hi lads. vernon, i parked up on several UCL mailboats at maderia. we always anchored out and the crew were not allowed ashore to my knowledge. the boys used to dive from the bridge wings into the water and bring the coins up in thier mouths or between thier toes.there was always a lot of tradesmen on board selling wickerwork goods. chairs tables birdcages etc. they also sold canaries? which sometimes turned out to be sparrows with split tongues and pepper in the water to make them whistle. john the fish you were talking about were at ascention island, and the lads used to lower a breadbasket (wire cage) with a couple of rolls in and it immediatly filled up with those what we called cannibal fish very poisonous. the island belonged to cable& wireless i believe, and the staff there used to race round the old airfield in vehicles left there by the yanks after the war. the crew were all allowed ashore in st helena and they had dances for them. all the girls were very willing and i had two sisters all night for an old lighter and 50 cigs. alf
