CHAPTER XXI 

 TRANSPORT BY SEA 



Carriage by Steamers. It is of the first importance that 

 the least possible time should elapse between the cutting 

 of the fruit and its sale to customers. Messrs. Elders 

 and Fyffes have now specially constructed steamers of 

 5000 tons capacity, each capable of carrying 60,000 

 bunches ; they are fitted with the latest cool-air system, 

 which ensures an even temperature of about 56 F. (13 C.), 

 and there is a weekly sailing. 



It is difficult to realize the amount of attention and care 

 that is necessary to bring the fruit in perfect condition to 

 the retailer. After the vessel is docked, the first step is to 

 lift, by means of crane-power, enormous cages filled with 

 bananas, which occupy the space of the hatchway area 

 from the upper to the bottom deck. After these cages are 

 removed the hatchway is clear, and it is then possible to 

 start discharging the fruit by means of elevators from any 

 one of the four or five decks, as may be found expedient. 

 The steamers are fitted with loading and unloading 

 machines working on the principle of endless belts. It 

 takes from 250 to 400 men to unload a steamer a task 

 which is invariably accomplished in one day. A cargo is 

 the equivalent of about 500 railway truck-loads. Owing 

 to the delicate nature of the fruit and the risk of chill, it 

 is a matter of the greatest importance that it should reach 

 its destination on the day following that of its despatch. 



At New Orleans * and Mobile the United Fruit Company 

 employ motor-driven machines of the marine leg type to 

 unload bunches of bananas from the holds of their vessels, 



* Times Engineering Supplement, August 16, 1911, p. 19. 

 166 



