Ships tea

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates can any one tell me the name and type of ships tea used in the british merchant navy 1960 to 1975 all I remember it was very strong and was in wooden tea chest with sliver foil on top, was it from Indian or else where? and was it B.O,T. approve? and is any of that tea still around? Have a bet on with a mate a ex docker who said no one would know please prove him wrong!!!!

[John Albert Evans]

I sailed mainly in tankers, Eagle Oil and Shell, between 1957 and 1963, cabin boy to ships cook, the only tea in chests that i can remember was 'Black Boy' that was loaded on in the UK. Tea from the rest of the world would probably be the cheapest the ships chandler could get away with.

Hope that helps.
John.

[robpage]

Clan Line was Liptons tea Bags on at least two ships I sailed on . On Bangladeshi / Indian crewed ships , it was brewed strong till it was an orange colour when the Fussels Sweetened Condensed milk was added . On Gulf Oil Tankers It was always Carnation Evaporated Milk and again I think the tea was Lipton . I dont ever remember seeing loose tea , or tea in tea chests .

Our Local Co-op used to get tea chests and ladel the tea out into seperate bags at the shop , Butter was the Lurpak brand delivered in barrells and split at the shop .


Because the Orange Tea was sickly sweet and strong I have drunk cofgfee for the last forty five years , Clan Line that was always Maxwell House , I think it was cheaper than Nescafe .

[happy daze john in oz]

Not sure about first class but in tourist on the Lavender Ladies it came in a large wooden box from which it was dispensed into a large square biscuit tin for the wingers to use. With two sittings there was always ample supply, but if numbers were down and only one sitting the second steward would issue it as if it were gold.