SS Comayagua/KFLQ

SS Comayagua/KFLQ  Refrig cargo  12/68 - 4/69

Job calls from the Union began to slow down a bit and I wanted to make sure I really wanted to become a full member of The American Radio Assoc., so I decided to try a non-union job that was offered to me by United Fruit Co.

United Fruit had many of its U.S. Flag vessels engaged in support of the the war in Vietnam. These vessels were all refrigerated ships used for storage of food. As the war wound down for the meat storage requirements, and as the charters were expiring, United fruit would return the ships to their normal routes until the company decided what to do with them. I was offered a relief job on the refrigerated cargo vessel Comayagua. She was a twin screw, had teak decks, and was a  well maintained old ship. I joined her in Oakland Ca. We proceeded down the west coast of  Central America to Puerto Armuelles, Panama where we Loaded a full load of bananas for Charleston, SC. After discharging the bananas the ship was laid up. I was kept on payroll until I got tired of waiting for another ship and quit. I reregistered at the Union Hall and waited. Here is a picture of Comayagua and a picture of me at age 24?    

             

                       

United Fruit Co. New York, NY