On the SS Folda

“I was interested to read about the SS Explorer,” emails John Cook. “It was the fact that it was the last steam ship trawler. In 1954 I was ordered to join the SS Folda lying in Leith. I had just finished my training at Gravesend, Kent, and was eagerly looking forward to joining my first ship.

“I, of course, expected to be joining a huge passenger liner and I must admit I was more than a little disappointed when I got my first look at my ship. It was a little steam ship of, I think, 695 tons. It sat so low in the water, I was able to just step aboard her.

“I was later to find out that amongst other things, our main cargoes were bringing pit props over from Norway to Scotland.

“She was owned by Salvese, 29 Bernard Street, Leith. I was on that ship for over a year and the ‘Old Man’ (Captain) told me he would have liked to have taken me with him on his next ship which was a two year trip to the whaling.

“However, as I was only on a boy’s wage, he would be doing me an injustice as I would be due a promotion shortly, which would, of course, mean more wages for me.

“The SS Folda’s sister ship, the SS Tronda, was the ship they used in the making of the film Hell Below Zero with Stanley Baker and Alan Ladd. I have seen the film many times and it brings back happy memories of my first ship.

“I never did a trip on a steam ship again so I think the SS Folda must have been one of the last steam ships around too. I am pretty sure she was scrapped not long after I left her.”

“Spotted on the links,” says a reader. “Any good for the frying pan?”