of RAFVR 1939-1946, Jim is now on Marine Administration at Queens Way

Environmental control gets high priority, and areas once named 'bio· logical deserts' now have a thriving

Pori of Los Angeles

The Spaniards who ruled Mexico in the 16th Century were always keen to improve their knowledge. and their riches, by further colonisation. With this in mind the Viceroy of Mexico despatched Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portugese navigator. to explore the Pacific Coast in 1542,

His visit to the area which is now Los Angeles, is the first recorded ship's visit, although Cabri 110 himself remained on board, not wishing to test the friendliness of the native Indians.

Little happened after that for a further 200 years when some Franciscan Fathers began setting up missions in Southern Cal ifornia from 1769 ';-n­wards. The monks traded tallow and leather hides for sugar. cloth and household goods. •

Regular shipping services between San Pedro and the San Francisco Goldfields began in 1853. The opening of the first

. railroad in Southern California - the 23 mile long Los Angeles and San Pedro Railroad - indicated the impor· tance already attached to the small port,

The U.S. Government selected San Pedro Bay as the best location for a major harbour development at the turn of the century, with Federal and State funds available. progress was swift. A 9 mile breakwater was started and the growing city of Los Angeles was con· nected to San Pedro, and thus to the Pacific Ocean, by a 16 mile long strip of land, wh ich gave Los Angeles a ready made harbour.

By 1923, thanks partly to the Panama Canal reoOpening after World War I, Los Angeles had replaced San Francisco as the biggest cargo handlers on the West Coast.

Therich fish ing potential was developing and by 1929 Los Angeles had become the largest fishing industry centre in the world.

The depression years of the 1930's were followed by tremendous upsurge in activity during World War II. the U.S. Navy controlling the port.

Since World War II Los Angeles has expanded to cope with new circum­stances including the development of Japanese trade. increased oil imports and size of oil carriers, new techniques for container trade.

The Port's operations are now on such a large scale that it is estimated one out of every four jobs in the Los Angeles area is in some way connected with the Port Operation.

Los Angeles Harbor's Port Warden Capt. Lionel H. de Santy, left, presents official plaque to Capt. D.A. Hamilton, master of the MS UMatina, U com· memorating the British flag vessel's first arrival at the Pan of Los Angeles in 1969. The ship offloaded Datsun automobiles from Japan, but future calls brought bananas from Central America to United Fruit Company's banana terminal at the Port of Los Angeles.

marine life thanks to the cleaning of the water and the constant vigilance of those responsible for keeping things clean.

Of nostalgic interest to BritiSh visitors is the "QUEEN MARY HYATT HOTEL" at Long Beach. The recorded voice of Captain Treasure Jones, late of the Cunard Company, welcomes visitors at regular intervals throughout the day. Unfortunately. despite con­siderable enterprise to attract more visitors, such as the addition of the Jacques Cousteau Living Sea Museum, and a model village the "QUEEN MARY" appears to be a burden on Los Angeles ratepayers and, as such, short of friends!

Plans are under way for a maritime museum within the Harbour Depart· ment property.

o

UCongratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm Shambley'~

With the happy couple, for those who may not recognise them out of working gear are:- Mick Fulton, eiRe, Jeff Lloyd 210, John Wynn 3rd Mate, Alan Ferrington 3rdlEng.

"FLEET LIST PERSONNEL ON LEAVE .,

'-, , RANK MAGDALENA MANISTEE MANZANARES MAZATEC RANK LEAVE MASTEA cia 2/0 "'0 CI' 2/,

"" 41E

C/R/E 1ST ELECT.

a.A. HAMILTON A.M.L. MURRAY A.A. SMITH D,C.SEDDON T.R.WEBB

o.B.B. MAOUAAWALA C. RALSTON

P.J.W. AULD R.D. MCPHEE J.J. SALMON D. HARDISTY

f.e.A. WHITEHOUSE R.L. weSTWATER C. RENAULT P. KERRy P.O. PARRY A.H. GRIEVES

T,N. RICHARDSON F.W. MCCORD R.E. KIRBY

E. HEDLEY H. KING

B. HODGES R.N. MILLER S. NElSON D.G. SMITH P.G. STOCKBRIDGE

SA RAHMAN F. BRADY

D.J.CLOKE os. SHONE J.T.P.OWEN J.C. HARDMAN

J.J. RoelNSON B.V. MERCER P.W,I(, HEVWOOD W.H. HOCKENHULL w.e. DUFF

M,J. BOWDEN B.J. COLLINS

J. MCCANN S.l. NOTLEY E. MORGAN M. RYAN J. KING

MASTER

cia 2/0 "'0

CI' 2/,

"" 41E

N.W. THOMAS J. MASSON O.J. GARDNER L. SYKES A.D. ATKINSON A,M. MOOAE B,I(. PERCHAAO J.N. SMITH F.C. RENTY F. HEALEY J.B. BATY M. SUFREOO WA ROBINSON E.J. YOUNG

E. JONES

M.R. CURTIS G.R. NAYLOR P, CLEIFE T.C.J. MARTINS M.W,P. CLEARY J. MCALISTER

W.J. BURGUM R.G. BERTENSHAW A.D. GRANT-JONES R. STOTT F.W. MAGREE

R.H.E. EVANS

RB. RHYMES

W.M. CAASLAW J.W. AINGER

F.B. WILLIAMS

M.B. CRAVOS T. GARDINER A.C. PAPEL G.C. SMART S.D. CRAPPER

T.C. MULLINGS

A,H.N. WILKIN

D.J. BROWNE A.E. ASHWOOO

J. RUSSELL

P.C. ELLINGTON J.R. WRIGHT C.A. ANDREW D. MILLAR C. TENNANT

JIE l.J. PRAIN S.W. LIGHTFOOT J. GRIFFITH C.N. RHODES C. THOMSON R. BUCKLAND A.G. DAVIS PURSER C. STOCK R. RUSSELL M.G. HILLYAR M. WEBB CIRIE AR.M. AITKEN J. LEATHERBARROW G.C. SMITH fU'. SOMERS

C. LUGG T. FULLALOVE (ACTING COOKf ELECTS. A.H. CLARKE E.F. STANHOPE B. PEARSON S, TAYLOR

N.CADET S. YOUNG A.E. WEATHERRILL C.N. CONE A.M. DARTON R. GIBSON G.L. WILLIAMS C.R. PARKIN A.J. MONEY C.D. CHAMBERS P.V. BROWN ~, M.J. BALSON A.ROBERTS OW. HINDLE M.S. ASHTON

E. CADET S.T. WILLIAMS T.G. FOWLER D.R. MILLAR D.E. KERR M. PRITCHARD MA HOLEHDUSE R.W. GLEDHILL C.J. SHONE R.M. STUART PURSER T.B. HAMPSON C.K. DUNHAM E.S. MARTIN F.KERSHAW

RIO MAINT. TEAM

P.G. BAYLET IF) P.C. CROWLEY (Ff PA BOWEN (F) C.A. FIELD J.D. JOHNSTON

A.P.D. JOHN IFI Ala MAINT. TEAM

R.C. HEYWOOD S.P. WADE T. BOLTON

W.CASEY P.P. AZZOPARDI 1. BURNSIDE

J. GILVARRY . C.P.O. P.O.OPS. P.O. STORES G.P.l.lDf

G.P.l.IEI

A, STANLEY S. MEEK

l.J, SHARP J.W. RABY C.J. OVERTON G.A. GROVE I. MACLEAN A.G. JENKINS M.A. TRAVERS V. AZZOPARDI A,P. PHILLIPS T. RIFFATT

A.W. DOWNER L.R. FARRELL N.N. DOE WAG. MAXWELL M.S. GI LLETT M.G.J. BEALE R.J. SLAlA N.W. HUGHES J. STRUGNELL G.C. JENKINS E.W. SHEPPEY J. DRISCOLL

T.W. NICHOLLS l.C. JOYNER O.F. ARNOLD C. BUSUTTIL N.B. JONES T.N. LEWIS J.P. PAULL G. TURNER J. MORAWSKI

J.D. DICKERSON G.E. TAME l. GEENS

R.W. ROBSON FA GEORGE M.K. O'MALLEY J.D. BLANEY R. DURBIN A.R. ROBINSON G.W. WATSON P. PAGE OA MURRELL C.R. WALKER J.H. MCABE A.M. SMITH

C.P.O. BOSUN MAINT. SOUAD. P.O.OPS. P.O. STORES G.P.UO)

G.P.l.(E) G.P.O.COOK 2NDCDOK ASST. COOK ASST. STWD.

W. PASSFIELD A.J. COX W. CONNACHAN K.HARVEY A.J. GRIFFIN I.J.WEATHERALL J.E. HORNE A.E. PERKINS W.J. STORK A. NEESON P.J. LONG H.J. HOMER L.G. SNELL

F.C. HAMPSON J.l. BARTLETT D.W. BURTON L. KNIGHT M.J. ROBERS T. COUGHLAN J.H.M. BOOTH O.K. WEBB

T. BYRNE

A.H. GooOHIND O. BURNS H.l. JONES

A.W. POTTER

K. NESSLING

D.E. JONES J.E. ASHENDEN

K. MOORE

C.P.OJ CH/CDOK 2ND COOK ASST. COOK ASST. STWO.

CAT. BOY. FABRIC SQUAD.

GA WELCH I.C.GUDGIN

T. HAMMOND C.P. ELLIS B.A. DRAIN B. COLE S.P. AYLOFF W. WILSON K.W. STILL

M.J. ESMOND

J. PAAIS K. NEWMAN R.W. EDNEY D.J. FORRESTER P. CHRISTOPHERSON

J. MCLEOD

P.C. MCKAY A.P.MAN S.P. ALLEN G. STAGGE D. LAMBERT Z. MILOVANOVIC

K.F.W. MCPHERSON

S. MADDEN F. GALEA R.A. BLAKE P.C.CHASE A.H. KING 0.1. HIGHFIELD

CAT. BOY.

RANK 2/0

3/021E 3/,41E

A.CooLMAN

OFF PAY C. BIGGINS

S.C. MOORE

SICK STUDY LEAVE P.J. KOLINSKY N.A. MILLER J.G. MORRIS W.O·CONNOR F.S. LEGGE A.S. COATES

• -, .. " ", ~' , , ~, G.N. HUBBARD P.O. STORES P.T.C. BATTISON G.P.l.lE1 J.P.O·CONNOR G.P.O. COOK S.C. ARCHER

•

RANK MASTER cia

BARRANCA R.N. CUMBERS J.C.W. BARNEY

BAYANO G. SPIKINS R.P. EARL

PATUCA JA CRUICKSH~NK G.L. LEGG

. FLEET MOVEMENTS

2/0 J.W. LLOYD K.D. RICHARDSON E.M. MEARE "'0CIE 21E

S.D. SMITH M. PADGET O.F.WALKER

J.P. WYNN R.P. PALLIN D.A. DAVIES

P.HAMILTON C.R. LEE J.V. DRURY

++ + BARRANCA DUE GULFPORT 23RD MAY; LEAVES GULFPORT 24TH MAY; DUE PUERTO COATES 28TH MAY;

"" B. CLARK A.A. FERRINGTON J.H. BREWSTER A. VICKERS

LEAVES PUERTO CORTES 28TH MAY; DUE GULFPORT 1ST JUNE; THENCE DRYDOCK NEW ORLEANS +++

41E M. SHAMBLEY G.R. HUGHES C.J. CLARKE

B.E.J. SHRIVE M.E.W. WILLIAMS S. DUCKWORTH

BAYANO DUE PUERTO CORTES 26TH MAY; LEAVES PUERTO CORTES 26TH MAY; DUE GULFPORT 29TH MAY;

LEAVES GULFPORT 29TH MAY; DUE PUERTO CORTES 1ST JUNE + + + MAGDALENA LEFT ALMIRANTE 21ST ClR/E 1ST ELECT.

S.J. BRADLEY J.ORR

M.C. FULTON C.J. CAZENAVE

W.H. GILL C.E. JEANES

MAY; DUE TELA 22ND MAY; LEAVES TELA 23RD MAY; DUE ALBANY 30TH MAY; LEAVES ALBANY 1ST JUNE 2ND ELECT. ~,

PURSER

G.H. BRIGGS

B.R. WARREN

M.RYAN M.W. WHITESIDE M.WOOD P.T. DOWNIE

FOR CRISTOBAL + + + MANISTEE LEFT CRISTOBAL 22ND MAY; DUE GOLFITO 24TH MAY; LEAVES GOLFITO

26TH MAY; DUE CRISTOBAL 29TH MAY; DUE GENOA 9TH JUNE + + + MANZANARES LEFT ARMUELLES N. CADET E. CADET D.J. KINGERLEE

M.G. BDYLIN P. BOOTH C.D. BRADLEY 21ST MAY; DUE CRISTOBAL 22ND MAY; DUE GENOA 4TH JUNE + + + MAZATEC LEAVES GENOA 24TH MAY;

RIO D. THORNTON C. GRECH IFf H.D. GASKELL IF)

AW. STEINBERG P.l. ROBINSON (M)

DUE CRISTOBAL 5TH JUNE + + + PATUCA LEFT SINGAPORE 20TH MAY, DUE DAVAO 24TH MAY, DUE JAPAN

SUP'Y P.F. WITHERDEN 2NDJUNE+++

UNITED BRANDS LAUNCHING

Mrs. Rosalind Peters, wife of Fyffes General Manager, gives a lady's im­pression of the traditional ceremony.

In January I was fortunate enough to go with my husband to Gdansk in Poland for the launching of a new ship being built for United Brands Company, "R 10 CUYAME L".

" Neither of us had visited Poland before, I;: and we were excited at the prospect.

We flew from London, and after changing aircraft at Amsterdam to a grey Polski plane that had been standing on the tarmac. we were given an excellent meal, during the two hour flight, of prawn cocktail, chicken in vegetables Ivery hotl pastry, and a porcelain cup for our very good coffee. rolls and butter.

painstakingly rebuilding their old town from 17th Century prints and plans; replacing old carvings. clock faces. beautiful churches and old Dutch styled boules in complete squares. It is, I think, a tremendous achievement and makes one realise just what a terrible time the Polish people have had, and their strength in trying to bring back and hold their past. They are a very religious· people and their churches are filled on Sundays by the young and old alike.

The weather was superb. Brilliant sun; but dry and bitterly cold, which ate into any part of you that was not covered by layers of clothing. The river coming from Warsaw, the Vistula, flowed by in great lumps of ice down to the sea.

I left without it! We went into a Super­market, tins stacked in pyramids on the floor, rather than on shelves. There seemed to be plenty of bread and cheese, and milk, but in the middle of winter, few vegetables. There were book shops, and chemists, and quite a few selling cosmetics and the Plovac tourist shops sell beautiful crystal, amber, wood carvings, and brightly coloured woven mats and embroidered linen.

The Reception and Dinner at the hotel in the evening was extremely pleasant. The Polish custom of hand kissing was well evident, the vodka was flowing and everyone and everything was well toasted. We ate smoked salmon, steak and chips, Russian salad. and local nutty icecream, and drank Vodka,

Mrs. Barbara Reiss. Rio Guyamel ­ The Launch.

Warsaw International was a rather plain building in the dark and we were the last passengers that evening. The Arrivals Hall was painted chocolate brown, walls and ceiling, white marble floor and desks with high white neon lights. The officials however were young and pleasant and we were soon on our way to the Grand Hotel.

We left early next morning in a flurry of snow for the local Airport.

Here the atmosphere was cheerful; a few potted plants adorned the small departure lounge, where we met the rest of our party and were soon on a noisy little propeller plane to Gdansk.

Gdansk is a large and flourishing port, the area taking in the three towns of Gdynia, Sopot and Gdansk, which was formerly the old medieval town Danzig, once capital of East Prussia.

It was razed to the ground during the last war and the Polish people are

We stayed in the Poseiden Hotel Inter­national, elegant with indoor swimming pool, sauna, nightclub, hairdresser, etc. Between the hotel were the small cabins, and behind, the high rise flats, that I should imagine the Polish people use when visiting Gdansk on holiday, this coastline being, of course, the only access they have to the Baltic Sea.

The ladies were taken for a shopping trip in the afternoon in the ne'N town. My impression of the clothes shops was that they were quite small, with brown floors, cream walls, and few mirrors - I saw no department stores as we know them, no brightly lit shop windows, very little display. And yet the women were fashionably dressed, with smart leather boots with the new narrow heel, well fitted coats, a lot of fur, and beautiful fur hats. I tried to buy myself a hat but at our rate of exchange it would have cost me £48 ­

blackcurrant juice, red wine, and mineral water, all served at the same time! (But in separate glasses.) There were plenty of speeches and Mrs. Barbara Reiss, "The Godmother", who was to launch the ship was presented with a beautiful antique silver and amber pendant. The rest of the lad ies received an equally beautiful present of an 18 ct. gold pendant - a bunch of bananas!

Saturday the great day of the launching dawned - brilliant sun and bitterly cold. Our programme started with a visit to the local church for an organ recital. The organ, one of the finest in Europe, has the power to shake build­ings and can be heard in the town outside if played at full strength. It is very ornate and the angels and cherubs adorning it play their bugles when represented on the organ. In days gone by it took 14 men to work the pumps.

,

-

The naming - "Rio Cuyamel".

United Brands Launching - contd.

A quick visit to the old town then into the ship yard to the Manager's office for a welcome coffee and cognac to bring the blood back into circulation.

The ceremony itself was very impressive. the small wooden platform being dwarfed by the enormous ship. the local dignitaries and dock workers surrounding us, with a brass band playing in the background.

We started with the Polish speeches; then Mrs. Reiss. "The Godmother". stepped forward. small and trim. She had bravely learned her speech in Polish and delivered it faultlessly, the brass band played "The Star Spangled Banner" and the great ship, after a moment's hesitation, slipped gently into the water, a truly magnificent sight.

From Leftto Right: Mr. Bert C. Reiss, Mrs. Mattsson, Mr. J.W Klitsie, Mrs. Reiss, Mr. M.A. Baecklund, Mr. Russell Peters, Mr. Matt R. Runi, Mrs. Peters, Mr. Leif Hartzell, Mr. E. Mattsson.

Back in the office Mrs. Reiss was presented with the neck of the cham­pagne bottle. some more amber, Mr. Reiss a vase and copper plate; more presentations, speeches, hand kissing, champagne, and it felt that the gap between East and West had closed a little.

Lunch was served at a Russian Restau­rant in the town, with again, the hand kissing, vodka, and more happy speeches. We ate golden caviare if} hard-boiled eggs, Borsch with a savoury doughnut I felt should be dunked (but no one did). fried veal. chips, Russian salad, and nutty icecream. this time with chocolate. The same combination of drinks was served and plenty of cognac. At about 6 p.m. we all crawled back to the Airport for the return flight to Warsaw; and to the Victoria Hotel in the centre of the city.

Once again a magnificent Inter­Continental hotel standing between the old reconstructed town of Warsaw on one side and on the other the new town dominated by the gigantic Palace of Culture built by the Russians which, unfortunately, we did not have time to see.

We had the next morning Sunday to wander around the old town and see the rebuilding - We saw the artists in the old square, heard the singing in the packed churches and visited the home of Madame Curie, born Marie Sklodowska, and walked down to the fast flowing Vistula, cold with large sheets of solid ice.

Then we left Poland after 4 tiring but very interesting and unforgettable days.

ROSALI NO PETERS

Teamwork Training at Sea Earlier issues of Fyffes line News people together during precious leave described the Fleet Forums that were periods became readily apparent. The held at Southampton for staff from decision to carryon the programme at Queen's Way and senior Officers from sea was the natural development. So the fleet. The Forums were conducted far Dr. Cousins has joined under the guidance of Dr. Michael "MANISTEE" - Captain Whitehouse­Cousins and certainly helped to create Cristobal to Malaga, and "MAZATEC" a greater affinity and sense of purpose - Captain Robinson - Albany to amongst all who took part. From the Cristobal. In each ship he has arranged start the Forums were an obvious four mixed Officer/Crew syndicates, success, not only in the noticeable working together through planned contribution which has been achieved periods on teamwork development pro­in the improved operation of the fleet, grammes. These dealt with a range of but also from the benefit which many subjects covering attitude, motivation, feel they have gained through their communication and effective utilisation personal involvement. of time, basic problem solving, and

shipboard relationships. It is planned When consideration was given to ex­ to continue this training programme tending this type of training approach in other ships of the fleet over the more widely in the Company, the next few months and to establish a problems of bringing large numbers of sound foundation for the future. Dr. Michael Cousins.

I

•

To The EditOT

• Captain Spikins Wedding Day photograph1iis brother Harry Curtis extreme left- and his father on the right.

Dear Sir,

I notice from the FYFFES LINE NEWS for December 1977, the "BAYAND" had the following Officers serving on board i.e. Captain G. Spikins and Chief OHicer M.R. Curtis. Both these Officers were former apprentices with the Company, but more significant they are both sons of former shore staff employees in the London office, and I had the pleasure not only of knowing their fathers extremely well, but also worked with them closely for many years.

Jim Spikins I first came across during the war when he was working in the old Steamship Department whilst I was then employed in the Sales Accounts Department. Jim and I used to walk to

Sea Breezes The picture of S.s. "ORMONDE" of the Orient Line refers to our last month's issue of Fyffes Lirie News.

Leicester Square Tube Station. Later I was transferred to the Steamship Accounts Department and had the utmost pleasure working alongside Jim, who without doubt was the finest and most conscientious clerk I have ever come across. He kept the Voyage Ledgers, plus many other subsidiary jobs, and it was the practice to balance the books monthly, and we were invariably out in our figures, but Jim's figures were always the last we checked, and over the many years I was involved I can only remember one occasion that Jim's adding up had gone astray. It must be remembered that in these days we had no adding up or calculating machines, and the Computer was un: heard of. Yes Jim was a great character, and very proud of his sons, and he

In 'Profile of a One Man Tour Operator' mention was made of Bob's previous service with the famous '0' ships; this picture shows S.s. "ORMONDE" leaving Sydney about mid October 1952 for the last time, with her paying off pennant flying.

Bob was a bedroom steward on th is sailing and recalls the saloon bulkheads

allowed me to read his letters concerning Geoff, and therefore, consider him a great friend. When Geoff was promoted Master, we sent Jim a copy of the Movement List, together with a note stating "Congratulations, you now have two Masters in your family." This was signed by all Jim's working colleagues. I might add Jim's other son is a School Master.

Michael's father was of my own age and I can just remember him before the war when we were both Office Boys, but on returning from the forces we were both in Sales Accounts Department, and worked alongside one another and were great friends. Harry was another of the long lost breed of very able and conscientious workers, but he was also a very keen sportsman. He was most proud to be the Captain of the Saturday Cricket Team, and worked very hard to keep that side going. No doubt Michael well remembers the weekends he. spent at the New Malden Sports Ground. Harry was also respon­sible for the FYFFES football team, and it was only because of his tremen­dous enthusiasm that a team was formed and kept going. Tragically he died a young man, a great loss.

Yes J was very fortunate to have known and worked with both these gentlemen.

A.S. Smith (Bert), ex Marine Accountant, London.

hung with tapestries - "a beautiful ship with lovely woodwork."

One of the drawbacks to being a B.R.S. on "ORMONDE" was that each cabin was fitted with a 'compactum'. To the uninitiated this remarkable fitment was a wash basin in a wooden cabinet about the size of a grandfather clock. Behind the mirror, a tank which was filled in the morning with hot water.

The passenger opened the compactum in the middle to reveal a washbasin, not unlike a bedpan, non-splash sides. Depress the tap and the basin filled from the tank; close up the compactum and the basin drained into the pull out drain tank at the bottom - keeping this infernal machine full at the top and empty in the drain tank was the B.R.'s nightmare.

"ORMONDE" docked in Tilbury 3rd December, thence Glasgow to end her days after 35 years' service. Bob did the run and recalls he was home for Christmas.

Published by Fyffes Group Limited, subsidiary of UNITED BRANDS COMPANY, New York, USA for staff circulation only and not to be reproduced without permission of the Editor. Printed by Lonsdale Technical Limited.