The Fleets
This page covers Imperial Direct West India Mail Service Co., Elders & Fyffes Shipping Ltd., Fyffes Group Ltd., Fyffes Geest Line
In 1901 the Imperial Direct West India Mail Service Company was formed to run passenger and banana cargo services from the UK to Jamaica. (see Elder Dempster & Co). Elders & Fyffes Shipping, Limited, was founded in 1902 as a separate company, but only catered for a handful of passengers. In 1910 E&F came under the control of the American United Fruit Company, but retained their own identity. The Imperial Direct Line closed in 1911 and their ships either sold or returned to Elder Dempster & Company, causing E&F to enter the passenger market.
By 1913 United Fruit completely owned E&F and between 1922 and 1926, several European subsidiary companies were set up. United Fruit Company took over Cuyamel Fruit Company, Honduras in 1931 and transferred the three largest ships to E&F service.
In 1933, under Nazi trading laws, it was found necessary to form a German subsidiary company ("Union" Handels, Bremerhaven) and several ships were transferred to this company.
The Surrey Shipping Company, Hamilton, Bermuda, was set up in 1959 to own E&F managed ships and in 1969 the group became known as Fyffes Group, Limited. After several ownership / name changes, the company became Fyffes PLC in 1990 and in 1996 acquired the Geest group. They are still trading.
Many thanks to Ted Finch and Henk Jungerius, for their assistance in collecting this data. The following list was extracted from various sources. This is not an all inclusive list but should only be used as a guide.
Routes
- 1901-1911 Avonmouth - Kingston - Costa Rica.
- 1901-1916 Canary Islands - Liverpool / London / Avonmouth.
- 1901-1967 Avonmouth - Kingston - Central America (Ports: Port of Spain, La Guaira, Santa Marta, Cristobal, Puerto Limon, Tela, Hamilton, Bermuda and smaller Jamaican ports)
- 1901-1912 Manchester - Jamaica - Central America.
- 1912-1965 Garston - Jamaica - Central America.
- 1926 Regular calls at Rotterdam and Bremerhaven introduced.
- 1927-1931 London / Garston - Canary Islands.
- 1931-1939 Southampton included in the Rotterdam / Bremerhaven route.
- 1939-1940 Avonmouth - Cameroons.
- 1946-1964 Europe / London / Avonmouth - Cameroons.
- 1949-1967 Inbound became Kingston - Southampton - Rotterdam.
- 1967-1988 Southampton became the UK terminal.
- 1988 to date Portsmouth - Surinam the main service.
Imperial Direct West India Mail Service Co. Ships
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica | 1908 | Feeder services in West Indies built for Elder Line, 1911 laid up, 1912 ownership transferred to Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. group same name, 1914 transferred to the Pacific Steam Nav. Co., 1918 reverted to Royal Mail ownership but operated by Pacific Steam Nav. Co., 1929 sold to Chile renamed Coyhaique, 1943 scrapped. | 1,138 |
| Port Antonio | 1901 | West Indies service for Elder Dempster, 1911 sold to Turkish Government, renamed Rechid Pacha, 1933 transferred to Turkish Admiralty. | 4,458 |
| Port Henderson | 1894 | ex- Arawa, Shaw, Savill & Albion, 1896 renamed Colon after charter to Spain, 1899 reverted to Arawa, 1899 purchased by Elder Dempster, 1900 rebuilt renamed Lake Megantic for Beaver Line, 1905 transferred to West Indies service for Elder Dempster, later renamed Port Henderson, 1911 ownership changed to British & African S.N. Co., 1912 sold to M.E. Lanz, Genoa renamed Anapo, 1913 sold renamed Porto Said, 1915 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine off Cyranaica by U39. | 5,115 |
| Port Kingston | 1904 | West Indies service for Elder Dempster, 1910 laid up, 1911 sold to Union SS Co of New Zealand, renamed Tahiti, 1930 sank at sea after propeller shaft snapped and tore a hole in the hull. | 7,585 |
| Port Maria | 1901 | West Indies service for Elder Dempster, 1910 sold to Cie de Nav. Mixte, Marseilles, renamed Mustapha, 1911 sold to Sicilia Societa di Nav., Italy renamed Tocra, 1933 scrapped. | 2,910 |
| Port Morant | 1900 | West Indies service for Elder Dempster, 1909 sold to Cia Argentina de Nav. Mihanovitch, Buenos Aires, renamed Sarmiento, 1912 wrecked. | 2,831 |
| Port Royal | 1901 | West Indies service for Elder Dempster, 1911 sold to Turkish Government, renamed Midhat Pacha, 1914 sunk a a Russian warship near Eregli. | 4,455 |
Elders & Fyffes
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almirante | 1970 | ex- Ea (launched as Hamoor King), 1978 purchased from Liberia and renamed, 1990 sold to Honduras, renamed Frio Arctic, 1990 sold same name. | 1,997 |
| Appomattox | 1893 | ex- Appomattox, 1902 purchased from Chesapeake & Ohio SS Co not renamed, 1910 sold to Turkey, renamed Seyer, 1916 sunk by Russian warships. | 3,338 |
| Aracataca (1) | 1911 | 1917 sunk in collision with Lamport & Holt Line's Moliere off Beachy Head | 4,154 |
| Aracataca (2) | 1924 | 1940 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U 101 in North Atlantic; loss of 36 lives. | 5,378 |
| Argual | 1927 | Canary Islands service, 1933 transferred to United Fruit's Mayan SS Co, Honduras, 1934 to Empresa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Puerto Cortes same name, 1949 transferred by United Fruit to Agencia Maritima Hondurena, Tela, 1954 scrapped. | 2,496 |
| Ariguani | 1926 | 1956 scrapped. | 6,746 |
| Aztec | 1929 | ex- Aztec Cuyamel Fruit Co., 1930 transferred to United Fruit Co., 1931 transferred from United Fruit Co not renamed, 1938 sold to P.A. Jensen, Denmark renamed Peter Lassen, 1940 to Mayan SS Corp. same name, 1961 scrapped. | 5,502 |
| Barranca (1) | 1906 | 1914-1916 became Q-ship Echunga, 1917 returned to E& F, 1936 scrapped. | 4,115 |
| Barranca (2) | 1972 | laid up in 1984, 1985 scrapped. | 4,087 |
| Bayano (1) | 1913 | 1914 became Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Bayano, 1915 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U27 off Ireland; loss of 197 lives. | 6,100 |
| Bayano (2) | 1915 | Ordered as Cauca then named Arguan, but launched as Bayano, from 1915-1918 HMS Bayano, 1956 scrapped. | 6,788 |
| Bayano (3) | 1972 | laid up in 1984, 1985 scrapped. | 4,087 |
| Box Hill | 1952 | Built for Empressa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Tela, 1959 transferred from Honduras flag to Surrey SS Co., 1964 reverted to Empressa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Tela, renamed Leon 1980 scrapped. | 2,765 |
| Camito (1) | 1915 | 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U 97 in North Atlantic as the Ocean Boarding Vessel HMS Camito. | 6,611 |
| Camito (2) | 1956 | 1973 scrapped. | 8,736 |
| Carare | 1925 | 1940 mined and sunk in Bristol Channel. | 6,878 |
| Casanare | 1924 | 1940 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U 99 in the North Atlantic; loss of 9 lives. | 5,376 |
| Cavina (1) | 1915 | 1935 scrapped. | 6,539 |
| Cavina (2) | 1924 | 1957 sold to Cia.Naviera Lanena, renamed Catusha. 1958 scrapped. | 6,907 |
| Chagres (1) | 1912 | 1918 torpedoed and sunk off Crete by German submarine UC74; loss of 1 life. | 5,288 |
| Chagres (2) | 1927 | 1940 mined and sunk off Mersey, magnetic mine was laid by German submarine U 30; loss of 2 lives. | 5,406 |
| Changuinola (1) | 1912 | laid down as Columbia for Hamburg America Line, ex- Carl Schurz, United Fruit Co., 1914 transferred from United Fruit Co., renamed Changuinola, 1914-1920 became HMS Changuinola, 1933 scrapped. | 5,978 |
| Changuinola (2) | 1957 | 1970 transferred to Empressa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Puerto Cortez renamed Omoa, 1975 scrapped. | 6,283 |
| Chicanoa | 1958 | 1970 transferred to Empressa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Puerto Cortez renamed Orica, 1972 sold to Greece, renamed Mardinia Importer, 1974 scrapped. | 6,430 |
| Chickahominy | 1893 | ex- Chickahominy, 1902 purchased from Chesapeake & Ohio SS Co not renamed, 1910 scrapped. | 3,354 |
| Chirripo (1) | 1906 | 1917 mined and sunk off Black Head, mines laid by UC 75. | 4,041 |
| Chirripo (2) | 1919 | 1935 transferred to "Union" Handels und Schiffahrtsgesellschaft, Bremerhaven, renamed Wesermunde, 1939 interned at Honduras, 1941 taken by USA as war prize, operated by United Fruit Co, 1946 returned to E&F;, 1952 scrapped. | 5,357 |
| Chirripo (3) | 1957 | 1969 transferred to Empressa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Puerto Cortez renamed Olancho, 1972 sold to Greece, renamed Mardinia Exporter, 1974 scrapped. | 6,283 |
| Chuscal | 1961 | 1972 sold to Homeric Shipping, Panama, renamed Mardinia Packer, 1974 scrapped. | 6,282 |
| Coppename | 1990 | 1996 still in service. | 4,666 |
| Coronado | 1915 | 1935 scrapped. | 6,539 |
| Corrales | 1930 | 1961 scrapped Santander. | 5,363 |
| Cottica | 1991 | 1996 still in service. | 4,666 |
| Cristales | 1926 | 1942 torpedoed by German submarine U 124, damaged, later sunk by gunfire from escorting warship in North Atlantic. | 5,389 |
| Darien | 1964 | ex- Polatstern, 1974 purchased from Bock, Godefroy & Co., Hamburg, and renamed Darien, 1981 sold to Greece, renamed Chion Carrier, 1983 sold to Panama renamed Khumbu, 1984 renamed Khumbu I and scrapped. | 3,382 |
| Davao | 1964 | ex- Polarlicht, 1974 purchased from Hamburg South America Line and renamed Davao, 1981 sold to Greece, renamed Chion Trader, 1984 sold to Panama renamed Banquise, 1985 scrapped. | 3,413 |
| Golfito | 1949 | 1971 scrapped. | 8,736 |
| Greenbrier (1) | 1893 | ex- Greenbrier, 1902 purchased from Chesapeake & Ohio SS Co not renamed, 1910 sold to Tropical Fruit & Shipping Co, West Hartlepool same name, 1915 transferred to the US flag, 1915 mined and sunk. | 3,332 |
| Greenbrier (2) | 1914 | ex- Pungo, F. Laeisz, Hamburg, 1920 war reparations intended name Sutton Hall but passed to Cie. de Nav. Mixte renamed Theodore Mante but never taken into service, laid up, 1921 acquired by E & F renamed Greenbrier, 1933 sold to Midgard, Germany, renamed Oldenburg, 1945 bombed and sunk at Vadheimfjord, 1953 wreck blown up by explosives. | 4,722 |
| Jarikaba | 1985 | 1996 still in service. | 4,233 |
| Leith Hill | 1952 | Built for Empressa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Tela, 1959 transferred from Honduras flag to Surrey SS Co., 1965 reverted to Empressa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Tela, renamed Lempa, 1981 scrapped. | 2,765 |
| Magdalena | 1973 | 1984 transferred to Hong Kong, renamed Bluestream, 1990 sold to Bahamas, renamed Myrtia. | 6,513 |
| Manistee (1) | 1904 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Scilly Isles by German submarine U 62; loss of 5 lives. | 3,869 |
| Manistee (2) | 1920 | 1940 became armed boarding vessel HMS Manistee, 1941 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic by German submarine U 107. | 5,360 |
| Manistee (3) | 1932 | ex- Eros, 1946 purchased from Morant SS Co, Canada, and renamed Manistee, 1960 scrapped. | 5,841 |
| Manistee (4) | 1972 | 1983 transferred to Lincoln Shipping Co., Southampton, 1984 transferred to Hong Kong, renamed Fleet Wave, 1990 sold to Bahamas, renamed Mimoza. | 6,513 |
| Manzanares (1) | 1911 | 1935 transferred to "Union" Handels, Bremerhaven, renamed Vegesack, 1939 wrecked near Stavanger. | 4,094 |
| Manzanares (2) | 1973 | 1984 transferred to Hong Kong, renamed Barrydale, 1990 sold to Bahamas, renamed Margarita. | 6,513 |
| Matina (1) | 1904 | 1928 scrapped. | 3,870 |
| Matina (2) | 1929 | 1940 went missing in Atlantic, presumed torpedoed and sunk. | 5,389 |
| Matina (3) | 1946 | 1968 scrapped. | 6,801 |
| Matina (4) | 1969 | 1982 sold to Abdullah Akbar & Ahmed Zainy Cold Stores, Saudi Arabia, renamed Al Attared, 1993 scrapped after engine trouble. | 6,351 |
| Mazatec (1) | 1929 | ex- Maya, Cuyamel Fruit Co., 1930 transferred to United Fruit Co., 1931 transferred from United Fruit Co. renamed Mazatec, 1938 sold to P.A. Jensen, Denmark renamed Vitus Bering, 1940 to Mayan SS Corp. same name, 1961 scrapped | 5,503 |
| Mazatec (2) | 1972 | 1984 transferred to Hong Kong, renamed Sky Clipper, 1990 sold to Bahamas, renamed Magnolia. | 6,513 |
| Miami (1) | 1904 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Fastnet by German submarine UC51, no lives lost. | 3,762 |
| Miami (2) | 1914 | ex- Pionier, F. Laeisz, Hamburg, 1919 war reparations, 1921 allocated to E&F; renamed Miami, 1933 sold to Midgard, Germany renamed Nordenham, 1944 torpedoed by Russians off Libau, beached and broken up. | 4,689 |
| Mopan | 1929 | 1940 captured and sunk by German battleship Admiral Scheer. | 5,389 |
| Morant | 1970 | 1982 sold to Abdullah Akbar & Ahmed Zainy Cold Stores, Saudi Arabia, renamed Al Zohal. | 6,348 |
| Motagua (1) | 1912 | laid down as Normannia for Hamburg America Line, ex- Emile L. Boas, United Fruit Co,1914 transferred from United Fruit Co., renamed Motagua, 1915-1919 became HMS Motagua, 1933 scrapped. | 5,977 |
| Motagua (2) | 1970 | 1982 sold to Abdullah Akbar & Ahmed Zainy Cold Stores, Saudi Arabia, renamed Al Moshtaree, 1994 scrapped. | 6,348 |
| Musa | 1971 | 1982 sold to Abdullah Akbar & Ahmed Zainy Cold Stores, Saudi Arabia renamed Al Zahrah | 6,510 |
| Nickerie | 1986 | 1996 still in service. | 4,233 |
| Nicoya (1) | 1905 | 1928 scrapped. | 3,911 |
| Nicoya (2) | 1929 | 1942 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U 553 in Gulf of St.Lawrence, loss of 6 lives. | 5,364 |
| Nicoya (3) | 1935 | ex- Panther, F. Laeisz, Hamburg, 1947 acquired as war prize and renamed Empire Mowddach, 1946 acquired by E&F; renamed Nicoya, 1959 scrapped. | 3,410 |
| Oracabessa | 1894 | ex- Carlisle City, 1903 purchased from Furness, Withy & Co. renamed Oracabessa, 1909 sold to W. Garthwaite & Co., Hartlepool same name, 1916 sold to Soc. Anon Martinelli, Rio de Janeiro renamed Belem, 1925 sold to Lloyd National, Martinelli same name, 1932 scrapped. | 3,002 |
| Orotava | 1927 | Canary Islands service, 1933 transferred to United Fruit's Mayan SS Co, Honduras, 1934 to Empresa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Puerto Cortes same name, 1949 transferred by United Fruit to Agencia Maritima Hondurena, Tela, 1954 deleted from register, 1967 scrapped | 2,518 |
| Pacuare (1) | 1905 | 1936 scrapped. | 3,891 |
| Pacuare (2) | 1934 | ex- Pelikan, F. Laeisz, Hamburg, 1946 acquired as war prize and renamed Empire Alde , 1946 acquired by E&F; renamed Pacuare, 1959 scrapped. | 3,264 |
| Pacuare (3) | 1948 | ex- Tivives, 1969 transferred from United Fruit Co. and renamed Pacuare, 1972 scrapped. | 5,075 |
| Patia (1) | 1913 | 1915 became Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Patia, 1918 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine UC69 in Bristol Channel. | 6,103 |
| Patia (2) | 1922 | 1941 bombed and sunk off Northumbria as HMS Patia; loss of 39 lives. | 5,355 |
| Patia (3) | 1947 | ex- Yaque, 1970 transferred from United Fruit Co. and renamed Patia, 1972 scrapped. | 5,075 |
| Patuca (1) | 1913 | 1913 - 1914 became Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Patuca, 1918 returned to E& F, 1935 scrapped. | 6,103 |
| Patuca (2) | 1947 | ex- Sixaola built in 1947, 1970 transferred from United Fruit Co. and renamed Patuca, 1978 scrapped. | 5,075 |
| Pecos | 1947 | ex- Hibueras built in 1947, 1970 transferred from United Fruit Co. and renamed Pecos, 1972 scrapped. | 5,075 |
| Reventazon (1) | 1906 | 1918 torpedoed and sunk in Gulf of Salonika by German submarine UC23; loss of 15 lives. | 4,175 |
| Reventazon (2) | 1921 | 1935 transferred to "Union" Handels und Schiffahrtsgesellschaft, Bremerhaven, renamed Bremerhaven, 1944 bombed and sunk near Danzig. | 5,394 |
| Reventazon (3) | 1939 | ex- Panther, F. Laeisz, Hamburg, 1945 acquired as war prize and renamed Empire Mole, 1946 acquired by E&F; renamed Reventazon, 1963 sold to Panama, renamed Kimolos (Greek flag), 1972 sold to Alimos Shipping & Trading, Greece renamed Ilkon Jan, resold renamed Vassilia K, 1973 scrapped. | 4,876 |
| Rio Cobre | 1945 | ex- Junior, 1969 transferred from United Mail SS Co., NY and renamed Rio Cobre, 1975 scrapped. | 7,074 |
| Roatan | 1946 | ex- Comayagua, 1969 transferred from United Mail SS Co., NY and renamed Roatan, 1975 scrapped. | 7,074 |
| Romano | 1947 | ex- Metapan, 1969 transferred from United Fruit Co. and renamed Romano, immediately transferred to Caraibische Scheepvaart Mij., Dutch flag renamed Tinto, 1975 scrapped. | 7,067 |
| Ronde | 1945 | ex- San Jose, 1969 transferred from United Mail SS Co., NY and renamed Ronde, 1976 scrapped. | 7,074 |
| Samala (1) | 1928 | 1940 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U 37 in Atlantic; loss of 67 lives. | 5,390 |
| Samala (2) | 1932 | ex- Quirigua, 1941 became USS Mizar, 1943 reverted to Quirigua, 1959 transferred from United Fruit Co. and renamed Samala, she arrived at Kaohsiung for scrapping on 24th Jan. 1964. | 7,600 |
| Sinaloa | 1932 | ex- Veragua , became USS Merak in 1941, 1944 reverted to Veragua, 1958 transferred from United Fruit Co. and renamed Sinaloa, 1969 scrapped. | 7,513 |
| Sulaco (1) | 1926 | 1940 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U 124 in Atlantic; loss of 65 lives. | 5,389 |
| Sulaco (2) | 1931 | ex- Talamanca, 1958 transferred from United Fruit Co. and renamed Sulaco, 1964 scrapped. | 7,602 |
| Telde (1) | 1927 | Canary Islands service, 1933 transferred to United Fruit's Mayan SS Co, Honduras, 1934 to Empresa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Puerto Cortes same name, 1949 transferred by United Fruit to Agencia Maritima Hondurena, Tela, 1954 scrapped. | 2,519 |
| Telde (2) | 1961 | Built for Surrey SS Co., 1974 transferred to Empresa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Honduras, 1979 scrapped. | 6,738 |
| Tenadores | 1960 | Built for Surrey SS Co., 1965 transferred to Empresa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Honduras, 1980 scrapped. | 6,738 |
| Tetela (1) | 1926 | 1959 scrapped. | 5,389 |
| Tetela (2) | 1960 | built for Surrey SS Co., 1967 transferred to Empresa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Honduras, 1980 scrapped. | 6,738 |
| Tilapa (1) | 1928 | 1959 scrapped. | 5,392 |
| Tilapa (2) | 1961 | Built for Surrey SS Co., 1980 scrapped. | 6,738 |
| Toltec | 1929 | ex- Toltec, Cuyamel Fruit Co., 1930 transferred to United Fruit Co., 1931 transferred from United Fruit Co not renamed, 1938 sold to P.A. Jensen, Denmark renamed Knud Rasmussen, 1940 to Mayan SS Corp. same name, 1961 scrapped. | 5,502 |
| Tortuguero (1) | 1909 | 1918 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic by German submarine; loss of 12 lives. | 4,175 |
| Tortuguero (2) | 1921 | 1958 scrapped. | 5,285 |
| Tucurinca (1) | 1926 | 1943 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U 221 in Atlantic; loss of 1 life. | 5,412 |
| Tucurinca (2) | 1962 | Built for Surrey SS Co., 1978 transferred to Empresa Hondurena de Vapores S.A., Honduras, 1980 scrapped. | 5,285 |
| Turrialba | 1960 | Built for Surrey SS Co,, 1965 transferred to Balboa Shipping, Honduras, 1979 damaged by grounding, 1980 scrapped. | 6,738 |
| Zent (1) | 1905 | 1916 torpedoed and sunk off Fastnet by German submarine U66. | 3,890 |
| Zent (2) | 1920 | 1935 transferred to "Union" Handels und Schiffahrtsgesellschaft, Bremerhaven, renamed Brake, 1945 war prize to US Maritime Commission, 1946 scrapped. | 5,362 |
| Zent (3) | 1938 | ex- Viator, Sorensen, 1938 sold to H. Schuldt & Co., Flensburg renamed Angelburg, 1945 acquired as war prize and renamed Empire Wharfe, 1946 purchased by E & F renamed Zent, 1962 scrapped. | 3,072 |
Wartime Managed Ships
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brita Thorden | 1920 | ex- Aries, ex- Eidsbotten, ex- Britta Thorden , 1940 managed for MOWT, 1945 transferred to Kennaugh & Co, Liverpool, 1947 returned to owner and later scrapped. | 1,899 |
| Empire Abbey | 1943 | 1943-1946 managed for MOWT, 1946 acquired by Royal Mail Line, renamed Teviot, 1959 laid up, 1960 sold to Mullion & Co., Hong Kong renamed Ardellis, 1963 sold to Hai An Shipping Co., Hong Kong renamed Tung An, 1966 scrapped. | 7,085 |
| Empire Balfour | 1944 | 1944-1946 managed for MOWT, 1946 management transferred to Houlder Bros, 1949 renamed Barton Grange, 1958 sold to Western SS Co., Hong Kong renamed Sunlight, 1962 sold to Pan Norse SS Co., Panama same name, 1967 scrapped. | 7,085 |
| Empire Lady | 1944 | 1944-1947 managed for MOWT, 1946 acquired by Royal Mail Line, renamed Tweed, 1959 scrapped. | 7,085 |
| Ester Thorden | 1921 | ex- C.G. Thulin, P.G. Thulin, Stockholm, ex Ester Thorden 1932, 1940 managed for MOWT, 1940 transferred to R.H. Penny & Sons, London, 1945 returned to owner, 1950 scrapped. | 1,836 |
| Rosenburg | 1914 | ex- Rosenburg, Dampskibs Dannebrog, Copenhagen, 1942 managed for MOWT, 1943 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U 386 south of Iceland; loss of 19 lives. | 1,997 |
| Samstrule | 1944 | ex- Samstrule, 1944 managed for MOWT, 1947 transferred to H.M. Thomson, London, renamed Artemisia, 1956 sold to Cia Commercial Y Financiera Sudamericana S.A., Lebanon renamed Allegra S, 1966 sold to Panama renamed Marina, 1970 scrapped. | 7,210 |
| Yildum | 1913 | ex- Yildum, 1935 sold to Finland same name, managed for MOWT, 1944 sank in Atlantic after collision. | 3,300 |
Geest Line
The Geest Line was started as a coaster service between Holland and Great Yarmouth/Boston, UK in 1945 and commenced Europe - West Indies voyages in 1957. Their ships, some of which carried up to 12 passengers, were taken over by Elders & Fyffes in 1996.
Geest Line Routes
- 1901-1911 Avonmouth - Kingston - Costa Rica.
- 1901-1916 Canary Islands - Liverpool / London / Avonmouth.
- 1901-1967 Avonmouth - Kingston - Central America (Ports: Port of Spain, La Guaira, Santa Marta, Cristobal, Puerto Limon, Tela, Hamilton, Bermuda and smaller Jamaican ports)
- 1901-1912 Manchester - Jamaica - Central America.
- 1912-1965 Garston - Jamaica - Central America.
- 1926 Regular calls at Rotterdam and Bremerhaven introduced.
- 1927-1931 London / Garston - Canary Islands.
- 1931-1939 Southampton included in the Rotterdam / Bremerhaven route.
- 1939-1940 Avonmouth - Cameroons.
- 1946-1964 Europe / London / Avonmouth - Cameroons.
- 1949-1967 Inbound became Kingston - Southampton - Rotterdam.
- 1967-1988 Southampton became the UK terminal.
- 1988 to date Portsmouth - Surinam the main service.
| Fruit Express | 1944 | Built as standard Fairmile B launch but acquired by Van Geest and named Fruit Express, North Sea service, 1949 rebuilt and renamed Vegea, 1952 sold to J. Scheer Rotterdam renamed Orion, 1952 wrecked after failure of steering gear. | 168 |
| Geest-tide | 1971 | 1981 sold to Latvia, renamed Kuldiga. | 5,871 |
| Geestbay (1) | 1964 | 1973 sold to Christiaan Haland, Norway, renamed North Star, 1975 sold to Liberia renamed Isla Verde, 1984 scrapped. | 7,891 |
| Geestbay (2) | 1981 | 1995 sold to Panama, renamed Magellan Reefer. | 7,729 |
| Geestcape (1) | 1966 | 1975 sold to Cie. Franco Camerounaise, France renamed Nyombe, 1981 sold to Panama renamed Turtle, 1983 sank after explosion and fire. | 8,042 |
| Geestcape (2) | 1976 | ex- Loch Maree for Chas. Connell & Co., Glasgow, 1981 purchased by Salen Redereina, Stockholm and sold to Oman renamed Al-Salama, 1984 sold renamed Langelle, 1984 purchased from Langelle Shipping Co, Hong Kong and renamed Geestcape, 1993 sold to Bahamas, renamed Eastcape. | 8,030 |
| Geestcrest (1) | 1971 | 1981 sold to Latvian Shipping Co., Riga renamed Kandava, 1993 scrapped. | 5,870 |
| Geestdam | 1958 | 1972 North Sea service, 1966 lengthened, 1972 sold to St. Lucia, renamed Macadam, 1978 sold renamed Edna B. | 335 |
| Geestdiep | 1961 | 1973 North Sea service, 1973 sold to H. Boeree, Holland renamed Mercator, 1982 sold to Van Heck, Holland renamed Libro, transferred to St. Vincent, 1994 sunk and abandoned. | 360 |
| Geestdijk | see Geestdyk 1956. | ||
| Geestduin | 1969 | 1976 North Sea service, 1976 sold to Panama, renamed Garza, 1982 sold renamed Bart, 1983 sold to Cebo Marine, Holland renamed Carine, 1999 sold renamed Carine II. | 500 |
| Geestdyk | 1956 | 1979 North Sea service, 1960 renamed Geestdijk, 1967 lengthened, 1971 owned by Stolk Handelsonderneming but operated by Geest, 1979 scrapped. | 318 |
| Geesthaven (1) | 1966 | 1975 sold to Government of Qatar renamed Doha rebuilt into a livestock carrier, 1986 scrapped. | 8,040 |
| Geesthaven (2) | 1975 | ex- Loch Lomond, Chas. Connell & Co., Glasgow, 1981 purchased by Salen Redereina, Stockholm and sold to Oman renamed Al-Zahra, 1984 sold renamed Fastelle, 1984 purchased from Fastelle Shipping Co, Hong Kong and renamed Geesthaven, 1993 sold to Bahamas, renamed Star Haven. | 8,030 |
| Geestland (1) | 1960 | 1971 sold to Panama renamed Banana Planter, 1982 sold same name, 1984 scrapped. | 1,937 |
| Geestland (2) | 1972 | 1986 sold to Cyprus, renamed Starland, 1990 sold to Malta renamed Valparaiso Reefer, 1994 scrapped. | 5,870 |
| Geestport (1) | 1964 | 1973 sold to Afromar Inc., Greece renamed Kimolos, 1985 scrapped | 7,890 |
| Geestport (2) | 1982 | 1995 sold to Panama, renamed Bahiana Reefer. | 7,730 |
| Geestsluis | 1962 | 1973 North Sea service, 1973 sold to H. Steenstra, Holland renamed Douwe, 1977 sold to the Bahamas renamed Bahama Adventure, 1991 sold to Honduras renamed Davyton, 1992 sold to St. Vincent renamed Shoreline Trader, 1993 renamed Maggy I, 1993 sold to Belize renamed Valerie I. | 360 |
| Geeststar (1) | 1960 | 1971 sold to Panama, renamed Banana Reefer, 1984 scrapped. | 1,937 |
| Geeststar (2) | 1972 | 1986 sold to Cyprus, renamed Frio Brazil, 1990 sold renamed Frio Amazon, 1994 sold renamed Sican, 1995 sold renamed Nac. | 5,870 |
| Geeststroom (1) | 1954 | 1970 North Sea service, 1970 scrapped. | 318 |
| Geeststroom (2) | 1971 | 1976 North Sea service, 1976 sold to A.J. & H. Boeree, Holland renamed Caravelle, 1983 sold to Cebo Marine, Holland not renamed. | 499 |
| Geesttide (1) | 1992 | 1981 sold to Latvian Shipping Co., Riga renamed Kuldiga, 1993 scrapped | 5,871 |
| Vegea | see Fruit Express 1944. | ||
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|
Ships Chartered by Geest
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geest Dominica | 1993 | ex- Geest Dominica, K/S DMK-Femo, chartered to Geest Line, 1996 taken over by Elders & Fyffes. | 13,077 |
| Geest St.Lucia | 1992 | ex- Geest St.Lucia, K/S DMK-Femo, chartered to Geest Line, 1996 taken over by Elders & Fyffes. | 13,077 |
| Geest Trader | 1995 | ex- Limburg, J. Kopping, 1995 chartered by Geest Line for their North Sea service, 1996 still in service. | 2,899 |
| Geestcrest (2) | 1993 | ex- Caribbean Universal, Safmarine & Rennies Holdings, Cape Town, 1995 renamed Hornbreeze on charter, 1995 chartered and renamed Geestcrest, 1995 reverted to Hornbreeze, 1998 sold to Unicoolship renamed Caribbean Universal, 2001 sold to L. Hoegh & Co. same name. | 10,614 |
| Geesttide (2) | 1993 | ex- Coral Universal, Safmarine & Rennies Holdings, Cape Town, 1994 renamed Horncloud on charter, 1994 charterd and renamed Geestide, 1995 reverted to Horncloud, 1998 sold to Unicoolship renamed Coral reef, 2001 sold to L. Hoegh & Co. same name. | 10,614 |