At this time of year, there are many traveling back and forth to Ja. We take it for granted now when we see folks jetting in and out from the UK, Canada, and the US. But anyone remember the dyas when a trip from England took like forever by steamship? We'd get word that so and so would be coming home, and the anticipation would build for weeks(or months), with such excitement when that day of arrival finally came.

Those were the days when ships had to make stops in places like Portugal, Spain , Gibralter, or the Canary Isles, before finally docking in Kingston. Before that, the whole experience of transoceanic travel really started in the days of "the banana boats". Would love to hear some stories of some of those trips from anyone with personal (or second hand) experience.

I have done the Ja to UK and back trip by banana boat several times before transatlantic airtravel became the norm. Good fun but the passengers had to realise that bananas came first and before the comfort of passengers. In other words speed was of the essence otherwise the fruit would ripen before arrival in the UK.
Elders & Fyffes was the banana carrying shipping line and they had small and fast ships such as the Curare, Pacuare and Bayano carrying about 12 passengers each. Fyffes later introduced the Camito & Golfito which carried 105 passengers. I served on the Camito for 5 voyages and, boy, do I have stories to tell - but not here!

Voyage times were about 10 days but usually a bit shorter going back to europe. There was a weekly service if I remember correctly but I guess that was dependent on availability of the banana crop. Invariably, ships set off for the UK from Port Antonio having already picked up part loads of bananas in such places as Bowden.

Is this any help?

Uncle Peter I would love to hear the stories on these Ship voyages. I have friends from other parts of the Caribbean that tells me how the Jamaicans had to protect the other Island people on these ships. Looking forward to your book.

Jamaicans (We) always run things. Other islanders have mentioned to me that they have nuff respect for Jamaicans who opened the way for them in England, US and other countries. Shows that we should always do all the good we can, when we can, for as long as we can.

Hey Uncle Peter the next time you are in town, I'll buy the beer if you tell the stories. I would love to here them!

Cool vibes Uncle Peter. I quite understand that no salty tales are allowed on this family forum. Sure would love to have an opportunity to hear them some day though.

I also heard those stories about Jamaicans speaking up. Just hope we're still not referring to our neighbours as "small island people."

Happy New Year everyone. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

If you enjoy reading about old time Jamaica you may want to read "A True History of Paradaise". The author is a Jamaican woman named Margaret Cezar- Thompson (Not sure of the spelling of Cezar) The last time I read it I bought it used for $1 on amazon.com. (I have read it 3 times)

Pirates daughter was also a good read.I can not remember if it was the same author (it may have been)

Rebecca we have a date! Remind me to tell you the story of the 2nd Mate on a trip ashore to the delights of Kingston.

Run things - I presume you are referring to members of the crew? Way back there were no Jamaicans serving on the banana boats. There were sometimes stowaways aboard and when these emerged from the cold of the banana holds they were put to work. Otherwise the only Jamaicans, in my experience, were amongst the passengers.

"We run things" is a phrase used by the very proud Jamaicans, usually to annoy others who often accuse us Jamaicans for being vocal, up front fighting battles and opening doors in the field of medicine, sports, activism, music, housing, culinary art, etc. (For example, I got to my feet when the Jamaican flag took the wind at the Inauguration of President Obama, as William so beautifully rendered "One Love").

I travelled on the Golfito and the Camito and have the passenger manual with dining times and so on listed.